Can any Unicomp owners convince me not to buy a Unicomp keyboard ?

[MyNameIsDan]

I'm looking into buying my second mechanical keyboard, and was looking into buying something clicky since ripster and everyone here seems to agree that clicky ones are fun to type on (I'm starting to understand what you guys meant as to saying how browns are boring to use lol). Accordingly, i've been looking at unicomps since they're so affordable (69.99! didn't look into shipping but that is still the cheapest I've seen), and they're buckling springs so clicky clicky!

Can any unicomp owners convince not to invest in a unicomp board (space saver or maybe the customizer 104) due to various reasons such as technical stuff?

[WhiteRice]

If you want to try a buckling spring board, you could try and find a used model M for cheap. Otherwise Unicomp's are great keyboards.

[rantenki]

If you want to try a buckling spring board, you could try and find a used model M for cheap. Otherwise Unicomp's are great keyboards.

+1 , especially if there is a computer recycler near you. The local freegeek always has one or two where I live (Vancouver). Portland has one too.

[MyNameIsDan]

If you want to try a buckling spring board, you could try and find a used model M for cheap. Otherwise Unicomp's are great keyboards.

I'm wanting to try any clicky board really, but a buckling spring is one I'd love to try.

+1 , especially if there is a computer recycler near you. The local freegeek always has one or two where I live (Vancouver). Portland has one too.

I unfortunately am not aware of any around Toronto... :<

Are there certain models of Model M I should be avoiding/looking out for? Going to try posting on redflagdeals and see how that goes.

[kill will]

Unicomp is a great company and their buckling spring keyboards are very good.  I would buy a Model M if you don't mind beige, PS2, no windows key.  I would buy a Unicomp Spacesaver if you want a black/grey keyboard w/ usb and windows key.

[MyNameIsDan]

Unicomp is a great company and their buckling spring keyboards are very good.  I would buy a Model M if you don't mind beige, PS2, no windows key.  I would buy a Unicomp Spacesaver if you want a black/grey keyboard w/ usb and windows key.

I'm looking into buying a keyboard for cheapest amount of money possible . I'm currently using my filco on a PS2 right now so no issue with that. As for beige... I don't look at my keyboard too much so I guess its fine.

[adamlau]

I have had at least six Unicomp boards over the past ten years. Of those, I have had to RMA three. Unicomp still has one of my RMA boards. I have a fourth in which the letter j does not register a keycode event. Diet Coke killed the fifth. They were/are all P46 boards. I have to dub check the model of the black/gray, that one has had zero issues for the past four years. YMMV...

[hoggy]

I prefer my maxiswitch m13 to my endurapro, but the unicomp is still quite nice.

You should try to get something second hand, it's fun and once you've cleaned it up you probably won't think any less of it.

[MyNameIsDan]

I prefer my maxiswitch m13 to my endurapro, but the unicomp is still quite nice.

You should try to get something second hand, it's fun and once you've cleaned it up you probably won't think any less of it.

I'm hoping to fish myself a Model M with minimal aesthetic damage. I heard Model Ms are pretty sturdy so I'm willing to fiddle around with it to get it fully working and squeaky clean. Although,  I'm probably going to need a key cap puller to make things no hassle.

[adamlau]

Why did you have to RMA them?

Certain keys failed to register keycode events. IIRC, the offenders were w, s, x and the spacebar. They have been holding a Customizer 104 (Pearl White) for me for at least three years as I refused to pay return shipping fees after I was told the warranty had expired. I'm going to call them up tomorrow, see if they would be willing to send me a SpaceSaver 104 (Black/Gray) in place of the Customizer 104 (Pearl White).

MyNameIsDan: Thanks for bringing up Unicomp. I had forgotten that they have a board of mine...

[kill will]

A fork is a good model m keycap puller lol

[javifast]

Buy an Unicomp, it's a good keyboard. And it's a new buckling spring keyboard.

[MyNameIsDan]

MyNameIsDan: Thanks for bringing up Unicomp. I had forgotten that they have a board of mine...

[In Stereo!]

I had a Unicomp Model M and compared to the ones made by Lexmark or IBM, it has the far poorest build quality. I'd rather go for a used one.

[phate408]

+1 , especially if there is a computer recycler near you. The local freegeek always has one or two where I live (Vancouver). Portland has one too.

Ooh, I'm in Vancouver too. Didn't know we had one up here, I've only ever heard of the one in Portland. I'll have to go check that out.

[KillerBee]

If you are going to buy a model M buy an early model its the best!

[MissileMike]

I have 3 unicomp boards and all three are great.  I have no problem recommending one.

[bigpook]

Unicomps are nice. The price is good, and you are getting a new keyboard. However, I do think the original IBM Keyboards are better made.

[woody]

Nice thread to hijack with my own questions.

How are the pointing devices on EnduraPro and On-the-ball? Is their speed/sensitivity okay for large-ish screen resolutions? Are they tactile friendly, esp. the trackball?

Do the PS/2 versions have two separate cables? Asking this, because for example EnduraPro USB falls under some export restrictions (possibly the MCU inside).

And the super jackpot question - in the beige versions, why the "Backspace" key is not gray as is the norm. Compare to the Customizer.
________
Honda CBR600F2 specifications

[itlnstln]

I'll ignore the OP, too.

[MissileMike]

Ripster I could swear my Ms were pvc, while my customizers are abs...  Is that covered in a wiki somewhere?

[keyb_gr]

Very helpful, guys.

[Uninstall]

Hey if you are looking for computer recycling you can try calling up reboot Canada. They are a charity that accept computer donations and they recycle most of the stuff they get and can't salvage. They are based in Toronto and is somewhere around dufferin in station. They should know any good recycling locations near the,

[msiegel]

And the super jackpot question - in the beige versions, why the "Backspace" key is not gray as is the norm. Compare to the Customizer.

white "2x1" size keys are also used for the number pad Zero... i'm guessing they ran out of gray ones at some point and printed a bunch of Backspaces on blank Zero keys.

an all-white set of keys would be pretty nice (hint, hint

[Daniel Beaver]

If you're just looking for a buckling spring board, and don't mind the lack of windows keys, you could buy one of my bolt-modded Model Ms. Just watch the marketplace - I churn them out fairly regularly. But if you don't mind spending, go ahead and buy a Unicomp just so you can have a "new" keyboard. I've never tried one, but I have no doubt that they are great boards. And, ironically, among the cheapest mechanical keyboards you can buy.

[MyNameIsDan]

If you're just looking for a buckling spring board, and don't mind the lack of windows keys, you could buy one of my bolt-modded Model Ms. Just watch the marketplace - I churn them out fairly regularly. But if you don't mind spending, go ahead and buy a Unicomp just so you can have a "new" keyboard. I've never tried one, but I have no doubt that they are great boards. And, ironically, among the cheapest mechanical keyboards you can buy.

Besides it being a buckling spring, the price was what really appealed to me. I'm just wandering around looking for a model M wherever but in no hurry, since xmas is coming up and all, gotta save monies for gifts :x. Maybe if I got some money leftover I'll give it a one last sprint for a model M, and just resort to a unicomp if I can't find an adequate one.

[jpc]

Nice thread to hijack with my own questions.

How are the pointing devices on EnduraPro and On-the-ball? Is their speed/sensitivity okay for large-ish screen resolutions? Are they tactile friendly, esp. the trackball?

I think my Endurapro's pointing device is pretty good, it feels a little different than a TrackPoint, but nothing that a little messing with software accel settings can't fix. It's definitely not slow out of the box either.

When it was new, the pointer buttons were stiff. They have softened up some.

[Pylon]

If you are going to buy a model M buy an early model its the best!

This is highly subjective. IMO a 1986 1390131 I previously owned felt worse than my 1993 1398601. Which reminds me, how's that 1390131 doing jpc?

Also check yard sales for Ms. I got two for really cheap that way.

[KillerBee]

This is highly subjective

Say WAAAAAAAA?




I'm just kidding you Pylon

[jpc]

This is highly subjective. IMO a 1986 1390131 I previously owned felt worse than my 1993 1398601. Which reminds me, how's that 1390131 doing jpc?

Not that good, I cracked the barrel plate. A bolt-modded M with a cracked barrel plate is functional but it rings like a bell while you type. So I'm looking for a donor barrel plate from a junky board. Otherwise that 1390131 was in nice shape-- very little appreciable wear on the keycaps or the case. It's hiding out in a box until a barrel plate comes along.

[jpc]

Can any unicomp owners convince not to invest in a unicomp board (space saver or maybe the customizer 104) due to various reasons such as technical stuff?

Buckling spring boards are awesome for typing.

I am very happy with my Unicomp. Buying a Model M on ebay is a gamble, but you know the Unicomp will be in perfect new condition with a warranty. You can ask for blank windows keys if you are a Mac or Linux person.

[keyboardlover]

I used to own a Unicomp. I think they are decent keyboards overall. But I don't like 2kro and buckling spring, so I sold it.

[Hak Foo]

The Customizer is mechanically sound, but the fit and finish is inferior to a Filco or even a Cherry.  It's also got a controller connection which is flimsy compared to the 1391401.

[aegrotatio]

I've gotten a couple of Unicomp keyboards on eBay for about 60% of their original price and I highly recommend that route.  All of the buckling-spring keyboards are an acquired taste, but by getting a Unicomp you won't be getting some old, water-soaked keyboard because they're usually much newer and consequently in much better shape than the IBM and Lexmark parts.

My spare parts crate of Model M keyboards has a number of eBay duds in it that helped me learn this lesson about buying IBM or Lexmark Model Ms on eBay.

[aegrotatio]

Oh, and my spare parts crate also has a number of Model Ms I indiscriminately bought up from all the local thrift stores and computer repair shops in the late 1990s just for parts, and 30% of them are not what I'd consider good for typing.

[phoenix]

an all-white set of keys would be pretty nice (hint, hint

Unicomp does not carry white enter keys, caps lock keys, or shift keys, so it's not possible, even though they have those keys in many different colors. I've tried very hard to get an all-white set of keys and still hope that someday a box of white keys turn up in their warehouse.

[msiegel]

hope that someday a box of white keys turn up in their warehouse

it's a pity.

so that means they have black, putty, gray with sparkles, and Kentucky Wildcats blue.

i think i'll pick putty, when the time comes

[JBert]

So if Unicomps are good for typing and model Ms have a better finish, just combine the two!

[bettablue]

I did a lot of research before finally deciding NOT to buy a Unicomp made keyboard.  First is the build quality.  There are a lot of complaints of poorly fitting cases and molding artifacts.  Next is the stiffness.  Original model M keyboards don't have a lot of flex, Unicomp keyboards seem to have quite a bit and finally weight.  Hands down, IBM model M keyboards in their original configuration are much heavier.  In all aspects of build quality, Unicomp keyboards fail.  Even the keys feel and sound differeent between the two.  After testing both Unicomp and original model M's, I decided on the model M.

[kill will]

i didnt read any of this thread

but if u want black and buckling springs id get a space saver.  if u want black and trackpoint id get an m13.

[bugfix]

I don't really like the build quality of my Customizer either, but if I had to choose a single keyboard to keep, it would be my Unicomp and not the much better built Realforce I'm typing on right now.

[typo]

i just said elsewhere i am not happy with the build quality of the case. i can see all kinds of imperfections in the plastic. it creaks. it flexes.
the keys do not feel as solid as i expected for pbt.
there has to be some reason they offfer that much,made in usa for the price.

i did not read any of this thread either!

[ch_123]

I thought the case markings were Unicomp specific. In fact, the original IBM made ones from the 80s had this too. Same with molding marks on the keycaps.

[woody]

The only thing on a pearl white Unicomp SpaceSaver that distracts me are the sprue nubs on the keycaps, they stick out too much in an ugly way. For the price everything else is a bargain in 2011.

But GH has a whole bunch of religious people and their cults, so one is free to pick any that gives him piece of mind.

[ch_123]

I did a lot of research before finally deciding NOT to buy a Unicomp made keyboard.  First is the build quality.  There are a lot of complaints of poorly fitting cases and molding artifacts.  Next is the stiffness.  Original model M keyboards don't have a lot of flex, Unicomp keyboards seem to have quite a bit and finally weight.  Hands down, IBM model M keyboards in their original configuration are much heavier.  In all aspects of build quality, Unicomp keyboards fail.  Even the keys feel and sound differeent between the two.  After testing both Unicomp and original model M's, I decided on the model M.

How did you test it without buying one?

What people seem to forget is that Unicomps are better built pretty much any other currently produced desktop keyboard.

How are the pointing devices on EnduraPro and On-the-ball? Is their speed/sensitivity okay for large-ish screen resolutions?

If you crank up sensitivity, yes.

Do the PS/2 versions have two separate cables? Asking this, because for example EnduraPro USB falls under some export restrictions (possibly the MCU inside).

It's a Y-cable that branches out to separate mouse and keyboard PS/2 plugs. Just like the IBM equivalents.

And the super jackpot question - in the beige versions, why the "Backspace" key is not gray as is the norm. Compare to the Customizer.

Seems to be a thing with older Unicomps. Current ones have the grey key.

[itlnstln]

I love the pic.  My TL;DR threshold is pretty low.  Bottom-line it or GTFO.

[theferenc]

I own several grey label IBM Model M keyboards, as well as a Customizer. Honestly...not that much difference in feel. The bolt modded keyboards feel best, then the Customizer, then the unmodded Model Ms.

And the case artifacts are present on all of the cases, to one extent or another.

To me, the biggest issues are bolt modding, spring age, and key type (one vs. two piece keys).

My cat definitely prefers the Customizer over the IBMs. Not sure why, exactly.