Blast From the Past

My first computer was an original IBM PC. I paid over $2000 for the 8088 machine equipped with two 360K floppy drives, a 10” amber monochrome monitor and no hard drive. Looking back, the technology is almost laughable, but one thing the system came with that wasn’t quickly outdated was an authentic 84-key IBM “Model M” mechanical keyboard. In fact, as I went through several hardware upgrades over the next few years, the only piece of the original system that survived was that keyboard. I cycled through 286, 386, 486 and Pentium machines. Each new machine came with whichever clone manufacturer’s default keyboard which I would try for a time then inevitably revert to my old IBM “clicker”.  After 10 years, the old keyboard just got too worn and ugly to use with a shiny new computer. Plus, the old 9-pin keyboard plug got to be a hassle to convert to PS/2 and then USB. But, it never failed to work flawlessly even after multiple spills, drops and general abuse. The thing was built like a tank.

Fast-forward 20 years.

I’m now a Mac convert going on eight years. I started with a 17” MBP in 2006 and then a 2009 version of the same. Next came a late 2009 27” iMac and my latest indulgence: a late 2013 15” Retina MBP. All along this Mac journey I’ve been stuck with Apple’s “chiclet” style keyboards and quite frankly I fell for Apple’s style-before-function mentality. Let’s face it, Apple’s thin aluminum keyboards are a thing of beauty. They really compliment iMac (and MBP) aesthetics and they are well built and completely functional…and completely quiet. In other words: pretty but boring.

The other day I got my monthly email from MacSales.com and decided to peruse the site to see what was new. Finding nothing too interesting, I decided to do something I’d been threatening to do for some time. I purchased a Matias Mini Tactile Pro Keyboard. After all, it’s advertised as copying “The best keyboard Apple ever made.”  The $107.99 price tag seemed a bit high and is what prevented me from purchasing this keyboard in the past, but I felt a little froggy, so I jumped.

Two days later, my package arrived via FedEx. The first thing I noticed when I retrieved it from my front porch was how heavy it was. I hadn’t paid attention when I ordered it, but when I double-checked the specs, I saw the thing weighs over two pounds! In the era of 1 lb. iPads, this is almost ridiculous. Opening the box revealed the reason. The base of the keyboard is constructed entirely of metal! My first thought: “Oh boy! Another tank!”

I immediately took the keyboard to my office an connected it to my iMac. As I logged in I was hit by a wave of nostalgia. This thing feels and sounds exactly like my old Model M. They say smell is the most effective memory trigger, but this kind of tactile feedback must run a close second. My memories of early days typing endless DOS commands came flooding back. It felt wonderful! The feel and sound of Alps key switches bottoming out on a sturdy metal base is quite unique and something that is completely lost on today’s “post PC” generation. Perhaps I’m dating myself, but so what.  This keyboard feels and sounds great!

The build quality of the Mini Tactile Pro is second-to-none. The keys are laser-etched so the labels will never wear off. The key travel is long with just the right amount of resistance and will accommodate the fastest typist. The metal base of the keyboard includes three USB ports that are fine for I/O (like plugging in a thumb drive), but won’t charge your iPhone. The keyboard connects via USB cable that, unlike most keyboards, is detachable. In fact, it comes with two cables in case you want to carry your keyboard with you. This does seem a bit silly. Who the hell would want to carry around a two pound keyboard? That’s equivalent to two iPads or almost half a MacBook Pro! 

As a practical matter, the keyboard is very functional and Mac-centric. The function keys include all the normal Mac controls but the really unique feature is the extended characters printed right on the keys. Using <option> + <key> or <shift> + <option> + <key> will print out any of the extended ASCII characters like , ©, £, ˚, etc. This is a feature I find especially handy. I can never remember those keystrokes.

If you haven’t guessed, it would be an understatement to say I’m loving this keyboard. Maybe it’s just nostalgia. Maybe it won’t last. Maybe I’ll get tired of all the mechanical clicking or feel the need to go back to my backlit Logitech K811, but not just yet.

My daughter just shouted down the hall, “Dad would you please close your door? That clicking is driving me crazy!”  I smile and continue typing…