After June 30, if a manufacturer wants to provide XP Pro on a laptop, they have to sell the customer a Vista Business license, instead of an XP license.
They actually do have a logo, you can see it in any of the keyboard pictures on their Yahoo store. And, I suspect the website is rather low on their priority list, if it's not REALLY affecting their sales all that much.
Tiny, tiny nitpick: The Model M is a membrane keyboard. Yes, even the ones with buckling springs. (But, because of the BS design, it still won't damage the membrane.)
Anyway, I'll agree with the opinion that the Lexmark and Unicomp boards are lower quality. However, I've actually grown to prefer my Unicomp board over my 1993 IBM Model M (and it's really an IBM, too - drainage holes and blue logo, but made by IBM, not Lexmark, and a detachable cable.) I brought the 1993 M out today, because I've had to RMA my EnduraPro for some mouse button issues. It's definitely a lot more solid, a lot heavier, and the keys fit much better, but I don't like typing on it quite as much as I remember... then again, Model Ms get better with use, and this one hasn't been used in months...
If you don't need Windows keys, native USB support, or any other special features like that, you might be better off just getting a used Model M that was made for the European market, if the shipping and import duties are that high.
An IBM Model M Soft Touch.;) (NOT a Quiet Touch, that's just a rubber dome keyboard. A decent one, but it's still rubber dome.)
It was meant for RS/6000 workstations. IIRC, IBM's replacement parts system still recognizes the part number (8184692,) although I think it costs $180.
Alternately, I've been told that Unicomp can custom-make a greased spring keyboard for you, for an additional charge of $40. Downside is, there's no warranty on that.
Finally, you can just grease the springs yourself.
I've typed on the keyboard in that thread, and it's very quiet (for a Model M, anyway,) and the click IS somewhat softened, but it's still VERY nice.
That's not what the speaker in the Model M was for.
The speaker-equipped Model Ms were for IBM RS/6000 machines, and I believe it served the same purpose as the PC speaker - the RS/6000 just had it mounted in the keyboard, instead of in the system unit. I believe they did that because the system unit would potentially be further away from the user.
There's four different SpaceSavers that I can think of...
The original SpaceSaver, the Model M SpaceSaver, is a Model M with the numpad lopped off, and a numpad emulated like a laptop's, accessible via Shift-Scroll Lock. (Also, the chassis is slightly smaller.)
The second SpaceSaver is an average rubber dome keyboard, with the numpad lopped off, and a TrackPoint II (IIRC.) That's not a Model M at all, and that sounds like what you have.
There's also the Model M4, which is based on the ThinkPad keyboard. It's obviously not buckling spring, but for what it is, it's nice.
Finally, there's the Unicomp SpaceSaver, which is what I think the GP is talking about. It's a Customizer 104 in a smaller shell. Yes, it DOES save space, compared to a regular Model M, or a Customizer 101/104 (which are in the same shell as the original Model M.) Here's a post with a pic to compare them (at least I think the pic works still, photobucket's blocked here, so I can't see:) http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=2866#post2866
I'm going to assume that your Razer is a PS/2 board? (I do believe USB has a limit of 6-key rollover max.)
Anyway, the Model M is a 2-key rollover board. (Key rollover is stated in terms of the worst combo.) I do know that the SDFJKL combination (important for brailling) is fully supported on the Model M, though. But, the QWEASD block (for gaming) is NOT fully supported.
That said, the Unicomp boards, at least the 104-key models, are also 2-key rollover, but with different blocking patterns. QWEASD is still not supported, and SDFJKL is no longer supported.
If you want real, honest buckling spring, with n-key-rollover, you need to look at the PC AT keyboard. (Unofficially, it's called the Model F, but the real Model F is the PC XT keyboard, which can't be used on a modern PC. The PC AT keyboard is in the same chassis, though, so it got the Model F designation from enthusiasts.) Unfortunately, it's only an 84 key layout.
If you just want tactile feedback, I believe Déck is going to start making a clicky version of their n-key-rollover 104-key gaming keyboard.
The early Lexmarks did have the 1/4" thick plate - I've got a 1991 grey logo, detachable cable IBM Model M, a 1993 blue logo, detachable cable, drainage hole-equipped IBM Model M, a 1993 blue logo, drainage hole-equipped Lexmark Model M, a 1995? Lexmark Model M13 (that was badly refurbished,) and a 2008 Unicomp EnduraPro 104.
I've not opened the M13, but all the others, I've taken a look inside, at least.
All of my Model Ms are 1/4" thick steel, the EnduraPro DOES have a steel plate, but it's 1/8" thick.
If you're buying a Customizer 101 PS/2, just pay the $59 or $69 or whatever it is for a Linux 101 ($10 more than the Customizer 101,) and it has the Caps Lock and Ctrl already reversed for you.
Unfortunately, you can't get customized layouts in USB, but Unicomp will sell you the keycaps, at least, so you can remap in software.
The Unicomp SpaceSaver/EnduraPro is not a resurrection of the IBM Model M2. Internally, I believe it's the same construction as a Customizer 104.
The Model M2 is flat, and doesn't have a steel backplate.
The SpaceSaver/EnduraPro has a curved steel backplate, just like a "real" Model M.
In fact, I think the internals from a regular Model M would fit into the SS/EP chassis - I would try it, but I'd have to break the warranty seal on it to get the keyboard internals out, and mine needs to go in for some warranty repair on the mouse buttons (mine's an EnduraPro.)
It's just a smaller, lighter plastic shell.
I think the keyboard would survive the attack, but the plastic shell would be heavily damaged, as opposed to the Model M, which would just have keys scattered everywhere, but would otherwise be fine.
As I understand, their USB controller doesn't support remapping, whereas their PS/2 controller does, so they can't make alternate USB layouts (such as the Linux 101.)
Call Unicomp, ask for a custom keyboard. They'll gladly give you whatever printing you want on those keys (for a certain quantity, and an additional price, though, IIRC.)
Alternately, ask for blank keys for there. I don't believe they charge for that.
They removed the DIN-5 connectors about 10 or so years ago. But, before that happened, there were 11ty billion AT-to-PS/2 adapters (for both directions, PS/2 keyboard on an AT machine, and AT keyboard on a PS/2 machine) on the market.
As for the Mini-DIN-6 connectors, actually, the first legacy-free Wintel machines were about 9 or so years ago, IIRC. And, most laptops nowadays don't have them. But that's what PS/2-to-USB adapters, which are also extremely common, are for.;)
Model Ms were made in Lexington, KY (the vast majority,) Ireland (most European Model Ms, and some 1998 and 1999 Model Ms,) and Mexico (some Model M13s.)
I'm not including the Model M6 or Model M6-1 - IIRC, those were made in Japan at some point in their runs, but they're ThinkPad keyboards, and are most definitely not Buckling Spring.
You could always buy an early IBM ScrollPoint mouse, and then hack the drivers so that axis 0 and 1 are ignored, and 2 and 3 take the place of 0 and 1... (and I think the ScrollPoint allows you to tap the stick for a middle-click...)
(The ScrollPoint is an ordinary mouse, with a TrackPoint serving as the scroller.)
It's the predecessor to the EnduraPro 104, built on the old Model M chassis.
(Although, there's some really crappy refurbished ones on the market, as I found out the hard way.)
The ones made before 1999 have a TrackPoint II (there was no TrackPoint I, IIRC,) which is the same technology as what's in your ThinkPad, although with less sophisticated control logic. (IIRC, the TrackPoint III added a bunch of features in firmware to make it work better, and the TrackPoint IV added the "Internet Scroll Bar" (read: middle button with some fancy drivers to make it scroll when held down and the mouse moved.)) In fact, the Model M13 wasn't intended to be a product originally, it was a prototype (to demonstrate the TrackPoint, that would eventually go into the ThinkPad, on any PC) that they decided to put in production - often sold as a ThinkPad accessory.
The ones made in 1999 and later were made by Unicomp, and have the same "force sensing resistor" technology as the current Unicomp pointing stick boards. It is very disconcerting when you're used to a real TrackPoint, but I've gotten used to it.
My solution to having to reach 3 inches further to reach the mouse is not to lop off the numeric keypad, it's to put the mouse in the keyboard./me hugs his EnduraPro 104
The black Model M13s (and the rare all-black Customizer 101/104 and SpaceSaver/EnduraPro 104) had lettering wear issues, but the plastic itself would have to badly wear - in fact, almost wear THROUGH - on either the beige Model M, or the black/silver Unicomp boards, for the lettering to go away.
It's certainly POSSIBLE, but my most heavily worn Model M just has a shiny spacebar - the other keys are fully intact.
I'll also note that I've never seen a Model M with keys worn through. I have seen my share of cheap rubber dome keyboards with worn through keys, though...
Slashdot Mirror
Right now, but we're not to June 30 yet.
After June 30, if a manufacturer wants to provide XP Pro on a laptop, they have to sell the customer a Vista Business license, instead of an XP license.
They actually do have a logo, you can see it in any of the keyboard pictures on their Yahoo store. And, I suspect the website is rather low on their priority list, if it's not REALLY affecting their sales all that much.
Tiny, tiny nitpick: The Model M is a membrane keyboard. Yes, even the ones with buckling springs. (But, because of the BS design, it still won't damage the membrane.)
Anyway, I'll agree with the opinion that the Lexmark and Unicomp boards are lower quality. However, I've actually grown to prefer my Unicomp board over my 1993 IBM Model M (and it's really an IBM, too - drainage holes and blue logo, but made by IBM, not Lexmark, and a detachable cable.) I brought the 1993 M out today, because I've had to RMA my EnduraPro for some mouse button issues. It's definitely a lot more solid, a lot heavier, and the keys fit much better, but I don't like typing on it quite as much as I remember... then again, Model Ms get better with use, and this one hasn't been used in months...
If you don't need Windows keys, native USB support, or any other special features like that, you might be better off just getting a used Model M that was made for the European market, if the shipping and import duties are that high.
An IBM Model M Soft Touch. ;) (NOT a Quiet Touch, that's just a rubber dome keyboard. A decent one, but it's still rubber dome.)
It was meant for RS/6000 workstations. IIRC, IBM's replacement parts system still recognizes the part number (8184692,) although I think it costs $180.
Alternately, I've been told that Unicomp can custom-make a greased spring keyboard for you, for an additional charge of $40. Downside is, there's no warranty on that.
Finally, you can just grease the springs yourself.
I've typed on the keyboard in that thread, and it's very quiet (for a Model M, anyway,) and the click IS somewhat softened, but it's still VERY nice.
That's not what the speaker in the Model M was for.
The speaker-equipped Model Ms were for IBM RS/6000 machines, and I believe it served the same purpose as the PC speaker - the RS/6000 just had it mounted in the keyboard, instead of in the system unit. I believe they did that because the system unit would potentially be further away from the user.
There's four different SpaceSavers that I can think of...
The original SpaceSaver, the Model M SpaceSaver, is a Model M with the numpad lopped off, and a numpad emulated like a laptop's, accessible via Shift-Scroll Lock. (Also, the chassis is slightly smaller.)
The second SpaceSaver is an average rubber dome keyboard, with the numpad lopped off, and a TrackPoint II (IIRC.) That's not a Model M at all, and that sounds like what you have.
There's also the Model M4, which is based on the ThinkPad keyboard. It's obviously not buckling spring, but for what it is, it's nice.
Finally, there's the Unicomp SpaceSaver, which is what I think the GP is talking about. It's a Customizer 104 in a smaller shell. Yes, it DOES save space, compared to a regular Model M, or a Customizer 101/104 (which are in the same shell as the original Model M.) Here's a post with a pic to compare them (at least I think the pic works still, photobucket's blocked here, so I can't see:) http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=2866#post2866
Christmas Island (.cx) has content restrictions... specifically, on obscene or pornographic content.
.cx. That's why goatse was shut down.)
(Yes, THAT
I'm going to assume that your Razer is a PS/2 board? (I do believe USB has a limit of 6-key rollover max.)
Anyway, the Model M is a 2-key rollover board. (Key rollover is stated in terms of the worst combo.) I do know that the SDFJKL combination (important for brailling) is fully supported on the Model M, though. But, the QWEASD block (for gaming) is NOT fully supported.
That said, the Unicomp boards, at least the 104-key models, are also 2-key rollover, but with different blocking patterns. QWEASD is still not supported, and SDFJKL is no longer supported.
If you want real, honest buckling spring, with n-key-rollover, you need to look at the PC AT keyboard. (Unofficially, it's called the Model F, but the real Model F is the PC XT keyboard, which can't be used on a modern PC. The PC AT keyboard is in the same chassis, though, so it got the Model F designation from enthusiasts.) Unfortunately, it's only an 84 key layout.
If you just want tactile feedback, I believe Déck is going to start making a clicky version of their n-key-rollover 104-key gaming keyboard.
The early Lexmarks did have the 1/4" thick plate - I've got a 1991 grey logo, detachable cable IBM Model M, a 1993 blue logo, detachable cable, drainage hole-equipped IBM Model M, a 1993 blue logo, drainage hole-equipped Lexmark Model M, a 1995? Lexmark Model M13 (that was badly refurbished,) and a 2008 Unicomp EnduraPro 104.
I've not opened the M13, but all the others, I've taken a look inside, at least.
All of my Model Ms are 1/4" thick steel, the EnduraPro DOES have a steel plate, but it's 1/8" thick.
If you're buying a Customizer 101 PS/2, just pay the $59 or $69 or whatever it is for a Linux 101 ($10 more than the Customizer 101,) and it has the Caps Lock and Ctrl already reversed for you.
Unfortunately, you can't get customized layouts in USB, but Unicomp will sell you the keycaps, at least, so you can remap in software.
The Unicomp SpaceSaver/EnduraPro is not a resurrection of the IBM Model M2. Internally, I believe it's the same construction as a Customizer 104.
The Model M2 is flat, and doesn't have a steel backplate.
The SpaceSaver/EnduraPro has a curved steel backplate, just like a "real" Model M.
In fact, I think the internals from a regular Model M would fit into the SS/EP chassis - I would try it, but I'd have to break the warranty seal on it to get the keyboard internals out, and mine needs to go in for some warranty repair on the mouse buttons (mine's an EnduraPro.)
It's just a smaller, lighter plastic shell.
I think the keyboard would survive the attack, but the plastic shell would be heavily damaged, as opposed to the Model M, which would just have keys scattered everywhere, but would otherwise be fine.
There's the IBM Model M15, which is horribly rare. Part number is 13H6689. They've been known to go for over $700 on eBay...
I do recall that there's a place that has Northgate's ergo keyboard (with integrated touchpad) still available, if Alps switches will do the trick.
As I understand, their USB controller doesn't support remapping, whereas their PS/2 controller does, so they can't make alternate USB layouts (such as the Linux 101.)
Call Unicomp, ask for a custom keyboard. They'll gladly give you whatever printing you want on those keys (for a certain quantity, and an additional price, though, IIRC.)
Alternately, ask for blank keys for there. I don't believe they charge for that.
They removed the DIN-5 connectors about 10 or so years ago. But, before that happened, there were 11ty billion AT-to-PS/2 adapters (for both directions, PS/2 keyboard on an AT machine, and AT keyboard on a PS/2 machine) on the market.
;)
As for the Mini-DIN-6 connectors, actually, the first legacy-free Wintel machines were about 9 or so years ago, IIRC. And, most laptops nowadays don't have them. But that's what PS/2-to-USB adapters, which are also extremely common, are for.
Model Ms were made in Lexington, KY (the vast majority,) Ireland (most European Model Ms, and some 1998 and 1999 Model Ms,) and Mexico (some Model M13s.)
I'm not including the Model M6 or Model M6-1 - IIRC, those were made in Japan at some point in their runs, but they're ThinkPad keyboards, and are most definitely not Buckling Spring.
You could always buy an early IBM ScrollPoint mouse, and then hack the drivers so that axis 0 and 1 are ignored, and 2 and 3 take the place of 0 and 1... (and I think the ScrollPoint allows you to tap the stick for a middle-click...)
(The ScrollPoint is an ordinary mouse, with a TrackPoint serving as the scroller.)
XKCD knows all.
http://xkcd.com/243/
Try an IBM Model M13 manufactured before 1999.
It's the predecessor to the EnduraPro 104, built on the old Model M chassis.
(Although, there's some really crappy refurbished ones on the market, as I found out the hard way.)
The ones made before 1999 have a TrackPoint II (there was no TrackPoint I, IIRC,) which is the same technology as what's in your ThinkPad, although with less sophisticated control logic. (IIRC, the TrackPoint III added a bunch of features in firmware to make it work better, and the TrackPoint IV added the "Internet Scroll Bar" (read: middle button with some fancy drivers to make it scroll when held down and the mouse moved.)) In fact, the Model M13 wasn't intended to be a product originally, it was a prototype (to demonstrate the TrackPoint, that would eventually go into the ThinkPad, on any PC) that they decided to put in production - often sold as a ThinkPad accessory.
The ones made in 1999 and later were made by Unicomp, and have the same "force sensing resistor" technology as the current Unicomp pointing stick boards. It is very disconcerting when you're used to a real TrackPoint, but I've gotten used to it.
Somehow, I doubt it's a 1984 M13.
;)
The IBM Corp (C) 1984 on the bottom doesn't mean that the keyboard was made in 1984, it means that it was copyrighted in 1984.
The first Model Ms came out in 1985. M13s came much, much later - 1993 or 1994, IIRC.
There's a date on the keyboard, that's not an expiration date, that's a manufacture date.
My solution to having to reach 3 inches further to reach the mouse is not to lop off the numeric keypad, it's to put the mouse in the keyboard. /me hugs his EnduraPro 104
The black Model M13s (and the rare all-black Customizer 101/104 and SpaceSaver/EnduraPro 104) had lettering wear issues, but the plastic itself would have to badly wear - in fact, almost wear THROUGH - on either the beige Model M, or the black/silver Unicomp boards, for the lettering to go away.
It's certainly POSSIBLE, but my most heavily worn Model M just has a shiny spacebar - the other keys are fully intact.
I'll also note that I've never seen a Model M with keys worn through. I have seen my share of cheap rubber dome keyboards with worn through keys, though...
Also, I know it's bad form to reply to myself, but you can do the spring greasing yourself.
I've closed down this forum, but it's still readable...
http://z13.invisionfree.com/OneTrueKeyboard/index.php?showtopic=34
There was a version of the Psion NetBook which came with WinMob... (and it's about the size of an Eee, I'd say.)