Good office keyboard for IBM buckling miracle fan?

tatsurou · 07 Oct 2018, 01:30

As in the title, I need something quiet for the office, which wont shake the desk and deafen coworkers like my F XT does. I like tactility, but unfortunately I wont be able to use IBMs at work

What are the picks?

xxhellfirexx · 07 Oct 2018, 01:42

Try looking at Topre/BKE, Alps SKCM orange, or SMK blue switches.

lumpybutt33 · 07 Oct 2018, 09:04

I recommend the Apple IIgsApple Desktop Bus Keyboard with the orange linear alps. wiki/Apple_Desktop_Bus_Keyboard

Muirium · 07 Oct 2018, 15:34

Well, if you have an ADB converter and remapping in mind…

I like Model F plenty, too. The same thing, but quiet? Tough call. I mean, I also happen to really like Topre, which is quite easy on the ears, but it feels very different to buckling springs. So do classic damped Alps, but with the addition of being harder to find in good condition.

Surprising entirely no one whatever: Mu recommends a Realforce!

PlacaFromHell · 08 Oct 2018, 00:06

What about a bolt modded and floss modded model M? The different is really big compared to an F.

vometia · 08 Oct 2018, 02:50

I've been using a Matias lately for pretty much the same reason: I wanted something with a not dissimilar feel but without all the noise, so I'm currently using one of their "quiet" keyboards. I feel it's actually quite a reasonable compromise: although obviously not the same, it has nice tactile feel and a fairly robust (i.e. non-twitchy) keystroke while at the same time being reasonably quiet.

clickykeyboards · 08 Oct 2018, 03:18

If you are already a fan of the IBM buckling spring model M keyboard (like the 1391401).. then you might consider the IBM 71G4644 model M.

The 71G4644 shares many of the same parts as the buckling-spring model M keyboards.. but instead of 101 individual springs, it uses heavy rubber domes to remove the "clicky" sound.. but still gives satisfying "tactile" bump feel.

https://clickykeyboards.com/product-cat ... iet-touch/

Since the overall key shape, key arrangement and internal electronics, is identical between a 71G4644 and a 1391401, it makes going back and forth between different keyboards a breeze (you don't have to remap your brain and fingers to avoid typos between different keyboards).

The number of shared parts that IBM used between the 1391401 and 71G4644 is perhaps 65%-75% the same components. *exceptions are the heavy rubber that replace the springs and the slightly different internal construction of the 101 keycap-keystems. Otherwise, most of the other IBM plastic casing and electronic parts are interchangeable.

Fully enjoy the 1391401 at your home-office battlestation and then use the 71G4644 at work cubicle. (until you can get your own corner office and then you can close the door and bring in the heavy artillery).

tatsurou · 08 Oct 2018, 03:26

Thanks guys! Really appreciate your advices! I will probably check out something with orange alps or rubber dome model M.

Or maybe is there something on more vintage side? Fujitsu tactile reed?

Edit: Or maybe go full blast and build my own custom orange Alps board?

vometia · 08 Oct 2018, 07:20

I'm guessing the Model M Quiet Touch is the same one that Unicomp still makes? It's certainly good for a rubber dome keyboard and there is that important matter of familiarity, though personally I prefer my Matias Mini. That said, there's probably various other reasons for that besides the key-feel like the size and colour etc. And forgot to mention, the Matias switches are of course based on Alps Black, Alps making quite a good showing in this topic!

tatsurou · 08 Oct 2018, 07:47

Yeah, Unicomp still produces them I think. I prefer vintage side of things instead to be honest. I also like weird keyboards, oh poor guys who hired me! Was considering Matias too. Also what about that new keyboard with hall-effect switches?

AJM · 08 Oct 2018, 16:13

clickykeyboards wrote: If you are already a fan of the IBM buckling spring model M keyboard (like the 1391401).. then you might consider the IBM 71G4644 model M...

If such a version would also exist for the Model F XT layout, I'd know, what I would get for work.

tatsurou · 08 Oct 2018, 18:32

What about Zenith data systems with green Alps board? Similar layout to F XT

ZedTheMan · 08 Oct 2018, 19:35

tatsurou wrote: What about Zenith data systems with green Alps board? Similar layout to F XT

It won't feel at all similar, but it will have a pinginess, and it's honestly not that much quieter in the scheme of things. You will need a special converter for the black label ones also, standard soarers converter won't work for it.

But as far as XT-like layouts go it's probably my favorite of the bunch.