Written By:
Date Posted: June 20, 2002

I've chosen The Active Response keyboard by IBM to use as a comparison with the IBM Model M. The Active Response is a common keyboard, and is regarded as standard. The keyboard is available in "Pearl Grey" and "Stealth Black"; Directron [www.directron.com] notes that this keyboard offers "innovative technology combined with advanced electronic circuitry." Sorry IBM, I don't see anything "Innovative" on this keyboard. It serves its purpose, does the job, hopefully will last a long time, but the key layout is the same as any other windows-keyboard nowadays and the curvature of the keys is similar to that of the Model M&

First, to understand where these two keyboard technologies converge, one must first recognize that both keyboards use metal contacts to decipher the keys. When a key is pressed, a piece of metal is joined with another, completing a circuit. A small IC then processes that electrical impulse and sends it down the PS/2 line. The method by which the two metal contacts are pushed down is the only real difference between the two keyboards. The spring in a BS keyboard, when fully depressed will fully join the two metal plates, whereas in a membrane keyboard, it is the membrane itself which is pushing the two metal plates together.

The Active Response contacts

The Active Response contacts separated

The I/O PCB for the Active Response

Model M contacts

The I/O PCB for the Model M

The socket for the I/O to PS/2 for the Model M

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