Lookimg for advuce-- decent mechanical keyboard

[Chuck(G)]

Okay, the title doesn't say exactly what I'm after. Let me explain.

Model M's around here are on just about everything, except for my 19" rackmount system. Standard-sized keyboards are too wide.

I've seen some inexpensive gaming keyboards around with "blue switches" (not Cherry). They are about the right size, but how is the feel compared to a good old Model M?

PS/2 or USB doesn't really matter.

 

[KC9UDX]

Can you live without the numeric keypad (or live with a divorced one)?

I've seen industrial keyboards which are genuine Model M and are reduced width, probably intended for rack mount though I usually see them mounted vertically on control panels. The reduced width is achieved by deleting the numeric keypad. There is a matching separate numeric keypad which actually has a duplicate cursor/screen key section.

 

[Stone]

This is the Model M industrial space saving keyboard:

 

[KC9UDX]

Yes, that's precisely the one I've seen (and occasionally had to replace due to normal wear and tear in a very harsh environment). Thanks for finding it.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Yes, that'd be fine, but the prices for used model Ms are too high to justify the application--the keyboard freaks have hit the market. I can remember when they were given away free used and that you could buy new surplus ones in the box for about $20 from Surplus Software in Portland (alas, long gone).

Right now, I've got a Compaq keyboard on my system and it's terrible for a Model M typist.

 

[KC9UDX]

I used to have a source for those, new, or probably NOS, from an industrial supplier. They charged somewhere between $100 and $200. I might be able to dig through some stuff and find it if you like.

 

[Chuck(G)]

If it's not too much trouble. In the meantime, I'm going to goof around with that $10 IBM iPoint keyboard and an ATMega IR-to-PS/2 converter that I discovered. The IBM keyboard is rubber-dome, but not as bad as the Compaq--and it's very compact.

 

[Unknown_K]

It was only a matter of time before good keyboards jumped in value to match the machines they were made for.

Looking at an old Industrial Computer Source magazine (1991 edition 1) they have a decent looking compact keyboard IBM PC/XT/AT compatible model KB3/A ($99 at that time). No idea who makes it and if that model # is generic or brand name.