The Ultimate IBM Model M review (buckling springs)

"And although their marketing skills are abysmal (bless them)". You got a good chuckle out of me from that one.

which part numbers are which? which indicate terminal and which indicate rubberdome?

don't get these. get a model f at and ansi mod it

cool although you did edit your voice in audacity to sound more bassy :D

Finally managed to get my grubby mits on a Model M from approx 1992.

You know, women have been using buckling springs on their hairs for a long long time!

My Unicomp Mini M just got delivered today and so far I am super happy with it! I'm still on the lookout for an older Model M to keep around though. Great outline of all the different "generations" and the differences between them!

Man, this video brings me back. Among other things, I’m a lifelong computer nerd. Growing up, I never got much help from my parents along those lines, because they weren’t into it and didn’t get it.

But, in middle school, I made friends with a neighbor whose father worked in IT at a large bank and was very much into computers. His father was cool to me and taught me a ton, gave me old equipment he could spare, etc. Along with the old PS2, I got one of those keyboards. I can still recognize the sound of one immediately to this day, and I swear I can still remember how they feel to type on. I need to get another for nostalgia.

typing in a model m :)

IBM
made the M keyboard a legend, aptly.

Goddamn i want one but the only spanish version i could find is way too expensive for me to afford

Came to hear clacky noises. Left with a PhD in Model M studies

Definetly noticed a little ping sound on this keyboard

Just inherited a '93 model from my grandpa. Couldn't be happier, although it needs to be refurbished

Awesome review, learned a lot.
I also love using my Model M on my Win98 Pentium 3 retro gaming PC with a 3dfx Voodoo 3 3000 graphics accelerator. Such an amazing keyboard.

Use the free utility SharpKeys to redefine your Right-Cntrl key to be the Windows key.

Additionally, I redefined these other useless keys... Scroll Lock to be Mute; Insert to Be Play Pause; Right Alt to be Application Key. If you have better ideas for redefinitions, let me know.

When I was a kid I used to swap the F and Z caps on my dad's Model F, drove him nuts.

Excellent video, I thought I knew enough about the model M, but you elucidated me. Great pacing, great script, great voice, great sound, great videography. ONLY gripe: Watching you type at the end, pressing the spacebar with your right hand index finger makes me wince. What's going on there?

This is the first of your videos ive watched, but let me tell you, the professional narrative, makes those couple of F bombs just goddamn perfect. Love it.

I have recently acquired one of the industrial versions with a black badge from August 1985. It’s by far the best model M I have used so far. Its a tank and solid as a rock. Seems quieter and has more of a mechanical sound to it. I absolutely love it. Works perfectly and in great shape. No signs of needing to be bolt modded yet. Thanks for making this video.

There isn't anything wrong with buying a terminal model M. With a soarer's converter and a little time they work just fine. As long as you're ok with no caps lights and some weird key caps, it's an economical way to put hands on a vintage keyboard. I like mine, I'm using it right now.

I wish Unicomp marketed themselves more. I’m from Lexington and they aren’t even well known around here. I really wished they’d get themselves out there.

Oh wow I've been waiting for years to see an RM branded keyboard again! We had these in school

I once made an Arma Discord group break down laughing as I explained I couldn't access one of the things that needed the windows key because my keyboard was made before Windows keys were invented 🤣

What is that black version with Windows/Super/Command key

Were you able to find the 1386303? Its an even earlier model to the 1388032 It was in production a few months prior to the black sticker.

the voice XD

Love love love IBM keyboards. Coffee killed one (the person who did this was an excellent user, and mortified). My keyboard, with removable caps and PS/2 to USB haywiring, has sat in Canada unused for the 20 years I've lived in America. Very sad. I tried a Unicomp and it wore out very quickly. Didn't get another of those. Tried to get a genuine IBM via eBay (my only ever eBay purchase) and got an IBM alright, but with the mush keys, not the "catastrophic" ones. Another sad story. I go through about a keyboard a year these days. Recently got one with lighting under the keys. Not that rainbow crap, but just white light. Works great...and in just a few months the black paint is wearing off...everywhere. Model is "Wired Backlit Keyboard", lol. Made in China. IBM keyboards are like first love. Nothing is ever the same afterward.

Best kb I ever used was IBM Selectric typewriter. Every key felt different, so you could tell by touch alone if your hands were in the wrong place. Far superior to that linear bump they put on the F and J keys.

Who needs porn when you have this video?

the sound is full of shit

Random question,
just got a model m from goodwill, and its pretty crusty, ive noticed that most of the springs are rusty
is that a problem? Should I replace them or will they still be able to make contact?

Bernita Crest

Jerod Trail

Giovanny Heights

Huel Hill

Borer Drive

Nitzsche Curve

I managed to get my hands on a type 3 model m terminal keyboard, it has 24 function keys among other things

Great review!! Thank you.

Bethel Island

I can feel your voice as just bass in my headphones, makes me go woozy.
..am I gay?

Found a 139031 Made on November 20th 1986 in a dumpster next to a thrift store in mint condition about 7 years ago. Been my main keyboard after my Lexmark model M

Imma have to be real for a second, I think the Model M and all buckling spring keyboards sound like complete ass.
the spring ping is deafening and quite an irritating pitch.
Model M's aren't even fully mechanical either and have quite poor roll over due to the matrix design.

Abs might get yellow, but it runs circles around pvc when it comes to impact and longevity. Just wanted to throw that out there. It’s no doubt the superior material if you can get past the UV yellowing.

This keyboard looks interesting. What year is the thinnest model ever, with the butterfly mechanism?