It's been a while and ya boy got another keyboard. This time it's quite a special one.
Introducing,
IBM Model F AT
This keyboard probably doesn't need much introduction for keyboard enthusisasts, but for those who doesn't know, this keyboard is a predecessor to the very popular and well respected IBM Model M.
The IBM Model M, considered by many to be "The best keyboard ever" and I do agree to this to a degee. But not many people know that the IBM Model M was actually a cut down, cost saving version of the IBM Model F. So, in many ways, the IBM Model F is a lot better and in some aspect, worse than the IBM Model M.
Overall, the IBM Model F generally has better build quality, switch longevity, key feel and it's also capacitive, so it inherently have N key rollover (Yes, a 40 years old keyboard has N key rollover) unlike the 2 key roll over on the model M.
However, the Model M does have a better keyboard layout, which is basically the classic 101 standard layout whereas you can only find model Fs in AT, XT and 122 layouts. And another advantage of the model M is that you can still get it brand new with USB made by Unicomp whereas Model Fs are always used, unless you get one from the Model F repro project by some enthusiasts, but it costs somewhere around $400 a board and it takes ages to deliver.
I have wanted to own this keyboard since a long time ago. You can say that this was one of my "dream keyboard". It's especially hard to find hardwares like these where I live, since the computer market in Vietnam during the 80s (or even the 90s to a degree), is almost non existence. So my only choice is to either get one from the West, or to get one from other enthusiasts. But since it's very hard to come by and the only people who actually owns them knows what they are, they tend to keep them for themselves and only rarely sell them off, and even when they do it's almost always at a very inflated price.
I got mine for around $140, which is not cheap, but I think I got a relatively fair deal especially for something that I've always wanted.
-----------------------------------------------------Aesthetically speaking, in my opinion it's a gorgeous looking keyboard. Although the layout is basically only a TKL but switch the Nav cluster to the numpad and put the F keys on the side, it has a very impressive foorprint, it's bigger than some of my fullsized keyboards.
I always loved retro aesthetics and theme and this keyboard just screams retro. It's a beautiful keyboard from the layout, the shape of the case, the feets and the badge, I absolutely love how it looks.
It looks very substancial, impressive and elegant in my opinion.
Well, I think we all know how impressively built IBM Model M keyboards are. Well, this is a model F, so it's even more well built. This one in particular is the AT model, so it doesn't have the metal backplate of XT model Fs, but it's still an extremely well built keyboard. The case is made out of dense plastic and it also has a metal barrel plate that holds the switch assembly in place and a steal plate that holds everything together under the PCB.
The weight of this board is around 2.5 kg. Or in dumb unit, 5.51156 pounds.
So yes, this keyboard is basically a tank.
On the sides are 2 knobs you can rotate to extend the feet of the board. This is a very elegant solution in my opinion since it looks nice and you don't have to turn your keyboard over to extend ot retract them like other implementations of this feature. Although having the knobs stick out like that does make it prone to snap off. The ones on this board however is still working just fine and hasn't snapped.
This is how it looks like extended.
The Keycaps are very thick dye subbed PBT and the printing quality is very sharp. For dye subbed keycaps, it is not unusual for the legends to be slightly fuzzy or blurry, but the printing on these caps are extremely sharp. Although, because of it's age, the legends are a little bit bleached.
Note that they are one part keycaps instead of 2 parts like on the Model M.
The only inconsistency of the printing that I see however, is on 2 of the keys on the F keys.
You can see that the legends on the F1 and F3 keys are thicker than the others.
The switches on this keyboard are the well renowned Buckling Springs, which is the same switch mechanics on the Model M keyboard. However, unlike the Model M version, the Model F uses capacitive sensing PCB instead so they lasts a lot longer and has N key rollover unlike the 2 keys rollover of the Model M.
The feel of the switch is one of the smoothest switch I have ever felt ever, and is certainly the smoothest clicky switch I've felt to date. The tactility of the switch is nice, sharp and crisp, it's a delight to use.
Compared to the Model M, the Model F is quite noticably smoother and feel more refined, however the model M is slightly more tactile. Not that the switches on the Model M are bad or mediocre mind you, they are excellent switches, but the ones on the model F are even better, just goes to show how good they are.
One thing to mention is that the spacebar of this keyboard is really heavy. This is back when manufacturers makes spacebars heavier to avoid typing mistakes, but for me at least, it makes the spacebar too heavy so I miss space sometimes but it's not too bad once you're used to it. There's also a way to make the spacebar lighter but that requires disassembly of the entire keyboard so I just kept it how it is originally.
The badge on this board is very nice looking, although I can't find any mention of a white badge Model F anywhere on the internet, so I think one of the previous owners of this board must've modified it or something.
Although I do prefer the original badge, I think this one looks very nice as well too.
Overall, I love this keyboard. I've wanting to have it for so long now and it lived up to my expectations of it. The condition of the board is not perfect, but it's still very good only missing 2 screws on the back and some wear and tear on the chasis, it even still have the original legs still being functional. It's a beast of a keyboard and I'm very happy with my purchase.
