Does anybody sell buckle spring keyboards anymore?

mattfinch

mattfinch

mattfinch

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That's it, I'm looking for a keyboard, preferably black that uses buckling springs in the keys, like the old IBM Model M.

I heard some of the cherry keyboards use them, can anyone confirm this?

I'm looking to spend as little as possible.
 
Apparently a company called Unicomp still makes them, not sure about UK stockists but they are available in the US.

They use the same design as the old IBM model M and weigh a ton so could make shipping pricy :D I'm thinking of getting one too though as I haven't found a better keyboard since I used the Model M that we had when I was a kid :)
 
Much longer life, and better response (much closer to a proper type writer, handy if you're a trained typist).
Modern keyboards are generally made as cheaply as possible - a rubber membrane (which 99% now use) is much cheaper/easier to make than an individually keyed unit*.

The IBM M keyboards are/were practically indistructable, and if you managed to wear out one of the keys it was possibly to actually replace the mechanism on single keys.
They were also built like tanks and could be used effectively against the Zombie hoards.



*IIRC the old IBM keyboards cost £100+ a time (but were likely to outlast the operators).
 
It has a really nice positive feel to each key press, it also clicks too so is a bit noisy but it's the most comfortable and best keyboard I've ever used.

It also weighs about 2-3kg due to a solid metal plate in it so doesn't slide around and has a really nice solid feeling to it. If some of the keyboard warriors in GD used it you could kill someone lol

Here's a review of one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjZzAC6dKI
 
www.clickykeyboards.com

Proper vintage (but unused) stuff here. Just got myself a 1999 vintage dell. Not true buckling spring action, but very close and not quite so loud as a true bsk. Very pleased overall.

Be warned, the prices gets a bit mental once you add on shipping and VAT :D
 
Im not a big typist so i dont need one, but i can certainly vouch for those being the best.

Im my years of fixing pc's ive come across loads of these in offices and i can pretty much say for a fact that people dont want new ones :p any other just feels cheap and plasticy compared to the old IBM.
 
Werewolf said:
Much longer life, and better response (much closer to a proper type writer, handy if you're a trained typist).
Modern keyboards are generally made as cheaply as possible - a rubber membrane (which 99% now use) is much cheaper/easier to make than an individually keyed unit*.

The IBM M keyboards are/were practically indistructable, and if you managed to wear out one of the keys it was possibly to actually replace the mechanism on single keys.
They were also built like tanks and could be used effectively against the Zombie hoards.



*IIRC the old IBM keyboards cost £100+ a time (but were likely to outlast the operators).
Click to expand...

Thanks for clearing that up for me ahah
 
mick4545 said:
This is the one you're after. Its an updated model M. Exactly the same key action as the old IBM, has a windows key and USB conection. Mine cost around £60 plus shipping from the US. I forget how much shipping was but it was resonable. If you buy it, don't forget to specify UK 105 key model.


http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net//customizer.html
Click to expand...

yes, thats UniComp's store.

when i've got a bit of disposable income, i'm getting one of those.
 
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