A new model-F keyboard(modelfkeyboards.com) |
A new model-F keyboard(modelfkeyboards.com) |
It’s really solidly made, and delight to type on. It uses QMK firmware, making it pretty customizable, and you can take the whole thing apart with a screwdriver and pliers.
Caveat emptor, you should be willing to fix problems yourself if you get one of these. I don’t think that’s an issue for the crowd here, but it bears mention.
For example, mine got kind of beaten up out in shipping, and a some of the springs/feet needed reseating after it arrived. It’s not hard to do, and there’s tons of info on the site about how to do various bits of maintenance on the keyboards.
Model F was before they started making the design cheaper (I know. Model M is known for its outstanding quality, but it is in fact a product of cheaping out from the production of the F).
Model F's are capacitive. That means "N-key rollover", and something like 4x the rated key press count rating. They are also smoother than Model M. The build is MUCH sturdier than the M.
I had an old 122 key model F and it weighed 4 kgs.
Edit: A review of the same keyboard I had. https://youtu.be/p_JTZo2rKmw
Can we get the same quality of electronics in 2020 as we did back in the 60s, 70s and 80s?
https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/misconceptions-about-the-mod...
Where are my side-positioned function keys?
I have an original Model M, and it feels great, but a bit too noisy, e.g. I hear the clicks even when in noise-cancelling headphones.
The sharpness of the clacks makes noise-cancelling headphones not work so well on it.
Edit: I have one of the new Model F keyboards, too.
I like the Fs a lot more, but I type very lightly. Model M is almost too stiff for my pinkies. I thought about ordering a new model F. The repairability is amazing. The firmware as well.
But then I realized: I don't want a keyboard where I might have to open up and solder something back in. I just want one that works. Currently I rock a silenced MX brown, which I find OK, but the MX switches have lousy tactility. Topre keyboarss, or even a regular rubber dome keyboard, has a lot better tactility and almost no noise.
Had the Matias keyboards not had their quality problems I would definitely have used one of those. They are, IMO, the best modern switches feel-wise.
Other than that: I don't know why there aren't any topre-ish "opto-electric" keyboards out there. You would get the smoothness of opto-electric, the silent tactility of a rubber dome, with key register before bottoming out. MX brown is a lousy tactile switch, but the easily available competition (apart from topre) is even worse.
So: no. Unless you really love your model m and would like it smoother with the caveat that you might have to whip out a soldering iron in a year, I would not buy the new model F. The guy is doing a great job, and QC seems to be a high priority, but they haven't stood the test of time yet.