Mechanical Keyboard recommendation

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Long time Model M user here, and I'm need a new mechanical KB. I'd like something as close to the old IBM keyboards as possible. From what I gather from reading online, that would be a Cherry Blue.

Is that about right or am I off the mark?

 

[nerp]

Ok, this is a can of worms.

Unicomp makes Model Ms with the original machine parts bought from lexmark. Plastic is a little thinner and they're not has hard core heavy but it's buckling spring and a nice way to have a new M with USB, windows keys, etc.

I personally am a huge fan of Topre switches and use one as a daily driver. But they're a hybrid switch and much quieter than the buckling spring.

I am not a fan of most cherry switches. Either they're too loud, too mushy, to quiet, too shallow, too deep, to stiff or the feedback is all wrong. The only keyboards that satisfy me are Topre, buckling spring and Thinkpad keyboards.

Others might have a preference for some cherry switches. I don't know. I've tried them all and none touched on all the bases I need.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Thanks for the response! Noise is most certainly not an issue. It can sound like a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant so long as I have that tactile sensation the Model M gave me...

I have a red backlit refurbished Corsair K70 Cherry Blue in the cart for around 88 bucks. But I'll gladly give up the gamer flash for something comparable to that IBM.

I have a feeling the Unicomp Classic is going to be my safest bet.

 

[Rifter]

I use a Steelseries 6GV2, its got cherry black's. It's performed flawlessly for 6 years so far. Got it onsale for $60 CDN.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

I guess I'm showing my ignorance here....I had assumed ALL mechanical keyboards are buckling spring.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I guess I'm showing my ignorance here....I had assumed ALL mechanical keyboards are buckling spring.

Nope, pretty-much only the IBM/Lexmark Model M, and the Unicomp "clones".

Most of the "mech" boards these days use Cherry Switches.

The one I'm currently using is a Gamdias Gaming keyboard, that has "clone" Cherry Blue switches. Seems ok, for the price. (It was cheap.)

 

[nerp]

Check out geekhack -- an amazing site devoted to mechanical keyboards. And it was the go-to place long before you could even buy a mechanical keyboard on Newegg.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Thanks, I saw a 5 minute youtube video last night of a guy converting his Model M to USB. I may grab a few cheap adapters and try that hack before I spend $$$ on a new keyboard, and remap the Windows key.

 

[nerp]

That's not a bad plan. You can also find PS/2 model Ms if your machine has a PS/2 port. Check out http://clickykeyboards.com too. They find, clean and sell Model Ms. Sometimes they find never-opened SpaceSavers that can go for $500 to $1000.

I personally love my Model M but the Topre is quieter in my home office, which is in a house with my two kids. Late night writing would wake people up. The Topre also doesn't wear me out after 12 hours of writing like the M. I still have my M plugged into my secondary PC at my desk which I use for various feeds and TV since it has a TV tuner card and used to be a dedicated Windows Media Center machine.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

I actually ordered some replacement ps2 cables from clickykeyboards years ago, sitting in a box somewhere in my closet. Since the Mobo I'm eyeing for my new rig has a PS2 keyboard port, I may save the conversion for another day years down the road.

I'm currently looking for instructions on how to replace these. I hope I don't need a soldering iron.

 

[nerp]

There are adapters that work perfectly whether it's the old connector to ps/2 or USB or vice versa/whatnot. Clickeykeyboards should have any that you need.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I have some IBM TrackPoint II M13 buckling-spring keyboards with the trackpoint widget, which IMHO are probably the BEST keyboard that I've EVER used.

Unfortunately, the wire assembly coming out of them, has failed. Probably because the wire coming out is flat, and then it takes a 90deg bend right off. Not so good for it.

Would ClickyKeyboards fix the wires or replace them for me? Is it just a harness inside, with an internal connector, or are they soldered on? Is it something that I could fix?

I'm managing with a Gamdias mech. keyboard that I picked up for ~$45. It somewhat does the job, but the keys don't have nearly as good a feel to them as the good old buckling-spring ones. And the trackpoint widget was great for avoiding carpal-tunnel from moving a mouse.

 

[nerp]

You know, they might. They're really good people. I'd give them a call and ask. I know Unicomp repairs their products. I had a SpaceSaver that got drenched with a drink and I sent it to them and they replaced the guts and sent it back for a measly $30.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I used to be a model M guy, but picked up one of these:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/431199/DK2108SZ_Black_Keyboard_with_Blue_Cherry_MX_Switch?ob=1

It's a nice approximation. I like it.

 

[nerp]

Ducky boards are really nice.

 

[bigboxes]

Check out geekhack -- an amazing site devoted to mechanical keyboards. And it was the go-to place long before you could even buy a mechanical keyboard on Newegg.

Yup. I bought my first Cherry branded keyboard off a POS site (Point-of-Service) and fell in love. That was before you could find them mainstream like today.

MX Blue Cherry switches for me. I don't game much and I like the audible click and tactile feel of the switches. The click is actually not very loud like the old buckling springs that you (OP) are used to. A member on geekhack helped me out when I needed a replacement cable.

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823225009

 

[pcslookout]

Thanks guys this as really helped.

 

[pcslookout]

So I bought 4 keyboards and will try to see which one I like best.

 

[pcslookout]

So far like the Corsair Vengeance K95 RGB the best.

 

[JeffMD]

When I did my intel upgrade last year I went with rosewill's no frills blue cherry switch keyboard, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=rosewill_blue_switch-_-23-201-082-_-Product

It's great, didn't break the bank, low foot print but super solid construction.

 

[jarablue]

I have the Corsair K70 Lux with Cherry switches. By far the best I have ever owned. Love the thing.