Model M Keyboards (was Re: best dos machine) - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

14 Jul 2014

...
  On Fri, 11 Jul 2014, Paul Berger wrote:

  On 2014-07-11 6:07 AM, Derrick Meury wrote:
  i do know the model m also had a phone cable type
connector. i
 happen to like anything made exclusively by ibm and not by any other
 company.
  The model M keyboard was used on some terminal products as well on
 that comes to mind is the 3151 ASCII terminal
 and the keyboard connector on it was either RJ11 or RJ45.

 You will find that later model M keyboards where made by Lexmark
 which was the spin off from IBM of the Lexington Ky plant.  It is
 perhaps fitting they made keyboards, when IBM was in the electric
 typewriter business the Lexington plant built all the typewriters for
 the US market, and the well loved IBM selectric keyboard became the
 model for IBM keyboards including the keyboards used on PC up until
 the model M.
  That plant is still in operation, making the successor to the Model M.
 http://www.pckeyboard.com/

 g.
 Thanks for posting that I had no idea that the model M was still in
production, after the PS/2 it seemed that IBM switched to keyboards of a
poorer design, and I had thought that the production of these keyboards
just went away.  I see they are still even making APL keytops.

Actually as someone who has one, I'd say they're "reasonable
facilimies"
Not real Model M's.   Aren't quite made of the same materials, nor the same
feedback.
They're probably my #2 choice after a REAL Model M.    Unicomp bought the
molds, etc.
...
 from Lexmark after they had bought them from IBM. 
Still made at the same factory as
Lexmark.... I wish they'd make them "exactly" the same as IBM/Lexmark...
 For all of the
machines in my rack via a KVM, I use one (since I sometimes "do" need some
of the extra
PC/Mac keys that weren't on the Model M...)

I will also point out a cctalk member (Maxx) does an EXCELLENT job
refurbishing
Model M's (and sells them as well).  He's done 3 of mine recently, all A++
when
they came back (and I even "pimp'ed" one out with a RED backing plate...
and
then went to Unicomp (the pckeyboard.com site) for red lettered key caps,
and
added swapped out the LEDs for red versions as well).
http://phosphorglow.net/
On the front page, you can see some of the colored plates... another way to
keep
them from rusting...   Unicomp has some other colors as well (which you
could use
with Maxx's colored plates).  A fun way to "refresh" the cosmetics of the
Model M.

There are also a few sites (Maxx's included) that have the Model M
connector cables
that go directly to USB (in both black and tan).  I've gotten them from the
maker on ebay
as well.  They actually are a significant improvement over adapters.

Earl (a VERY happy Model M user since at least '88)