I'm looking for a Quality Keyboard

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Hi

I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
either!

I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
describe it.

Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.

Thanks

Ian

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:45:22 +0000 (UTC), "Ian Roberts"
<sorry@NOSPAM.com> wrote:

>Hi
>
>I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
>plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
>either!
>
>I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
>slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
>describe it.
>
>Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
>nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>
>Thanks
>
>Ian


There are the old style with springs under the keys and
mechanical switches for each key... make that "clickey"
sound and are big, heavy, could be used as a weapon. Most
people refer to them as IBM keyboards but NMB and others
made them, sold them under their own brand names too. You
probably know the ones I'm talking about, quite large and
usually beige colored. If that's what you want then the
larger part of it is finding one that's PS2 rather than AT.
Some had switches on the bottom for both modes so you'd just
need an adapter to PS2 for those. Never seen one with the
switches and springs that was USB though... I'm sure
somebody makes them but I'll bet they're quite expensive.
http://209.15.34.89/ibmkb.jpg

Then there are the best of the membrane-switch type, made
for OEMs like Dell, HP, Gateway (seek old stock rather than
new models). The newer OEM keyboards aren't so good, in
general if it's got a stiff key travel to it, it's thicker
both at top and bottom.
Here's one of the Gateways that's fairly good, with keys off
to see the inner tray, below which is the standard membrane
but stiffer than some,
http://www.sky.sannet.ne.jp/tsuno/diary/images/gateway-keyboard-01.jpg
IIRC, they also have the molded-plastic inserts for
characters rather than printed on numbers. I'm sure there's
a better term for that type but it escapes me at the moment.
The Gateways do come in both PS2 and USB1 flavors though I
dont' know where to find 'em, maybe ebay.

 

[gerry]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:45:22 +0000 (UTC), "Ian Roberts"
<sorry@NOSPAM.com> wrote:

>Hi
>
>I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
>plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
>either!
>
>I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
>slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
>describe it.
>
>Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
>nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>
>Thanks
>
>Ian
>
>
>

Whatever happened to northgate computer systems' OmniKey line of
keyboards. They were the best I've ever seen.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Ian Roberts wrote:
> Hi
>
> I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
> plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
> either!
>
> I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
> slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
> describe it.
>
> Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
> nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ian
>
>
>
>
I'm fairly certain that Cherry is still making extremely high quality
keyboards. Figuring out which one you want and where to obtain one might
be the biggest problem -- they make a bewildering number of them but
none of them are likely to be found at your local computer discount
mart. Try poking around the "classic line" at

http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/cid_index.htm

--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

In article <se8p51h55cims2f14cceos1rge6dllgdtq@4ax.com>, kony wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:45:22 +0000 (UTC), "Ian Roberts"
><sorry@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi
>>
>>I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
>>slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
>>describe it.
>>
>>Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
>>nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>
> There are the old style with springs under the keys and
> mechanical switches for each key... make that "clickey"
> sound and are big, heavy, could be used as a weapon. Most
> people refer to them as IBM keyboards but NMB and others
> made them, sold them under their own brand names too. You

The reason most people refer to them as "IBM keyboards" is nothing to do with
the mechanical switches. The _original_ IBM AT keyboard is legendary. I
have one at home and the action is lovely, with the added benefit that if it's
looking a bit grubby, you can stick it through the dishwasher (yes, this
legend is true - I've done it). The other mechanically switched keyboards
aren't in the same league.

The only recent keyboard I know that comes close is the _original_ "Happy
Hacking" keyboard - I have one of those two and it's great mainly because I
can plug it into most hardware I deal with, although it does have a very nice
action. Just done a Google for the web site and the original seems to be out
of production but I'm sure they'll be on eBay, although as the OP indicated,
a hefty premium is probably in order.

--
Andrew Smallshaw
andrews@sdf.lonestar.org

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

In article <0b3r519l3s35734sr7as7fhpftvsjko678@4ax.com>,
gerry <gerry_m@spam_this.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:45:22 +0000 (UTC), "Ian Roberts"
><sorry@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi
>>
>>I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
>>plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
>>either!
>>
>>I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
>>slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
>>describe it.
>>
>>Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
>>nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Ian
>>
>>
>>
>
>Whatever happened to northgate computer systems' OmniKey line of
>keyboards. They were the best I've ever seen.
>
>


On Ebay, and I posed the URL for an outfit that fixes them and sells refurb
kbds in an earlier response.

I'm happily typing on a Northgate keyboard that could be 15 years old
now. I have several.



--
a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m

Don't blame me. I voted for Gore.

 

[Phisherman]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On 13 Apr 2005 21:01:59 -0400, adykes@panix.com (Al Dykes) wrote:

>In article <0b3r519l3s35734sr7as7fhpftvsjko678@4ax.com>,
>gerry <gerry_m@spam_this.com> wrote:
>>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:45:22 +0000 (UTC), "Ian Roberts"
>><sorry@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Hi
>>>
>>>I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
>>>plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
>>>either!
>>>
>>>I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
>>>slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
>>>describe it.
>>>
>>>Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
>>>nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>
>>>Ian
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Whatever happened to northgate computer systems' OmniKey line of
>>keyboards. They were the best I've ever seen.
>>
>>
>
>
>On Ebay, and I posed the URL for an outfit that fixes them and sells refurb
>kbds in an earlier response.
>
>I'm happily typing on a Northgate keyboard that could be 15 years old
>now. I have several.


I too am typing on a Northgate OmniKey/Ultra. It is cast metal,
heavy, no "Window" key. I wonder if I will need to buy a new keyboard
when I build a new PC as it has a large round plug (not a PS/2).

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

In article <12jr51hflmmafsubcn2qeetref2vstoeui@4ax.com>,
Phisherman <nobody@noone.com> wrote:
>On 13 Apr 2005 21:01:59 -0400, adykes@panix.com (Al Dykes) wrote:
>
>>In article <0b3r519l3s35734sr7as7fhpftvsjko678@4ax.com>,
>>gerry <gerry_m@spam_this.com> wrote:
>>>On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 00:45:22 +0000 (UTC), "Ian Roberts"
>>><sorry@NOSPAM.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Hi
>>>>
>>>>I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
>>>>plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
>>>>either!
>>>>
>>>>I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
>>>>slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
>>>>describe it.
>>>>
>>>>Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
>>>>nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks
>>>>
>>>>Ian
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>Whatever happened to northgate computer systems' OmniKey line of
>>>keyboards. They were the best I've ever seen.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>On Ebay, and I posed the URL for an outfit that fixes them and sells refurb
>>kbds in an earlier response.
>>
>>I'm happily typing on a Northgate keyboard that could be 15 years old
>>now. I have several.
>
>
>I too am typing on a Northgate OmniKey/Ultra. It is cast metal,
>heavy, no "Window" key. I wonder if I will need to buy a new keyboard
>when I build a new PC as it has a large round plug (not a PS/2).


The large plug is called "AT" and AT-ps/2 adapters and cost zilch. I
wonder when I'll be faced with USB-only PC. I expect there are
PS/2-to-USB adapters and I hope that AT-ps/2-USB works.

Aside from the feel, I go nuts if the CTRL key isn't next to the A
key. For MS Windows Ion laptops have a little app called tradekeys
that remaps CapsLock just fine.

Thousands of lurkers have no idea what we are talking about.

There are 4 on ebay now.


--
a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m

Don't blame me. I voted for Gore.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Ian Roberts wrote:
> Hi
>
> I need to get a new keyboard but I'm really disappointed by the cheap nasty
> plastic rattly types on offer. And I'm not talking about the low cost ones
> either!
>
> I find most keyboards just don't have any substance. I like keys to have a
> slightly weighted sprung feel - that's about the best way I can think of to
> describe it.
>
> Can anyone recommend something that's made really well with keys that have a
> nice feel? I don't mind paying over the odds for something decent.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ian
>
>
>
>

If you can live without a windows key.. The old IBM Model-M has plenty
of substance and it's built to extremes of quality. You can also use it
as a lethal weapon if you swing it by the cord. >G<

I know this company sells them...

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 20:14:34 +0000 (UTC), Andrew Smallshaw
<andrews@sdf.lonestar.org> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>The reason most people refer to them as "IBM keyboards" is nothing to do with
>the mechanical switches. The _original_ IBM AT keyboard is legendary. I
>have one at home and the action is lovely, with the added benefit that if it's
>looking a bit grubby, you can stick it through the dishwasher (yes, this
>legend is true - I've done it).

I recall a discussion involving an IBM model M keyboard that did not
survive a spillage incident.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

>>The reason most people refer to them as "IBM keyboards" is nothing to do with
>>>the mechanical switches. The _original_ IBM AT keyboard is legendary. I
>>>have one at home and the action is lovely, with the added benefit that if it's
>>>looking a bit grubby, you can stick it through the dishwasher (yes, this
>>>legend is true - I've done it).
>
>
> I recall a discussion involving an IBM model M keyboard that did not
> survive a spillage incident.
>
>
> - Franc Zabkar

I've got a pretty good keyboard that I would be loath to part
with. It came with my old Dell some six years ago. It's labeled
"Keyboar Model AT101W" -- I wonder if there's any way to find out
who made it? It's got the nice clicky key action. I've taken it
apart and cleaned it twice, and it works as well as it did the day
I got it. It was the higher-priced keyboard option offered by Dell
at that time. Every now and then I try out keyboards in the
stores, and I wouldn't want any of them, even if they were free.
The membrane keyboards are terrible. There's no feedback in the
key action, no precision in the clicks -- no clicks, for that matter.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:26:17 GMT, Al Smith <invalid@address.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

>>>The reason most people refer to them as "IBM keyboards" is nothing to do with
>>>>the mechanical switches. The _original_ IBM AT keyboard is legendary. I
>>>>have one at home and the action is lovely, with the added benefit that if it's
>>>>looking a bit grubby, you can stick it through the dishwasher (yes, this
>>>>legend is true - I've done it).
>>
>>
>> I recall a discussion involving an IBM model M keyboard that did not
>> survive a spillage incident.
>>
>>
>> - Franc Zabkar
>
>I've got a pretty good keyboard that I would be loath to part
>with. It came with my old Dell some six years ago. It's labeled
>"Keyboar Model AT101W" -- I wonder if there's any way to find out
>who made it?

Does it have an FCC ID? If so, then search here:
https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm

>It's got the nice clicky key action. I've taken it
>apart and cleaned it twice, and it works as well as it did the day
>I got it. It was the higher-priced keyboard option offered by Dell
>at that time. Every now and then I try out keyboards in the
>stores, and I wouldn't want any of them, even if they were free.
>The membrane keyboards are terrible. There's no feedback in the
>key action, no precision in the clicks -- no clicks, for that matter.

I've had this clicky XT/AT switchable keyboard for the last 10+ years:
http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/leo_6251.html


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

>>I've got a pretty good keyboard that I would be loath to part
>>>with. It came with my old Dell some six years ago. It's labeled
>>>"Keyboar Model AT101W" -- I wonder if there's any way to find out
>>>who made it?
>
>
> Does it have an FCC ID? If so, then search here:
> https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/cf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm
>

What do you know? It does. I'll give it a search.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

Franc Zabkar wrote:

> On Wed, 13 Apr 2005 20:14:34 +0000 (UTC), Andrew Smallshaw
> <andrews@sdf.lonestar.org> put finger to keyboard and composed:
>
> >The reason most people refer to them as "IBM keyboards" is
> >nothing to do with the mechanical switches. The _original_ IBM
> >AT keyboard is legendary. I have one at home and the action is
> >lovely, with the added benefit that if it's looking a bit
> >grubby, you can stick it through the dishwasher (yes, this
> >legend is true - I've done it).
>
> I recall a discussion involving an IBM model M keyboard that did not
> survive a spillage incident.

The model M tends to survive spills because its circuit board is
encased by a hard plastic cover with towers for the key openings, and
each tower is above flood level. But spills over the top keys
sometimes manage to seep in along the edge, plus the controller board
is located there. The 84-key AT and 83-key XT models are more
vulnerable to spills since they have individual plastic pieces for the
keys instead of one large cover, and spills can leak between the
pieces.

I wouldn't run an old IBM keyboard through a dishwasher because its key
matrix consists of 2 layers of mylar fused around the perimeter, and
moisture could remain trapped between the layers for a long time. Many
keyboards use this type of matrix, only without as good a flood barrier
as the IBM model M.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt (More info?)

On 13 Apr 2005 22:08:21 -0400, adykes@panix.com (Al Dykes) wrote:
>
>The large plug is called "AT" and AT-ps/2 adapters and cost zilch. I
>wonder when I'll be faced with USB-only PC. I expect there are
>PS/2-to-USB adapters and I hope that AT-ps/2-USB works.
>

Indeed there are PS/2 to USB adapters. I'm using one to connect an older
HP "multimedia" style keyboard to an HP Kayak -- and that's a "personal
workstation" of 1997-1998 vintage. So these adapters should be easy to find
at surplus outlets.

As for the AT-USB adapter, I have no idea. I suspect finding one would be
difficult.

>Aside from the feel, I go nuts if the CTRL key isn't next to the A
>key. For MS Windows Ion laptops have a little app called tradekeys
>that remaps CapsLock just fine.
>
>Thousands of lurkers have no idea what we are talking about.
>
>There are 4 on ebay now.