Customised IBM 4704 Model F107 keyboard review "Project I" (capacitive buckling springs)
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- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2018
- Skip to 9:07 for a typing demonstration.
Welcome to Project I, my restored and customised IBM 4704 107-key Model F keyboard. Now we're cooking with gas :D .
Orihalcon's eBay store: www.ebay.com/str/barcodemaver...
Download the 4704 Chyrolayout: s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=3...
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on an IBM F107 right now. This must be about as close to keyboard perfection as you're likely going to get. I mean what more could you possible want?!" 
Наука
Oh, and as an American, I kept on laughing at "or... this" in Imperial. Kudos.
I was left wondering how long "basically forever" is in Imperial...
thromboid about this much...
|--------|
2848.798^3 inches
same. lol'd at every one.
I laughed for 5 minutes, or about that much in imperial.
This is a very good video, or about that much in imperial.
i realize I'm kinda randomly asking but does anyone know a good website to stream newly released movies online?
Also the mom wasn't a typo
What an absolute unit!
Or that much in Imperial.
The sheer size of this lad.
chonky keyboard
Finally. Someone with some sense to not only have a numpad on a keyboard they bought or built, but with additional sense to add a comma, tab, and backspace key
“Or about || that much in Imperial.”
Your Imperial conversions are spot on. But how do you go about converting kilos to inches, exactly?
Smooth-e yes, I'm still not completely sure how these blasted Imperial units work.
When thinking about Imperial you need to think like an North American. I recommend embodying any of your favorite American stereotype to help.
Chyrosran22 try quantum mechanics, that could be quite helpful, or that much in imperial
Easy. A kilo is about that much inches.
AMERICA FUCK YEAH
COOL KIDS USE IMPERIAL BECAUSE IT'S LESS CONVENIENT SO THEY YOU CAN SHOW OFF HOW MUCH MORE TIME YOU WAST USING IT, LIKE A GENTOO USER
That's a beautiful heavyweight, also the numpad additions rock, I wish more keyboard numpads had this much common sense.
The funny thing is that the springs are so consistent that you actually can find the proper tuning of the boards!
The F107 is tuned in D, the battleship is in D#, while the F-AT is around a E, even though not perfectly in tune
It's gorgeous. You could run the whole Death Star with it, which is oddly the first thing that popped into head: 'looks imperial somehow.' Have you ever tried ping suppression on an M, F? I'm just wondering if it could be reduced but also lowered in pitch. Man I love this channel.
I have actively not tried to reduce ping in any keyboards. I kinda like it in a way :) .
I entertained myself for a bit thinking of how funny it would be trying to pitch an idea of a TV show in pre-youtube era where no faces are shown, just hands of a narrator, and a guy would be reviewing 20-yo computer keyboards. Yet there we are, 24k subs and counting, best educational entertainment channel on youtube. Oh and this board - what a masterpiece! I almost came during typing demo.
I've just spent the day cleaning up and refurbishing my Model F XT that came earlier today. All I can say is... wow. Not only does this thing look the part, but the typing experience and sound is much better than even my AT Model F. I love this thing to bits, I don't even care about the weird layout. I really wouldn't mind what you have though, that thing looks and sounds fantastic. ;)
God damn I love your videos Thomas, keep up the great work
It's impressive how fast you convert to imperial in your head.
8:48 'It will likely last you basically forever' - how much is that in Imperial? :)
Pehmokettu about... that much.
||
About... that much
I would love to use something like this as my daily writer, this is amazing.
Makes my Corsair K63 look and feel like a toy for newborns
Most of the modern overpriced 'gaming keyboards' feel like toys for newborns compared to most of these old legendary keyboards.
Funny coincidence. I use the K63 for gaming and F122 for work and writing.
It is even more pingy than my Logitech G613. I want a metal chassis now!
Excellent board there, love the dark look.
I love the video that much :D
Thanks for the review, appreciated!
How could I have ever missed this review hahaha. Amazing. This is the End Boss indeed.
I've seldom been this close to keyboard love... If this beauty had a full set of function keys AND the inverted L shaped enter key that the Steelseries v7 has + backlighting, I would start saving my dinero to fork out whatever monstrous amount this would cost to own it.
Clicky switch, ELECTRONIC BEEPS WTF!!!, the custom numpad you did (JUST AWESOME). So many good things about it, so few things lacking for my ultimate keyboard dream.
Going to favourite this vid and watch it again from time to time, that keyboard layout, the sound the switches make...
Just need to know if it's drool resistant
Thanks, I always wondered what 4 kilos is in imperial.
Thumbs up for the Overlord quotes. Also, because this keyboard is bloody amazing.
5:08 This keyboard truly is the "Instrument of doom"
I once bought a model F XT which appeared to have been stored outside for several years. It had dirt, leaves, general filth, and even a live spider inside. The whole PCB, as well as most of the metal parts was corroded in several areas too. To my surprise, it still worked after I restored it.
what did you expect? It's a model F
@@dumdum7786 The F stands for fucking invincible
Okay, so you should do a thing, where at the end of every video you select a person's comment, and read it out loud. Your voice is literally one of the most soothing, I have ever heard. You give Morgan Freeman a run for his money. Perhaps you could just narrate him out of existence and take his place? Anyways, idk if you'll even see this. I subbed, love your videos, and I LOVE keyboards. Gonna probably buy my first Model M or Model F very soon.
Thank you! :)
I just picked up one of these from Orihalcon. I've been a long time Model-M fan, though I've used the XT model-F (was my second computer). I was really looking for a 122 key F, but this popped up and well.. the metal case sold me. It will need a good restoration, but I'm already looking forward to the project!
I love the look, it has that rattle-can spray paint look that some cars from the 80s have. Don't like that uncertain twangy sound: I want my keys to sound like tiny bolt action rifles locking. I'm sure the clicky feel is spectacular though.
The sound is terrible to my ears. I knew it was too good to be true, then I heard the sound and I was "ok, so that's it".
I have a few model F keyboards, and they sound different in person. I feel the mic picks up more or the twangy sound and less of the deep thock you hear in person.
Or it could be that this particular keyboard sounds bad for some reason. Because the other models he has shown at 7:10 to compare the sound all sounded much much better.
@@trdi It's the extra-taught metal assembly that dampens most of the clack, while maintaining the click. A similar effect happens with a lot of mechanical keyboards when you put something like a thick mouse mat underneath. It's not quite the same, but somewhat comparable.
Same, I prefer to reduce the ping in clicky keyboards when I can, but in a way that doesn't mute the switches.
Look at this absolute UNIT!
Project I? More like Project I want it.
people go on about aluminum keyboards nowadays, but this thing is just on a whole other level.
I have a brushed aluminum fetish or something.
The thockiness comparison killed me :D
The numpad-layout alone is... I want one of those!
"That much in imperial"
Man this is my favorite channel.
I played on this as a kid. One of the best input devices ever made.
a work of art.
Looks very sturdy.
Built to last!
Damn imperials
Is it me or is the ping that most model Fs make (more so than model Ms) EXTREMELY satisfying.
I love the command and conquer overlord tank quotes
It's a fantastic game! A criminal waste that EA never made a proper sequel. The units and especially generals had so much personality in that game!
Chyrosran22 well they made zero hour as a sequel. They’re my favorites out of the C&C series
Nah, ZH wasn't a sequel, it was just an expansion. And unfortunately they rushed it, too - they had so much more content planned! Still the best CNC's probably, though.
Could you imagine working in a place where these amazing boards were standard issue?
The sound would be truly heavenly.
Im about to cry i want that keybord so bad! I love my model F's but the lack of keys gets frustrating on a modern PC
You're not the only one who'd dearly love a Model M layout with the Model F's switches. Or even, a Model F Battleship with the Model M's layout!
if i hadn that keyboard i would complete it by riping apart a dell USB media bord, and trashing everything but the media buttons, volume knob, and main PCB, put them in a box and set it next to keyboard, it wold give more functions and add lock lights. the perfect dream setup. but some one just gave me a really dirty 1986 metal bage model F that feels as good as new, so for the mean time i think im going to switch from that.
BTW another reson i NEEED a model F on my main PC is i spill water on my keyboard more than most people, and the model F's dont care. they act stuiped while whet, dry it out, good as new. also i hate rebuilding model M's but i dont mind the Model F at all.
Son....of....a..... Deep breath. OK I just got a unicomop model M space saver. I was on the look out for a key board with reprogramable keys..... But this.... This is so close dream keyboard. If only it had all the function keys like the terminal model.
Fokin amazing sound
I liked your numpad layout a lot. Oh, in imperial... that much.
5:08 I suggest to replace your desk now. There might be some serious damage.
its got a giant crack under it now
@@dumdum7786 What's that in imperial?
@@CaveyMoth That would be a pot hole
@@dumdum7786 Noice.
Back in the day, this board served a trifold purpose: 1. as a keyboard 2. as a shield, to soak up the gun fire 3. as an weapon in case you got a chance to swing it at the robber.
All fact bwt.
I half expected you dropping it would just straight up crack your desk in half given how the Kishsaver sounded.
SundownMarkTwo remember, it's just a single centimetre height I dropped it from! XD
this is beautiful
That thing is a beast! I love the new colour on it. The numeric keypad layout is probably near perfect. Was there a version which featured the £ symbol? I know you can probably remap it to one the programmable keys - but it would be nice to know if there was one.
Like I mentioned on another of your videos, it would be great if you could do a review of the IBM 4704 50 Key Keypad. Imagine pairing one of them with this beast! That would be mind-blowing!
Awesome restoration job! Will someone at a keyboard manufacturing company please hire or consult with this guy?
Such a gorgeous keyboard. Please tell me you're using this for your daily driver keyboard.
Jonathan Patten wish I could, but I have to move on to other keyboards to test! XD
You're dedicated to your channel, and that's admirable as hell. Thanks for the reply, Thomas.
I actually laughed out loud at the noise the F107 made when you knocked on it.
That's not a keyboard, that's just a solid block of steel!
Pure awesome.
I noticed that the 8 key seems to be a bit high.
"about... that much" man, those imperial units rants are the best LOL
Dot and comma on the num pad is a really good idea- especially for autocad- I would need the dot instead of the comma, I once changed it with software which was great for autocad but had an unpleasant result with my online banking.....
One of the finance programs I have to use at work uses both decimal points AND commas. But only one of them at a time. It's horrendous!
Geezus, full metal keyboard... that would make it perfect for a Cyberpunk close-combat hacker : if you fail to break your target's ICE, you can break his skull with your keyboard instead.
This is probably the first bullet-proof keyboard I've ever seen.
It must be the ultimate excel keyboard
Or about [ that ] much in imperial! Love it!
It'll probably be... that much until I can ever get my hands on one of these.
Are you going to do a review of one of the Model F reproductions from modelfkeyboards.com by any chance?
Nice Command & Conquer Generals Overlord quote
Your imperial measurement jokes are the best
I enjoyed this video about THIS much in imperial.
That keyboard sound is so... weird, but I love it. It's like a musical instrument
I thought my model f xt was good, Jesus this thing is a monster
Do you think you might do a sound test of this keyboard with the floss mod?
That maybe one of the most sexiest keyboard I’ve seen! I need it for a Mac!
wow what a keyboard
Love how it sounds - would definitely lube it thou.
Loved the keyboard lots, or about |------| that much in imperial
How does the stiffness of the spacebar compare to the XT? Great video btw :-) I personally like the layout on the F77 a bit better with the close numb pad position.
Matthew Deluca it doesn't have a stiffened space bar, it's the same weight as any other key :) .
Do you think the all-metal chassis makes the keyclicks any louder than with the plastic-cased Model Fs?
Can I ask for specifics on the replacement foam? Type? Vendor? Excellent video and beautiful project.
Jonathan Gaynor I have no idea. It was just some foam they had lying around. I don't even know what material it is Oo .
I'd really really love a capacitive buckling spring keyboard in a FC660 size board and layout.
Amazing keyboard! I am curious on how they originally programmed them. Does this one use the original programmability or is there a custom pcb with the usual modern customized firmware to flash? Luckily enough you didn't need to convert temperature to imperial, otherwise you would have needed about that much horse blood!
I suspect they were programmed using the 4704 software package and stored keyboard-side, but I'm not sure.
That typing demo sounds like aliens trying to communicate with us
I give this video about *this* many imperial units out of 10.
Comma on the numpad is an historic innovation.
Jordan Fish I have no idea why no-one had come up with it before xD .
Where can I find information about how to program the keys in keyboards such as this to pretty much do whatever I want? I imagine it's quite involved, but I really like these types of keyboards. The modern programmable keyboards do a lot of things well, but still shit the bed in a number of ways.
I think the plastic shells absorb more of the high pitched sounds whereas the metal case reflect them. Or I could be from restoration
the 8 key is triggering my OCD.
Ya what's up with that... maybe just not snapped on all the way?
Yep
David Hoffnung the key is correctly seated and registers properly. I'm not sure tbh xD .
I want video evidence that it is correctly seated!
lmao I was looking at the 8 key and was like, whats wrong with that? then I'm like, o shit.
I picked up a Model F XT from a local recycler for exactly $1 plus tax, or about... this much in imperial, just earlier today. Did I do good? Also, on a Model F do you really need the foam? Mine deteriorated to nothing as well and I resorted to outright deleting it for the time being.
Canaan heh, I guess you'll find out when you test it xD . It's just to make sure all keys register properly.
Will do. Just waiting on a converter from the same person you ordered your board from, as my AT to PS2 adapter I use for some of my other old boards obviously doesn't work for this old thing. :p
as someone who has perfect pitch its funny hearing the 2 model fs play different notes from each other
I liked this video very much, or about this much in imperial
What do you think about dental floss mod to attenuate the pingy sound of Model F keyboards? Also i feel like the F107, the Battleship and the AT are respectively tuned in D, D# and E
Str1kernaut I wouldn't waste my time with that, I like the pingy sound in a way :) .
"about this in imperial' T H E B E S T
I didn't expect a total noob like me to be able to hear the differences between the keyboards but i did.
I feel good now
That may just be the sexiest keyboard I have ever seen.
if they ever remake the original Star Wars (part IV in Imperial) they could use this in the opening scene. Maybe with a HHKB as a Corvette. :)
AT: 0:22 what is that top left IBM keyboard? I have the same one and trying to find the model of it. Everyone i found doesn't have that side F keys and on the IBM keyboard.
Model F AT
When you had dropped the keyboard in the video, my budgie, which was sitting at my hand, had flown away.
Get hooked on that voice, stay for the imperial measure bashing.
Overlord is ready
yesssss!
IBM had another little-known name for this model in the 80s, it was called the IBM Endgame
I like the CnC references
I guess it makes sense when you think about it, but it feels surprising at first that the beefiest heaviest, most solid keyboard has the highest-pitch, least "solid" sound of the three. Acoustics, man.
I don't know if this is mentioned in the comments yet, but you were referencing c&c Generals (China Overlord Tank) with the "Are you ready?".