Back in the day, IBM Keyboards were the best in the PC industry. Rugged and reliable, their most notable feature was the solid “click” of the keys that gave that gave superb tactile and audible feedback, thanks to mechanical key switches. IBM eventually lost its dominance in the marketplace as a PC manufacturer, and soft or “quiet-touch” keyboards relegated mechanical switch models to the scrap heap of PC history. But for those who prefer the crisp, solid feel and sound of a good-old-fashioned mechanical-switch keyboard, all is not lost—thanks to Ione Technology’s Scorpius-M10 Mechanical Key Switch Keyboard.

For typing, I’ve always loved the way the old IBM keyboards felt and sounded. But as times changed, so did keyboards. Keys that were quieter and had a softer touch slowly became the de facto standard. During that transition, Northgate Computers offered a ray of hope to those who preferred IBM-style mechanical keyboards over the onslaught of “quiet” membrane switch keyboards, by marketing mechanical switch units under the Northgate name. They weren’t cheap, but they were rugged and had that wonderful sound and feel.

But the tide had shifted to membrane switch keyboards. Northgate eventually closed shop. Chicony and a few large PC manufacturers offered mechanical switch keyboards, but they were more or less novelty items, and the quality and tactile feedback wasn't as good as IBM’s or Northgate’s.

As it turns out, the trend towards quieter, softer-touch typing and evolving keyboard technologies spurred by the widespread adoption of USB and Bluetooth connectivity wasn’t the only nail in the coffin for mechanical switch keyboards—it was cost. Keyboards with membrane switches are cheaper and less complex to make than ones with mechanical switches. Fortunately for “old-timers” like me who sometimes misses the good old days of mechanical switch keyboards, Ione Technology Inc. stepped up to the plate with the Scorpius-M10.

About Ione Technology, Inc.

Founded in 1984, as a professional designer and manufacturer of computer input devices, We distribute products such as keyboards, mice and trackballs devices under its own brand (Ione) and provides OEM/ODM services to world leading designers, manufacturers and retailers. Our products with creative design, demanding QC and competitive price have been earning countless praises via word of mouse. Moreover, the company's multifaceted professional consultancy and one-stop shopping service ensure the company to establish a worldwide reputation.

Packaging

There’s nothing about the Scorpius-M10’s packaging that would make it stand out on a store shelf from similar keyboards. In fact, if one were to take only a passing glance at the cleanly designed blue and white box, they’d assume the Scorpius was just another run-of-the-mill beige keyboard. But “Mechanical key switch” and its 1,000,0000 keystroke test cycle displayed on the box, and its heft tells you that this isn’t just another el-cheapo Windows keyboard.

Open the box and you won’t find driver and “value-added” shovelware CDs, or fancy full-color pamphlets. Unfortunately, you won’t find the usual plastic bag or sleeve protecting the keyboard from dust or moisture, either. The keyboard is suspended between a set of Styrofoam protectors on each end. Not the good stuff—but the kind that breaks and crumbles easily. Considering the Scorpius-M10 costs more than a bargain-basement Windows keyboard (and that some bargain-basement keyboards have better protection than this), this type of corner-cutting (read: cheap) “protective” packaging is inexcusable for a keyboard of this caliber. Amusingly enough, the least vulnerable part of the keyboard—the cord—is wrapped and wire-tied in a protective plastic sleeve. Go figure…

The Scorpius-M10’s “User Guide” is a neatly folded, single piece of paper printed in black and white. Most of it is devoted to connecting the USB keyboard to a legacy PS/2 port with the included adapter, and troubleshooting PS/2 connectivity problems.

The Keyboard

As you can see from the photos, the Scorpius-M10 has a modern, stealth black finish and has your standard 104-key Windows keyboard layout. No media player controls or function keys that double as special Windows or Office keys when toggled. The slim profile allows it to fit comfortably on just about any sized desk or keyboard tray. The generous 5-foot long cord assures that connecting the Scorpius-M10 to your PC will be a less trying task whether it sits on the floor or your desk. Since the Scorpius is designed as a general-purpose keyboard rather than a specialized gaming keyboard, using it with a KVM switch shouldn’t be a problem. For all the Windows NT and Windows 95 users still out there—or those who are fresh out of USB ports on their PCs—you’ll undoubtedly find the PS/2 adapter already attached to the Scorpius out of the box, useful.

The Scorpius M-10 is heavier and made of more durable, higher-grade plastic than a typical budget Windows keyboard. The keys have a textured finish that helps keep your fingers from slipping off the surface when speed-typing—a real problem with keyboards that have smooth surface keys. Although the symbols on the keys don’t use the more expensive laser-etching process, they are painted on with a durable enamel—which should last longer than keys that use those cheesy decals. Underneath are a set of rubber pads in the front to keep the keyboard from sliding around on your desk, and a set of retractable legs in the back to adjust the keyboard’s typing angle.

Okay, so the Scorpius doesn’t have keys that glow in the dark, an ergonomic layout, built-in USB ports or speakers, or an LCD display. And it won’t intravenously feed you your favorite caffeinated beverage during your all-night Battlefield or Quake sessions. So what’s the big deal about mechanical key switches anyway? Type on your average Windows keyboard with membrane-switch keys, and the Scorpius-M10, and you’ll immediately feel—and hear the difference. There’s something reassuring about the sound and feel of a key strike home when you press it, that also helps keep you focused on what’s being typed on the screen (which can be more effective than all the caffeine in the world when you’re writing reviews into the wee hours of the morning). Check out the small video I recorded of the Scorpius in action:

Scorpius-M10 Movie File (281 KB - Windows Media Player Required)

It's been a long time since my IBM and Northgate days, that I've typed on a keyboard as snappy and responsive as the Scorpius-M10!

Final Comments

Even with the best membrane switch keyboards I have, I sometimes find myself hitting the keys more than once, not hard enough—or too hard—when typing reviews and other documents. But not only did typing on the Scorpius-M10 bring back some fond memories of the IBM and Northgate keyboards, it allowed me to type faster and more accurately. Response is quick, crisp and solid, and sounds great.

Granted, if you’re looking for a more full-featured keyboard, or one with more bling, bells and whistles to impress your buds at a LAN party, or your prefer a quieter, softer touch keyboard, you should scratch the Scorpius-M10 off your list. With a price tag a few bucks north of fifty bucks, if you’re looking for a cheap keyboard, then you definitely should look elsewhere. Still, the Scorpius-M10 costs less than the elite DAS and DAS II keyboards that will set you back a cool $90 for the privilege of using a mechanical switch keyboard with blank keys. A small price for earning the title of Supreme Alpha-Geek, I suppose, but I’d rather spend the extra $40 on a good game. A larger Enter key would have been icing on the cake, but that’s just my personal preference.

When you open a product, how well it’s packed makes a lasting impression on the buyer. I would not have been happy or looked favorably on Ione, had I opened the box and found a Scorpius-M10 filled with dust or Styrofoam flakes. That might be acceptable for the $6 “special” with two boxes of blank DVDs down at your friendly-neighborhood office superstore—but not a keyboard that costs fifty bucks. I doubt it would send Ione careening into bankruptcy to put the keyboard in a protective bag of some sort when packaging it.

If you need a good, solid “just the basics” keyboard with that classic IBM feel and sound and a more contemporary “anything but basic/retro beige” look, then the Scorpius-M10 Mechanical Key Switch Keyboard is the keyboard for you.

Barry’s Rigs ‘n Reviews would like to thank Cyberguys.com for making this review possible!

Buy at Cyberguys.com!