The next Brand New Model F Keyboards project launches today, March 31st!
Now available to order: F104, FSSK, F122, F15, F50, and Split Ortholinear Ergonomic
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Click here to customize your Brand New Model F:
http://modelfkeyboards.com/store
The layouts and cases of these regular/full size Model F boards were modeled after the later-production Model M keyboards and their more standardized/modernized layouts, but with the same Model F internal components and XT-quality dye sublimated keycaps as with the original F62/F77 project. A number of folks have been asking me for a full size board and other board types so here they are!
Some models are offered in both Model M style and ultra compact style cases. All cases are metal, even though they were designed to match the IBM Model M case designs of old.
Click on the “shop” link above to view more photos and details about each keyboard model and the available customization options.
Rather than wait for orders before starting production, I decided to go ahead and purchase many of these boards ahead of receiving orders. Production has finished for many of these boards and they are in stock and should start shipping in the later part of April or May. As always the in stock keyboards from this new project will not ship until all of the in stock Round 1 beam spring boards finish shipping. So far, 44 out of 80 Round 1 boards have shipped.
Today we have 8 new models!
4 currently in stock: Ultra Compact F104, Ultra Compact FSSK, F15 Split Ergonomic, F50 macro pad
4 currently in production: The 3 metal case classic Model M style F104, FSSK, and F122 keyboards and also the Split Ortholinear Ergonomic model
I was not sure how many of the ultra compact boards would be in demand, so for the in stock units I ordered extremely limited quantities of each: only 25 F50, 50 each of the two types of ergonomic boards: (the F15 style which is based on the very rare IBM M15 keyboard, and the split ortholinear style based on the Ergodox Cherry MX boards), and 200 each of the compact F104 and FSSK. The classic M Style case offerings (Classic F122, F104, and FSSK) are not limited at this time and will have a much larger first production run that is currently in progress. The Buckling Spring Ortholinear-style boards arrived but had an issue with the top inner assembly so they will ship later.
The classic M Style case keyboards (F122/F104/FSSK) support internal mounting of the solenoid driver and solenoid while the other ultra compact anodized case models do not (same as with the F77/F62).
No reservations needed for F104 and FSSK, neither for the compact nor classic case models. Anyone can order today.
There is a reservation process for the split ergonomic and F50 boards. Check out the details on the product pages, and then when ready click here to reserve your keyboard. You only need to reserve the split and F50 boards. You do not need to fill out this form for all other keyboards - you can order them straight away.
Why didn’t I start the new Model F project with a full size or Model M style board? What took so long with the original Brand New Model F Keyboards project? What is the most interesting part of the manufacturing process? Check out my Google NYC Tech Talk video embedded below for details behind this and other aspects of the project’s journey.
Not to worry, you can still order the classic case style and ultracompact case style F77 and F62 keyboards for the time being. I still have many in stock of each variation, but these final round keyboards will be on a “while supplies last” basis until they are all gone. More than 4,000 Brand New Model F F62 and F77 keyboards have shipped in recent years.
Here is a review article on the Brand New Ultra Compact F77 keyboard over at Cult of Mac
https://www.cultofmac.com/801538/model- ... rd-review/
Here’s a nice in-depth article on mechanical keyboards initially featured on the home page of The New Yorker – the Brand New Model F project is mentioned
https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-o ... -tinkerers
Here’s a 3 1/2 minute video introducing the Model F reproduction project and the new Model F keyboard models:
YouTube video: typing test and teardown for the new keyboard models launched today!
Now posted on YouTube: my Google NYC Tech Talk on Bringing Back the Model F Keyboard
It was a great honor to be invited to speak at Google offices last year on the journey to bring the IBM Model F keyboard back into production. Once again a big thanks to Tony at Google for setting everything up and for obtaining permission from Google for me to share this video publicly. A big thanks to the Googlers for keeping the announcement of new Model F models under wrap for so long, until it was ready to launch! The folks at this meetup were the first to try the new Model F and beam spring models; this was also my first meetup in a long time which was nice.
Here are some photos of the new Model F keyboard models available (not pictured below: Classic Style FSSK and F122). Most are available in various colors. All have powdercoated/painted aluminum or anodized aluminum cases.
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