Unicomp still sells a new equivalent to your Model M. They are direct descendants of the IBM and then Lexmark Model M keyboards. They are somewhat cost-reduced compared to your 1980s Model M, but good enough.

They recently went through a saga of some of the chips to make their PS/2 microcontroller going unavailable, but have since redesigned it and are offering the "Classic" model (like yours, without Windows keys, and available in beige and black) in PS/2 once again.

jakethompson1 wrote on 2026-01-03, 03:26:

Unicomp still sells a new equivalent to your Model M. They are direct descendants of the IBM and then Lexmark Model M keyboards. They are somewhat cost-reduced compared to your 1980s Model M, but good enough.

They recently went through a saga of some of the chips to make their PS/2 microcontroller going unavailable, but have since redesigned it and are offering the "Classic" model (like yours, without Windows keys, and available in beige and black) in PS/2 once again.

Yeah, I know about those Unicomps, but... haven't they 'worn out' the original molds by now, or something ?
I seem to recall reading many years ago about people complaining about the lower quality they were getting, warped/uneven etc etc.
Also wondering, is that current 'new' PS/2 version usable with a passive USB adapter or PS/2 only ?

Anyway, those would cost waay too much for me to import at the moment, given my location (ca $400 total for 1x). I bet it would cost me less to just ship and get my original fixed with these guys: https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product/servi … ssembly-repair/

- And I do already have some fine USB mech keyboards I wanted to see if could be used via this fancy adapter.
(still not 'cheap', lowest I could find was $90 incl taxes and postage, but more versatile)

There are also community projects that do the conversion

https://www.tindie.com/products/denjhang/univ … -ps2-converter/
https://www.tindie.com/products/rasteri/hidman/

NeoG_ wrote on 2026-01-03, 04:22:

There are also community projects that do the conversion

https://www.tindie.com/products/denjhang/univ … -ps2-converter/
https://www.tindie.com/products/rasteri/hidman/

Thankyou for these! I will look into it.
But, seems like these will cost me even more than that ATEN one, + the added 'benefit' of being community projects (vs a streamlined commercial product) may go either way 😄. So, still interested in any input from ATEN owners, if any such exist (not likely) in these forums.

PS: ...for some added clarity about that Unicomp keyboard mentioned above, I found some much more recent info/comments, if anyone is wondering about the current status:
https://www.reddit.com/r/modelm/comments/1e31 … _really_better/

bestemor wrote on 2026-01-03, 03:52:

Yeah, I know about those Unicomps, but... haven't they 'worn out' the original molds by now, or something ?
I seem to recall reading many years ago about people complaining about the lower quality they were getting, warped/uneven etc etc.
Also wondering, is that current 'new' PS/2 version usable with a passive USB adapter or PS/2 only ?

I got one and it's fine. The "worn out mould" thing sounds like BS to me.

It's just PS/2. No USB without an active converter.

bestemor wrote on 2026-01-03, 03:10:

So, I accidentally found this strange thing: https://www.aten.com/eu/en/products/kvm/kvm-m … ssories/cv10km/ […]
Show full quote

So, I accidentally found this strange thing:
https://www.aten.com/eu/en/products/kvm/kvm-m … ssories/cv10km/

The attachment ATEN USB to PS2 Converter--CV10KM.jpg is no longer available

Now, I looked into such converters some years earlier, but did not find anything at all, as it seems like a very niche product line and also not easy to make.
Which makes me wonder if this ATEN one actually will work as a perfect solution ?

--> Has anyone seen or tested this one before ?
If so, how was it ? Does it really work ? Is there a lag, and how bad ? Other issues ?

My personal focus is just the keyboard part, as I have plenty of dual mode mice, but barely any good/non-cheapo USB+PS2-signalling keyboards.
(and my 40year old IBM model M has developed some issues, hence I want need a 'new' quality mechanical keyboard for replacement)

I haven't used the Aten specifically but I reckon they should be alright. Aten usually makes pretty good stuff in my experience. Myself, I've been using a couple of these Eaton Tripp Lite converters instead, and can say that those at least work really well. Nothing wrong with USB to PS2 in concept.

maxtherabbit wrote on 2026-01-03, 13:57:

I got one and it's fine. The "worn out mould" thing sounds like BS to me.

It's just PS/2. No USB without an active converter.

Well, something has clearly been off for a period of time, according to other people - check out the comments in that last link I found here above:
https://www.reddit.com/r/modelm/comments/1e31 … _really_better/

I have a Silver Badge Model M, a 104-key Unicomp Model M before they stopped them to preserve the molds, and a New Model M.

The legends are sharp, and the cases don't have blemishes and pitting because the injection molds are not 40 years old.

they have improved the typing mechanisms so to speak in the older design keyboards that caused the previous issues.

As for the outer shelling, I remember there were odd gaps and other rough spots. I don't think they'll be fixing the outer shell especially considering that I don't think those beige ones sell as well and they're probably going to keep using the tooling for the outer shell until it completely gives up.

https://blog.libreserver.org/repairing-a-unicomp-keyboard

...etc

Not sure when you bought yours though, if that is one of the 'new' versions or you got a very early ('fresh') one from 15-25 years ago (?).
https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/NEW_M

Thanks for the info on the connector functionality though. At least my 1985 model M worked fine with a simple USB adapter, not sure if it is 'active' though:

HIDman is open source, if you can solder building it yourself might be an option : HIDman - USB to PS/2 converter (Open Source)