![]() ![]() I enjoy the unique character of this particular keyboard and take pride in its craftsmanship. With technology changing so quickly all the time, it’s comforting to know that a piece of IBM history is still useful as I mow through a never-ending parade of faster PCs. ![]() The origins of this layout remain in dispute. Visually, it’s just what it’s supposed to be: a keyboard. The QWERTY keyboard layout, developed for typewriters in the 1870s, remains the de facto standard for computer keyboards. There’s no gaudy logo, garish angular industrial design, or blinding RGB LEDs to tweak. Retro Typewriter Keyboard (1 - 60 of 230 results) Price () Shipping All Sellers Black and White Typewriter Print, Gift for Writer, Color Vintage Manual Typewriter Photograph, Retro Typewriter Keyboard, Wall Art, (46) 185.00 FREE shipping Customizable Name Retro Typewriter-Inspired Mechanical Keyboard Wireless Bluetooth (79) 84. The design of the Model M is understated and classy. A damaged keycap (which was rare) was also easy to replace if you had the parts from a donor keyboard. This made the keys easy to rearrange if you wanted to. Also, many Model Ms included two-piece removable keycaps. This allowed you to change out the cable if it broke, or swap an AT with a PS/2 connector cable. Many early models of the Model M keyboard include a modular cable connector. It stays right where I put it and doesn’t shift around while I type. The plastic is thick, rugged, and, despite its advanced age, still doesn’t have any cracks. My model M keyboard weighs over five pounds due to the steel plate inside, which could likely stop a small-caliber bullet. They fall apart after just a few years of heavy use. Compare that with inexpensive rubber dome keyboards. There are no misregistered keystrokes, broken keycaps, or worn-off letters. It still functions exactly like a brand-new keyboard. I’ve used it almost nonstop for 14 years. They also looked at popular designs from competitors, like the DEC LK201, a terminal keyboard that popularized the inverted-T arrow key layout.Īgain, my Model M is 34 years old. They considered usability studies, ergonomics, and consumer feedback. He told me that between 1983-1984, IBM assembled a 10-person task force to address the criticisms of the original keyboard, so they could produce a much better replacement. Years ago, I had an email conversation with IBM veteran David Bradley, who worked on the original IBM PC. Otherwise, it was a beast of a unit-heavy and durable, with a buckling spring keyswitch design that gave it an industrial feel. Reviewers generally admired it, but some criticized elements of its layout and a few awkward key shapes. The 1981 IBM PC came with an 83-key keyboard (commonly known as the “Model F”). Origins of the Model M An IBM patent diagram of the buckling spring actuator in use. Here’s why I’ll never give up its clicky keys and ideal layout. In a world where rapidly changing technology feels increasingly disposable, one thing remains constant in my computer setup: my 34-year-old IBM 101-key Enhanced Keyboard, commonly known as the Model M. ![]()
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