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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nothing4me on Fri, 17 January 2014, 14:04:25

Title: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: nothing4me on Fri, 17 January 2014, 14:04:25
First post...  ;D thought I should tell everyone about this since I have been waiting to get something like this without dropping $300 on eBay. Here's a screenshot
(http://i.imgur.com/bugu7WZ.png)
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: E TwentyNine on Fri, 17 January 2014, 14:05:32
Great! I can't wait to put my Red Alert keycaps on it!

What?
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: E TwentyNine on Fri, 17 January 2014, 14:07:03
More seriously, they've been promising "it's 9 months out" for a while now.  The messages lately do seem a bit more definitive, let's hope they do.

And FFS, make cases in the industrial color.

Should be interesting to see what it does to the IBM SSK market.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: snoopy on Fri, 17 January 2014, 14:07:04
Will be delivered by a unicorn
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Krogenar on Fri, 17 January 2014, 14:14:37
Gonna be so awesome! I just know it!
[attachimg=1]
Zach Galifa-whatever, on a unicorn, delivering UNICOMP spacesaver keyboards to a desperate world.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 17 January 2014, 16:16:48
Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox.

It will always be "later this year" or "early nest year"

Ask again after July 1st.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: hashbaz on Fri, 17 January 2014, 16:26:43
Real Soon Now ™
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: damorgue on Fri, 17 January 2014, 16:30:34
I think their credibility is at an all time low on these forums



(I agree, it is unlikely to see the light of day until two-thousand-never)
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 17 January 2014, 16:50:22
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: kishy on Fri, 17 January 2014, 16:50:44
Seriously, the response to a company indicating that they will build a product solely on the demand of a bunch of enthusiasts is to mock their credibility?

The fact that they even considered doing it is impressive. It costs real money to tool up to build a product, and I get the impression that Unicomp is not exactly rolling in cash.

To the community as a whole: IF they make it, whether it is what you expected or not, if you've asked for one...you'd better buy one, because endlessly pestering a company to make a product and then backing out on buying it messes with people's lives if they can't recoup the costs to make the things.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 17 January 2014, 17:02:43
Cough Cough BS Red Alert Cough Cough Cough



Just sayin'
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: fohat.digs on Fri, 17 January 2014, 17:27:51
backing out on buying it messes with people's lives if they can't recoup the costs to make the things.

I agree with you.

Presumably, hopefully, the costs will be minimal because they have, or have had, the tooling and the rights to the components all along.

Let's just hope for Windows keys, USB cables, other colors, etc.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: vivalarevolución on Fri, 17 January 2014, 18:08:01
Believe it when I see it.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 17 January 2014, 18:49:03
Hopefully their release will drive down the recently stupid prices of SSK's
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 17 January 2014, 18:49:48
Gonna be so awesome! I just know it!
(Attachment Link)
Zach Galifa-whatever, on a unicorn, delivering UNICOMP spacesaver keyboards to a desperate world.

What disturbs me most about this is that the underwear in the last few frames looks painted on.

I really don't want to see the original version :eek:
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: dante on Fri, 17 January 2014, 18:54:43
At this rate Ducky will come out with a Buckling Spring before they do.

If anyone has a Facebook account (I don't have/want one) you'd be better off spending your energy pounding Ducky's page for a Buckling Spring.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 17 January 2014, 19:03:27
A buckling spring keyboard by Ducky would be something epic.

Still, the fact that Unicomp talks about making an SSK means they are at least playing with the idea.  They could just be saying a flat No--it wouldn't hurt their current sales.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: terrpn on Fri, 17 January 2014, 19:10:02
i'm a unicomp supporter, would be lost with out them and their help, but i am not holding my breath

remember "red alert"

still waiting on that one to
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: kmiller8 on Fri, 17 January 2014, 19:12:01
I don't see why anyone is taking this seriously.

This kid sent unicomp a high priority ticket saying "GIVE ME SSK PLEASE :(:(:(:(:(:((::(:(:(:(:(:(:"

Pretty sure their response was more "dear god please go away" than "SSK later this year"
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Wildcard on Fri, 17 January 2014, 19:38:22
I don't see why anyone is taking this seriously.

This kid sent unicomp a high priority ticket saying "GIVE ME SSK PLEASE :(:(:(:(:(:((::(:(:(:(:(:(:"

Pretty sure their response was more "dear god please go away" than "SSK later this year"

Other sources have indicated a possible new TKL coming this year. But I know many of us have submitted requests for a new TKL. I've personally submitted at least 6 over the past 3 years.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 17 January 2014, 19:41:25
I don't see why anyone is taking this seriously.

This kid sent unicomp a high priority ticket saying "GIVE ME SSK PLEASE :(:(:(:(:(:((::(:(:(:(:(:(:"

Pretty sure their response was more "dear god please go away" than "SSK later this year"

+1

Unicomp just wanted him to **** off most likely. That's pretty similar to what I'd say.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: terrpn on Fri, 17 January 2014, 20:04:07
right............i'll take a lg coffee, cream and sugar

than........here's ur  coffee, have a nice day

regardless they still hook me up with at least always with what i have "now"

can't miss what u do not have
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: terrpn on Fri, 17 January 2014, 20:05:38
right............i'll take a lg coffee, cream and sugar

than........here's ur  coffee, have a nice day

regardless they still hook me up with at least always with what i have "now"

can't miss what u do not have

scribal error.........

here's ur (black) coffee
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: demik on Fri, 17 January 2014, 20:15:34
Geekhack's long running abusive relationship.

Unicomp and the SSk.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 17 January 2014, 23:43:14
Seriously, the response to a company indicating that they will build a product solely on the demand of a bunch of enthusiasts is to mock their credibility?

The fact that they even considered doing it is impressive. It costs real money to tool up to build a product, and I get the impression that Unicomp is not exactly rolling in cash.

To the community as a whole: IF they make it, whether it is what you expected or not, if you've asked for one...you'd better buy one, because endlessly pestering a company to make a product and then backing out on buying it messes with people's lives if they can't recoup the costs to make the things.

The issue here is they supposedly already have most (if not all) of the tooling required to do this. From what I understand, the only thing they don't make in house is the membranes, which have a really high MOQ from the supplier. I suspect just finding a new supplier with a lower MOQ (or leaning on their supplier a bit) will help fix that.

Tooling costs serious money, I fully understand that, but unfortunately that's not the issue here.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Krogenar on Sat, 18 January 2014, 11:04:34
I think Unicomp is a great company -- every single time I had a question or an issue, they delivered great customer service. But their track record on delivering new products is not so great. A Unicomp BS SSK would probably sell like hotcakes.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: demik on Sat, 18 January 2014, 11:27:59
I think Unicomp is a great company -- every single time I had a question or an issue, they delivered great customer service. But their track record on delivering new products is not so great. A Unicomp BS SSK would probably sell like hotcakes.

Doubt it. Maybe 300 units if that.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: EDI on Sat, 18 January 2014, 16:04:51
It seems that Unicomp has made a SKK: http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9242/subcatid/0/id/183757
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sat, 18 January 2014, 16:31:44
It seems that Unicomp has made a SKK: http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/9242/subcatid/0/id/183757

Rumor has it those were made with leftover parts from the Lexmark days.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 18 January 2014, 18:54:59
Didn't iMav or webwit get the last one for under $100 new, about 5 years ago?
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Neal on Sat, 18 January 2014, 18:58:58
Didn't iMav or webwit get the last one for under $100 new, about 5 years ago?
Yep.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: Warduke on Sat, 18 January 2014, 19:10:06
Like others have said, I won't be holding my breath but if in fact they do deliver an SSK, then I will be buying (at least) one right away.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 18 January 2014, 19:45:15
I'd be seriously tempted if the price was under $200.  And almost a certain buy if it was around $100.
Title: Re: Unicomp making their version of the IBM Model M (Space Saving). Late this year.
Post by: semyorka on Sat, 18 January 2014, 19:49:54
I'd be seriously tempted if the price was under $200.  And almost a certain buy if it was around $100.

Ditto.  If they came out with an SSK priced anything close to their current keyboards, I'd snap one up immediately.