Keyboards really are terrible today, I think.

[Chuck(G)]

Yesterday, I dropped off a few Fedex packages at the local OfficeMax (more convenient than taking them to the Fedex Store and I can also grocery shop in the same mall). You know, OfficeMax, the place that sells $150 chair mats and $30 plastic milk crates. I went down the "keyboard" aisle and tried a few. Ye gods, they were all terrible; they felt cheap, with short key travel and little tactile feedback. I guess that I've been spoiled all these years with my Model Ms on just about every system (but for a couple of older Keytronic/Honewell keyboards).

Who today makes reasonably-priced keyboards that feel like real keyboards?

 

[krebizfan]

I have purchased the Microsoft keyboards when they come on sale. It is a decent enough keyboard for me and discounted to $20 I don't mind the need to replace every 10 years or so.

 

[g4ugm]

Yesterday, I dropped off a few Fedex packages at the local OfficeMax (more convenient than taking them to the Fedex Store and I can also grocery shop in the same mall). You know, OfficeMax, the place that sells $150 chair mats and $30 plastic milk crates. I went down the "keyboard" aisle and tried a few. Ye gods, they were all terrible; they felt cheap, with short key travel and little tactile feedback. I guess that I've been spoiled all these years with my Model Ms on just about every system (but for a couple of older Keytronic/Honewell keyboards).

Who today makes reasonably-priced keyboards that feel like real keyboards?

I think the only people making clicky keyboards are Unicomp.

Unicomp, Inc.

but I assume you think $100 or more isn't reasonable. I like the keyboards on my IBM T-series laptops, but the travel is short...

 

[resman]

Well, keyboard preference may be about the most subjective topic ever, but I've found one that I'm satisfied with. I was looking for a decent keyboard for my Macbook Pro that gets used as a desktop when docked at home and wanted a minimalist keyboard that didn't suck. After a few options, I settled on the Logi MX Keys Mini. I don't generally like wireless keyboards, but this has a USB cable connection for charging and can connect to three Bluetooth devices. It has a nice heft to it so it won't slide around. For being a minimal, slim keyboard, the key travel is better than I expected. Not Model M travel but pretty good and decent tactile feedback.

At $99 it may push the boundaries of affordability, but finding something decent for less may be a challenge.

So, it may or may not be your thing if a Model M replacement is the metric, but I've been happy enough with it.

 

[Chuck(G)]

I think the only people making clicky keyboards are Unicomp.

Unicomp, Inc.

but I assume you think $100 or more isn't reasonable. I like the keyboards on my IBM T-series laptops, but the travel is short...

I've read reports that the Unicomp keyboards are a pale imitation of the Model M. Feel is different; weight is lighter, etc. Maybe a keyboard with the Alps switches would be okay... Money within reason (<$250) is not a barrier as it's a tool for business.

 

[wrljet]

I've read reports that the Unicomp keyboards are a pale imitation of the Model M. Feel is different; weight is lighter, etc. Maybe a keyboard with the Alps switches would be okay... Money within reason (<$250) is not a barrier as it's a tool for business.

Yes, IMHO, current modern Unicomp is not as good as the mid-'80s Model Ms that I've been using for decades.

 

[the3dfxdude]

esr says that that unicomp fixed some of the reported quality issues in 2020 retooling. So maybe it's OK? I don't know if I will ever try them though, as I have a box of decent keyboards in reserve for the apocalypse.

The Compleat Classic Keyboard

However, there is someone trying to do full reproduction of the Model F key design with standard layout, currently in preorder, if someone is looking for top quality for $400. If you don't mind the extra noise it might bring.

Classic Style F104 Model F Keyboard – Brand New Model F Keyboards

www.modelfkeyboards.com

 

[resman]

esr says that that unicomp fixed some of the reported quality issues in 2020 retooling. So maybe it's OK? I don't know if I will ever try them though, as I have a box of decent keyboards in reserve for the apocalypse.

The Compleat Classic Keyboard

However, there is someone trying to do full reproduction of the Model F key design with standard layout, currently in preorder, if someone is looking for top quality for $400. If you don't mind the extra noise it might bring.

Classic Style F104 Model F Keyboard – Brand New Model F Keyboards

www.modelfkeyboards.com

The model F layout has never been improved on, as far as I'm concerned. It irks me to this day having to remap Caps Lock to Control.

 

[Plasma]

There are lots of companies making mechanical keyboards, but you won't find them at OfficeMax. I would put Leopold near the top for build quality. iKBC is also pretty good and less expensive.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Before I started using Model Ms exclusively (or nearly so), I used NCR GmbH keyboards with function keys alongside the main keywork, as in an XT keyboard, and with F11-F30 above the keywork. Alps switches. I don't see these on Deskauthority.

Not a bad feel, but gave them up once the need for a "real PS/2 style F11/F12" were required. Still have them.

 

[Chuck(G)]

There are lots of companies making mechanical keyboards, but you won't find them at OfficeMax. I would put Leopold near the top for build quality. iKBC is also pretty good and less expensive.

All are shrunken profiles--where the heck do you put your pencil? I imagine that you'd have to fill the case with lead shot to give it sufficient mass.

 

[Plasma]

All are shrunken profiles--where the heck do you put your pencil? I imagine that you'd have to fill the case with lead shot to give it sufficient mass.

Both Leopold and iKBC have metal plates inside and have a decent heft. They are about the same size as IBM PS/1 keyboards.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Well, what the heck, if people have taken to typing their messages on the keypad of a cell phone, ergonomics can't be that important. I find that typing on a tablet is pretty awful too.

 

[cjs]

For modern machines, if it doesn't have a trackpoint, it doesn't really matter how good the keys are, does it? Hell, you might just as well switch your manager from point-to-focus to click-to-focus, and worry more about the feel of your mouse button.

 

[Plasma]

Well, what the heck, if people have taken to typing their messages on the keypad of a cell phone, ergonomics can't be that important. I find that typing on a tablet is pretty awful too.

If you want a Model M, you'll only be satisfied with a Model M. The Cherry G80 has a big honkin' case, but it's super light and feels like cheap garbage. Do not recommend.

 

[Chuck(G)]

For modern machines, if it doesn't have a trackpoint, it doesn't really matter how good the keys are, does it? Hell, you might just as well switch your manager from point-to-focus to click-to-focus, and worry more about the feel of your mouse button.

Trackpoint? Wuzzat?

 

[DougM]

I've read reports that the Unicomp keyboards are a pale imitation of the Model M

I'm typing on a Unicomp right now and none of those things are true in my case. Though I did buy it a long time ago, so quality may have degraded.

The only 2 things that are different between this one and the model M in the other room is that the sound is different and, weirdly, keyboard plaque is horrible. I don't have this problem on the M's but this keyboard looks like it came out of a mud bog.

One of the things I did notice is that USB keyboards act a little differently than mini-DIN keyboards in the case where multiple keys are pressed at the same time. The Mini-DIN's don't register the additional keys where the USB ones do. This probably isn't important except on a few applications, but I happen to have one of those applications (linuxCNC). So in that case I use modern keyboards.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Where do you keep your pencils with the Unicomps?

 

[jafir]

I’ve got two unicomps. One is the old school “big” one in white and the other is their new model M in black. It’s a little smaller.

Pencil goes in the normal place:

 

[the3dfxdude]

I guess never underestimate the value of having a place to rest or prop up things like the original keyboards did. Perhaps it's time to bring back Function-key templates. I think I still have one.