Model F Ultra Compact keyboard review: It somehow improves on IBM’s classic

Price When Reviewed

$420

Best Prices Today: Model F Ultra Compact

Modern mechanical keyboards maintain limitless potentialities in design and performance, but one expertise stays uncommon: the basic buckling spring keyboard. This key swap design was popularized by early IBM keyboards, such because the Model M and Model F, that are prized for his or her uniquely clicky tactile really feel. 

Enter Model F Labs, a small firm arrange solely to supply buckling spring keyboards. The mannequin I acquired, the counter-intuitively titled Model F Ultra Compact, retails for an intimidating $420. That’s a excessive worth to pay for a keyboard with few fashionable conveniences—however I’m offered. 

Further studying: For extra keyboard suggestions see our roundups of the best gaming keyboards and best wireless keyboards.

What’s a Model F keyboard, grandpa? 

IBM’s Model F is the unique buckling spring keyboard launched in 1981 alongside early IBM PCs. It was customary subject for many IBM PCs by way of 1985, when the Model F was changed by the extra well-known and reasonably priced Model M (the Model F was nonetheless produced till 1994, nonetheless). 

The distinction between the Model F and Model M is necessary, a minimum of to fans. Though each are buckling spring keyboards, Model F keyboards don’t have a membrane however as an alternative depend on metallic barrel plates. They’re additionally absolute items: Most Model F keyboards have odd layouts or additional perform keys. That’s why the Model F Ultra Compact, which relies on the Model F 104, doesn’t appear to suit its identify. It’s giant by fashionable requirements however small in comparison with many authentic Model F keyboards.

None of this issues for those who’re not a Model F fanatic, however in case you are, I feel you’ll nonetheless like what you see. The Model F Ultra Compact’s format presents the texture of a Model F however is condensed right into a extra fashionable association. However, it’s not a one-to-one replica of the unique look, as this mannequin lacks the swooping accent traces that border all sides of the unique Model F keyboard practice. 

The Model F Ultra Compact subverted my expectations with enhancements to the sturdiness of the unique design. Original Model F keyboards offered for lots of of {dollars} within the early 1980s (adjusted for inflation, some carried an MSRP above $1,000) and had been sturdy, utilizing thick plastic casing over a metallic backplate. Yet the brand new Model F Ultra Compact has them beat with a die-cast aluminum case and backplate that weighs in at roughly 9 kilos. IBM’s design was rugged, to make certain, however the plastic inevitably turns into brittle over time and is susceptible to discoloration, issues the brand new all-metal keyboard received’t have. 

Enthusiasts searching for a extra correct replica ought to flip their gaze in the direction of the Classic Style Model F or, if you need an much more obscure and basic format, fashions just like the F77 and F62. These extra faithfully mimic the feel and appear of authentic IBM keyboards.

What makes the Model F’s buckling springs so particular?

The Model F Ultra Compact actually seems to be like a retro keyboard, however that’s not its most necessary trait. This keyboard lives or dies on the standard of the buckling spring switches beneath every key. Fortunately, they’re wonderful. 

Buckling spring key switches do what they are saying on the tin. A spring is beneath every key, as true of most fashionable mechanical keyboard switches, however the spring isn’t positioned on a stem however as an alternative inside a barrel. The spring offers resistance when pressed however finally buckles, offering agency tactile suggestions with a particular click on. 

Whether that is higher than fashionable tactile switches is a matter of opinion. Modern switches are extra versatile, providing a wide range of choices for suggestions, noise, and velocity of actuation. When it involves sheer typing enjoyment, nonetheless, the Model F’s buckling spring feels extra energetic than fashionable mechanical switches. The distinction is each felt and heard, as this replica Model F clicky-clacks like a horse trotting down a brick street. 

Personally, I find it irresistible. The Model F feels participating, satisfying, and correct. It can sustain after I blaze away at 100 phrases per minute however feels satisfying after I discover myself slowly writing, deleting, and re-writing the identical sentence a dozen occasions over. It’s a typist’s key swap.

Matt Smith/Foundry

How is the Model F Ultra Compact for different duties?

The Model F’s bucking spring feels much less at house taking part in fashionable video games, like Counter-Strike, or scrolling by way of a video timeline in Adobe Premiere. It requires a heavy drive to activate and is comparatively sluggish to return, so it’s not nice in any state of affairs the place a consumer quickly, repeatedly prompts a single key or flips between a couple of keys shortly. It additionally lacks the macro buttons or dials that may be discovered on some fashionable keyboards, helpful add-ons which might be helpful for a lot of picture and video editors in addition to digital artists. The keyboard doesn’t even have an LED backlight, so that you’ll both want to recollect the keyboard’s format or hold a light-weight on at night time. 

Personally, I might by no means use this keyboard for all duties—it’s simply not effectively suited to gaming. If I owned it, I’d pair it with a compact mechanical keyboard like the Keychron Q5. Keyboard fans could view this as a constructive. Finally, an actual, tangible justification for not one however two costly keyboards! For those that simply wish to get the job carried out, although, it’s a bit a lot. 

Model F Labs’ web site and repair feels archaic, as effectively. Though costly, the keyboard ships in unlabeled packaging with a receipt printed on an old-school dot matrix printer and a easy paper brochure. The keyboard could require setup, as keys could loosen in delivery (two popped off on mine). The guide says that is an unavoidable actuality of the buckling spring mechanism, however doesn’t jibe with the worth tag. Model F Labs suggests customers spend as much as an hour familiarizing themselves with the keyboard to make sure all keys are working accurately, which feels positively naive in a world the place Twitter and TikTok exist. 

The suggestion just isn’t with out advantage, although, because the keyboard is designed for ease of restore. Individual keycaps might be changed at a second’s discover, and whereas a plastic spunger is preferable to make sure the keys aren’t scuffed, any reasonably wedge-shaped instrument can be utilized to pop off the keys. The buckling spring mechanisms are replaceable, too, as is your complete case do you have to resolve you’d like a distinct shade. Spare components can be found from Model F Labs with alternative spring mechanisms priced at a greenback every (the keyboard ships with two spares). 

Is the Model F Ultra Compact value it?

The Model F Ultra Compact’s retail worth of $420 is steep by fashionable requirements. While some new mechanical keyboards are as costly, they normally pair that with an enormous swath of options and excessive diploma of customization from the manufacturing facility. The Model F Ultra Compact presents few choices except for the colour of the case (presently out there in grey, black, purple, or blue) and lacks the media, macro, and particular perform keys discovered on equally priced options. 

Yet I don’t suppose the worth is unreasonable. It’s costly, positive, however much more reasonably priced than the unique Model F keyboards had been again within the mid-1980s. The replica is much more sturdy than the unique, too—a refreshing reversal from most such recreations, which frequently reduce corners to maintain the worth tolerable.

PC fans typically paradoxically name {hardware} an “investment” figuring out it is going to be out of date in three to 5 years, however the Model F Ultra Compact is totally different. This keyboard may final a long time. Nostalgic nerds shouldn’t hesitate to splurge.