# Talkin’ bout my generation **URL:** \ **Category:** For Sale\ **Tags:** question\ **Created:** [July 16, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799 "2018-07-16T22:52:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnAtl](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/johnatl/32/2125_2.png) [@JohnAtl](https://community.keyboard.io/u/JohnAtl)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/1 "2018-07-16T22:52:53Z")
Is there a guide to the different generations of the keyboard? I see used keyboards advertised here (a bit overpriced, I think), but am tempted to get a second one. Which generations should be avoided? Is there a definitive way to ascertain their generation, besides the ship date? Serial number? I received mine about 2 weeks ago, does it have a generation? Thanks, John ---
**Author:** ![cal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@cal](https://community.keyboard.io/u/cal)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2018, 9:51am UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/2 "2018-07-17T09:51:03Z")
First, some background. A given keyboard belongs to a Mass Production run (“MP” in shortened form), with the run number appended; so MP2 refers to all keyboards which were made during the second mass production run. Regarding which generations should be avoided: there are currently zero MPs which contain unfixable defects. With that said, early MPs can have issues with repeated keystrokes (if your keyboard exhibits this defect, contact [help@keyboard.io](mailto:help@keyboard.io) and they will walk you through the fix). If you received yours approximately two weeks ago, it is probably from MP4 (though there is a chance it could be from MP5). ---
**Author:** ![rumpel](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/rumpel/32/626_2.png) [@rumpel](https://community.keyboard.io/u/rumpel)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2018, 9:12am UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/3 "2018-07-18T09:12:51Z")
I have an MP1 and an MP4/5, both quiet keyboards. There are a few non-functional differences that I noticed. I actually like my MP1 keyboard more than the MP5 one, despite the key chattering I experienced. Typing on the MP1 keyboard feels a little smoother. Maybe it’s because of the excessive key switch lubrication (that also caused the key chattering?), or maybe it’s because I’ve typed a few million keys on it already, I don’t know. Also, the palm key is larger in size on the MP1. I like that, it lessens the amount of wrist movement I have to do to press the key. ---
**Author:** ![fluffy](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/fluffy/32/34_2.png) [@fluffy](https://community.keyboard.io/u/fluffy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2018, 7:49am UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/4 "2018-07-22T07:49:28Z")
I have an MP1 and an MP3 (both soft touch), and I feel the opposite way - I like the slightly more firm touch on the MP3, as well as the different, softer paint finish on the caps (although apparently that varies even within a run due to the multiple keycap providers in play). ---
**Author:** ![jesse](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/jesse/32/361_2.png) [@jesse](https://community.keyboard.io/u/jesse)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 6:46am UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/5 "2018-07-24T06:46:08Z")
> [@rumpel](#): > > Also, the palm key is larger in size on the MP1. I like that, it lessens the amount of wrist movement I have to do to press the key. What? The palm keys should be 100% identical. ---
**Author:** ![rumpel](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/rumpel/32/626_2.png) [@rumpel](https://community.keyboard.io/u/rumpel)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 11:40am UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/6 "2018-08-15T11:40:15Z")
I know I wasn’t imagining things, so I took a closer look, and you are right, they are the same size. However, my MP5 case is a bit thicker, so the FN button is sitting a little lower in its case, making it overall a little “shorter” on the outside. ---
**Author:** ![djbtm](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/djbtm/32/946_2.png) [@djbtm](https://community.keyboard.io/u/djbtm)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/7 "2019-09-09T15:23:25Z")
@jesse How do you tell what production run any given keyboard is from? Is it just by serial number cross reference. Eg MP 1 is serial numbers 000001 to xxxxxx and so on for each production run. Do we have a look up table that is post-able? It would be good to have as reference especially since folks who will be keeping an eye out for a “certified used” model. ---
**Author:** ![jesse](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.keyboard.io/jesse/32/361_2.png) [@jesse](https://community.keyboard.io/u/jesse)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.keyboard.io/t/talkin-bout-my-generation/1799/8 "2019-09-09T19:09:28Z")
Unfortunately, we don’t have a postable list. And it’s not -quite- as simple as ranges being from certain batches, as the factory didn’t do what they were supposed to. If you’re thinking of buying a used Model 01, you’re always welcome to drop us a note at [help@keyboard.io](mailto:help@keyboard.io) to ask about the unit’s provenance. If the seller has the original shipping box, the shipping date on the original label will usually be a good tell. Anything shipped from Gilroy, CA is PVT or MP1. MP2 keyboards shipped the first week of February 2018 from Hong Kong. After that, it gets messier. -j