Real keyboards have curves... in their giant steel backplates.
Real keyboards have curves... in their giant steel backplates.
Currently got this one on my work laptop. Model M terminal board with internal converter. The only layout changes I made versus a normal 102-key are that RCtrl is is a Windows key, and the four keys along the right side of the numpad are =, -, +, and the normal Enter.
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I wish I could get one in a 60% layout. My desk is too small for my big ones.
Unicomp has buckling spring boards in TKL. A bit pricy, but cheaper than a vintage Model M "Space Saving Keyboard". For 60%, the closest thing I know of is the even more expensive Model F Kishsaver layouts (adapted from an old and insanely pricy banking keyboard from ~1980). I have never tried one of their boards, but I know they exist.
The Model Fs are far superior to the Model M. I own several original and reproductions, though I don't own the F60 "Kishsaver" as I like having my nav cluster.
Good to know, and I believe it. The M is simply a value-engineered F, after all.
I last used Model F's in Junior High (AT's, IIRC, but maybe XT's), where I would get annoyed at the layout while trying to play BurgerTime on an amber monitor after typing practice.
The layout is 100% the reason I didn't like my F AT until I modded it. My F XT has a better layout, but it was always such a chore trying to get my home made Soarer's converter to work right. The F77 layout is great, and thanks to the preproductions it's actually attainable. I also got one of the new TKL layout Model Fs, but it only came in the "compact" case style (which makes sense as they was no original), and it just isn't as nice to use as the OG style zinc case.
As lovely as they are, the XT abuses the right to use stepped keycaps. I can't deal with that, even if I fully appreciate a desire to avoid stabilizers. 🤣
Thanks, I was aware of the model F project but didn't realize they had anything other than very large layout options. I have 4 original model M's, (two are broken), but my desk is too small with my work and personal computers. (I tried a keyboard switch, but I gave up using it after typing to the wrong computer one too many times)
my desk is too small with my work and personal computers
I also work both from the same desk. I keep the home keyboard and mouse on a deskmat that I just slide the very edge when work actually needs my undivided attention. The Model M's don't come out to play too terribly often, and most of my weird little "1800" layout variants that I make as a hobby take up a good deal less space. Still, sometimes you just need some pingy buckling spring goodness in your life.
What about the Launch series keyboards?
Those have been discussed in some depth in some of the keyboard communities, and the charitable opinion is that they are for a very niche audience that wants to pay for a specific level of configurability without buying new keycaps, and that is willing to sacrifice features that hobbyists like to pay for, including modern design elements, mounting methods, and somehow both standardization and further customizability. Of course, you're also taking a positive step to support System76, which I can't complain about.
Basically, though, you're paying a lot of money for the dream keyboard of one System76 engineer, circa 2019. It's not "bad" exactly, but it would be understating it to say that it is a quirky product, even among keyboard nerds. It's also, within that space, a very different product than these 20- to 40-year old classic buckling spring boards.
They use your standard Chinese cherry clone switches. Better than the rubber dome keyboards everyone gets by default, but nothing like a genuine model M. (the other reply linked to a model F which is likely better than the M but I wasn't aware of that option until now so I'll have to try it)