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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
    5. Latency
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

Vortex Race 3 vs IBM Model M

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vortex Race 3
IBM Model M

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 21, 2022 04:10 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:20 PM

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Amazon.com
Vortex Race 3 Picture
IBM Model M Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
TenKeyLess (75%)
Mechanical
Yes
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Buckling-spring
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Hot-Swappable Switches
No

Variants

  • Race 3 (Gray)
  • Model M (Beige)

Review

See Vortex Race 3 Review
See IBM Model M Review
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Our Verdict

Vortex Race 3

IBM Model M

The Vortex Race 3 is much better than the IBM Model M. It has a better build quality, each key is macro programmable, and you can save up to four layers of customization directly to the keyboard's on-board memory. However, the Model M offers a better typing experience and it's more comfortable to type on.

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Check Price

Gray
Race 3
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Beige
Model M
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Gray
Race 3
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Beige
Model M
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Gray
Race 3
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Beige
Model M
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Gray
Race 3
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Beige
Model M
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Gray
Race 3
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Beige
Model M
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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.6
6.0

Operating Force 
 

51 gf
70 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.9 mm
2.5 mm

Software & Programming 
 

5.9
0.0

Latency 
 

8.2
7.3

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Vortex Race 3 Top Picture
IBM Model M Top Picture

Size 
 

TenKeyLess (75%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

1.1" (2.8 cm)
1.9" (4.9 cm)

Width  

12.5" (31.8 cm)
19.3" (48.9 cm)

Depth 
 

4.6" (11.6 cm)
8.2" (20.8 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
4.48 lbs (2.030 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

9.0
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Vortex Race 3 Build Quality Close Up
IBM Model M Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

PBT
PBT
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.0

Side Picture  

Vortex Race 3 Side Picture
IBM Model M Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

Straight
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

0°
6°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

5°
9°

Home Row Height 
 

30.5 mm (1.2")

Wrist Rest  

No
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0

Customizability Overview  

IBM Model M Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

0.0
0.0

Backlighting Picture  

Vortex Race 3 Backlighting Picture
IBM Model M Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Vortex Race 3 Brightness Max
IBM Model M Brightness Max

Backlighting  

No
No

Brightness Min  

Vortex Race 3 Brightness Min
IBM Model M Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Vortex Race 3 White Shot
IBM Model M White Shot

RGB 
 

No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

No
No

Effects 
 

No
No

Software Controllable 
 

No
No

Color 
 

No Backlighting

Color Mixing 
 

No Backlighting
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

0.0

White Shot  

Vortex Race 3 White Shot
IBM Model M White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

4.9 ft (1.5 m)
8.7 ft (2.6 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Micro USB
SDL
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

No

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Vortex Race 3 Extra Features
IBM Model M Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
No Media Keys

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
No

Lock Indicator  

No Indicator
Caps, Scroll & Num lock

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

All
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Vortex Race 3 Bundle Picture
IBM Model M Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.5
9.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

9.0
3.7

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

58.8 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

Yes

Noise 
 

Quiet
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

Cherry MX Brown
IBM Buckling Spring

Switch Type 
 

Buckling-spring

Feel 
 

Tactile
Clicky

Analog 
 

No

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Cherry MX Brown
IBM Buckling Spring

Mechanical 
 

Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Clicky

Operating Force 
 

51 gf
70 gf

Actuation Force 
 

38 gf
50 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.9 mm
2.5 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
3.6 mm
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.2
7.3

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

7.7 ms
17.2 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

8.2
7.3

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

17.2 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±3.4 ms

Wired 
 

7.7 ms
17.2 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

7.1

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired

Key Press 
 

16.8 ms

Key Release 
 

24.6 ms

Data Transmission 
 

5.4

Multi-Key Raw USB  

IBM Model M Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

125 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

No

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

No

Chord Split 
 

3.9

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

23.9 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

N/A
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

Vortex Race 3 Software Picture

Software Tour  

Software Name  

No Software
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
No

Profiles 
 

4
No Profile

Account Required 
 

No Software

Cloud Sync 
 

No

Macro Programming 
 

Onboard

Ease Of Use 
 

No Software
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

8.2
10

Windows 
 

Full
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Full
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Full
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible

Android  

No
Not Compatible

iOS  

No
Not Compatible

iPadOS  

No
Not Compatible
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0

Android 
 

No
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

No
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

No
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible

Check Price

Gray
Race 3
Searching
Finding store
Beige
Model M
Searching
Finding store
Gray
Race 3
Searching
Finding store
Beige
Model M
Searching
Finding store
Gray
Race 3
Searching
Finding store
Beige
Model M
Searching
Finding store
Gray
Race 3
Searching
Finding store
Beige
Model M
Searching
Finding store
Gray
Race 3
Searching
Finding store
Beige
Model M
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Vortex Race 3

IBM Model M

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Vortex Race 3 vs IBM Model M: Main Discussion

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