My new classic IBM model M keyboard
bettablue
1989.
I have always loved the IBM model M keyboards. I remember typing them while
learning to use computers in college from 1985 through 1990. They have
always been great. LVBC (Las Vegas business College) never once had to
replace these units during the lifetime due to a malfunction, but as
computer technology progressed, LVBC finally changed them out for the then
new rubber dome models. They said it was to help make the computer labs
quieter, but in reality, I think they just wanted to show that they were
keeping up with technology, and since computer makers were supplying new
keyboards with their systems, LVBC finally migrated to the new boards. At
the time, the DIN connectors were out of fashion too, so anything that had a
DIN connector was obsolete. They could have done what I did later and
changed out the cables. and had all of them converted to the newer PS2
connector, but that would have cost them money. They wanted to spend the
money elsewhere, just like all businesses. Funny; the college had to
replace every single one of the new type keyboards at least once a year
after that. They could have saved a lot more money had they just bought the
new cables. The cost of replacing the keyboards was about the same.
My particular board was one of the originals installed when they got new
computers from IBM in 1985 and were given away at the end of 1989 when they
replaced all of the computer systems. Some of the students took as many as
they could carry. Sadly, most of these great keyboards are now long gone;
no doubt at the bottom of some landfill. Sadly, I wasn't there the day they
gave all of the old computers and peripherals away. But, I know the
complete history of this keyboard. Mine was one of those keyboards. A
friend of mine kept the only one he was able to grab until just a week ago.
He gave it to me because he couldn't use it on his new computer. He didn't
have a PS2 connection. Being the type of person I am I tried to tell him
that he could have gotten a PS2 to USB adapter and continued to use this
wonderful piece of computer history. He didn't want to go that rout, so
needless to say, I am the proud owner of a great classic keyboard. Of
course it has the buckling spring technology and is an all original board.
The original cable as I mentioned previously had the somewhat larger DIN
connector on the detachable cable as opposed to the smaller PS2 connector.
I switched it out for a 6 foot cable with PS2 connector for my friend years
ago just after he got it from the college. Now; well the keyboard is mine,
and since it has the PS2 connection it plugged right into the home built PC
I put together last year. When the time comes, I will get the adapter to
use on an my next computer. I just can't see going back to those mushy, low
grade computer keyboards after using the model M.
My IBM model M has never had any sort of malfunction, no sticking keys, no
short in the cables and the LEDs are still as bright as they were in 1989
when the keyboard was new. The keyboard is also like new in condition
elsewhere too. There are absolutely no scratches on the case and the key
labeling is molded into the keys, not printed on like virtually all
manufacturers do today with the exception of Unicomp, so they show no fading
on any of the lettering. The fact that there are no scratches and the
lettering is still fresh points to the remarkable manufacturing techniques
and materials used in their construction. These keyboards are meant to last
a long time. The only thing wrong with my model M keyboard is that it is
missing is the "F4" and ".del" key cap between the zero and the Enter key at
the bottom of the right side number pad. The keys are still there. The
caps with the printed lettering are missing. Who knows where they ended up.
I looked on the Internet for several days before I finally placed an order
for the missing key caps through clickykeyboards.com on Jan 27, 2011. My
parts were delivered four days later, on Jan 31, 2011. I am very impressed
with their shipping and order processing.
I love the tactile feel of this keyboard. After using it again after 25
years, I really got used to it quickly. In fact when I went to work on
Monday, after only using it for two days over the weekend, I absolutely
hated the keyboard I have to use on my job. Where my model M is crisp, my
work keyboard feels like typing on a wet sponge. Where the model M is solid
and feels like it weighs a ton, the work keyboard moves around on my desk a
lot and just doesn't feel like it has any quality at all. The keyboards we
have at work were fairly expensive too. Of course, the work keyboards are
all of the quiet touch rubber dome construction. This means that although
they work, they are only good enough to do the job. They are not nearly as
well constructed as the venerable model M.
When I told my wife I wanted one of these keyboards, she asked me what was
so special about it. I told her how much I liked the feel and how it helps
me with my typing. My right hand and side are affected by polio I
contracted as a baby, so I needed something that would make typing more
comfortable. The model M is perfect for me. At first, I was considering
the purchase of Unicomp's line of "modern" model M keyboards they call "The
Customizer". Unicomp makes these boards using the same patents created by
IBM in the manufacture of the original model M. When IBM sold it's keyboard
manufacturing plant, Unicomp bought it and has been making their own branded
keyboards ever since. I found out, just in time, that the Unicomp boards
are not of the same quality. They lack the same tight specs and the weight
that make the original model M so wonderful.
In the end, I am extremely pleased with my IBM model M keyboard. It has to
be the BEST keyboard ever made. I have tried others, and none of the other
boards even come close to the feel and durability of the model M. Das
Keyboard has a model they call the Das Keyboard Professional. It uses the
same buckling spring technology as the model M, but their keys are not
nearly as well made. Lettering is printed on the top of the keys, and the
one I used, the lettering started to wear off in only a few months. The Das
Keyboard is also smaller in size too. Although it has a great weight and
form factor, it's just not the same. I'll stick with my vintage IBM model
M.
Any questions?
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