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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Engine on Sat, 19 February 2011, 10:51:40
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Hi,
I have a brand new Unicomp Space Saver that arrived a few days ago for my Mom. I'll be bringing it over to her w/her new PC I had built for her. With that kb, I'll be dropping off a MS kb that's a few years old and still in the bx.
I told her she could test drive both to see what she thinks.
So, this is a mechanical vs rubber dome comparison. I need to mention that she's not a computer owner and therefore not experienced with them and so, doesn't really have an opinion on which kb yet.
I first talked about the Unicomp before sending for it and asked her what she thought of it. She remembered using the old IBM Selectric typewriter and was willing to try it out. She didn't really sound excited but willing to try it out.
She is however, very gracious and will accept anything. That's why I need your help.
The Space Saver is black/grey and seems fine to me in general, as far as looks, I mean it's not too shabby but I want to note that I think that the primary reason for my concern on this "gift" I have for her is the fact that it has the bottom seam gapping problem, although it's not real bad but still found it a bit disapointing and dont' want to give her something appearing cheap, even if she doesn't notice it.
That said, is there another board you guys/gals, especially, would like to see me give her instead?
I suppose I put the cart before the horse here and should have waited for her actual trial and reaction but I'm really thinking about this.
I'm not even sure if she'd be happier w/a less tactile board or more attractive one. I suppose I will have to wait and see and post here accordingly.
If after the trial of the Unicomp, I dedect a less than "happy" feeling from her, I'll likely start shopping again and post here too. I told her that she probably remembers the old IBM's not being terribly attractive and she aknowleged that. I also told her that she was not obligated to keep what I bring but that she needs to try it out and see if she can work w/the tactility/looks and that I was willing to keep shopping. I emphasized that it's important that she like what she's typing on, since it's the way she'll interact /w her computer all the time.
I've checked into other boards, like Das, which is "lighter" in tactility and sharper looking as well as others. I told her that I do have other boards in mind that offer different typing experiences/likes and would be happy to try another no problem. I dunno, what do you folks think?
The bottom line, if she "loves" or at least likes the Unicomp, then this is a non-issue and she just may like it but if not then that's what I'm preparing for. Thanks,
Engine
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Give the gift your Mother will truly love this Mother's day...
...Realforce.
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In regards to the bottom "gapping" problem: just squeeze. Quite often, when putting these things together (both IBM and Unicomp), the tabs on the bottom don't get snapped into place.
So just squeeze them together, you'll feel a snap, and it should be fine. At least that's how all of mine have been.
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In that NPR feature about Unicomp they interviewed a Unicomp employee that tests the keys of each keyboard after it's produced. Shouldn't they be able to detect something like that?
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lol ripster one day i will make that chop a reality.
edit nice reality chop lol
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This has taught me a lesson to test out something before I talk about it. I was excited about it, of course and still want it for me. My only disapointment w/the Customizer is the "gap". I tried squeezing it back as soon as I saw it. I knew to look for it because of "greg's" video review of it. I can't seem to get it to "snap" back together. The gap is not "open" but parted stlightly. In other words, you wouldn't be able to see light
through it yet.
I meant to call Unicomp about this on yesterday but I was too late. Oh well. At the very least, I'll still give this to her for testing to see if she even likes the "clack" or tactility. She may prefer a lighter sound/feel, in which I would shop accordingly.
We'll see.
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Cherry browns are perfect for your mom!
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I've been looking at Cherry Browns, as they seem to be the most docile mechanical kb's out there. I've been researching them/other "color" types on this site and youtube.
I am sold on mechanicals as opposed to rubber domes. I want to replace my Wife's MS rubber dome w/one. My Wife is not fond of the Customizer's stiffness, as she tested this unit when it came. So, I've been looking for her too anyway. Maybe you're right and the "Brown" is for my Mom too. I also am, on a secondary note, looking for something a little more attractive for them and I've seen some out there in youtube.
I think they're a good choice for an intro to mechanicals.
Can you recommend a/few good names in boards?
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Compaq MX11800 is a good choice for browns and you can find them used on ebay. Compact layout too.
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or get the KBC poker when its out :P
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The Das tends to be a good place to start, and has a solid discount if you're a student.
The Filco's are a good choice as well, though a bit harder to come by.
Elite Keyboards is supposed to be stocking Leopolds in the near future, if you're willing to wait.
If you want the best, just get a Realforce.
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I've been looking at Cherry Browns, as they seem to be the most docile mechanical kb's out there. I've been researching them/other "color" types on this site and youtube.
I am sold on mechanicals as opposed to rubber domes. I want to replace my Wife's MS rubber dome w/one. My Wife is not fond of the Customizer's stiffness, as she tested this unit when it came. So, I've been looking for her too anyway. Maybe you're right and the "Brown" is for my Mom too.
I think they're a good choice for an intro to mechanicals.
Can you recommend a/few good names in boards?
If you want to test drive a few i'd recommend getting a few used cherry boards. You should be able to grab some cheap ones depending on your location (USA/Europe?)
In the states the compaq 11800 should be easy for you to get, it is a rebranded cherry 11900 using my brown switches. Try ebay!
If you are in europe, these are harder to find, but in return g80 boards with blacks and blue are a lot more numerous.
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I gave my mom my g84-4100 to set on top of her ****e laptop keyboard :)
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Just buy your mom everything in my sig (except Taeyeon) and she'll love you forever.
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Do you have any reason to expect that she will care about key feel? Does she type a lot? If she is a novelist or something, then I can see the point. Otherwise, she'll probably appreciate looks or some convenient extra keys (mute, volume up/down, standby/on, calculator) more than key feel, like most people. If she'l be mostly reading her email and browsing the web, then mechanicals will hardly make much of a difference. The other issue is noise. The Unicomp is pretty loud, which might not be her cup of tea, and cherry browns are quite loud as well. It's perfectly possible that she'll be happier with a mushy rubber dome than with either of these.
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Do you have any reason to expect that she will care about key feel? Does she type a lot? If she is a novelist or something, then I can see the point. Otherwise, she'll probably appreciate looks or some convenient extra keys (mute, volume up/down, standby/on, calculator) more than key feel, like most people. If she'l be mostly reading her email and browsing the web, then mechanicals will hardly make much of a difference. The other issue is noise. The Unicomp is pretty loud, which might not be her cup of tea, and cherry browns are quite loud as well. It's perfectly possible that she'll be happier with a mushy rubber dome than with either of these.
You may be right on all counts. That is, she's not a novelist, nor does she even know what she can do on a computer yet, as this is all new to her, although I think emails/surfing are going to be the main thing.
I was just promoting the Unicomp to her(in my own discovery/excitement), as she was a secretary using an IBM Selectric in the '60's and thought she may be interested.
She never really substantiated that though.
She's just willing to try it. That said, I did warn her of the noise, which she is aware of from her history with IBM tools. I don't know however, how she'll react to the key feedback in tactility. I can't say if she'll really appreciate the "old stuff" as this point, seeing as to how there are choices out there now.
Anyhow, she's expecting it now so, I'll bring it(the Customizer) along w/the Microsoft "mushy" rubber dome unit for her testing/comparison.
I'll ask for her reaction after that. Accordingly, I'll do what I can to provide.
She may like the Customizer and that's the end. Or, she may like it but something less tactile/clicky, in which case, I'd look for soemthing less so. Or she may like the Microsoft's extra quiet/soft touch and done with that too.
We'll see.
In the meantime, I'll keep everyone's recommendations and advice in mind as I continue my education.
Thanks all,
Engine