In many ways, I see parallels between Cherry MX/MY and IBM Model M/F. Cherry MX and IBM Model F were both developments from the early days of desktop PCs and were both replaced or joined by cheaper membrane-over-steel-plate variants. Unlike Cherry, IBM soon replaced their brilliant Model F keyboards with their cheaper Model Ms while Cherry kept making their "premium" variant of switches until today.
Now every little kid knows how shitty Cherry MY keyboards are and they are good for their caps only. No one is surprised when you mention that.
But that same attitude applied to IBM Model M/F keyboards is a surprise to some people. But to be honest the step down from Model F to Model M is even worse than from MX to MY. Mostly due to Model F keyboards being so insanely great, not trying to defend MY switches.
What really bothers me:
- Model M switches REPLACED Model F switches and (in my naive view) prevented Model F switches to be more common in keyboards and layouts that are more useful today. This whole community was in ecstasy for almost a year over the possibility to have the common Model M keyboard with Model F switches.
- The cost reduction measures go way beyond cosmetic changes. While a Model F is very convenient to service and repair, a broken barrel on a Model M is a death penalty.
- The Model F metal barrel plate with replaceable barrels has been turned into a single piece plastic barrel plate that is permanently attached to the metal back plate making repair a major pain.
- The shitty plastic barrel plate isn't REALLY permanently attached to the metal back plate and instead the mounting rivety tend to break negatively impacting key feel. You're either lucky and find a Model M with healthy rivets or have to do a "bolt mod"
- Even with the smartest layout, the membrane mat used in these keyboards is probably the cheapest way to realize a keyboard matrix and lacks the ability to perform proper anti ghosting and NKRO
- The rating has been reduced from 100mil to 25mil and considering how "durable" the barrel plate is in many cases, that's flattering
Okay now please buy my M102 and M122 keyboards
I do understand there are some real benefity to the Model M ... Mostly availability and the layouts that are available. But that's no reason for me to embrace them. I really wish IBM kept making Model F keyboards as a premium alternative to their Model M keyboards. Instead, we're now watching all kinds of mainstream tech channels fapping hard over probably the worst cost saving measure in my personal history of mechanical keyboards.
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