The Model M wikipedia entry says that Unicomp has troubles because retailers won't restock their boards, because they won't break. Part of the success of the Logitechs of this world is that their stuff goes bad.
I was thinking about one of these Cherry keyboards (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=1391), when I get my income tax refund that is. But, now I'm thinking about a white SpaceSaver. I would hate to not have bought one if Unicomp goes out of business. Plus, I would also like to support Unicomp. I really love my Customizer 104.
I was thinking of the white spacesaver also. I had a black one that I traded to another member. Kind of wish I kept it. While it does have a numpad, which I don't care for, I really liked the key feel of the BS switches. IIRC, the are somewhat muted compared to my model m's.
Its weird since I don't really need another keyboard but I may not have a chance of getting one again if unicomp goes by the wayside. After they are gone, it will end up being would of, could of, should of.
By the way, for those who have the Unicomp SpaceSaver, what is the main difference between the Customizer 104 and it? I mean besides the width. The reason why I did not get the SpaceSaver instead was I was afraid that the keys would be smaller, but I think I was wrong :(
I want a Spacesaver, but I also need a Model M. I was planning on getting the Model M, but maybe I should get a Spacesaver first... choices!
Rather than all of us just buying a keyboard or two, what would help the most is if we could get their keyboards into retailers by emailing retailers. However, I'm sure Unicomp has already tried that, and it's not really too helpful to try such a strategy if you aren't in the company and have all the resources (marketing documents) Unicomp sales people and marketing people have.
They sell the boards on the power of the Model M name
If only ClickyKeyboards and Unicomp could work together there, but I think they are pretty much competitors, of sorts.
I like it when retailers show the guts of their keyboards, at least with a key off and multiple angles...
If you buy a Unicomp keyboard, you'll get two part keys on seven of the keys, and one part keys on all the others.
I have a Customizer 104 USB and its mostly 1 part.
how come the companies that make Topre Realforce or HHKB are also not sharing the same plight?
I vote that Unicomp re-do their logo, add a real spacesaver keyboard, and offer blank legends on their model m models. I think these three things could help them a lot.lol... last year, when I went to buy my first Customizer 104, I almost didn't buy because of the logo. Maybe they should put on a contest and accept entries for best logo (if they haven't done so already). I agree with the other parts of your post, as well.
I called Jim Owens today and his message was:
"Hi, this is Jim Owens. I'm away from the office and don't know when I'll be back."
Just ordered a SpaceSaver today. I like my customizer at home so much, I'm starting to realize the used M I got at the office just isn't quite as good. I dunno. Deep down, I just wanted an excuse to buy something. I'll throw the M in the closet. I'll make note of how long it takes for my order to get processed and sent and what the manufacture date is.
I just got off the phone with one of the reps (not Jim). Anyway he said there have been a HUGE demand in products (due to the npr and other articles out there).
He stated that over the last 5 weeks, there have been as many orders as he would normally expect in 8 months of business.
SO, it seems as though they don't have financial issues anymore for the time being at least.
Let's hope they are smart and start catering to the real deal IBM enthusiasts.
I fear that it might be short lived. Once these people buy their 'boards, Unicomp will probably go back to their normal movement. Let's hope, for Unicomp's sake, that word-of-mouth takes over from there, and their sales continue to grow.
I'd be all over a Mighty Mouse (http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/pckeyboards_2043_1940640) (without stick) if they'd build one with buckling springs or some other type of good mechanical switches. I've been tempted to buy anyway, but that's a lot of money for a rubber dome board.
Link: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/mightymouse1.html
Same here, but I don't think that is happening anytime soon. I could deal with the mightymouse layout as is not so sure about the rubber domes though. Does anyone here have one of those and if so what do you think of it. Unicomp is pretty proud of it as they want $99 for it.
I believe the grey keys used on the black boards are mostly one-piece, except for a few keys like Ctrl.
Anyway, a few months ago, a friend of mine ordered a custom black blank Customizer 104 USB, and it took around a month to get, with poor feedback from Unicomp.
I will note that that does run counter to my two experiences with Unicomp, though - my EnduraPro 104 USB got here very quickly (made and shipped the day after I ordered it, IIRC,) and was repaired quickly when it needed repairs.
I agree and that's why I think going for the "real" IBM fans is not the right way, as this is what got them into trouble in the first place.
Look at the HHKB and Das Keyboard. They target young people, looking for quality. The HHKB is something a 20-something Japanese guy can have in his home, and not look like a fool to friends, but as someone who knows style. Likewise, Das Keyboard is something a European young guy can take to a Lan party and look cool and sophisticated in his keyboard choice. Just two examples.
I wonder what a "modern" model M would look like?
patrickgeekhack: The mouse buttons had somehow gotten misaligned, and they didn't want me to open it up to realign them. I could've probably figured it out myself, but they weren't gonna help me fix it over the phone, so... I just went ahead and sent it in.
Exactly. They need to bring the old-school ruggedness in, and package it with modern tastes. These youngsters, and people in general, want form along with (and in some cases, way over) function. You can't keep the function crowd forever, especially when you build "unbreakable" products. You can, however, target consumers with modern styling, and subsequently, introduce them to superior function.
Wow, I'm glad to hear that they're swamped with orders. I'll take a delay because of that!
In terms of how to modernize their products to appeal to a larger audience, I think we've talked circles around this subject; they can't design compelling new products because they have limited capacity to do so and the cost of upgrading/changing their manufacturing equipment is so hellaciously high, they can't afford the risk of pumping out a new product that won't sell like gangbusters.
Something like this?
http://park16.wakwak.com/~ex4/kb/tech_bucklingspring_e.htm
It doesn't have to be that way. The most commercially successful high-end keyboard of recent times, the HHKB series, sold over 300,000, and has no bright leds, neither is it glossy.
So it can be even less costly. Hell, all they need to do AFAIC is have that space saver in the colors of the four HHKB pro versions (white, black, label or no label) and do the logo in very subtle colors. On the other hand it's their business, and they are smart people, and it would be ignorant for an outsider to think they haven't tried or considered all options.
But we're not talking about what a switchaholic wants.
We're talking about making BS keyboards mass-market friendly.
Sorry, got off track. A more modern look would go quite aways to making it more appealing to the general public. More LED's and Internet buttons could have a positive effect to.
Model M looks old and Filco looks new???
Model M: Shiny, ivory white lustre. Classic, timeless look.Show Image(http://www.mikecase.net/ModelM/IBM-Model-M-Keyboard.jpg)
Filco: Dull, dark, depressing black. Design is hardly more innovative than the M.
Even if you dont' agree with me on that - making the satisfactory change will be minor and easy.
I do agree that Media buttons or programmable buttons (even better) could help. Yet ergonomics is what'll separate the keyboards apart. Isn't this why people spend $250+ on Topres? Surely the Topre doesn't have more tactile or auditory feedback or durability than the M? I would hope it's ergonomics - the only reason I'll even take the effort to get my hands on a Topre and consider shelling out serious dough later down the road. Just a guess.
That can be programmed to do anything (volume up, down etc.). Clearly looks is a subjective, personal preference. I think that subjectivity can easily be swayed with marketing. But really these issues are minor and easy to resolve. The only reason I defended the looks is to somewhat emphasize that looks is not the biggest problem. Biggest problem is need for more marketing / advertising and later down the road focusing on ergonomics. Those two factors alone are what make or break keyboards IMO.
The Model M spacesaver's case is as good as any. The straight edges surrounding the curve looks very nice. The large top edge on the full-size Ms makes it look dated, as does the indicator lights' label, but those are not present on the mini. The gray keys are still an old look.
Some updated color schemes would make it look as modern as any other keyboard, and would be enough to attract the same audience as the Das Keyboard, if they updated their site.
I won't argue that on the marketing/advertising.
At present does Unicomp even have a advertising/marketing strategy?
Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a website with some punch to it either. The website they have now is really just awful.
Exactly! Taking these measures is very doable, practical, and economical. The returns will be 10 fold greater! The key question is...why is Unicomp having 8 months of business in 5 weeks? What's attributing to that? Stick with that kind of approach!
- pay an intern to update their website and logo
- made a tenkeyless version
- offered mechanical switch options
USB hub
- smaller form factor
I think the increase in business is directly related to an NPR story that happened recently.
You would think that Unicomp would make note of this and expand upon it. Strangely, I don't really see this happening. : (
Someone here have some free time and willing to do a demo site for them? :) We've got plenty of great photos of unicomp boards on this site. :)
http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=21373&postcount=8
The Model M DOES look dated because it is. The bastard sword is a timeless design because it can never be anything but what it is. A computer keyboard is not that way. And Unicomp's logo is like adding a green and blonde pompadour mullet to the top of the Model M. I think Unicomp doesn't need to be saved — they need to be stopped!
The Model M DOES look dated because it is. The bastard sword is a timeless design because it can never be anything but what it is. A computer keyboard is not that way. And Unicomp's logo is like adding a green and blonde pompadour mullet to the top of the Model M. I think Unicomp doesn't need to be saved — they need to be stopped!
the model m looks great with a beige set up. no doubt about it. its design is timeless. however its color is not. this isnt the 80 and 90s anymore. everyones computer set-up these days is black. and people obviously like black keyboards.
i am not one to talk though, as i prefer the old model m's and likes that it sticks out like a sore thumb.
The Model M is not a bastard sword-- it's one of those ridiculous swords, 120% the height and 200% the weight of a man, which only exists in the minds of manga artists and bad cosplay outfits.
The thing is, there are other buckling spring choices, and they SUCK ASS. See those crappy Sheng Ya or whatever they're called keyboards.
From what I can tell from a brief scan, I don't think the Ya Sheng product was built or marketed as anything but "another generic cheap keyboard" though.