That's right. I said it.
The thing weighed 20 pounds and had such an authoritative sound when you typed something, as if to say, "*BOOM* THAT'S RIGHT. I JUST PRESSED A BUTTON. WHAT NOW?"
Really, these things were built like a tank. And I loved everything about them
Discussion about
Great keyboard or greatest keyboard ever?
My first computer was a Macintosh II but a year later my dad got a new IBM computer (don't remember the model) and it had this keyboard. It was amazing. I used to pretend I was a writer, and with every punch of a key I felt just a bit closer to my dream :P
I still have this thing in my attic, and it is definitely the best keyboard of its time. It's a legend.
I still have this thing in my attic, and it is definitely the best keyboard of its time. It's a legend.
This keyboard was amazing. If you ever wanted to wake somebody up without saying anything, just come within about a mile and a half of them with this thing and they'll think there is a massive hailstorm. What's not to love?
If you want a new one or a vintage one: www.clickykeyboards.com/
If you want a new one or a vintage one: www.clickykeyboards.com/
Dudes! I have one of these keyboards on my desk at home, I use it every day. My wife and I both love it; she can type like 90 WPM, and when she does, it sounds like it's raining ball-bearings on a tin roof. It never fails, it never sticks, it never moves, and it was manufactured in 1988. Another feature that I love is that it predates the Windows Start key, so you never accidentally Start-Menu yourself out of a game.
I found it in the electronic scrap bin where I work, and I've never looked back. Greatest Keyboard Ever.
I found it in the electronic scrap bin where I work, and I've never looked back. Greatest Keyboard Ever.
The best keyboard for me is the one that is on my MacBook and the latest Apple Keyboard (both are the same keyboard). I just love this keyboard it is the perfect keyboard in my opinion.
I also really enjoyed using the Macintosh Color Classic's Keyboard it had a great feeling and sound.
That IBM Keyboard was great, I just never got to use one for any length of time since I have been a mac user my whole life.
I also really enjoyed using the Macintosh Color Classic's Keyboard it had a great feeling and sound.
That IBM Keyboard was great, I just never got to use one for any length of time since I have been a mac user my whole life.
Unicomp is currently manufacturing these keyboards. They even have a enhanced quiet touch it's a buckling spring that doesn't click.
pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//cus101usenon.html
pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//cus101usenon.html
The quiet model doesn't actually use buckling springs, and I've heard it sucks. The real buckling spring models are great though. The springs are actually just a hair lighter in action than the older model Ms giving you less finger muscle fatigue. Model M was always hands down the best keyboard but the modern Customizer I think is better at this point, especially in this day and age when Windows/Mac keys and/or USB can be required.
I honestly can't imagine a better keyboard. I have 9 keyboards lying around, 8 of them modern, two of them in the upper $100 range, and then my Model M which I'm using now as I type this. It's all about the tactile and auditory feedback when typing that makes it so wonderful. I do a lot of gaming on this PC, and of course a lot of writing (web design, writing articles, chatting, etc.) and this keyboard does it all without a hitch.
I don't miss those extra media keys, or the Start key. As I mentioned in my review on here, the Model M is at the top of my favorite gadgets list for a reason.
I don't miss those extra media keys, or the Start key. As I mentioned in my review on here, the Model M is at the top of my favorite gadgets list for a reason.
I can't help but feel a bit like the people who talk about how much they love this keyboard are a lot like the people who say that they prefer the sound of vinyl to the sound of CDs, or that no band will ever be as great as the Beatles.
It's not that the typing experience on this thing isn't great, because it is, and these are certainly built like tanks. It's just that there are plenty of other keyboards around today that are fantastic, and offer modern-day niceties like 'Win' and multimedia keys.
Some people get a little too taken by the nostalgia around these keyboards. I also have the impression that if you were to put this keyboard down in front of someone under the age of 20, they'd probably laugh at you as though you'd just replaced their iPod with an 8-track. If you'd spent your whole like typing on rubber membranes, I really don't think you'd have any interest in something this bulky and loud enough to wake up the neighbors.
Some people just have a different idea of what a keyboard should be.
It's not that the typing experience on this thing isn't great, because it is, and these are certainly built like tanks. It's just that there are plenty of other keyboards around today that are fantastic, and offer modern-day niceties like 'Win' and multimedia keys.
Some people get a little too taken by the nostalgia around these keyboards. I also have the impression that if you were to put this keyboard down in front of someone under the age of 20, they'd probably laugh at you as though you'd just replaced their iPod with an 8-track. If you'd spent your whole like typing on rubber membranes, I really don't think you'd have any interest in something this bulky and loud enough to wake up the neighbors.
Some people just have a different idea of what a keyboard should be.
I love my 3 model Ms, and I think vinyl sounds compressed, tinny, and generally crappy compared to cds on the same stereo (not to start a flame war, but just to respond that it isn't all nostalgia).
Seriously, the model M is great because is is probably by far the most reliable piece of computer equipment EVER mass produced. In addition, it is one of the absolute best in terms of tactile and auditory feedback. Not everyone likes the sound or the feel, but even membrane key lovers have to bow to the reliability.
Plus, what other piece of computer equipment doubles as a self defence device in case of home invasion?
And the lack of windows keys is a feature. All that key ever did was switch me out of half-life in college. I usually took a pair of needle-nose pliers to it on normal keyboards and ripped it off.
Seriously, the model M is great because is is probably by far the most reliable piece of computer equipment EVER mass produced. In addition, it is one of the absolute best in terms of tactile and auditory feedback. Not everyone likes the sound or the feel, but even membrane key lovers have to bow to the reliability.
Plus, what other piece of computer equipment doubles as a self defence device in case of home invasion?
And the lack of windows keys is a feature. All that key ever did was switch me out of half-life in college. I usually took a pair of needle-nose pliers to it on normal keyboards and ripped it off.
Does anyone know where to get replacement cables for this keyboard? I have the 1984 model and it has a detachable AT cable. I need some way to get that to USB so i can use it on more modern machines. I'm guessing the only way to do this is AT to PS/2 adapter and PS/2 adapter to USB. The rest of the unit seems to be in great working condition.
I'm guessing the only way to do this is AT to PS/2 adapter and PS/2 adapter to USB.
That's exactly how I have mine set up :-)
That's exactly how I have mine set up :-)
clickykeyboards.com/ carries all the cables and adapters you could need. Get a PS2 cable and one of the USB adapters they recommend (provides the higher power the Model M needs.)
Absolutely the best keyboard made. I think that many of the children these days are hunt and peckers so they really don't appreciate the feedback that you get from one of these keyboards. When touch typing on one of these babies, there is no mistaking that you succeeded in typing a letter. I find that on today's mushy keyboards, I will re-read what I typed and a letter is missing every now and then. That would rarely have been missed when typing on a Model M because you can feel that you passed that point of no return and you got that awesome click.
I'm going to have to go score me one for old times sake.
I'm going to have to go score me one for old times sake.
I work in IT at a healthcare facility. Several years ago, we upgraded our Transcription PCs, and the old PCs had these keyboards. The users refused to let them go, turning down the newer Compaq "quiet" keyboards in favor of their old IBM "M" keyboards. I still have a few of them lying around.
The "click" feature was popular with old IBM terminals, too. The 3278's keyboard had a noticable click to the keys, and the 3178's keyboard actually had a solenoid inside it that would "clack" everytime a key was pressed. Aside from the noise, you also felt the whole keyboard vibrate, so you knew when you hit a key.
The "click" feature was popular with old IBM terminals, too. The 3278's keyboard had a noticable click to the keys, and the 3178's keyboard actually had a solenoid inside it that would "clack" everytime a key was pressed. Aside from the noise, you also felt the whole keyboard vibrate, so you knew when you hit a key.
I LOVE MINE!!!! and still use it. Nothing like an AT to PS2 to USB set of connections held together by duct tape hanging off the back of the PC.
This keyboard is full of life. It lets the whole world know you are typing.... even better when typing angry.
This keyboard is full of life. It lets the whole world know you are typing.... even better when typing angry.
i still have mine down in the basement with the rest of my antique computer stuff. i pull it out from time to time, when i am bringing an old machine back to life for someone that doesn't need a power machine for their kids (slot 1 300 celeron anyone? overclocked to 450, and solid as a rock)
it wont replace my g11 or my g15 for daily use, because i love my back-lit keys.
it wont replace my g11 or my g15 for daily use, because i love my back-lit keys.
They were okay. The stroke feedback was nice but they had the same problem as every straight keyboard. They cause Carpal Tunnel problems, sore elbows, aching shoulders and backs. I switched to the MS Natural years ago and buy them with my own money whenever I switch jobs. Honestly the clackity-clack was very annoying. "Pounding" away on the IBM can't even compare to the natural position and smooth feel of my ergo keyboards, IMHO.
I have a Dell AT101W (another clicky keyboard), which is nice to type on, though I stick mostly with my G15 with it being an easy USB device. The only problem is that I've not found a good ps/2 to usb adaptor that has a fast key repeating rate..
The PS/2->USB adapter I bought from Clicky Keyboards works great.
www.clickykeyboards.com [type this into your browser. The link that gdgt creates doesn't seem to work at the moment.]
www.clickykeyboards.com [type this into your browser. The link that gdgt creates doesn't seem to work at the moment.]
Thanks...I've heard about that site before, though I couldn't find any feedback on that particular adapter.
I have 2 of these keyboards. I've been using these things forever. I used to have more of them, I'm not sure where they went. I've only ever had ONE Model M keyboard ever stop working on me and it was one of the 'newer' soft-touch ones.
The 2 I have now, I bought at a used computer store for $5.99 each. They work like a charm. I'm a Unix SysAdmin so I type a LOT. I use one at home and one at work. I type much faster and more accurately on these than I do on any other keyboard I've tried. I've never had any problem with Carpel Tunnel.
Yes, they are LOUD though. Everybody knows without a doubt when I'm working [or wasting time typing on online forums. :) ]. A group of people moved into some cubes near me. One of them moved to another cube because the clicking was bothering him. I felt bad but really it kills me to try to use any other keyboard.
The 2 I have now, I bought at a used computer store for $5.99 each. They work like a charm. I'm a Unix SysAdmin so I type a LOT. I use one at home and one at work. I type much faster and more accurately on these than I do on any other keyboard I've tried. I've never had any problem with Carpel Tunnel.
Yes, they are LOUD though. Everybody knows without a doubt when I'm working [or wasting time typing on online forums. :) ]. A group of people moved into some cubes near me. One of them moved to another cube because the clicking was bothering him. I felt bad but really it kills me to try to use any other keyboard.
I suppose I am spoiled or something, but I have never felt comfortable with any of the new soft-touch or membrane keyboards that they use on modern systems. I think that, if a keyboard can survive not only 12 years of programming on it night and day, but also my messy habits, without even a sticky key, then that keyboard should deserve some praise :-D.
Now if I can only get one for my job . . . any one have any spares lying around that they are willing to part with?
Now if I can only get one for my job . . . any one have any spares lying around that they are willing to part with?
My model M is still in service today on my primary gaming rig. It's been about 15+ years, but it keeps on "clicking" away. Went from a 286 to the current core 2. I tried a few of the newer keyboards but none had the same solid feel of the original model M. It serve me in the early days of Duke Nukem (RIP), Quake, Doom and on thru Half-Life and Unreal, then to four years of WOW and now on COD4, Crysis and Fallout3, and still it keeps on giving! I love this keyboard! If you can find it at a used computer store, BUY it!
If you want to learn more about the IBM Model M and all it's variants check out the Forums at Geekhack.org. There's plenty of info on buying tips and what PS/2 adapters actually work (some can be pretty flaky, the ones Clickykeyboards sells are the best).
