Have you seen one that's the original 101 IBM/Lekmark style? Show Image
This has been my daily driver for I think a year now. It's definitely got a different feel than a normal M, one you can really feel too. Like a really scratchy M if that was even possible. But once you get used to it, there's something nice about it, like a heavier feel or something like that.
Your image is coming through now. Unicomp calls those the
Classic 101—and yes, they're the closest thing they make to the original Model M's.
I've always enjoyed the differences between Unicomp's boards and IBM's/Lexmark's, and always recommend MK people have at least one of each.
Unicomps are somewhat louder, more resonant, and "clunkier"-feeling (but in a good way). Fohat's explained at least part of why that may be—but the case design is different, too, isn't it? And don't they use somewhat different materials?
ALP SKCL switches fit those keycaps? :)
Nope, they're
buckling spring switches, like the original Model M's:
They use Model-M-compatible keys (which Unicomp still calls "buttons";
see their page here). Each key has two parts, a stem and a printed cap:
Appreciation for the buckling spring's superior feel and durability was the reason Lexmark's employees bought the factory when Lexmark (and IBM, their main customer) decided BS boards had become too loud and expensive for most people. They renamed the company
Unicomp, and achieved their goal of redesigning the Model M so it could still be produced and sold—in an age of cheap, non-mechanical throwaway boards—at a reasonable price.
They did an amazing job, too. keeping the price of
their new Model M's under $100, especially when you consider that IBM's and Lexmark's Model M's cost 2 to 3 times as much—in '80s/'90s dollars!
