NOT an IBM Model M - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 05:11:30 pm
content: When you post these videos, could you please include a brief synopsis? What's the message or main finding, why is the video worth watching? Thanks.

author: mansaxel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 07:17:32 pm
content: "In this video, we learn why Keytronics never will make a keyboard as good as the Model M."There, fixed it!

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 08:06:51 pm
content: IIRC, the Model M was not even a true "mechanical keyboard" in the sense we give it these days - which is, having individual key switches. It was a dome membrane keyboard basically, but with a clever spring-loaded key mechanism which gave it this fantastic feel, instead of the typical "spongy" feel of many dome keyboards of the day.

author: bsudbrink
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 08:56:08 pm
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on November 05, 2019, 08:06:51 pmI'm afraid that this description isn't quite right. The Model M "buckling spring" key mechanism is capacative. When the spring "buckles", a small plate slaps down to the surface of the printed circuit board, changing the capacitance between some "interlaced" traces at that spot. The electronics sense the change and register a key press.

author: bsudbrink
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 09:22:13 pm
content: Quote from: gabinetex on November 05, 2019, 09:10:34 pmInteresting. I use what I think is a Model M at home. I know it is capacitive. I have disassembled and cleaned it several times. I will have to look carefully at the label when I get home. I have to say that I can't see how some hybrid of buckling spring and dome switch would be cheaper to manufacture than straight capacitive.EDIT:Yup, just looking at the various pictures on the web, mine's an 'F'.

author: bsudbrink
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 09:56:29 pm
content: Thanks. I like it. It has ten function keys down the left side like God intended... none of that "top row" rubbish. I have it "jiggered" in software so that control is left of 'A' (also like God intended). Who gives a cr*p about "Caps Lock"?

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2019, 10:00:00 pm
content: Actually, some later model M keyboards were rubber dome ones with no buckling springs. (So beware if you're buying one off eBay, check what you buy!)Those were made for environments that couldn't deal with the noise. Later, that was just for cost reasons (and the keyboards were not made by IBM anymore):https://clickykeyboards.com/product/1995-ibm-model-m-71g4644-made-by-lexmark-11-16-95-quiet-touch-rubber-dome/For some reason, I thought I remembered the spring mechanism was sitting above a rubber dome, but apparently not. I haven't found a clear view of the membrane though, would be interesting to see.But no, definitely not capacitive, the F was. The M was meant to be the "low-cost" version, and turned out much appreciated.

author: mansaxel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 07:32:50 am
content: Quote from: SiliconWizard on November 05, 2019, 10:00:00 pmI have both in my collection, and the silent version has no edge on the rest of the market, where the True Model M stands heads, shoulders and torso above. The beware is most important!

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 07:59:24 am
content: Scored this NOS two years ago, so this one is not buckling spring ?

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 09:37:28 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 06, 2019, 07:59:24 amBuckling spring "yes", capacitive switches "no", most likely.You canhearwhether it's a buckling spring mechanism: Does it click?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 09:39:39 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on November 06, 2019, 09:37:28 amOf course, wifey & kid hate it, and a proud owner of 6 of these weapon grade keyboards.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2019, 10:12:10 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 06, 2019, 09:39:39 amYep... Until recently I have used a Model M in the office. Nobody sharing the office with me, so no conflicts on that front. But it just got too stressful to keep muting and un-muting the phone whenever I wanted to type something on the side during a conference call... So I eventually caved in and switched to a modern, low-profile silent keyboard.

author: mrz80
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2019, 05:05:06 pm
content: Quote from: BravoV on November 06, 2019, 09:39:39 amI've got IBM keyboards of various vintages piled up from here to Sunday. I figure next hamfest I go to I should be able to turn a bunch of 'em into dead presidents.