The Fourth Generation Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard

The Apple Extended Keyboard's Torchbearer

Last week, I reviewed the Unicomp New Model M, the torchbearer for a line of keyboards that elicits reverent voices and knowing nods from those who have used one. Cross over to the fruity side of things and there was a similarly admired board, the Apple Extended Keyboard, and a modern continuation, Matias’s Tactile Pro.

The Legend Never Left: The Unicomp New Model M

Longtime keyboard enthusiasts will tell you there is one keyboard that stands above the others: the legendary IBM Model M. Dating to the 1980s, the board is large and loud, beloved for its feel and revered for its reliability. It is peculiar we don’t see more people using them, because here’s a secret: the Model M is still in production.

We're Regulating the Wrong Thing

Standardization is a good thing. Forced standarization can appear beneficial, too. But the two are not the equivalent. Consider the increasingly ubiquitous USB Type-C cable.