Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
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From: smsmith@hpuxa.acs.ohio-state.edu (Stephen M. Smith)
Subject: Re: PC keyboards - summary (long)
Message-ID: <1991Apr18.032724.14458@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Keywords: keyboards
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Organization: The Ohio State University
References: <wp.671915187@iddth2>
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1991 03:27:24 GMT
Lines: 44

I just had the opportunity to compare a Fujitsu 4700
with a Northgate 101i.  I accidentally ended up with both
because I thought I wasn't getting a keyboard with my
system.  I am VERY picky about keyboards, and so I had
done a lot of research and had narrowed down my choices
to these two boards (I like the function keys on top--that's
why I ordered the 101i not 102).

Having been an IBM terminal user from way back, I was
disappointed in the feel of both of these boards.  Neither
felt very solid, nor did they have as much "click" to them
as I wanted.  This of course is purely subjective as was
pointed out several times in the summary.  The reason I
am noting this here is in case someone else out there is
looking for a very solid "clicky" board to replace their
original IBM keyboard.  If this is you, you will probably
be disappointed in anything other than an IBM (IBM keyboard
that is ;).  

As for comparing these two boards, I actually liked the
Fujitsu better.  I think the Northgate was a little louder,
but it sounded cheaper.  That is, it "clacked" and rattled
rather than firmly clicking.  It also felt much more plastic
than the Fujitsu.  For example, when I flicked the space bar
with my fingernail the Northgate rattled and sounded loose,
whereas the Fujitsu went "thunk".  (The IBM when I did this
would go "thud".)  So I ended up keeping the Fujitsu and
sending the Northgate back.  Please note that this is a
Fujitsu 4700 model and not the cheaper 4800 model.

I'm not trying to argue that one is better than another here.
I'm just trying to provide some comparison between two
very popular keyboards since most people will not have the
opportunity to compare them side-by-side like I did.  The
Fujitsu is still too soft, quiet, and "plasticky" when
compared with my IBM keyboard tank, but I've learned to
bang away just as hard on it as I did on the old IBM brick.

BTW, the 101i has been discontinued.  I don't know whether
the various Northgate models have different feels to them
or not.

Steve Smith
smsmith@hpuxa.ircc.ohio-state.edu