Hello, project coordinator here. Thanks Nicholas and the entire ShortCircuit team for putting together a nice video covering the Brand New Model F Keyboard! It is great to get the word out about these great keyboards that definitely take some getting used to! Kindly see my replies to some of the notes brought up in the video: The pinginess / reverberation: Some folks that prefer a Model F board without the higher pitch sounds. The best thing about buckling spring keyboards is the a longstanding community that has come up with various repair and maintenance step by step guides and mods, including the Floss Mod and the grease mod, to reduce or eliminate the high-pitch / pinginess while typing. My guess is that the main reason for the pinginess is the super thick steel plates reverberating inside the keyboard. Why True Red? Well it's the Pantone designation for the particular shade of red. The factory prefers Pantone references when doing the finishing. Recessed keys: The reason for the extra recessed keys for a couple of the rows is that the Ultra Compact F104 case top in the video is flat and the Model F and Model M design require a curved plate inside the keyboard. One result of this is that the key profiles are all uniform and a key can be installed on the various rows. The Model M style F104, FSSK, and F122 cases are all curved where the keys are, just like the IBM originals, so the keys will stick out more evenly. Casting: The Ultra Compact cases for the F104 and FSSK were CNC milled and have 3 main parts, while the ultra compact cases for the F62 and F77 keyboards are die cast, while the first rounds of the compact F62/F77 boards were CNC milled. The Model M style case Model F keyboards all have die cast cases. Regarding the low serials, they are mainly there to allow folks to offer a little extra support to help cover the tens of thousands of dollars in project cost overruns, the near-endless express air mail sample charges over the years, etc. Many folks also like a custom serial because it allows them to pick a date for the production date, like their birthday or an anniversary of some date. In the Model M community forums it is always notable to get a board made the same year you were born, or if you were lucky, on your actual birthday (and actual birth year too!).

When I was growing up these were just keyboards. Funny how they've become so revered.

Buckling springs aren't really about the sound. It's all about the feel. If you want something vintage that sounds and feels good the Alps switches are where it's at. The big problem with the alps switches being the design made them super prone to getting gunked up internally and when that happened they functioned much more poorly. So a lot of folks that used them never experienced what they actually felt like when properly cared for.

Going over this video, I think there's a few mistakes, so here are my thoughts and clarifications for viewers. 1:58 - "Apple IIs" - On screen, an Apple Extended Keyboard II was shown. The Apple Keyboard II was something else and intended for Apple Macintoshes, not even Apple II *computers* that had separate keyboards like the Apple IIGS. 2:30 - Shown reviews on Model Ms - Model Fs and Ms both use buckling springs, but there are some fundamental differences (from how presses are registered down to the number of spring coils). IMO, this distinction should have at least been briefly clarified. So, those reviews are of a keyboard with a switch that is known to feel slightly differently *and* is known to sound lower pitched. Whilst I love both Model Fs and Ms and they're in many ways similar, IMO, the reviews shown are not 100% reflective of this keyboard or its OG counterparts. 2:41 - Like above, comparing "old Model Ms" to brand new Model Fs is a bit problematic, especially trying to relate it to "age". The difference you may have felt wasn't age at all; Model Fs and Ms were always a bit different back in the '80s and today. 3:27 - "spring buckles and connects on the side of the switch". If by "connects" they mean connection to actuate, that's not how that works. When the spring buckles, it forces a plate on the bottom of the switch (called a flipper/rocker) to press down on a capacitance-sensing PCB (Model F) or membrane (Model M). 3:49 - "maybe add some foam... couple layers of tape". To get rid of the ping, the "floss mod" is a well-documented (and reversible) thing to do. It involves putting strings of dental floss inside the springs to stop them from resonating. A basic search should've found that for them before recommending (IMO) more awkward options. 7:57 - "calling it true red which is a little weird". It's named after the PANTONE name, but it seems the company themselves has already said that. 9:36 - "sculpted, almost SA if not actually SA". These keycaps are neither. When opened, you can see that the inner assembly itself is curved, allowing for the uniform not sculpted keycaps to be interchanged on any row. The keycaps' tops are cylindrical shaped, not spherical like SA would be. 11:38 - "rose tinted glasses". IMO, this may be sort of unfair. I was born after Model F production was believed to be finished, and I have no issue with them. In fact, there are a lot of younger people on various Discords and subreddits dedicated to IBM keyboards. Contrary to the end sentiment, AFAIK, the New Model F project didn't start to try introducing Fs to people, it became a thing because Model Fs already had fans in the modern day but the OG IBM 4704 F62 and F77 keyboards were difficult to find and costly. This F104 is just a new take to capitalise on the F62/F77's success. As someone who runs a website/wiki on IBM keyboards, /r/modelm and its Discord, I always get 'nervous sweats' with big videos on IBM/vintage keyboards since these misconceptions can be repeated, spread and then we have to deal with stuff "but, this big outlet said otherwise". It's happened. I absolutely respect Plouffe's opinion on not liking the sound or vintage keyboards (despite us getting dismissed as having "rose tinted glasses"), I just think a little more research would have helped the factual basis of the video. I get ShortCircuit is not meant to be ultra scripted and I don't think the set had a teleprompter to help when I saw it in tour videos, but I don't think that's reason not to have a quick look online about what's being discussed. My two cents.

3:29 Is not entirely true. Buckling springs don't actuate by making electrical contact with the side of the housing, that's a common misconception. The springs are connected to a lever at the bottom of the switch that does that actuation. In the Model M the lever pushes on a membrane, similar to how a modern rubber dome works. On the Model F the lever is connected to a capacitive mechanism.

Lucky there wasn't any tape on the keys.

Plouffe just casually ignoring that Unicomp have been making effectively the original Model M continuously for decades 🤷‍♂️

to reduce the ping you can put floss inside the springs, it may feel slightly more mushy but will make the sound a lot more bearable

This comment was typed on a Unicomp new model M. By far the best keyboard I have ever used. Don't see myself ever using anything else from now on.

Did you make sure to take the plastic film off this time?

After the Model M, IBM briefly had a Model M2 on the market for a few years which is quite rare these days. My first PC (IBM PS-1 386) used the M2 and is basically a smaller version of the Model M but also with buckling springs. Sadly enough these were known to die because of the caps on the control board and taking them apart was HARD. There were no screws - it was all done by plastic tabs. On 30+ year old plastic this is not great. Of course you also need to remove all the key caps first. Me, being a masochist, did exactly that. I removed all the caps, managed to open up the keyboard without breaking off any of the plastic tabs, collected all 102 springs inside, removed the board, recapped it and then started the painstaking process of re-inserting all 102 springs and closing it back up. I had to repeat this THREE TIMES because each time a spring was slightly misaligned making a key not work. In the end I now have a working IBM Model M2 keyboard which is small in size but gives an authentic IBM experience. Be warned if you buy one off eBay: unless the seller specifically says it's been recapped, it WILL need recapping! Even if it says "tested", do NOT trust it. These keyboards will work for a while if you test them after they've been in storage for years and then they'll die. Re-capped these go for way more than the Model M though, so be warned.

Hi Glenn, I hope you realize that the switch is not triggered by the spring hitting the side, but rather flippers hitting the bottom.

I used to love Model M keyboards. I worked in IT and when we'd replace PC's that had these and I'd hide them in the storeroom. They were my go-to for years but I left and didn't use them anymore. Still love the sound, personally

The space between the upper Key rows are for descriptor overlays for the specific programs you used .

Nicotine beige is the only color this should ever exist in

Linus: "My company is valued at $100 million." Also Linus: "I can't afford to spend $500 to retest."

did you take all the stickers off this time?

My old FC guild mistress on FFXIV uses an old Model M for her gamming. We can hear her tying through her mic and we could tell the "Seriousness" of messages based on the length of the clicks. it was great.

1:02 love it when the editor puts these nice little touches in there

6:30 That's silly. Buckling springs are one of the most tactile switches that exist - far more tactile than any cherry switch. This is objectively demonstrated on the force curves. Would also have been nice if you went over how it's capacitive sensing, NKRO (unlike a Model M), programmability options, etc.

did you guys remember to take off all the plastic this time for your review

"Feels like you're typing on a keyboard from 20 maybe 30 years ago" my friend that was the early 2000s or late 90s

Old enough for Apple II but not old enough for IBM M? May want to look at that timeline :D.

I have a Model M from my dad and the model F sounds similar but the most important thing that both share is that it’s sounds like a machine gun when typing. Also love the heavy weight. I type weird and move my hand more like how you would use an old type writer so it fits my typing style. Also I absolutely hate, hate, HATE that “lubed keyboard thunk” sound.

*AUCTION IT!*

Loving that classic Olivetti-style color scheme of the keys. Brings back memories 🥲

There was an error in the graphic that attempted to show how the buckling spring closed the contact. It is not the spring itself that closes the circuit when it touches the side (since the side is just the plastic cylinder of the key cap), but rather it is the V-shaped base which tilts and then closes the circuit between two pads on the PCB. So the PCB beneath the keyboard looks very similar to that of a regular membrane keyboard. I do agree that it looks wrong that the keys in the center hardly protrudes above the case. They could have at least made a curvature in the top half of the case to follow the keys, just like the original IBM design. Although I do own an original Model M along with a couple of M2s, I don't really like the feel and sound of using it, so to me it is more like a novelty.

OK you've had someone who doesn't like IBM boards review the model in the new weird boxy case design. Now have someone who loves IBM buckling springs review one of the new 104 models but with the traditional Model M case option.

Kudos to the editor of this one. Great job!

This is hands down the finest keyboard currently in production. The vast majority of people would agree that the typing feel is unmatched--crisp and perfectly weighted. The fidelity to the original Model F is truly remarkable. This "ultracompact" version is the only one that suffers from the aesthetic flaws you talked about, as all the other cases (i.e., the original and "classic" styles) match the curved profile of the switch plate. The F62 is currently $200 and the F77 is currently $225--the deal of the century. Get one while you can, as the creator is obviously trying to unload the last of his inventory.

You should have a link to the product or their shop and why does the description list " LTX 2023 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW" when that event concluded weeks ago?

Editor is on fire with this one! Great job! Really make it more fun to watch..

The typing sounds like the keyboard Jonathan was looking for in that Sims keyboard video co-op you did a while back.

Keyboard enthusiasts are just ss anniying as wine testers

Love the Braethorn hat! Nice to see y’all supporting a smaller, yet super awesome, creator. Found his channel a couple months ago shopping for a new prebuilt, quickly became one of my favorites!

3:33 the switch doesn't connect on the side it actuates the membrane (model m) or a capacitive pcb (model f) on the bottom

You don't want to put foam or tape, and that won't do much anyways for the spring sound. What you want for these old style keyboards is a massive body to have a large resonance chamber to give the sound a bit of reverb, that will make it sound better

The editor working overtime on this one, love the text blok shenanigans

The buckling spring doesn't make contact with the side of the switch, it slams a copper flap down on a contact on the switch base. It's the only keyboard switch that actually switches when you feel the tactile bump - the cherry browns and blues are merely poor imitations of this behaviour.

Plouffe implies the switch works by connecting the spring with metal on the side of the switch but I’m pretty sure it works with the flapper lifting off of capacitive contacts on the PCB. The spring part is absolutely part of the mechanism, just not part of the circuit.

I learned to type on these, only we had keycaps which were blank to help you learn....

I used to work at IiBM in the 90s and everyone had a Model M on their desk.

The part that Plouffe didn't liked is bacause keys expect original Model F indent, I suggest getting "Classic Style F104 Model F Keyboard" which has that indent and keys will be perfectly positioned there... The case design is at fault, and Classic case fixes that.

the sound/noise of nostalgia, this reminds me of the very first times I encountered the PC back in the day. Back then, these keys sound like high end equipment. No button sounds like it.

This keyboard doubles as a security device to fight off home intruders.

You unlocked a forgotten memory from the keyboard that came with the 486 we got in the 90s. I used that keyboard into the 2000s.

I have a Japan Computer Corp (great name) Model M clone from the 80’s. I used it as a daily for almost a year until I couldnt take the lack of n-key rollover. Was a very smooth keyboard and did not have any of those annoying pings, just satisfying clack

That high pitch ping just ignited some serotonin via nostalgia

Way to go full artesian Linus

I actually have an old IBM wheelwriter that uses the same keyboard as the Model F I believe. It feels divine.

Sebastian Linus: „Don‘t judge a company for errors, look how they react to critique.“ Well, well, well how the turntables….

I have a Unicomp Ultra Classic. It's the chintziest little thing, being made towards the end of the model's production run (the mould had long worn out by the time mine was struck), but it has the cost-reduced Model M version of this mechanism (b/s over membrane, rather than b/s over capacitive). Also, it was made in 2020.

That space bar sounds so good. I used to have Doom with the fire key bound to the spacebar.

The Unicomps are so great. I gave mine to my brother since I can't type on non-splits anymore :( but the buckling spring switch feel is just second to none.

The editor was having a good, fun time

Would have loved to hear you guys include the key rollover. I have a model M reproduction which I love typing on but as it has the same internals as the original ones it’s basically useless for gaming and I had to remap a lot of shortcuts for my day job.

Freakin' Awesome !!! I still have 3 of the original IBM keyboards still working. They don't wear out.

What hardware do the dreamarcade machines use? Rapsberry pi? Custom pc? Jamma board? And can you customize it?

It was crazy when I got to 6 minutes into this video and realized that it wasn't even half over.

with that aluminum chassis, is sounds different... it doesn't have that "CLACK" sound it used to have with the plastic chassis, the aluminum chassis makes it have that bad "PING" noise.

I had typing classes in elementary school on those keyboards back in the late 80s

I have fond memories of being 5 years old, playing the original Kings Quest in Windows 3.1 on my grandpa's IBM PC with a Model M keyboard.

The rebound ping of a model M is the KEY FEATURE. That pinging is how you tell people are productive.

Would love to see a short circuit on the new 8bitdo keyboard. They have pretty good controller but as it is their first keyboard I’d love to see some lab’s results for lag anti ghosting etc

I would love the esthetics in a modern custom with modern switches, foam, and gasket mounts.

I remember faintly typing on one of these back in the day, can't remember where though. Possibly at school. Also, I suspect that the pinging sound comes from the combination of new springs and that aluminum case.

Can I just say how much I enjoyed the edditing on this video.

Back in the day I definitely preferred those buckling spring keyboards. I think I prefer modern mechanical keyboards over that, but even more than that I definitely prefer modern analog keyboards specifically from wooting.

I worked in an office for nine years. And I worked next to one of the controllers (Terry) for a few of them. You kinda have to use the bubble style keyboards. The ones that are like $10

Nice edit during the weight time

My first systems Admin job in '98 I had 50 at least in my store room. And everyone in the office was using one

Linus Auction TIps

I have a Model F AT and it sounds a lot better because it has a plastic case. I would use it more if it had a more usable layout sadly The IBM Model F actuates via capacitance, unlike the Model M which uses a membrane. Therefore the main advantage the F has over the M is inherent N-key rollover. The Model F also has a lighter spring compared to the Model M as well. The floss mod can help to reduce the spring ping, but the ping itself is inherently part of the switch design. But the spring does not "connect" the switch, it's the flipping of the plastic flipper that actuates the switch. They also make Model F in original designs, such as the F62 "Kishsaver", F77 (not the F107 unfortunately), with a cast zinc base (just like the originals).

The sound is like 50% of what I like on model M and Fs :D

I would love one of these, I have one of the Unicomp keyboards and it's great but the capacitive switches would be much better mainly for rollover. I've thought about getting a real F but they have been hard to find and they have an odd layout so this would be the perfect mix, just hoping they can maybe get the price down in the future or something because $500 or so + custom fees to europe is a bit steep

This might actually get me to move on from my '93 Model M. Looks very very nice

Shoutout to the banana for scale midnight (and beyond) crew I met at LTX!

Great video and energy

Thinking of buying one, thanks for the review

mr editor did so well this video

A a 25 year old, I never came across those keyboards at school, we just had the basic mid 2000's microsoft black keyboards. But about 6 years ago I stumbled upon an '85 Model M for sale for like $50, and I jumped on it! At the time I was on a G710 with MX brown switches, but I was a heavy typer, so I wanted something heavier, and OH BOY the buckling springs are heavy ( aswell as the keyboard istelf ) ! My Model M was my daily driver for almost 3 years, Now it sits on a shelf with all kinds of retro-ish tech. It is clearly a conversation starter.

Y’all need to do more videos on electrocapacitive rubber dome switches like Topre & its clones

This keyboard is great. It can help auction off other people's property faster.

What's the life span of buckling spring switches? Is it higher than cherry switches?

we were typing on gold back then and didn't even realize it.

The sound is because of the aluminium case. That should be plastic.

I used one of the origanls as a kid and I love hat keyboard. I loved the clacky clack sound lol

that keyboard sounds electric

so you're saying this will annoy my co workers? ordinging one now lol

I'm surprised they didn't bring Linus in to get his opinion on how it compares.

Ironically I'm after the metal ping noise

Shoutout to the banana for scale midnight (and beyond) crew I met at LTX!!

I wonder if a sound dampening foam version of this could be possible. It's definitely an interesting thought.

I've tried all kinds of modern mechanical keyboards, and none were anywhere near as satisfying.

I guess Horst has finally found his Sims' keyboard! If this is available for Mac, that is.

When I was a new hire at my first PLC programming job the dude behind me had an original Model M that he had somehow rigged up to work with his modern laptop. All I heard all day was him pinging away on that thing. Eventually I got used to it and began to like it oddly. He was an angry typist too, so you really heard that shit lol.

@2:00 i have one of the unicomp model m's and i will say it was close to those ive used back in school and my old job that had a lot of ibm terminals. be interesting to try the model F version as that thing looks like it could be used as a weapon (even more than the model M) also the Apple II/Mac mechanical keyboards i beleive used an ALPs style switch instead of a buckling spring of the IBMs

That thing is a deadly weapon.

Can buckling spring switches be lubed? maybe they might sound less pingy if you could slap some lube on the springs

Looking at the mechanism, and the mention of modding... If you can get griphite spray on the contact points where the spring slids into, it theoretically would slide quieter.