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Adi Robertson writes at The Verge that next year, IBM's Model M keyboard turns 30 but to many people, it’s still the only keyboard worth using. Introduced in 1985 as part of the IBM 3161 terminal, the Model M was initially called the "IBM Enhanced Keyboard." A PC-compatible version appeared the following spring, and it officially became standard with the IBM Personal System / 2 in 1987. The layout of the Model M has been around so long that today it’s simply taken for granted but the keyboard’s descendents have jettisoned one of the Model M’s most iconic features—"buckling springs," designed to provide auditory and tactile feedback to the keyboard operator. "Model M owners sometimes ruefully post stories of spouses and coworkers who can’t stand the incessant chatter. But fans say the springs’ resistance and their audible "click" make it clear when a keypress is registered, reducing errors," writes Robertson. "Maybe more importantly, typing on the Model M is a special, tangible experience. Much like on a typewriter, the sharp click gives every letter a physical presence."
According to Robertson, the Model M is an artifact from a time when high-end computing was still the province of industry, not pleasure. But while today's manufacturers have long since abandoned the concept of durability and longevity, refurbished Model M's are still available from aficionados like Brandon Ermita, a Princeton University IT manager who recovers them from supply depots and recycling centers and sells them through his site, ClickyKeyboards. "For the very few that still appreciate the tactile feel of a typewriter-based computer keyboard and can still appreciate the simplicity of black letters on white keys, one can still seek out and own an original IBM model M keyboard—a little piece of early computing history," says Ermita. As one Reddit user recently commented, "Those bastards are the ORIGINAL gaming keyboards. No matter how much you abuse it, you’ll die before it does."
(Score: 2) by Techwolf on Tuesday October 14 2014, @04:41AM
I have one orianigle IBM XT keyboard. It had the XT plug on it. Only used it for a short while before upgrading to the IBM model M. My father worked for IBM and brought home some of those keyboards. I still have mine, and some spares with extras keys.
My touch type typo rate is much lower on that keyboard then any other keyboard I've used over the years.
"You can have my IBM M when you pry it from my head."
Question: Do all motherboard still come with ps/2 keyboard/mouse ports?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by jimshatt on Tuesday October 14 2014, @08:31AM
(Score: 2, Funny) by irfan on Tuesday October 14 2014, @01:54PM
Because at 2.25 kg (5 lb) and having a heavy steel backplate, his assailant probably hit him in the head with it.
(Score: 2) by el_oscuro on Tuesday October 14 2014, @10:03PM
These are good to have in the office in case we have a zombie attack or have to fend off some former humans or imps. Now that is a real gaming keyboard!
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(Score: 2) by Aiwendil on Tuesday October 14 2014, @10:36AM
Model-M works with many (but not all) active usbps/2-converters, since they only are 1-3usd each pick up a few models until you find someone that works and stack up on that model.
However, sadly enough those will sacrifice they key rollovers.
(Score: 2) by gman003 on Tuesday October 14 2014, @07:32PM
No, but many come with at least one, particularly gaming models (not sure if it's true, but there's among some gamers there's a belief that PS/2 is lower-latency due to being interrupt-based instead of poll-based like USB). So while not ubiquitous, it's not uncommon.