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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: modulationz on Thu, 17 June 2010, 18:08:07

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: modulationz on Thu, 17 June 2010, 18:08:07

I recently purchased a Unicomp SpaceSaver keyboard (Black with metallic gray).  When I received the keyboard, the keys already appear to have a "shine" to them, almost like they have been used for a while.  Is this normal?  Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks!

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: In Stereo! on Fri, 18 June 2010, 02:00:39

I obtained an NIB Customizer 101 a few years ago and it still does not have that shine, you speak of. I'd think it is not normal. You could post some pictures, though.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: spolia optima on Fri, 18 June 2010, 02:21:25

how dare you call unicomp's quality into question

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: clickclack on Fri, 18 June 2010, 04:14:18

I would unfortunately have to say without a picture there are just too many variables that could be at play here. Some from the very silly and obvious to the complex and mysterious....oooooo =D

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: aegrotatio on Fri, 18 June 2010, 10:06:47

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11231&stc=1&d=1276873591)

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: chimera15 on Fri, 18 June 2010, 10:19:13

Right!! That's how to sell a keyboard! lol  What keyboard is that? It's even red and black like I like, with nkey rollover too huh?

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: British on Fri, 18 June 2010, 10:34:03

Here goes (http://www.x7.cn/en/product.asp?id=10) what google pointed me to...

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: bionicroach on Fri, 18 June 2010, 12:11:52

OP: When was your SpaceSaver manufactured?  I have the exact same board as you, manufactured 5/3/2010, and I have no issues with the keys or anything else about the build quality overall.  If I was going to nitpick, the only thing that bothers me is that the status LEDs under the logo are just slightly off center from the holes in the case that they shine up through.  The Unicomp logo panel burns my eyes anyway, so I just try not to look at it.  Other than that, it's a great board for the price.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: aegrotatio on Fri, 18 June 2010, 15:26:00

Thanks for pointing out that dimply mold shrinkage problem with their surplus blank caps.  I'll save $20 by not buying blank keys when I order my new Unicomp Space Saver.

Could this be what prevented them from printing legends on the caps in the first place?

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 18 June 2010, 15:31:53

Quote from: bionicroach;194356

If I was going to nitpick, the only thing that bothers me is that the status LEDs under the logo are just slightly off center from the holes in the case that they shine up through.

I've seen this on 'real' IBM Model Ms too.

Quote from: aegrotatio;194408

Could this be what prevented them from printing legends on the caps in the first place?

Nah, it's a bit more complicated than that. The technology used to print legends on their beige/white caps doesn't work for printing white letters, so they had to use pad printing (i.e. the same style of printing you see on most modern rubber dome keyboards) but they had serious wear issues, so they stopped making keyboards with black keys. They have a big stock of black keys left over though so they sell them to those who want them.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 18 June 2010, 16:04:42

Quote from: ripster;194295

Happy to oblige.

Show Image

(http://img2.zol.com.cn/product/21_500x2000/389/ceDLb3nEx3SvA.jpg)

I wouldn't buy that keyboard because I hate creepy Chinese people.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: sethstorm on Fri, 18 June 2010, 16:16:20

Quote from: modulationz;194049

I recently purchased a Unicomp SpaceSaver keyboard (Black with metallic gray).  When I received the keyboard, the keys already appear to have a "shine" to them, almost like they have been used for a while.  Is this normal?  Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks!

Yes.  Despite it appearing to have a Twilight sparkle to them, that's how they come from the factory.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: modulationz on Fri, 18 June 2010, 18:55:29

The defect was difficult to photograph (i.e. Either the flash would saturate out the pic, or the pic was too dim without flash).

(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/modulationz/Keyboards/key1.jpg)
(http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/modulationz/Keyboards/key2.jpg)

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: modulationz on Fri, 18 June 2010, 18:58:22

Quote from: ripster;194289

...  A bit of what the chinese call "PBT Shrinkage" ...

Maybe this is what I am seeing?

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: Brinson on Fri, 18 June 2010, 19:12:02

The unicomp black and gray keyboards actually are a metallic gray with something like glitter mixed. Looks odd, but...neat, I think, anyway.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 18 June 2010, 21:21:00

Yeah, see, when they mold the plastic into shape, and don't inject enough, it kind of shrinks down, and causes that weird shiny distortion. It's also prominent in spots where the plastic is injected from.

Don't worry about it.

Title: Unicomp quality question
Post by: In Stereo! on Sat, 19 June 2010, 03:04:06

Quote from: ripster;194348

Back to topic the only Unicomp keys I find annoying are the Blank Blacks.  As you can see the "PBT Shrinkage" (what the Chinese forum called it) is pretty apparent because of the black color.  Although it's also there on IBMs you just can't see it as well.

O have the same thing on a new black Cherry G80-1800, but not on the white G80-3000. And I don't mean that it is less noticable on the white keycaps, the shrinkage is actually not there. The black and white keycaps are on two different quality levels. :<