A keyboard is a highly personal choice, so everyone will give you a different answer. That being said, while the feel of the keys on a model M is second to none, there are a couple of things which really annoy me when you take the keyboard in as a whole: first it's _loud_, forget about using it with people around, they'll most likely be annoyed. And second it takes up a huge amount of space on your desk.

Personally there is a keyboard which I find better than a Model M, a Cherry MX5000 (http://www.geek.com/chips/cherry-mx-5000-auction-1491235). Yes, it goes for ridiculous prices when you can find one, but it's a unique keyboard in that it combines three characteristics, it's a space saver keyboard (if you leave out the numpad), it's got an excellent and highly adjustable ergonomic layout, and it's mechanical (brown MX switches). The feel of the keys isn't as good as a model M, but on the whole I enjoyed using it more.

That being said, while I have an MX5000, it's stored away and I just end up using the keyboard on my Thinkpad (the new Lenovo island style keyboards are slowly growing on me).

It's fun talking about keyboards because they invoke a near fetishistic fixation with people who spend their days using one, but in the end it's just a personal choice.

I use a Kinesis Advantage Pro, which is a Cherry brown equipped ergonomic. It is fantastic. I used to use a Model M; also an old Sun; an old Next; a variety of boutique mechanical keyboards (the HH, among others). For a variety of reasons, I've come back to the Kinesis. I have three; I lend one out to friends and coworkers who might want to try it.

I'm largely dissatisfied with the world of keyboards; I wish there were a better way to interact with my computer, and until such a time, that people would stop just getting by with whatever garbage the OEM decides to least common denominator them with.

model M for about 20 years.

You quickly learn the difference between a PS/2 to USB CONVERTER which converts PS/2 to USB signals for about $25 and a PS/2 to USB ADAPTER which allows a modern keyboard which can "speak" either USB or PS/2 to physically plug into a PS/2 and costs $1.50. A genuine original model M requires a converter not an adapter.

Another genuine model M aspect not often discussed is you can pop the keycaps off the key with a bent paperclip and engrave emacs annotations on them and/or sharpie letter them and then 15 years later you'll still have to look at emacs keymappings even if you're a mostly VIM guy now. Its kinda like getting a tattoo although there's no convenient laser removal, so don't do it unless you're really sure. Every couple years I pop all my keycaps and put them in a tupperware with some dish soap and give them a shakey bath and they come out clean and the keyboard looks brand new.

For people who've never used/heard a model M, don't freak out about the noise. Its probably 20 dB down from office banter "my ball team is better than your ball team" or whatever. I mean if you're packed in so close than keyboard noise is a big deal, you're probably packed in so tight that there's a hundred other tightly packed issues so one more is no big deal. When your boss won't let you use a model M from home because its "too big" because you've gotta fit seven programmers into a 6x6 cube, the real problem isn't the size of the keyboard. Its not like a jackhammer. Your typical laserprinter is louder and more obnoxious.

I use a Happy Hacking Pro 2. I think the tactile feel of switches are a mater of taste, and I'm not inclined to hard sell you on my preference.

Aside from a pleasant feel and sound, the keyboard's compact size makes it an ideal travel companion. It also has a control key where a caps lock key is found traditionally.

The HHK uses a Topre switch which is a hybrid between a rubber dome and a spring. http://deskthority.net/wiki/Topre_switch

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Hacking_Keyboard

* http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhk...

* http://geekhack.org/ -- quite informative about various keyboards and key mods.

[edit: formatting, and more HHK details]

There are several alternatives to the Model M's "buckling spring" switches. They all have a different feel and in the end it comes down to personal taste.

* Cherry switches. These come in several varieties. Many manufacturers use these, Filco is probably the best. Be careful, many gaming keyboard use the Cherry "black" and "red" switches which are non-tactile and not very nice to type on (though gamers apparently like them).

* ALPS-type switches. Common in old keyboards but rare today. Mattias uses these.

* Topre's switches. Also by the Happy Hacking keyboards. Topre has some keyboards with variable key weighting, which is reportedly very nice if you've learned traditional touch typing.

I use a plain cheap Cherry G80-3000 keyboard with "Clear" switches. Build quality is less than a Model M, but I love the key feel.

I learnt to type on a Model-M growing up in the 90s (on my father's IBM clone) and decided to buy one again 5 years ago for nostalgic value, but was astounded by how comfortable it was to type on.

After switching over to a Macbook as my main computer last year, I found it difficult to cope: my Model M didn't have the Mac keys, and Apple keyboards aggravate an RSI I have.

I managed to find a Model M with Apple keys (including media keys) made by Unicomp [0], and it is -- by far -- the best keyboard I've ever seen or used.

[0] http://pckeyboard.com/

I use PS/2 era model M's on all three of my desktop computers. I used to pick them up for $1/per at various swap meets. I ruined a couple of them after cleaning the switch deck in warm water, after several successful experiences with the others. To date, I haven't found anything I like better, though I haven't tried any of the modern mechanicals.

I used to be a huge mechanical keyboard user and advocate (model m and apple extended ii), but in the last year I've switched to the modern Apple chicklet style keyboard. In my personal experience, I can type much faster and they still have enough tactile feedback to be accurate and satisfying.

I use Model Ms, though on my main dev machine I have switched to a Leopold with Cherry MX Blues. I find the actuation force to be more balanced between keys, and a more pleasing curve overall.

I do. I think the older Model Fs (as featured on the original IBM PC, and the PC AT) are nicer to type on, even if the layout is odd.