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.
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.
There are an overwhelming avalanche of great deals (and not so great ones masked to look great) on any given Cyber Monday, but here are a few of Testy Tim’s standout favorites for 2024.
I’ve been tinkering with the smart home for the better part of a decade now. The love-her-and-hate-her Amazon Alexa has ruled the roost with a rusty iron fist the whole time, the only device capable of bringing the different pieces I bought together. Homebridge is a free tool that is changing that for me.
I never intended to become Archie Bunker. But, he had a point: the old LeSalle ran great. Things of the past did, because they were easily repairable. In an age of disposable everything, working with something old is a reminder of that.
OFB's Timothy R. Butler has been being putting gadgets, serious tech and useful bits for around the home to the test for almost two decades. He's testy so you know it passed the test.
More guides coming soon.