Much has been said about whether Unicomp's Model M's live up to the high standards of IBM's "classic" Model M's of the '80s–'90s.
Some people consider IBMs unequivocally superior, citing the heavier, more solid feel of their thicker cases and plates, and their more refined appearance (better typography and printing quality, more uniform molding).
I bought into that for a while. However, since I've been alternately typing on an
IBM 1391401 and a
Unicomp Ultra Classic, my opinion's changed.
IBM was very image-conscious. They considered their products' esthetics and visual consistency as important as how well they performed. But they were one of the world's biggest companies; they could afford the best designers and the strictest quality control.
Unicomp's tiny, and serves a niche market: nostalgic computer veterans, and those of us imaginative and eccentric enough to value buckling-spring keyboards in the 21st century, like people who use fine fountain pens.
I like nice-looking keyboards. Indeed, many of them are designed like art objects. And as a creative person, I often appreciate the interesting, appealing forms functional objects can take.
But to me, a keyboard's primarily a typing machine. I spend a lot more time thinking about what I'm writing than examining what's under my fingers. So the more I've used these keyboards, the less I've bothered comparing their looks.
That leaves how they work and feel. And while I agree the IBM feels more solid, the Unicomp has something the IBM doesn't. Liveliness? Personality? Its touch is lighter. It's noisier, less contained-sounding. The IBM makes me think of fluorescent-lighted, climate-controlled rooms with guys in crewcuts and skinny ties talking into phones and consulting clipboards. The Unicomp makes me think of popcorn, fireworks, banjo music. It's the keyboard The Cat in the Hat would've used.
They're both cool; the Unicomp's just not as
stodgy. Let's face it: The very idea of making BS boards in an age of iPhones and 80-inch TVs is impractical, maybe even a bit goofy. And yet audacious, idealistic little Unicomp says, "Here we are!" It's like finding out you can still buy Lava Lites and tie-dye shirts. (You can, actually, though no one under 30 will have any idea what I'm talking about.)
So maybe it doesn't matter that Unicomp keyboards aren't as massive, flawlessly molded or carefully printed as IBMs. Unicomp's not
trying to make the kinds of keyboards they made when cars had chrome fenders and furniture was solid wood. It's remarkable that Unicomp's making keyboards at all.
I really like the contrast between the two. It's like going to a fine restaurant one night, and a great pizza parlor the next. There's a lot to appreciate in both. I wouldn't
want them to be the same.
Thoughts?
