Cherry's New Keyboard Switches Emulate IBM Model M Feel 298
crookedvulture writes "Slashdot has already covered the four main flavors of Cherry MX mechanical key switches: red, black, blue, and brown. Now, there's a green MX variant that emulates the feel of the buckling spring switches in old-school IBM Model M keyboards. The green switches combine tactile feedback, an audible click, and a stiff spring that requires 80g of actuation force. They're a stiffer version of the MX blues that more closely matches the characteristics of IBM's buckling spring design. Previously reserved for use with space bars, the green switches have now taken over an entire Cooler Master keyboard. And, unlike the old Model M and contemporary copycats, the new CM Storm Trigger has modern conveniences like an integrated USB hub, LED backlighting, and programmable macros." I've had my hopes raised and then dashed by some other keyboards whose makers promised Model M feel, so I'll believe it when I feel and hear it.
Ok now how about an ergo version (Score:5, Insightful)
I would dearly love buckling spring keys but still the "bend" of my MS "natural" that I have gotten so used to. I can still type faster on a model M - I have several, but the ergo keyboards are so much better for my beat up wrists.
Re:So... (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, because they are the best ever made.
Things that are good people still want. I also have a cast iron pan in my kitchen, am I emulating the second century BC or just using a good tool?
Backlit keyboard? (Score:3, Insightful)
Why would a keyboard need lights?
Who looks at them? You look at the monitor and type on the keyboard.
MX Greens are not new (Score:2, Insightful)
The use of MX Greens for an entire keyboard is new though.
As others indicated, you can buy a Unicomp if you want a "real Model M" anyways. The click is not as tactile and the feel from the tactility is different between buckling springs and MX switches (a click leaf is different from the THWACK of a buckling spring buckling and hitting the wall). If you want a heavier actuation cherry switch with a lighter click, get an MX. If you want a Model M-like keyboard, get a Model M or Unicomp Customizer...
Re: As opposed to actual Model Ms which are still (Score:5, Insightful)
Its a keyboard you can beat a man to death with, and still be perfectly usable as a keyboard.
Re:Because it isn't ergonomic (Score:5, Insightful)
Low force may be good for ergonomics -- basically coddling a damaged wrist -- but it's terrible for healthy people actually trying to type well. Modern squishy keyboards create terrible typists. The worst are laptop keyboards (for instance, first thing I do with my macbook pro when I set it up for use is plug a Matias tactile pro 3 into it.) Apple makes the absolute worst keyboards out there, nightmares from the chiclet age.
If you write for a living, as I do, you need a decent keyboard, and by that, I do not mean an "ergonomic" one. If your wrists are that bad, I'm sorry for you, but you'll never be a really effective typist. With squish comes missed keys, double presses, constant backing up for errors and overall low typing speeds. If one is a "hunt and pecker", who mostly lives by the mouse (as many are) that's fine, but if you write all day, every day... it's just not.
Re:As opposed to actual Model Ms which are still m (Score:4, Insightful)
You're buying a model M and you're worried about dimensions?
Maybe you're not in the target demographic. Just sayin'.