Ultimate Keyboard Showdown - IBM Model F or Model M?

The IBM Model F and Model M literally defined what a PC keyboard is supposed to be. Included with the original IBM PC, the Model F introduced the buckling spring mechanism that made it "the best keyboard in any microcomputer, bar none" according to Byte Magazine. The Model M, introduced shortly after the PC AT's introduction and available as an option on both the AT and XT 286, set the standard for PC keyboard layouts for decades to come. Many have argued in favor of one or the other as "best keyboard ever" - so which one really is?

In this video, I do a direct comparison between both keyboards to find out which one I think still holds up as the best daily driver today. After all, keyboards are often a series of compromises, and while these two make fewer than most, both still have their pros and cons. Though regardless of whether you agree with my ultimate conclusion, you really can't go wrong with either one.

One clarification on NKRO, since some commenters seem to be either missing or ignoring the Model M key test in the video - again, 2KRO does not mean a keyboard will only register 2 simultaneous key presses. It means that's the *minimum* it can guarantee. Let's create a "Bags of Mulch" term to continue on with the 6 wheel pickup truck analogy from the video. Let's further say that the 6 wheel pickup from the video has "NBOM" - or "N Bags of Mulch". A standard 4 wheel pickup truck with "2BOM", though, could only guarantee carrying 2, depending on the size of the bags. If they're REALLY BIG BAGS, big enough to require a forklift to load, it might not be able to do more than that, because its bed is not unlimited in size and it only has 4 wheels. Now let's say you need to carry 6 standard size bags of mulch home from Home Depot. Do you really need "NBOM" for that? Or would that the "2BOM" pickup truck work? Obviously, a standard pickup truck can carry 6 standard bags of mulch - heck, my Dodge Challenger could do that. Having "NBOM" in this situation is not only unnecessary, it's not even any kind of advantage. Both trucks will carry that mulch equally well.

In fact, you will likely do better with a good 2KRO keyboard than a cheap keyboard that claims NKRO, since these are usually poor quality non-NKRO keyboards trying to overcome their limitations with driver tricks. NKRO has become a way for cheap keyboard manufacturers to differentiate themselves from other cheap keyboard manufacturers. For the vast majority of people, it's better to just buy a good keyboard and not worry about KRO at all.

That's 7 simultaneous keypresses on the Model M. And I had a hard time even reaching them all - that's certainly not a *common* number of keypresses you'd need to make at once.

Also, yes, once again, I am a self-taught typist. I'm never not gonna be a self-taught typist, so you may as well get used to how I type!

If you decide to look for one of these on Ebay, I'd love it if you used my links:

Couple credits not in the video itself:

And on Twitter:

[GenophefeElisabeth]

As a Fan of the Model F I am literally shaking and crying right now.

[Tchoukis]

N-key roll over is needed if you're playing hotseat Mortal Kombat with a friend on a single keyboard.

[filippocld]

Yesterday i tried a model F AT (I basically tried only one other mechanical keyboard before) and my hands were shocked by how good that keyboard feels.

[Sparkkoz]

I own both. I've completely shelved my Model M since i got my Model F keyboard. The typing feel is just so much better and since I type heavily the space bar is not an issue for me. Once I got used to the layout my Model M got put in to storage.

[tss]

During college I upgraded from an XT to an AT and was frustrated by the new layout of the Model M. I used Wordperfect 4 to write my papers and the new layout killed my productivity. Wordperfect used combinations of cntrl, shift, alt with the function keys for almost all functions. This was great when the function keys were on the left and the combinations could all be made using your left hand without moving too far from typing position and horrible when the function keys were across the top.

[oTEMPETo]

New Model F F77 gang. Absolutely love it and am using it right now. I find the M key-feel too heavy.

[dutchcanuck]

I knew an accountant who was a Lotus 1-2-3, dBase and WordPerfect expert, and since the DOS versions of those programs make heavy use of the function keys with modifiers (e.g., Ctrl-F7, Alt-F4, Shift-F10) he preferred the Model F AT with the F-keys to the left and all modifiers lined up next to the F-keys, because you could hit those key combo's easily with your left hand alone, without any extreme finger stretching or two-handed key strokes. He could keep his right hand on the numeric keypad for heads-down data entry and his left hand operating the function keys, entirely by touch. Very efficient, especially around tax time.

Kept that thing going -- with various adapters -- as he replaced the PC it was attached to. Probably used it until the day he retired.

[AerFixus]

As someone with too many keyboards and hardcore Model F fanatic, I usually recommend a Model M to someone who wants an awesome keyboard that's [relatively] inexpensive, usually very reliable and doesn't require much conversion, customization or learning a new layout. And if they are a friend, I'll let them borrow one of my countless M's in their layout of choice. I will mention Model F and let them try one of mine if they please. But only if they get an M and dislike it for the qualities that an F would be better for, do I start pushing them towards an F. And if they desire even more, I let them try my Beamspring and wish them good luck. If they are satisfied with an M, I won't push them deeper and let them enjoy their Model M filled bliss.

Personally, I have experienced the limitation in a Model M's matrix. I often play games that use many keys around the WASD cluster simultaneously. WASD obviously for moving, C or V for chat, E for interacting, Q to bring up the map, tab to see the players in game, shift to sprint, and space to jump, 1-4 to select an tool. Many a time have I been doing something and missed a jump because I'm pressing too many keys on the Model M's 2KRO non-gaming optimized layout. Many modern membrane boards are just fine for the gaming I do as their matrix layout is set up to allow more keys to be pressed on the left hand side, but the Model M just isn't good enough. A Model F just ensures that it's never my keyboard's fault for me making a mistake in a game.

I do however encourage anyone buying a keyboard to try it out before you buy, especially when it comes to really expensive ones.

Also personally, I much prefer the construction of a Model F to an M. You still have to keep all the parts in a delicate alignment in an M just as in an F, but you have to put back in 100 god damn screws while doing it (it's less, I know. but still way too many. and if you make a mistake (and you always do!) or a key sticks a little bit, all of em gotta come out, then go right back in!). The Model F just slides into place with a little bit of effort and clamping force (or on the smaller ones, it can be done with just your hands and body weight). Yeah, I know, the 122 is the exception and is quite the beast to put back together.

And a few notes on the video:
First off, love it. I love any time someone looks at the Model F, regardless of opinion (and especially if they have reasonable arguments).
I like the "first clicky keyboard in a mass market personal computer" line. Beamspring!
However, in general, I dislike when Model F is used to generalize all the models available as while the F122 wasn't a consumer item, they are quite easily acquired for the hobbyist willing to part with a good portion of their wallet (although not much more than an AT nowadays). And F107s can be had if you go to forums for only a little bit more than a F122 might go for. And with a little luck it may already be converted to USB! Be prepared to wait. No instant gratification on anything more uncommon than an F122.
The Model F 122 has 2 piece keycaps.
The Model F 4704 107 is just over 10lbs and likely where that article got the number. Still wrong to say it released with that weight.
Only the F XT and AT have the nightmarish spacebar. All other models F (122, 104, 62, 77, 107, Displaywriter, and Model 65, 85 and 95 IBM typewriters) have a normal weighted, Model M sized spacebar with a stabilizer wire on *top* of the plate. Though it's worth a note they are not directly M compatible because the stabilizer wire is slightly thinner on Model F than Model M.
If one chooses to Xwhatsit mod their F (or have someone else do it), you gain full programmability on all the keys and the layouts become much more tolerable since you can add the keys you miss the most to the places you like them best.

[kodiakrabbit]

I remember learning about the importance of n-key rollover while playing multiplayer games at the same computer with my brother. The emulator was configured for player one to use the left side of the keyboard and player two would use the arrow keys and numpad. Several inputs were dropped when keys were held, making some games very frustrating (like holding down a direction, run, and jump key for platformers). Switching to a full n-key rollover keyboard fixed this issue.

[riadshash]

Excellent video! You explain the pros and cons of each keyboard in a totally non biased way. I always wanted a video that addressed this and finally it came! Thank you.

[BerendVosmer]

I have the Model F XT, Model M SSK, and the Compaq Deskpro keyboard. While there is already a significantly different feel between the two IBM keyboards, I was shocked when I first tried the Compaq. It’s a rubber dome and contrast starkly with the clean clicky feel of the IBM boards.

[rikmcdik]

I grew up with a Model F in the 2000’s. Was my favorite keyboard by far growing up and holds a special place in my heart.

[zero]

well, i recently got my ibm model m and boy is it a joy to type on!

[MrPolecat]

My vote goes to the Model F/AT, as the PC/XT version of the F just has too strange a layout.


I procured an F/AT, then took the Enter, Backspace, and Slash off a broken Model M and put them on the F/AT. This made the layout way more standard. Also had to move some of the actuators around, because the new keys were trying to press on different capacitance pads than the originals. This also caused it to emit non-standard scancodes for the replaced keys, so I had to cut some traces and solder in jumper wires to correct that on the main part of the keyboard. As for the keypad, I replaced all the key-stems with the removable-cap model-M type, arranged the arrow keys and cursor navigation keys into a more standard layout, and then remapped them in software.


The result is a model F with a regular layout (albeit without a keypad), that is a pleasure to use. I am not 100% happy with the software remapping for the keypad, so at some point I want to try placing a teensy microcontroller inside of the enclosure, and use it as an AT->USB converter that magically handles the scancode remapping for me.

[sociologie]

Epic video man. Good job. I am currently shopping for a Can-French model M and they are quite reasonably priced on Ebay. Cannot wait to hammer my dissertation on that thing, one click at the time.

[DuckGWR]

God, I love the F so much. I've used an XT F on my desktop for several years and honestly I'm so used to the layout I don't notice until I have to use a different keyboard. I know the AT F is easier to use because it uses the same standard as PS/2 and it has a newer layout, but I like the XT. I built a Teensy into an old KVM, so I can swap between my terminal M when I want those 24 F keys

[schrodingerscat]

I believe it was the model F 122 terminal keyboard that introduced the modern layout which then became the standard for the Model M only difference being 2 rows of function keys. I have an F122 and it is my favourite keyboard by far, often referred to as the battleship because of its huge size and serious weight at 4kg. I think the flippers on the F are larger giving a slightly different feel and actuation, I think that is the main difference but it's pretty close and they are both excellent to use.

[kgury]

The answer here is Model F, but actually Beamspring

[budthecyborg]

11:36 N-Key rollover is absolutely CRITICAL for anyone playing games.
For the first 20 years of my life playing Mechwarrior and Quake I was constantly berated with beeps whenever you try to switch weapons while moving.
Back around 2010 I paid $250 just to import a Cherry keyboard with N-Key Rollover (and of course the consistency of the keypress is also a huge selling point).

[ultrametric]

I once had an entire basement of PS/2 Model 95 servers including the keyboards. Got rid of all that stuff :) I collected these servers from a company that had gone bankrupt and just wanted them gone. A whole pickup truck full of 486/50 and 486/66 servers! They were MONSTERS. I guess I should have saved the keyboards. To tell the truth, I got my retro jollies and was done at that point. I do love your videos! I was an IT guy already in 1984 and my first work computer was an XT. I'm surprised you haven't set up a system with an MDA/Hercules combined with an EGA or VGA card. In the early days of Windows, the best way to program was to run a debugger (like Turbo Debugger or MS Codeview) on the MDA text screen while your Windows 3.x application showed up on the graphics monitor. You could then step through the code on the MDA green screen and watch the code action evolve on the graphics monitor. You got a real appreciation of all the BS that went into just creating a scroll bar or a push button! Also waiting for your journey into 8514/A world - the first "real" high resolution display with 256 colors at 1024x768.