IBM Model F: The best keyboard money can buy?

#modelf #modelfkeyboard #newmodelf #ibmkeyboard #ibmmodelf

[jgvillan]

I got the Unicomp 122 keyboard. It's not a Model F, but I am loving the 122 Model M. All the grief that I had heard about Unicomp was not present with my keyboard. All keys were aligned, sharp dyesub printing, heavy for a "modern" Model M, and just works straight out of the box. Also ordered media key legends for some key customizations, and can't be happier with it.

[matthewbardeen]

The Model F is a famously repair friendly keyboard. The main wear items would probably be the springs (and/or foam), and you can get replacements for them now. I've got a 1988 F107 4704 that I restored internally. Very easy to do and it will probably last another 30 years. Thus, no need to worry about buying an old one off ebay.

[RamonOchoaMusic]

I have one myself. The three year wait was worth it. I went ahead and requested an early delivery and am using keycaps from a Unicomp while I wait for the final ones to be delivered.

[WikiPeoples]

Just a heads up for anyone watching this in 2022 - My keyboard arrived with Z E R O issues. Plug and play. Well, I had to install the keycaps (they came in a bag), but yea no firmware issues or anything like that. Plugged right into both a windows and a mac and worked right out of the box.

[MrSloika]

The mix of black and gray keys is reminiscent of the old terminal boards from the 70s although the character keys would have been gray and the other keys would have been black.

[needfortweed]

The microphone placement for the majority of your video was really good to show off the differences in sound between the model M and the new model F. Very clear pinging noises on the latter.

[ryangleason]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. I have purchased a F77 and F62 a few months back myself. I will say (using unicomp keys on F77 and the new model F blank keys on the F62) that the new model F keys are vastly superior to the unicomp keys. Nothing beats these boards though in my opinion and the F77 is my daily driver, I still sometimes use my black alps to be more quiet, but switching back to the F77 is like having a cup of coffee when programming. Cheers and look forward to checking out some of your other videos.

[hjalfi]

I thought the model Fs used beam springs? It's certainly got the music tone to it that beam springs had...

[jebclarianes]

Great video. Im thinking getting f77. But im concerned about how are their nkro, accuracy and if there's a minimum delay? Im going to use it mainly for typing and most of the time gaming. Please let me know if i can use it for.competetive gaming.

[mtzhp]

IMO yes it's worth it. I bought two.

I refurbished a Model M and a Model F AT. Also own a New F77 (zinc) and F62 (compact). The Model M is a great keyboard, but it is comparatively squishy in feel compared to the Model Fs. The best feeling of the bunch is new F77 like yours, yes it beats the original AT. Especially the spacebar, which could change if I ANSI mod the AT with a Unicomp short spacebar. That bug has kind of diminished since I have the new Fs and they actually feel better.

Both my keyboards worked well on arrival, except for one F62 spring mangled a little during shipping (fixed with spares provided).

[dascyne]

go for the solenoid mod. You'll love it.

[lmbe]

Just to make sure your viewers won't' misunderstand your use of the word "faux": The F77 and its smaller brother, the F62, are "reproductions" of two models from IBM's 4704 line of banking computers and come in that heavy zinc case. I think both models are also available in a more modern ("ultra compact") case. That latter variant perhaps deserves the epithet "faux" ;)

[ddrfraser]

Sick color scheme. I'm stealing that for my model m industrial.

[ykcwimh]

Any idea what the wait time is currently? Did you order this a few years ago?

[bartoszm]

Hi. Is this keyboard really better than unicomp keyboards?. Regards!

[larrisAWSOME]

Man I'd kill for some buckling spring keycaps in black with printing on them, I tried looking around but couldn't find anything from unicomp. It's one of the few things that makes me hesitant to pull the trigger on this.

[ghostrunner]

I think you should leave the M13 caps on. It gives it a very unique look>

[ThomasBaxter]

Have you attempted to do any key remapping via the xwhatis software?

I'm still waiting on mine. I decided to wait for the keycaps to ship with the board.

Also, if you are looking to get rid of those black keycaps... hit me up ;)

[PaoYong]

How does it compare to the Model M in terms of keyfeel? I own a Model M but find that they have a bit of a "swampy" feeling, like the actuation force is high and it leads to more fatique for things like gaming. Thoughts? Thanks!

[animalblundetto]

What is the lead time looking like on ordering one of these? A year?