this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2023
224 points (99.6% liked)

Mechanical Keyboards

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When 4 IBM Model M keyboards showed up during a cleanup at work (university) and I was asked if I wanted one, I of course said yes!

It's an IBM model M 1394540 from 1992 with the PS2 connector and the detachable cable. The keyboard and cable are in very good condition, even the manufacturing sticker on the back looks pretty good! All keycaps present, all keys work. It just needed "some" cleaning which ended in a 3h long process haha.

It will definitely be my daily driver for the next few weeks. I haven't decided yet if I will use it long term. I'm actually very happy with my modded Keychron Q6. Maybe I'll try some lube on the stabilizers and perhaps a little tape mod.

The best part was that I got to take a second Model M with me, which I will give to a good friend. This one is also in great condition.

It was an incredible day!

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I am unbelievably jealous right now. Gotta give us a sound check so we can live vicariously through you!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'll do that! Question is where to post it. Lemmy doesn't support videos.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You could always try hosting it on Vimeo or something, then post that link here.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I figured I could simply upload them on our webserver, so here you go:

[–] danque 4 points 1 year ago

That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you. It's like porn but without the porn.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

The tape mod sounds like it got rid of some of the high frequency pinging and softened the sound of the keyboard down to a full and meaty thock.

[–] jukecity 7 points 1 year ago

What a find! It's hard to go wrong with any kind of IBM buckling spring.

[–] dontwakethetrees 4 points 1 year ago

Thats awesome! Model Ms sound and feel so nice. I really didn’t get it til I typed on one in person. Now I have one as my work keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I can hear that picture 🙉

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Love the Type Mike. Tough enough to frame a house with it ..

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I just want a modern version of this.

[–] Ibaudia 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Unicomp makes copycat Model M's that are very high-quality and popular.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I'm pretty sure I've seen a modern mechanical keyboard inspired by this keyboard. It wasn't identical, but it looked similar.

[–] Rotten_potato 2 points 1 year ago

I happened upon two of these in much the same way, one of them unfortunately doesn't work but the other one has been my home office keyboard (too loud for the office) for many years. I've always wanted to fix the broken one by swapping in a modern controller, maybe even make it wireless (because that would be truly absurd).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Too bad the keys don't light up. I have a Logitech G413 that I find fantastic even if it's cheap.

[–] Maiznieks 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I had this and i must be the only person in town that would hate to use one of those again. Low profile, silent keys ftw.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I don't like using it as a daily driver either, but I love using it on my 486 - the nostalgia factor isn't complete without the keyboard. I'm missing a monochrome monitor though, a color monitor just doesn't seem right to me...