[lilxkid24]

My favorite keyboard is the apple usb slim keyboard. Its the damn best thing i ever used and hell ived used the g15 the saitek 2 the logitech wave microsoft curve and none are as good as the apple slim keyboard. Why? Because the apple keyboard has short keystrokes making me type even faster like 115 wpm now. It works good for gaming too i dont go WOW gaming so i dont need all those hotkeys provided. It works perfectly fine on my windows xp and vista computer. Best of all it sounds great, great design and is the best keyboard i ever used.

[trav1085]

Well me, is that Hitachi microprocessor Made in Japan? I'm assuming so, considering it was back in 1986 when they actually made Japanese name products in Japan for North American markets (and, increasingly so today, Japanese brand products being marketed for Japan are being Made in China, I noticed with the Nintendo DS Lite's power adapater being made in China for Japanese and North American markets. Damn us, costing Japanese companies like Nintendo too much money for demand and shipping and export over here and they can't afford to make stuff for themselves in Japan!)

[ChuckEtheridge]

Its hard to believe that so many people actually like that old IBM keyboard. By far the most satisfying that I have used is the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000. It is by far the most comfortable and easiest to use keyboard that I have ever experienced. Though mine is wired they also make a wireless version that has essentially the same layout, and I have to say that the overall design is outstanding. When the zoom feature is used in conjunction with the Microsoft Comfort 3000 mouse with lateral scrolling ability the practicality is truly hard to beat.

[wgcarew]

To Author : TsarNikky , reference 'computer with only USB ports"

I wonder if you knew there are adapters available that can convert from the large Keyboard connector

down to the smaller round one and from the round ones to a USB port...? I have 2 or 3 here. I also

have a USB cable adapter that allows me to plug in both a mouse and a keyboard with the rounded

connectors.

By the way, I do use my OmniKey 102 for gaming. I have been playing UO Online for the past 10 years.

I found it works well for the MS Flight Simulator and a number of other games and applications.

Cheers and my regards... Bill - VE3MEW, Peterborough, Ontario CA

[dlauber]

{noformat}You had asked:
{noformat}{noformat}I wonder if you knew there are adapters available that can convert from the large Keyboard connector down to the smaller round one and from the round ones to a USB port...? I have 2 or 3 here. I also have a USB cable adapter that allows me to plug in both a mouse and a keyboard with the rounded connectors.{noformat}{noformat}Yes there are such converters. A lot of new keyboards come with such adapters, albeit in reverse.{noformat}{noformat}It's likely that you can find these PS/2 keyboard adapters online at Cyberguys:{noformat}{noformat}http://www.cyberguys.com 800-892-1010
{noformat}{noformat}I'm not quite sure exactly which adapter you want, but the PS/2 keyboard adapters cost $1.49 to $1.99, USB to PS/2 keyboard adapters cost $1.79 to $9.95{noformat}{noformat}For the PS2 6-pin Mini Din F To 5-pin Din M Adapter, try: http://www.cyberguys...t}{noformat}For the PS/2 to USB Keyboard adapter, try: http://www.cyberguys...rmat}{noformat} Just make sure you get one that isn't too wide to fit in the back of your computer.{noformat}{noformat} Good luck.
{noformat}{noformat} {noformat}{noformat} {noformat}

[DOrr221]

These M keyboards used to be made I believe in Lexington, KY. U.S.A.
Now everything is made over seas.
These behemoths weighed like 5#.
Got 1 or 2 of these door stops hanging out here somewhere. Still in great condition.
Gone are the days when you could repair a keyboard like these.
Now you go buy a cheap $15.00 that may not last a year or spend $50.00 to $200.00 for a 'gamers Keyboard' that is overpriced and cost about $5.00 to make.

[drrexx]

Great article! This is my favorite keyboard of all times (followed closely by the 83-key Happy Hacking). I am actually typing this with a late 1980s model M, which I have been using every day for the last 10 years or so. Yes, the clicking drives my wife crazy, but it's music to my years...

[Cernansky]

Back from its inception, I always hated the Model M, specifically because of the loud, clicky, overresponsive buckling spring mechanism. I hated the clicks and I hated the feel.

I'm just one of those folks who likes a quiet, spongy keyboard. I type around 100 wpm with a standard keyboard of this type, but with a Model M, I chunk along at about 80 wpm. Different strokes, literally.

[miww]

Personally I never liked clicky keyboards, but i got the new Das Keyboard that just came out and i love it. It has the windows keys, USB 2 ports, etc. that were missing from the old IBM clicky keyboard. Solid build, and nice looking too.

[zepper]

Actually Keytronic OEMed the early Microsoft keyboards. IBM made their kbds themselves early on and then spun off the Lexmark company which was the division that made them at IBM and continued to make them for some years. Then Lexmark licensed the keyboard design to Unicomp. The Unicomp is thus a direct descendent of the M but I think that they are using the Alps buckling spring keyswitch now instead of manufacturing the (much more expensive) original and other parts are also made overseas and the final product assembled here (at least they used to be but may have that farmed out as well by now. You can buy the Unicomp (in several variants) thru http://www.pckeyboard.com . Don't know if they are still making the double-shot keycaps with their forever markings any more. I'm really tired of the labels wearing off my keys! :-(

The Alps keyswitch also gave the OmniKey, Alps, Chicony, Focus etc. etc. keyboards their nice clicky action almost as good as the M - some like it better. I can't use that noisy of a kbd any more.

.bh.

[billcantrell]

The source of the original IBM keyboard problems was (1) they let the IBM main frame "guys" provide the keyboard - notice that the original keyboard was laid out just like the IBM mainframe keyboards and (2) IBM failed, for some unknown reason, to utilize the most common keyboard in the world for the IBM PC - the IBM Selectric and Selectric II keyboards. Practically every person who learned touch typing untilt he introduction of the PC learned on an IBM Selectric keyboard. The single biggest issue was the location of the "return" or "enter" key.

[paradigm]

I came from IBM and have always loved clicky keyboards. So, I have to agree with miww on the Das Keyboard. It is a welcome alternative to the rather expensive IBM M series keyboard. It has a sleek mirror-polished black look and USB 2 ports. I've been waiting a long time for a new clicky keyboard to come out with all of the keys that modern boards have and this one is it.

[Bonafide]

You might be surprised to learn that the estimable Model M keyboards are still being manufactured, in Lexington, Kentucky, using much of the same equipment that was used to manufacture the IBM-labeled keyboards. The keyboards now bear the "UNICOMP" label, but inside and out they adhere to the design of the original. When IBM spun off Lexmark as a separate company, keyboard production transferred to Lexmark, Later, Unicomp, Inc., purchased the production equipment from Lexmark and continues to produce the Model M keyboard, buckling springs and all. (In fact, this missive is being typed using a Unicomp Model M.) Anyone who is interested can visit the Unicomp website at: pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/

[Bonafide]

(This note was added b4 I remembered that I could edit the original to correct the erroneous URL.)

Unfortunately, the Model M keyboard, wonderful as it is, does not prevent one from making stupid mistakes, such as screwing up URLs. The correct address for Unicomp is: pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/

[Philzzzz]

Sir:

I can't believe no one has found the solution to this pain:

When I click on to the next picture I have to RE-POSITION to see the picture. WHEN ANYONE CLICKS

ON THE NEXT PICTURE PLEASE USE OR DEVELOP THE SOFTWARE WERE THE NEXT PICTURE IS

AUTOMATICALLY RE-POSITIONED............

Thanks for reading,

Phil

[JimH443]

There's a very easy solution: Increase your monitor's resolution to 1600 X 1200 or higher.

[butlerwm]

I liked the "M" when it was new and still do now. However, like some of the responses, the Microsoft "Natural" makes for a more comfortable typing experience over long periods of time. While it takes some getting used too, once you do, there's really nothing like it. Most days I type 2000 or 3000 words at a sitting. Ergo keyboards are just better under those circumstances. Also like one respondent stated, original "Natural" is unfortunately no longer produced. MS still makes ergo keyboards, but even the lightweight "elite" doesn't have the same dome height. And while the Natural 4000 is better than straight keyboards, it too doesn't have the dome like the original "Natural".

[CompTechie]

I love the look and functionality of the Optima keyboards, the ones that are insanely expensive but each key is its own little OLED screen that can be re colored and organized in anyway that you'd like, hehe awesome but again expensive!

[Glipper]

I'm still using my Northgate "OmniKey / Ultra" from about 1990 or 1991. It is at least as heavy as the IBM, has a similar tactile feel and sound (reminds me of the old IBM Selectronic typewriters), but has an additional bank of "F" keys on the left side, as well as the normal row across the top. I've gone thru seven or eight computers since I've had it and I can' imagine what I'll buy when it finally gives out. I'm 62, maybe it will outlive me (I hope so).

[storm1087]

The one,the only IBM