I’ve been told many times by the people that I work with that my keyboard is loud. I don’t care. You see, the keyboard is loud AND I’m a fast typer because it’s an original IBM Model M keyboard from 1985. The “buckling spring” tactile feedback is about the most perfect thing I can think of for an input device. At home, I have been using another Model M (this one is from 1996, though) – I have a shelf full of old (or new, as the case may be) keyboards that I have eschewed for my IBM’s.

Another thing that I really like about the Model M’s is the lack of a Windows Key. I absolutely can’t stand this addition to the modern keyboard: it’s useless (at least to me) in the best case, and in the worst case, it interferes with my pressing of the Control and Alt keys. Now, a “101″ keyboard normally refers to a pre-Windows key style board, whereas a “104″ is with a Windows key.

So, you might be able to imagine my chagrin when my keyboard at home started to develop some stuttering on one of the most often-used keys on the entire device (the “e”) – it would sometimes produce doubles and other times nothing at all. Believe me, it’s not fun, especially when you’re typing a password, and it was only getting worse. I took it apart and cleaned it, as I’ve done many times in the past, but it still didn’t get better.

What I REALLY want is a USB-interface, Black, 101-style, Buckling Spring keyboard. If anyone out there is listening, I will pay well for one. But since, as far as I know, the only keyboard ever produced to these specifications has been discontinued by its manufacterer, Unicomp, I have had to suffice to trolling ebay unsuccessfully or making do with a white one.

Anyway, I ran across this puppy on the best online store EVAH (that’d be NewEgg) and decided to give it a shot, Windows key and all. I am typing on it now. It’s good, and very solid, and has a really nice touch… but, sad to say, it’s still not a Buckling Spring keyboard. If the IBM Model M is a 10 for tactile feedback, I’ll give the ABS an 8. It’s not mushy or anything, like the newer and far cheaper offerings from other manufacturers, but it’s not perfect. However, it’s utilitarian, compact, built well, and looks pretty cool, especially at night. The very bright blue LED’s go perfectly with my case – I’m not a modder by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m also not against SOME case bling. By the way, while it’s advertised as a “Gamer’s” Keyboard, I’m not sure what features would appeal to gamers more than other markets, and I think it’s missing some of the more typical functionality normally associated with gamers (extra keys, volume controls, nifty little LED displays, etc.)

Here’s better review than I could do, if you’ve read this far.

P.S. I’m serious about buying a Unicomp Black 101. Anyone??