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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- 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
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:20 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (75%)
MechanicalYes
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeBuckling-spring
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
Variants
- Race 3 (Gray)
- Model M (Beige)
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.
Check Price
Gray
Race 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBeige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comGray
Race 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBeige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comGray
Race 3
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBeige
Model M
SEARCH
BestBuy.comNotice:
Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
keyboards test methodology.
Read more
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
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
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)
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
PBT
PBT
Ergonomics
6.5
6.0
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
Hardware Customizability
0.0
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
Brightness Max
Backlighting
No
No
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
No
Per-Key Backlighting
No
No
Effects
No
No
Software Controllable
No
No
Color
No Backlighting
Color Mixing
No Backlighting
Backlight Clarity
0.0
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
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
Macro Keys And Programming
0.0
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
Macro Programming With Software
No
Extra Features
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
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.5
9.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.0
3.7
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
58.8 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
Yes
Noise
Quiet
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
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
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
Performance
Single-Key Latency
8.2
7.3
Single-Key Latency Graph
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
Multi-Key Latency
7.1
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
16.8 ms
Key Release
24.6 ms
Data Transmission
5.4
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
4 Chord Split Delay
23.9 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
N/A
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
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
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
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
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBeige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comGray
Race 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBeige
Model M
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comGray
Race 3
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBeige
Model M
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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Vortex Race 3
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Comments
Vortex Race 3 vs IBM Model M: Main Discussion
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