Warning: Geekfest alert!
You may or may not recognize this, but if you worked on an IBM PS/2 or 5250 terminal in the early 90's, it came with a very heavy duty keyboard called the "model M". It was distinguished by a very positive response and loud click. The keyboard uses "buckling spring (BS) technology " to give that distinct feel and sound.
This is the type of keyboard on which I am typing right now. I liberated it from a parts pile at a customer site 8 years ago. I still kick myself for not taking two others, but how many does a person need?
I serviced many computers in the early days of IBM PCs, ATs and PS/2s. This keyboard became my favorite. I never had to replace a whole keyboard. Keys, yes. Keyboard, no. These things lasted while countless Acer, Toshiba, Epson, HP, Leading (slu)Edge and Compaq keyboards bit the dust.
If I ever need a replacement keyboard, which seems hardly likely with this baby, it is still available:
One other cool tip about the model M, if you had a co-worker who hunted and pecked at the keyboard, you could pop the key caps off and switch them around. Brutal!
Original Group29 Forum post (IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp)
