The Greatest Keyboard Ever Made

HughPickens.com writes Adi Robertson argues that IBM's Model M keyboard, soon to turn 30 is still the only keyboard worth using for many people. Introduced in 1985 as part of the IBM 3161 terminal, the Model M was initially called the "IBM Enhanced Keyboard." A PC-compatible version appeared the following spring, and it officially became standard with the IBM Personal System / 2 in 1987. The layout of the Model M has been around so long that today it's simply taken for granted, but the keyboard's descendants have jettisoned one of the Model M's most iconic features — "buckling springs," designed to provide auditory and tactile feedback to the keyboard operator. "Model M owners sometimes ruefully post stories of spouses and coworkers who can't stand the incessant chatter. But fans say the springs' resistance and their audible "click" make it clear when a keypress is registered, reducing errors," writes Robertson. "Maybe more importantly, typing on the Model M is a special, tangible experience. Much like on a typewriter, the sharp click gives every letter a physical presence."

According to Robertson, the Model M is an artifact from a time when high-end computing was still the province of industry, not pleasure. But while today's manufacturers have long since abandoned the concept of durability and longevity, refurbished Model Ms are still available from aficionados like Brandon Ermita, a Princeton University IT manager who recovers them from supply depots and recycling centers and sells them through his site, ClickyKeyboards. "For the very few that still appreciate the tactile feel of a typewriter-based computer keyboard and can still appreciate the simplicity of black letters on white keys, one can still seek out and own an original IBM model M keyboard — a little piece of early computing history," says Ermita. As one Reddit user recently commented, "Those bastards are the ORIGINAL gaming keyboards. No matter how much you abuse it, you'll die before it does.""

Comments

Unicomp

[Anonymous Coward]

Still makes a buckling spring keyboard. Might be worth checking out if you want to purchase one.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/

Re:Unicomp

[symbolset]

This is actually the same keyboard, made in the same factory by the same people. The molds are the same. This is the Model M. Sadly, no Bluetooth version though.

Re:Unicomp

[Just Some Guy]

I came here to say this. I bought a Unicomp for its USB goodness and extra keys, expecting to get a newer Model M. The keys were nice but it weighed maybe 2/3 as much as the original. Worse - and this is the real travesty - I was able to flex it by twisting either end. God himself couldn't twist a real Model M with his bare hands. He might not be able to create an unmovable boulder, but Big Blue made a keyboard He couldn't break.

Re:Unicomp

[Just Some Guy]

I'm thinking of a Honda generator chugging away happily next to my desk. At least it wouldn't add much to the noise of my typing.

Still being made...

[hubang]

http://www.pckeyboard.com/

I prefer a mechanical keyboard myself (although with Cherry Blues). The Apple Extended Keyboard 2 (with Alps switches) was pretty good too.

Re:Still being made...

[gbjbaanb]

The thing is, its more than the keys.
A good keyboard must have weight to it, so its solid and won't wriggle or bend. It must have a decent size so its not slightly cramped to save plastic, It must have decent legs to raise the typing angle up, and it should have a little runner to store your pencils without resting them on the top of the function keys.

Cherry keys are a good thing, but there's more to it than just those.

Myself, I use an ancient compaq keyboard that I'm sure will be classed as a deadly weapon if I ever have to beat off burglars with it. Best thing is it doesn't have those 2 crappy Windows keys either!

The Model F is even better

[Ed Avis]

Model Ms are great. I have about a dozen of them. But the earlier Model F (based on capacitive switches underneath buckling spring) is even better. The Model F keyboard included with the original IBM PC excels in being heavy and clicky, but it has an awkward layout. The PC-AT introduced a much better layout, and the keyboard is electrically compatible with the later PS/2 plug (you just need a $2 adaptor). I am typing on a PC-AT keyboard now.

Re:I love Model Ms. I still have two of them.

[HughPickens.com]

Vintage IBM ps/2 keyboards pull up to 100x more current compared to modern keyboards. There is a special USB converter available that can handle the current:

http://www.clickykeyboards.com...

I have one

[Charliemopps]

I have a Model M in the closet. It's old, yellowed and the plug wont work without at least 2 adapters in-line.

But, you can still get nice switched keyboards if you like them as much as I do. Look for "Cherry" switches or in my case I got reproductions because they were cheaper. There are various colors but basically it comes down to if you like the "clicking" sounds, the Cherry Reds are the loudest and the Cherry Blues are the quietest. I have the Blues and it still drives my wife nutz. You can get an all plastic keyboard for around $50... If you want it to be build like a tank link the IBMs were, expect to spend $80 or more. If you want actual Cherry switches they can go as high as $300.

I've got a keyboard with reproduction Cherry Blue switches and a steel back plate. I got it off Newegg for about $85 and it's fantastic. I was ordering a new keyboard about every 6 months until I got a mechanical one. Works great for games to.

Re:I have one

[Anubis IV]

Cherry Reds are the loudest and the Cherry Blues are the quietest.

You have that completely backwards. Cherry MX Reds have a linear actuation (i.e. no tactile bump, no click, just a smooth press) that requires very little force, which makes sense, since they're aimed at the gaming market where being able to double-tap keys is important. They're probably the quietest keys in the entire Cherry MX line. The only sound they may even possibly be making is a banging that would occur if you're bottoming out with each key press, and you shouldn't be doing that unless you've picked up bad habits from years of using spongy, rubber dome keyboards. If you are bottoming out while typing, look into getting "landing pads", which are little pieces of foam that go around the switches and help to muffle the sound a bit.

In contrast, Cherry MX Blues (which are aimed primarily at typists) have a higher actuation force, along with a tactile and audible click. They're one of the loudest in the entire line of Cherry MX switches (if not the loudest), on par with the ones you'd hear in the Model M. If you want something a bit quieter while keeping the tactile sensation, get Cherry MX Browns, which go for more of a tactile bump instead of a click, meaning it's quite a bit quieter but still has most of the tactility. Again, you shouldn't be bottoming out while typing with mechanical keyboards (the biggest advantage of having the tactile feedback is so that you know when you've pressed a key and can move on, hence why the more tactile ones are aimed at typists), but if you are, landing pads will help with the racket you'd be making, though the goal should be to get to the point where you're not bottoming out any longer.

There are some other ones as well, such as Greens, Clears, Whites, Blacks, and Grays. They vary in terms of actuation force necessary, what sort of tactile sensation they provide, and where the release point is located in relation to the actuation point. But the Reds are most certainly one of the quietest, while the Blues are most certainly one of the loudest.

Re:I hate those fucking keyboards.

[ColdWetDog]

The sound of typing on them aggravates me, worse than nails on chalkboard.

You should never, ever say that. It only encourages them.

Sturdy

[PPH]

A keyboard should be tough enough to beat a man to death with. And then use to write his obituary.

You can get for-real IBM Model-M like keyboards...

[Slartibartfast]

I've got one, and it's *the same* -- and I care, 'cause on a Model M, I can break 100 WPM -- from Unicomp, and, yes, with USB connectors. Some even have trackpoints (which is what I went with). AWESOMENESS DEFINED.

But I may be somewhat biased.

P.S. My co-workers hate 'em, 'cause it's so damn loud. So do consider them before purchasing for the workplace.

Really?

[Ralph Wiggam]

"manufacturers have long since abandoned the concept of durability and longevity"

Someone should tell my 15 year old Microsoft Natural keyboard. Even the $5 basic Dell keyboards are pretty durable. The only keyboards I can remember throwing out were because they were filthy, not because they were broken.

Oh enough with the idol worship

[Sycraft-fu]

Seriously. The best keyboard ever made? Not hardly. I can think of three massive issues:

1) Key activation force. You have to push quite hard to activate those key switches. That is unergonomic and contributes to developing RSI in many individuals. A good keyboard should have a light key activation.

2) Keyboard shape. The straight keyboard is not a good shape. Our hands don't naturally sit straight, neither should our keyboards. Again, this is an ergonomic issue, being your wrists like that can lead to RSI. A good ergonomic keyboard can be adjusted to match the position of the user.

3) The noise. Those springs are loud. Makes it very annoying to use in an office environment, and unsuitable for quite environments like a studio. A good keyboard has dampened keys that don't make noise.

Well, turns out you can get good keyboards like that. Matias, Kinesis, Maltron, all make really good keyboards. They solve the problems that the Model M, and others, have.

Even if you don't believe you'll ever suffer from RSI (and that's a bet I wouldn't make) you will probably find your typing speed increased by lighter keyswitches.

This Model M worship needs to stop. It is old technology, we have better tech and a better understanding of how to make good human interfaces devices these days.

Matter of opinion

[Ravaldy]

I type 10 - 15 wpm more on a quality membrane keyboard. Before even comparing numbers I could tell I was going to type faster. As for the noise, it doesn't help me avoid mistakes since I actually look at what I'm type while I'm typing it.

My 2 cents