Is the Unicomp classic anygood?

[Zenossian]

I really want to buy the unicomp classic since it reminds me of the ibm model m. I'm not sure if it is a cheap knock of or is it real? Is it any good?

[dante]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

[E TwentyNine]

If you have an M I wouldn't bother.  If you don't have an M you'll get a better deal off ebay even with the added price of an adapter.  You'll run the risk of it needing work of course.

The equipment Unicomp uses is not just similar to what IBM used, it is literally the same equipment.  With all the wear and tear involved over the years, there have been questions of lowering of quality tolerances but the essential feel is there.

[UnFocused]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

Why do you say that?

[mike52787]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

Why do you say that?

unicomp is probably losing money, and the company might not be around much longer.

[klennkellon]

They are technically not knockoffs of the Model M. They purchased the patent and even some of the original equipment from IBM around 1997. You could consider them a "fourth generation" Model M.

They are not build quite as good as the original Model M (lighter weight, thinner backplate, creaky cases, molding marks) but they are still really solid and it's the only way you can get a brand new Model M without shelling out a lot of money. I would not hesitate to recommend one personally.

You also get some customization options like the color of the keycaps and case, language options, optional Windows keys, or get it in a 105 key ISO layout, and native USB support.

[fohat.digs]

I really want to buy the unicomp classic since it reminds me of the ibm model m.
I'm not sure if it is a cheap knock of or is it real? Is it any good?

A Unicomp  *IS* a Model M. Unicomp bought the factory in Lexington, Kentucky, including the actual machinery on which the keyboards were produced by IBM in the 1980s, later Lexmark in the 1990s, and now Unicomp.

There are certain people on every keyboard forum who whine about quality control slipping as the equipment ages, and that is true, but a new Unicomp comes in a variety of case sizes and colors, and you can get native USB cables and a variety of specialty key caps. It is all-new, with a warranty, and Unicomp customer support is excellent.

Afterwards, if you decided to get into it, there is lots of vintage gear out there that you can buy and tinker with to your heart's content.

[UnFocused]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

Why do you say that?

unicomp is probably losing money, and the company might not be around much longer.

Do you have any evidence of this or are you just speculating?

[mike52787]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

Why do you say that?

unicomp is probably losing money, and the company might not be around much longer.

Do you have any evidence of this or are you just speculating?

Just specualtion, it has to cost quite a but to keep the facility up and running, and they serve a small niche market.

[shrubkeys]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

Why do you say that?

unicomp is probably losing money, and the company might not be around much longer.

Do you have any evidence of this or are you just speculating?

Just specualtion, it has to cost quite a but to keep the facility up and running, and they serve a small niche market.

What an odd statement. It's not like their market has changed in the last 10 years. I mean, I have no inside information that the Unicomp *will* be around for the next 10, but it would never occur to me to say that a company is probably losing money and might not be around - based purely on...I'm not even sure what to put. A lack of evidence to the contrary?

[klennkellon]

mechanicalkeyboards.com should start selling Unicomps. It would definitely help Unicomp get some more attention. It wouldn't hurt if they opened up a store on Amazon or Ebay either.

[Elrick]

mechanicalkeyboards.com should start selling Unicomps. It would definitely help Unicomp get some more attention. It wouldn't hurt if they opened up a store on Amazon or Ebay either.

Why would you need to buy from a Third Party, don't get that type of logic here  .

Just buy from their website already and you could choose a number of layouts and key-caps to go with your new keyboard.

Stop relying upon Amazon or Ebay to provide a service that is already available through their own retail website.

[klennkellon]

mechanicalkeyboards.com should start selling Unicomps. It would definitely help Unicomp get some more attention. It wouldn't hurt if they opened up a store on Amazon or Ebay either.

Why would you need to buy from a Third Party, don't get that type of logic here  .

Just buy from their website already and you could choose a number of layouts and key-caps to go with your new keyboard.

Stop relying upon Amazon or Ebay to provide a service that is already available through their own retail website.

? I'm trying to say that advertising or selling on a larger, more popular website would help get them some attention because many people might not even know they exist. I have no issues buying from there website, this is more of a marketing perspective.

[rowdy]

mechanicalkeyboards.com should start selling Unicomps. It would definitely help Unicomp get some more attention. It wouldn't hurt if they opened up a store on Amazon or Ebay either.

Why would you need to buy from a Third Party, don't get that type of logic here  .

Just buy from their website already and you could choose a number of layouts and key-caps to go with your new keyboard.

Stop relying upon Amazon or Ebay to provide a service that is already available through their own retail website.

It's more a case of market exposure.

How many people have heard of Unicomp and would visit their site (or even know the URL) first when looking for a keyboard?

Compared to the number of people that have heard of eBay and Amazon and would search for a new keyboard there.

[1391406]

This topic has been discussed ad nauseam. A simple search would've probably turned up a few threads on the subject easily. Unicomp bought the tooling and machinery from Lexmark to continue producing Model M's, though Unicomp's quality control isn't on par with IBM's, in my opinion. If you can overlook some of the deficiencies in quality control, Unicomp's version makes a good substitute for an IBM manufactured Model M.

[1391406]

If Unicomp would hire a professional to revamp their website and take some decent pictures, it would probably go a long way toward improving sales.

[E TwentyNine]

It's more a case of market exposure.

How many people have heard of Unicomp and would visit their site (or even know the URL) first when looking for a keyboard?

Compared to the number of people that have heard of eBay and Amazon and would search for a new keyboard there.

I've heard repeatedly that Unicomp has a more business to business model and the home user is secondary to them.

Has to be true, I cannot see how they've stayed alive for so long otherwise.

[klennkellon]

It's more a case of market exposure.

How many people have heard of Unicomp and would visit their site (or even know the URL) first when looking for a keyboard?

Compared to the number of people that have heard of eBay and Amazon and would search for a new keyboard there.

I've heard repeatedly that Unicomp has a more business to business model and the home user is secondary to them.

Has to be true, I cannot see how they've stayed alive for so long otherwise.

Do you mean they have deals with other businesses to supply them keyboards? Interesting, I've never seen a Unicomp anywhere.

[SBJ]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

I am interested in them but I don't know if I'd rather get one made by unicomp or try my luck on ebay. I just know which is going to cost me more, and I don't like my odds.

[xtrafrood]

It's more a case of market exposure.

How many people have heard of Unicomp and would visit their site (or even know the URL) first when looking for a keyboard?

Compared to the number of people that have heard of eBay and Amazon and would search for a new keyboard there.

I've heard repeatedly that Unicomp has a more business to business model and the home user is secondary to them.

Has to be true, I cannot see how they've stayed alive for so long otherwise.

Do you mean they have deals with other businesses to supply them keyboards? Interesting, I've never seen a Unicomp anywhere.

One can order custom dye-sublimated keysets--I doubt that Unicomp would shy away from commercial accounts. Unicomp can also print custom case stickers, for example, the Kentucky Wildcats Unicomp keyboard has custom stickers in place of the Unicomp branding. Unicomp boards might be difficult to spot in the wild if you're unable to sneak a peek at the serial number/date.

[vivalarevolución]

It is good enough.

[rowdy]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

I am interested in them but I don't know if I'd rather get one made by unicomp or try my luck on ebay. I just know which is going to cost me more, and I don't like my odds.

Someone here was selling a bunch of Unicomp 122 keyboards quite inexpensive (around $30 I think).

Edit: Nope, they have finally all sold.

[Screwdriver]

I have seen Unicomps. I was hired as a contractor for the US Forestry Service and they had them in a fire command center in CA.

I am sure Unicomp gets many government contracts being a US company.

[fohat.digs]

I am sure Unicomp gets many government contracts being a US company.

Never thought of that. How many keyboards are actually made by US companies, anyway?

Chances are that aside from ancient IBM gear and my Unicomp, I doubt that a single keyboard in my collection was made in the USA.

[aptivaboy]

Well, I'm typing on a Unicomp right now. Its actually quite nice; a bit noisier than the classic Model M, an the keys require just slightly more pressure, but apart from that they're pretty much the same. Some folks will argue with me on that point, but as the owner of a Unicomp Endura Pro (basically, a Classic inside a slightly smaller chassis and with the trackpoint), a 1987 Model M, and an early nineties IBM Ambra quiet key Model M, all of which are used regularly they're all the same... And, they're all different.   Each has a slightly different take on the basic buckling spring mechanism. I'd say the Model M is my fave, then the Unicomp, then the Ambra.

I'd say buy one and find out. I got the black case with the oversized lettering on the grey keys. Its quite nice. They also have some different color legend keys on their odds and ends page; really white and grey keys with the printing in various colors, plus some other variations that I'll be getting soon, myself. You can never have too many Model Ms, the father of all keyboards.

[klennkellon]

I think your Unicomp is only stiffer because its brand new, it'll probably loosen up somewhat in the next few weeks.

[SBJ]

If you are remotely interested in a Unicomp buy one while you still can.

I am interested in them but I don't know if I'd rather get one made by unicomp or try my luck on ebay. I just know which is going to cost me more, and I don't like my odds.

Someone here was selling a bunch of Unicomp 122 keyboards quite inexpensive (around $30 I think).

Edit: Nope, they have finally all sold.

Well that's great news that they sometimes come on sale for less. Makes me feel better about my odds.
Whatever I purchase I have to add 25% sales tax to it when it reaches my country so I'd rather not pay through the roof.

[1391406]

Its actually quite nice; a bit noisier than the classic Model M, an the keys require just slightly more pressure, but apart from that they're pretty much the same.

Apart from cosmetic imperfections on the surface of the case, case creak, flashing around the bottom edge of some key caps, and lack of ping when typing, I agree.

[mike52787]

Its actually quite nice; a bit noisier than the classic Model M, an the keys require just slightly more pressure, but apart from that they're pretty much the same.

Apart from cosmetic imperfections on the surface of the case, case creak, flashing around the bottom edge of some key caps, and lack of ping when typing, I agree.

agreed. I would rather use my 87 M than any unicomp. not saying unicomps are bad boards, they just cant compare to the real deal. I guess its 30 years of wear on the molds and cost cutting measures at work.

[aptivaboy]

Apart from cosmetic imperfections on the surface of the case, case creak, flashing around the bottom edge of some key caps, and lack of ping when typing, I agree.

Actually, my EnduraPro has hardly any of the issues you've mentioned above. The keycaps look fine, there are no visible cosmetic issues that are visible. The underside does have them (looks like mold repair) but the underside isn't visible during normal usage, so that isn't an issue to me. There is a tiny bit of creak, but only when I pick it up and try to (LIGHTLY!) twist the case. In normal usage flat on the desk there is none.

I actually wonder if these issues aren't more on a model by model basis. The EnduraPro and Ultra Classic use a somewhat newer, smaller case design than the Classic so the plastic and hence the molds are newer. In theory, they're more precise. In theory. I have a 101 key Classic in the mail from them to use as a donor for an IBM grey case and I'll check it over for these problems before stripping it out. I suspect the 101 will use the original molds so we'll see.

[1391406]

Apart from cosmetic imperfections on the surface of the case, case creak, flashing around the bottom edge of some key caps, and lack of ping when typing, I agree.

Actually, my EnduraPro has hardly any of the issues you've mentioned above. The keycaps look fine, there are no visible cosmetic issues that are visible. The underside does have them (looks like mold repair) but the underside isn't visible during normal usage, so that isn't an issue to me. There is a tiny bit of creak, but only when I pick it up and try to (LIGHTLY!) twist the case. In normal usage flat on the desk there is none.

In my opinion, most of the quality control issues are likely related to the type of material used to mold the cases. It was changed back in 1999.

I actually wonder if these issues aren't more on a model by model basis.

I don't think it's model dependent nor consistent, in my opinion. Some people have more or less cosmetic defects than others. The original IBM cases were made of PVC, whereas I don't think the newer ones are.

[aptivaboy]

I think you're right about the PVC. My Unicomp definitely has a different structural "feel" compared to my IBM Model M. I'm guessing they went to a lighter, less expensive plastic to cut costs?

[1391406]

I'm guessing they went to a lighter, less expensive plastic to cut costs?

That, and they may have phased it out due to health concerns.