Clicky keyboard with a Windows key

November 16, 2004 10:20 AM

Does (Did) anyone make a PS/2 buckling spring keyboard with a Windows Key? Bonus points for model numbers. More bonus points still if your answer has "IBM" in it.
posted by trharlan to shopping (9 comments total)

Not IBM, but how about this one?
posted by SteveInMaine at 10:39 AM on November 16, 2004

The site Steve linked uses the same hardware as the old IBM Model Ms. That's the only place you're going to find one. :)
posted by Jairus at 10:47 AM on November 16, 2004

According to this article, Unicomp, from my link in the post above, bought the IBM keyboard technology from Lexmark. From the main Unicomp page it appears they sell all manner of clicky keyboards.
posted by SteveInMaine at 10:50 AM on November 16, 2004

...and hence why they're the only people who sell them with modern updates.

I'd buy one of the black ones, if they didn't have the terrible mouse pointer in the middle.

God I hate those things.
posted by Jairus at 10:54 AM on November 16, 2004

I previously asked a similar question and that thread might be useful for you.
posted by hootch at 12:22 PM on November 16, 2004

What everybody said. I'm very happy w/ my Unicomp keyboard. Although sadly it's too loud to use if anyone else is in the room.

Not to derail, but shouldn't the patent on the buckling spring keys have expired by now?
posted by tirade at 5:34 PM on November 16, 2004

I haven't gone looking for one in a while, but Fujitsu kept mechanical-switch keyboards in production for a long time. I have one; it predates windows keys, alas, but I do know they did make one at one time that was so equipped, so you could starte your froogling with "fujitsu".

BTW -- it had (still has, if I use it) a really nice touch -- better than the IBMs, IMO, not quite so clacky, but very uniform and very sure. And heavy enough to beat an assailant to death with in a pinch.
posted by lodurr at 5:56 PM on November 16, 2004

This one is $40 cheaper, and from what I can see, the only real difference is that it's a little bigger.
posted by pmurray63 at 9:19 PM on November 16, 2004

Not to derail, but shouldn't the patent on the buckling spring keys have expired by now?

Without a doubt. The Model M is based off the Selectronic Typewriter and a variant dates back at least to 81 as my original IBM PC had a buckling spring keyboard and I think they were used on S/360s and 3270 terminals before that.

And they are far and away the best keyboards around. 20 minutes on one of those bloody membrane keyboards and my fingers are in agony. I can code 16hrs straight on my M and get up and do it against the next day no problem.
posted by Mitheral at 11:23 AM on November 17, 2004