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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: gilgam on Sat, 12 March 2011, 08:55:54

Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: gilgam on Sat, 12 March 2011, 08:55:54: Hello

On my long road to test this new world of keyboards i want to try these famous buckling spring.

It seems to exists two main ways

IBM model M used ones

Unicomp

In europe it does exists some model m wandering on eBay, at about 20-50 euros(and 10-20 euros shipping) and up to 200+ euros for a tenkeyless (why doesn't unicomp build these ones ? )

From Unicomp i can have brand new, usb, keycaps i want, french layout at 60 euros shipping (30-45 euros and VAT en plus)

It's more expensive, but even if Model M are better built, are they worth ?

Thanks for your help, i understand lot of people love old keyboards, but the beautiful looking industrial model M aside, i really don"t care.

EDIT

OOps Unicomp instaed of Unicop ;-)
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 12 March 2011, 08:59:48: I'd go for the Unicomp. The quality of second hand Model Ms varies greatly. The Unicomp is just as good really.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: Jerri on Sat, 12 March 2011, 09:23:19: But you can get a IBM Model M cheapish. On ebay are some refurbished ones, too.
My refurbished US Model M sounded dark first, but after about 2 hours typing it really got the nice Click to it and the tactility was there. Feels alot better than my german used one.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: woody on Sat, 12 March 2011, 09:45:40: Support Unicomp - get one. Less germs, too.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: kill will on Sat, 12 March 2011, 10:07:50: get a fully refurbed one on ebay or a support unicomp and innovation and get a space saver. its win win.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: gilgam on Sat, 12 March 2011, 10:31:33: Quote from: woody;310391
Support Unicomp - get one. Less germs, too.

:biggrin:

Don't care
I see and meet germs all day long, it's my job...

I may get some Model M cheaper but i'm a bit confuse with built-dates, models, numbers...

So if i go unicomp
which model ?
the customizer seems to be quite popular .
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: kill will on Sat, 12 March 2011, 10:57:08: i think if u want a 1997-2011 look a space saver is great. if you want that beige get a real model m ending in 401 i think.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 12 March 2011, 10:59:04: Quote from: gilgam;310426
I may get some Model M cheaper but i'm a bit confuse with built-dates, models, numbers...

Which layout do you want/need? If it has to be French AZERTY, there's the standard 1391402 and that's about it.
Quote
So if i go unicomp
which model ?
the customizer seems to be quite popular .

The Customizer pretty much is a Model M, you can also get these in a classic 102-key layout. I'd prefer the less bulky Spacesaver though, which contains the same internals as a Customizer 104/105 - this is a model without a historic precedent, the M2 was flat and quite different internally.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: gilgam on Sat, 12 March 2011, 11:38:41: OK thanks for your advices

I think i'll go Unicomp though
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: theferenc on Sat, 12 March 2011, 11:40:45: I have both, and find them to be about identical in terms of feel. It's really just features and looks that you want, in my opinion.

For instance, if you want windows keys, go Unicomp. If you want native USB, Unicomp. If you want mad geek cred, go IBM rectangular grey label with no LEDs (or something like that, I'm told).
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: Brummell on Sat, 12 March 2011, 11:48:24: Heresy to say so perhaps, but I have a Space Saver and a Model M and I prefer the Unicomp.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: gilgam on Sat, 12 March 2011, 14:36:07: too late :-)

Us only once again and a roller ball i don't really like. Thanks for the great find anyway...
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: bettablue on Sat, 12 March 2011, 18:27:40: Quote from: ch_123;310378
I'd go for the Unicomp. The quality of second hand Model Ms varies greatly. The Unicomp is just as good really.
I would definitely agree. My preference is for the model M over Unicomp, but that really depends on what you really want. If you get lucky, as I did; then the model M is the way to go. However like ch-123 stated, buying a good model M can sometimes be pretty difficult as the quality of the keyboard will vary depending on how it was used, how and where it was stored, if something was spilled into the keyboard and damaged the membranes, etc.

I now have 5 model M keyboards in good condition, but I also now have 2 that are completely dead. I now have two boards that have been bolt modded too. One I boughtm and the other I did myself. Both of these boards are perfect. The other non modded keyboards don't need any work and are in great shape. The years on mine also range from 1986 to 1992. My point is that you can't always trust that a vintage model M is going to be perfect for daily use unless you put some work into it.

Good luck on you endeavor. Whichever keyboard you go with, you will be pleased.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: dissident on Mon, 14 March 2011, 21:47:03: need tenkeyless....
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: theferenc on Mon, 14 March 2011, 22:08:15: Good luck with that one. Even the SSK is the nearly the size of a Dell rubber dome keyboard. They ain't small.
Title: Unicop or Model M to test the buckling springs ?
Post by: javifast on Mon, 14 March 2011, 23:32:17: A good Model M is better than the Unicomps....but I have some Models M,..and always finish using the spacesaver USB Unicomp model.