@@dumdum7786 Funny you should mention Toyota. People have been making bodykits to convert Toyota MR-2's into various generations of Ferraris for years now. I do have to say that the wheels analogy works better because the only internal difference between the Model M buckling spring and the rubber dome is the tactile/return force element: one has the springs and flippers while the other has the mat of rubber domes. Like Chyros mentioned, everything else inside the keyboard from the steel barrel plate to the membrane is actually the same between the two.
@@dumdum7786 I think you can easily put more kilometers on a Toyota engine than a Ferrari engine though ;-) But again, rubber dome does last forever too. And they are cheap. And easy to maintain. But not every Toyota is built for a car enthusiast, but to make a reliable and an affordable car. Still, buckling spring ftw.
I picked up a Lexmark-manufactured one of these things at a local Goodwill for a few bucks quite a few years ago. It has a manufacture date of 1995 and it has most of the characteristics of a normal IBM-branded model M, but of course with the rubber domes. For years, I didn't know of the significance of the model M at all, and then when I did learn a bit about it, I thought what I had was the real deal! It was my daily driver for a long time, until my parents got me a Unicomp Classic for my 14th birthday. I suppose at that age, I didn't really know to research the cool old tech I was buying. :)
I used one of these (well, an IBM/Lexmark version, but it was probably identical) as my primary keyboard years ago for quite some time--at least four years, I think. IMHO, they're pretty good keyboards. I definitely prefer them over the rubber domes that he recommends--I think. I'd have to try them both again to be sure. Keyfeel is a matter of taste, and he duly points out that "some people really like these". I suppose I am one of them. I also am partial to the quiet yet "thocky" sound of these over other rubber dome keyboards, though I prefer IBM/Unicomp buckling springs overall. If memory serves me accurately, he's right about how they "bottom out" fairly quickly compared to e.g. a Packard-Bell. Unicomp still manufactures these if you wish to purchase a new one. They will customize it to your liking.
I recently bought a unicomp made 122 key version of this keyboard for a really good price on the ebays. It's from the same obscure terminal company with the same sticker and everything. In mine at least, the caps LEDs weren't deleted, a piece of random double sided tape was just stuck on the underside of the frame to cover the holes. It's a weird keyboard and I kinda like it.
David Hoffnung as a person who lives near two of recycling centers I can tell it sounds much easier than it actually is. Every time you go there you have to prepared to spend a few hours of searching just to find... Well nothing. Yeah, sometimes (in my case its usually once / month) you can find stuff like a mech keyboard, old computer like c64, or from newer stuff you might find an iPhone but if you arent really passionate about keyboards or pcs as a wholeyou will go there once or twice and give up.
@@aluxannar If you go to a recycling center where i live and you start going through the stuff you get thrown out by the people who work there since it's illegal for some reason...
still stand by the late-90s Dell Quietkey dealies for a good rubber dome board, the beige plastic model, and not the black. I still have yet to come into contact with a dome M, but I'm sure I will some day down the line. At some point down the line I acquired a Compaq keyboard from the mid-90s without windows keys, but was PS/2 and was new in box. the domes felt really mushy all the way down and they were so buttery smooth otherwise that I used it for a solid two years as a main keyboard until I got some mechanicals in my posession somewhere around 2009. from 2012 until just a few months ago it was the main keyboard for a friend's family computer in their living room, and served them so well that they had worn off a bit of the lettering-- but the caps were still matte and not shiny. always perplexed me, but I do have it in the garage as a spare board now since I have quite a few clients with a PS/2 port still.
Hey, I used that crappy rubber dome HP keyboard at work for 10 years. Last time I cleaned it though, I accidentely damaged a conductor in the plastic film under the rubber mat. So the IT department gave me a new crappy rubber dome HP keyboard..
@@dumdum7786 Same here, and I agree about the shitness. However, there's something so nostalgic about them at the same time. The sound of 30 of them typing away was so relaxing back in the day, and the softness of the typing experience was something I actually liked back then. I didn't even know there were better options out there at the time, I just thought "Yeah, that's what a keyboard should be."
BTC, Scorpius? Cant find these in Germany. Topre is too expensive...Any other suggestion for a higher quality rubber dome that also has some kind of anti-ghosting / key-rollover? I play games with my Ducky Shine 3 Slim with MX reds and have the HP KU 1156 at work and while it looks dead cheap and retails for the equivalent of 10 USD, I like the (quiet) sound of it and the mid-profile caps. My GF is complaining about the MX reds and I myself cant stand this clacky noise anymore either.
Very Interesting video...I'm new to the channel and already a big fan! I found a *black* Unicomp rubberdome Model M at a thrift store last week, made for some company called SmarTrex for either their marketing or customer service department, as the keyboard had a plastic holster for a phone on its left side and included phone jacks on both the side of the board and on the multi cable, which was PS/2. Passed on the unit after I was tragically disappointed by the key action (Daily keyboards are Unicomp EnduraPro , Topre Type Heaven, & Emerson Futaba-clicky Switch), and because the price was simply too high for a thrift store find...
@@conroypawgmail yeah I know that is on every rubber dome, but a keyboard like a scorpius which is a dome with slider over a membrane, somehow has half way actuation and a solid bottom out. It’s the most mechanical like rubber dome membrane board. I actually made a mod that lets keys bottom out on the top of the key holes while still actuating on a rubber dome keyboard.
Oh God I got a Unicomp Quiet Touch for curiosity reasons, while I do like it overall, they're LOUD AS SHIT! Mainly the upstroke. Would you say they're louder or quieter than a unsilenced Topre keyboard Chyrosran? My only two experiences with Topre/Topre-Clones are pre-slienced ones.
Eyy I use one of those crappy HP rubber domes at work because the alternative was an awful HP scissor switch keyboard. The keys seem to get stuck on them in certain areas like Alt which is just strange even when it's nearly new.
You mentioned that some buckling spring Model Ms have single piece caps, do you know of a place where these could be sourced? I noticed a few of the outer keys on my Unicomp PC-122 are a little wobbly, and I thought it might help to replace them with a single piece design.
Unicomp did at some point only do single-piece caps, but they've since switched back to the two-piece ones again from what I understood. I don't think these are being made right now tbh. You could source them off an old Model F I guess (the F122s came with two-piece caps, though).
This isn't entirely relevant to the subject of this video, but I spent nearly 7 years typing on one of those cheap HP keyboards when I was an audio typist, they're not particularly good keyboards, are they. Have you thought of reviewing one?
Chyrosran22 honestly I think they are okay. The stuff dell has been shipping with their brand new desktops for schools and stuff lately though, GOOD GOD it’s bad. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW BAD THEY ARE. Yes caps were necessary.
Good review, never saw one of these things before and this seems like why, worse compromise of all the noise and quaility of build, and terrrible key feel, might as well get a real buckling spring model, and thats what people do...
Thanks for the explanation pal, well, when people say something is bluesy, vintage, retro or futuristic, I have some concept or impression raised in my mind, but when people say funky, I have no idea what it means, so what a funky smell smells like? What a funky T-shirt looks like and what a piece of funky music sounds like?
"Those crappy HP rubber domes" Wait until you get one of the new Dell keyboards that come bundled with some of the Optiplex computers... True horror of horrors, shittiest keyboards I've ever encountered, make the HP ones seem amazing by comparison. Pretty damn close to those flexible silicone keyboards on the shittiness scale. No kidding. data.stuartconnections.com/object/image?p=14896&i=7
Tamgorine holy fuck, I had to use them at school, along with shitty acer chrome books, I'm not shitting you, I but a very cheap lot of 4 broken model m2s (i fixed them)and vortex core, put one m2 in networking, one in AP computer progrmming, and carry the vortex core for AP world and history. Dead fucking serious.
These are indeed especially awful. I have one that might give it a run for its money, though - the *Onn Soft-Touch LK6400*. i.imgur.com/Xujt24J.jpg That board is such an awful flexy pile of mush that it inspired me to get into mechanical keyboards the day I bought it. I had used that brand new board for a matter of hours before I couldn't take any more! Everything from the dome mush to the slippery key surface to the terrible profile shape to the awful response is abject garbage. Literally the only thing I've ever used that's worse are the flexible "folding" boards you mentioned. For the curious... typing on it sounds like a person with over-sized rubber gloves drumming an over-ripe melon.
Considering they come with the PC for free, those are far from the worst Dell membrane keyboards. Their "chiclet" style keyboards are absolutely atrocious.
I left the UK late Feb when I finished the corrections on my PhD thesis. In terms of keyboards this is a bad thing, because the recycling centres here are not as willing to part with their stuff :p . But have no fear; there's plenty more to come!
my hp rubber dome keyboard feels like ass, and nearly turned me off from ALL rubber domes until i tried the thermaltake commander keyboard, which isn't bad at all
I have a couple of these, and completely agree with Chyros' thoughts on them. Rather uncomfortable to type on, and the way the 'bump' feels is also somehow unpleasant...I wouldn't recommend anyone seek these out.
@@dumdum7786 Honestly that applies to most mechanisms. But just like every community, elitism is the main factor of dismissing well executed mechanisms that use parts the elites scoff at violently. Example: Topre. Or a PX-1900 on the cheap* end.
These are unfortunately destructible, had a lexmark produced model M rubber dome from 1993, that was fairly used(definite dome wear already) Used it from 2008 to 2014 before it died. The small movable part of the dome just got worn out to the point where keys stuck depressed into the keyboard. A BIG reason why lot of them was sold with rubber instead of spring was the cost. I saw the price sticker on the box, and it was something like 1/4 or the price. Considering how technology and "looks" just wont stand up to 20years in time very well, its totally understandable that was the choice of many The best alternative in closeness to feel is actually modern day heavy duty rubber dome IBM SK-8820, unfortunately they have stopped making those too now? It was a standard office keyboard everywhere some 10years back Cherry MX switches are imo horrible, too much force required to hold down a key and click feels too pronounced compared to rubber dome. (holding down a spring vertically is a bad design for gaming at least) Thinking of trying a scissor switch desktop board when this IBM dies. Going 5years strong on a rubber dome already seems impressive. Only feeling it starting to wear maybe 10% less springback in keys so far, even "WASD"
@@archkull What does people not like about scissor switches? I've tried mx red, green, blue, half hight rubber dome, heavy-duty, cheap, scissor switch, and whatever is in bad laptop keyboards today with no travel and completely flat. Imo rubber dome and ibm scissor switch feels the best for gaming and typing. So its either going heavy-duty rubber dome again, or trying a scissor switch full size.
If a stellar scissor switch keyboard is what'cha looking for, look into the "Perixx PX-1900". Hands down one of the better SS keyboards I ever used in my life! Word of warning, sometimes when they go out of first party Perixx stock, third parties sell them for inflated prices. It should roughly be around $40 (USD) give or take. The matrix is extremely optimised for gaming so low roll over isn't a issue.
its like getting a ferrari but replacing the tyres with wooden wheels.
No, it's like having a Ferrari, but replacing the engine with one out of a Toyota corrola
MOM ITS NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE Toyotaferrari
@@dumdum7786 Funny you should mention Toyota. People have been making bodykits to convert Toyota MR-2's into various generations of Ferraris for years now. I do have to say that the wheels analogy works better because the only internal difference between the Model M buckling spring and the rubber dome is the tactile/return force element: one has the springs and flippers while the other has the mat of rubber domes. Like Chyros mentioned, everything else inside the keyboard from the steel barrel plate to the membrane is actually the same between the two.
Ferrari Auris
@@dumdum7786 I think you can easily put more kilometers on a Toyota engine than a Ferrari engine though ;-) But again, rubber dome does last forever too. And they are cheap. And easy to maintain. But not every Toyota is built for a car enthusiast, but to make a reliable and an affordable car.
Still, buckling spring ftw.
I picked up a Lexmark-manufactured one of these things at a local Goodwill for a few bucks quite a few years ago. It has a manufacture date of 1995 and it has most of the characteristics of a normal IBM-branded model M, but of course with the rubber domes.
For years, I didn't know of the significance of the model M at all, and then when I did learn a bit about it, I thought what I had was the real deal! It was my daily driver for a long time, until my parents got me a Unicomp Classic for my 14th birthday. I suppose at that age, I didn't really know to research the cool old tech I was buying. :)
That Generals ZH quote tho :D Well placed!
;D
LOL
(I think regular Generals have this quote too)
3:16 That sound bite came from Command and Conquer Generals didn't it?
Good spot :) .
Nerds!
I'm late but the US dozer says that when starting a construction job.
Great review. Actually I think the keyboard, sounds great (spacebar chatter aside). I prefer quieter and bassier keysounds.
I used one of these (well, an IBM/Lexmark version, but it was probably identical) as my primary keyboard years ago for quite some time--at least four years, I think. IMHO, they're pretty good keyboards. I definitely prefer them over the rubber domes that he recommends--I think. I'd have to try them both again to be sure. Keyfeel is a matter of taste, and he duly points out that "some people really like these". I suppose I am one of them. I also am partial to the quiet yet "thocky" sound of these over other rubber dome keyboards, though I prefer IBM/Unicomp buckling springs overall. If memory serves me accurately, he's right about how they "bottom out" fairly quickly compared to e.g. a Packard-Bell. Unicomp still manufactures these if you wish to purchase a new one. They will customize it to your liking.
It's not really gonna feel good.
I recently bought a unicomp made 122 key version of this keyboard for a really good price on the ebays. It's from the same obscure terminal company with the same sticker and everything. In mine at least, the caps LEDs weren't deleted, a piece of random double sided tape was just stuck on the underside of the frame to cover the holes. It's a weird keyboard and I kinda like it.
Ah you gave me one of these in Southampton! I do pull it out occasionally for fun!
Ah, cool, you still have it then? It is quite funky, that's for sure.
I do, if nothing else it's the best souvenir :D
Hahaha it was a fun meetup for sure :) .
Here we go... God voice came to review the strangest keyboard all the time!
I wish my area had a recycling center like the one(s) you go to! It seems like an absolute gold mine...
Also - cargo biking FTW
David Hoffnung as a person who lives near two of recycling centers I can tell it sounds much easier than it actually is. Every time you go there you have to prepared to spend a few hours of searching just to find... Well nothing. Yeah, sometimes (in my case its usually once / month) you can find stuff like a mech keyboard, old computer like c64, or from newer stuff you might find an iPhone but if you arent really passionate about keyboards or pcs as a wholeyou will go there once or twice and give up.
@@aluxannar If you go to a recycling center where i live and you start going through the stuff you get thrown out by the people who work there since it's illegal for some reason...
still stand by the late-90s Dell Quietkey dealies for a good rubber dome board, the beige plastic model, and not the black. I still have yet to come into contact with a dome M, but I'm sure I will some day down the line.
At some point down the line I acquired a Compaq keyboard from the mid-90s without windows keys, but was PS/2 and was new in box. the domes felt really mushy all the way down and they were so buttery smooth otherwise that I used it for a solid two years as a main keyboard until I got some mechanicals in my posession somewhere around 2009. from 2012 until just a few months ago it was the main keyboard for a friend's family computer in their living room, and served them so well that they had worn off a bit of the lettering-- but the caps were still matte and not shiny. always perplexed me, but I do have it in the garage as a spare board now since I have quite a few clients with a PS/2 port still.
Review that HP.
Hey, I used that crappy rubber dome HP keyboard at work for 10 years. Last time I cleaned it though, I accidentely damaged a conductor in the plastic film under the rubber mat. So the IT department gave me a new crappy rubber dome HP keyboard..
My elementary school used to have them, they're shit.
@@dumdum7786 Same here, and I agree about the shitness. However, there's something so nostalgic about them at the same time. The sound of 30 of them typing away was so relaxing back in the day, and the softness of the typing experience was something I actually liked back then. I didn't even know there were better options out there at the time, I just thought "Yeah, that's what a keyboard should be."
These videos always make my day
BTC, Scorpius? Cant find these in Germany. Topre is too expensive...Any other suggestion for a higher quality rubber dome that also has some kind of anti-ghosting / key-rollover? I play games with my Ducky Shine 3 Slim with MX reds and have the HP KU 1156 at work and while it looks dead cheap and retails for the equivalent of 10 USD, I like the (quiet) sound of it and the mid-profile caps. My GF is complaining about the MX reds and I myself cant stand this clacky noise anymore either.
I'll always love model m's no matter if theyre buckling springs or dubber romes.
What if it had smith corona leaf spring switches?
*D U B B E R R O M E S*
Very Interesting video...I'm new to the channel and already a big fan! I found a *black* Unicomp rubberdome Model M at a thrift store last week, made for some company called SmarTrex for either their marketing or customer service department, as the keyboard had a plastic holster for a phone on its left side and included phone jacks on both the side of the board and on the multi cable, which was PS/2. Passed on the unit after I was tragically disappointed by the key action (Daily keyboards are Unicomp EnduraPro , Topre Type Heaven, & Emerson Futaba-clicky Switch), and because the price was simply too high for a thrift store find...
I've heard that if you put buckling springs into this keyboard then it is much louder than a normal M because some mat is missing.
That could be; normal Ms use a weird rubbery black cloth in the assembly.
good to know, so the parts are inter-changable
I wonder how many people abuse your videos as ASMR :p
Dat voice tho.
zQuick - Music shhh 😝 don't let him notice us.
""""""""""abuse""""""""""
Do a review of a IBM model M with the dental floss mod!
Maybe IO means In and Out...
Just saying...
xD milky.flowers/images/ino_unicomp_keyboard.png
Zoë Sparks OMG You did it!
Those are good burgers, Walter.
i.imgur.com/LgTV3UH.png
After five decades, I'm still 12 years old...
"Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site."
Do you know of any rubber dome keyboards that bottom out with a clack? (key bottoming out on the case) Rather than bottoming out on the rubber dome.
I actually think that the "clack" comes from the keycaps rebounding, not just bottoming out. It becomes very noticeable when typing fast.
@@conroypawgmail yeah I know that is on every rubber dome, but a keyboard like a scorpius which is a dome with slider over a membrane, somehow has half way actuation and a solid bottom out. It’s the most mechanical like rubber dome membrane board. I actually made a mod that lets keys bottom out on the top of the key holes while still actuating on a rubber dome keyboard.
Oh God I got a Unicomp Quiet Touch for curiosity reasons, while I do like it overall, they're LOUD AS SHIT! Mainly the upstroke. Would you say they're louder or quieter than a unsilenced Topre keyboard Chyrosran?
My only two experiences with Topre/Topre-Clones are pre-slienced ones.
built like a tank, just like any other M
nice
good video, as always tom.
That logo looks great, did they really stop using that in favor of the shitty one they have now?
"Get a Topre if you've got too much money."
R U B R E D O M E
using your index to type.
me:
take a typing practice session
Thanks for changing to a better camera for your typing tests
Reminds me of the Key Tronic I have. Except not as good.
C+ for rubber domes
Tbh, I kinda like the model m’s rds. It’s basically hiw I imagine the stereotypical office kryboard to sound like.
@Chyrosran22 please reply!! Is the keyboard that comes with the Amiga Commidore 1000 mechanical?
To my knowledge they all came with Mitsumi standard switches. You never know though!
Eyy I use one of those crappy HP rubber domes at work because the alternative was an awful HP scissor switch keyboard. The keys seem to get stuck on them in certain areas like Alt which is just strange even when it's nearly new.
If you don't like it then buy a different keyboard. Lmao get one with blue alps so you can piss off all your co workers.
You mentioned that some buckling spring Model Ms have single piece caps, do you know of a place where these could be sourced? I noticed a few of the outer keys on my Unicomp PC-122 are a little wobbly, and I thought it might help to replace them with a single piece design.
Unicomp did at some point only do single-piece caps, but they've since switched back to the two-piece ones again from what I understood. I don't think these are being made right now tbh. You could source them off an old Model F I guess (the F122s came with two-piece caps, though).
Hmm, guess that will have to do. The hunt begins!
Send Unicomp an email, they'll probably produce some one piece caps for you.
This isn't entirely relevant to the subject of this video, but I spent nearly 7 years typing on one of those cheap HP keyboards when I was an audio typist, they're not particularly good keyboards, are they. Have you thought of reviewing one?
I have, I might at some point. As a quickie xD .
Chyrosran22 honestly I think they are okay. The stuff dell has been shipping with their brand new desktops for schools and stuff lately though, GOOD GOD it’s bad. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW BAD THEY ARE. Yes caps were necessary.
My Unicomp EnduraPro has the one piece keycaps.
I have one of these, its the 122 key variant, I despise it... I miss my m-2.
Good review, never saw one of these things before and this seems like why, worse compromise of all the noise and quaility of build, and terrrible key feel, might as well get a real buckling spring model, and thats what people do...
TFW you have an Apple Wired Keyboard.
But hey, I still have a few mechs...
I have Unicomp board with 2 part keycap
I like keycaps like i like my women.. doubleshot!
Could these keycaps work in a mech model M with modification?
That would be virtually impossible. The Model M is actually an extremely precisely engineered keyboard.
Vintage thocc:
I've never used the word "funky" since I don't know what it means exactly, how could a word mean "good" and "terrible" at the same time?
Mr. Nobody Guess it matters with the context. For example, "this song is funky" is a good thing. While "that smells funky" is a bad thing.
Thanks for the explanation pal, well, when people say something is bluesy, vintage, retro or futuristic, I have some concept or impression raised in my mind, but when people say funky, I have no idea what it means, so what a funky smell smells like? What a funky T-shirt looks like and what a piece of funky music sounds like?
"Those crappy HP rubber domes" Wait until you get one of the new Dell keyboards that come bundled with some of the Optiplex computers... True horror of horrors, shittiest keyboards I've ever encountered, make the HP ones seem amazing by comparison. Pretty damn close to those flexible silicone keyboards on the shittiness scale. No kidding. data.stuartconnections.com/object/image?p=14896&i=7
Tamgorine holy fuck, I had to use them at school, along with shitty acer chrome books, I'm not shitting you, I but a very cheap lot of 4 broken model m2s (i fixed them)and vortex core, put one m2 in networking, one in AP computer progrmming, and carry the vortex core for AP world and history.
Dead fucking serious.
Tamgorine I use one at work...
These are indeed especially awful. I have one that might give it a run for its money, though - the *Onn Soft-Touch LK6400*. i.imgur.com/Xujt24J.jpg That board is such an awful flexy pile of mush that it inspired me to get into mechanical keyboards the day I bought it. I had used that brand new board for a matter of hours before I couldn't take any more! Everything from the dome mush to the slippery key surface to the terrible profile shape to the awful response is abject garbage. Literally the only thing I've ever used that's worse are the flexible "folding" boards you mentioned. For the curious... typing on it sounds like a person with over-sized rubber gloves drumming an over-ripe melon.
Considering they come with the PC for free, those are far from the worst Dell membrane keyboards. Their "chiclet" style keyboards are absolutely atrocious.
I'm amazed they even do that. These damn chiclet keyboards are everywhere. They can't even give you a rubber dome anymore.
How can I get a voice like yours?
I suppose practice...
Wait, you say you left the UK? Is this good news? Inquiring minds want to know!
I left the UK late Feb when I finished the corrections on my PhD thesis. In terms of keyboards this is a bad thing, because the recycling centres here are not as willing to part with their stuff :p . But have no fear; there's plenty more to come!
Hey thanks for the reply! May we know where in the world you have gone to? Have you found an interesting position?
I moved to the Netherlands, I work as what's essentially a lab manager at a university.
my hp rubber dome keyboard feels like ass, and nearly turned me off from ALL rubber domes until i tried the thermaltake commander keyboard, which isn't bad at all
scratchy, mushy, hurts to type on, and some keys bind
i'm almost positive this is what a keytronic foam and foil feels like
Has Unicomp ever improved on their plastic blemishing issue?
Their tooling is ancient, they can't really do anything about it without new tooling.
Probably not, although I haven't seen any overly noticeable blemishes on mine.
No.
I have a couple of these, and completely agree with Chyros' thoughts on them. Rather uncomfortable to type on, and the way the 'bump' feels is also somehow unpleasant...I wouldn't recommend anyone seek these out.
I have one of these. Yes, they are *very* stiff.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like these. BTC Dome-with-Slider is where it's at :)
tf you mean there are "rubber dome" model Ms? lol
Made in the US of A. I'll build anywhere.
rubbre...dooommeh
your voice is very bassy. I had to turn my sub down to keep from shaking my desk.
tbh it sounds like metal
I've been using a HP rubber dome keyboard for years and i like it. I would like to find something fancier though.
Seeing this keyboard casing and realising it has rubber domes in it is the biggest sin man can acomplish
Why they called it "Model M"? It's an insult to use rubber domes and call it "Model M".
Rubber domes can actually be really good if done right
@@dumdum7786 Honestly that applies to most mechanisms. But just like every community, elitism is the main factor of dismissing well executed mechanisms that use parts the elites scoff at violently. Example: Topre. Or a PX-1900 on the cheap* end.
These are unfortunately destructible, had a lexmark produced model M rubber dome from 1993, that was fairly used(definite dome wear already)
Used it from 2008 to 2014 before it died. The small movable part of the dome just got worn out to the point where keys stuck depressed into the keyboard.
A BIG reason why lot of them was sold with rubber instead of spring was the cost. I saw the price sticker on the box, and it was something like 1/4 or the price. Considering how technology and "looks" just wont stand up to 20years in time very well, its totally understandable that was the choice of many
The best alternative in closeness to feel is actually modern day heavy duty rubber dome IBM SK-8820, unfortunately they have stopped making those too now? It was a standard office keyboard everywhere some 10years back
Cherry MX switches are imo horrible, too much force required to hold down a key and click feels too pronounced compared to rubber dome. (holding down a spring vertically is a bad design for gaming at least)
Thinking of trying a scissor switch desktop board when this IBM dies. Going 5years strong on a rubber dome already seems impressive. Only feeling it starting to wear maybe 10% less springback in keys so far, even "WASD"
First time I've ever heard someone seriously say that they want to get a scissor switch keyboard.
@@archkull What does people not like about scissor switches?
I've tried mx red, green, blue, half hight rubber dome, heavy-duty, cheap, scissor switch, and whatever is in bad laptop keyboards today with no travel and completely flat. Imo rubber dome and ibm scissor switch feels the best for gaming and typing. So its either going heavy-duty rubber dome again, or trying a scissor switch full size.
If a stellar scissor switch keyboard is what'cha looking for, look into the "Perixx PX-1900". Hands down one of the better SS keyboards I ever used in my life!
Word of warning, sometimes when they go out of first party Perixx stock, third parties sell them for inflated prices. It should roughly be around $40 (USD) give or take. The matrix is extremely optimised for gaming so low roll over isn't a issue.