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Author Topic: Are you happy with your Unicomp...?  (Read 2999 times)

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Offline Engine

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 250
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« on: Sun, 20 March 2011, 21:13:51 »
Hi, I own one Unicomp Space Saver and absolutely love it!  However, the casing came w/some broken tabs and therefore, the front seam is "spongy" but not agape but it will "sqeeze" a bit if you grip it.  The sides will do it too to some extent.  I'm not going to bother returning it for repair/replacement, although "Jim" says I can.  If it were broken to bits, then of course.  He blames UPS though for rough handling but then again, have you seen the packaging job Unicomp does?  It's "ok" but certainly not packaged like a Topre.  I enjoy my Unicomp but am very hesitant to order another for my Mom, as this would be a "gift".  If shipping damaged it the first time, then what would happen to the replacement?  Like I said, I'll keep this one for me as it's not noticable if you don't sqeeze it but enouph with me, what do you think?  Are there others out there who have received a perfectly good specimen?  I'd like to know what the odds of getting one are???
Should I try for another for my Mom or not?  Thanks.
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In order of purchase:
Unicomp Space Saver(Black) - Topre Realforce 103U-UW -   Topre Realforce 103UB - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Blue - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Brown - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Blue - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Brown

Offline iMav

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Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 20 March 2011, 21:20:34 »
All the 'boards I have received from Unicomp have been in great shape.  If I were you, Id return it for a replacement.  Once you receive the replacement and find it in good shape, you'll have the confidence to order another as a gift.
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Offline sam113101

  • Posts: 213
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 20 March 2011, 21:29:38 »
My caps lock key is chattering, other than that it's okay.
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Hoping to hear from you again, your dearest friend, sam113101.

Offline Brummell

  • Posts: 104
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 20 March 2011, 21:39:01 »
I love my Space Saver.  I grew up with Model F and Model M, worked on 122-key terminals in System/36 and AS/400 shops for years.  Anything that doesn't click when I hit it still feels a little bit foreign to me.  

That said, yeah, Unicomp could do a whole lot better with their marketing and packaging, they really don't put a lot of effort into, well, much of anything.
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Unicomp Space Saver | Filco Majestouch Blue | IBM Model M | Filco Majestouch Brown | Realforce 86UB | Leopold Blue | HHKB Pro 2

Offline BucklingSpring

  • Posts: 1613
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 21 March 2011, 00:03:49 »
Never had any problems with mines. Couples of them had it pretty hard and they never failed.
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In memory of smallfry 1996-2013
Boards I own, click ->
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Ducky x2 (9008G2 Pro PBT/MX Green and Mini MX Red), Matias x2 (QP and Mini QP Dampened ALPS), Topre RealForce x4 (87U 55g/Digilog case, 103U-UW & 104UG High-Profile x2), Filco Majestouch x2 (TKL MX Blue & V2 AI 104 MX Blue), IBM-M x2 (BS & RD), Unicomp-M x5 (BS black on black x2, BS Ivory x2, QT Ultra-Classic), Deck x4 (Legend MX Black & MX Clear, Hassium & Francium w/ MX Brown), DAS III (MX Blue), KBT Pure Pro 60% (MX Red), NMB-RT8256CW+ x2 (black space invader), XArmor U9BL-S (MX Brown) given for free to someone I hate, CM X2 (Trigger/MX Green + Storm TKL/NovaTouch), TVS GOLD (MX Blue) and a many many more (NMB, DELL, MS, ATT, KeyTronic, Etc...)

Offline Engine

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  • Posts: 250
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 22 March 2011, 21:27:45 »
Quote from: ripster;315100
Are you SURE the tabs are broken?  Even IBMs you can squeeze the front and the gap varies.


That appears to be the exact picture here.  So, no I don't think any tabs are actually broken then after thinking on what you said.
The seam appears to be closed but just "floats" up and down about 1/16" if you squeeze, then pops back up to former "floating" position.  
It seems to even be in it's normal state but floats as opposed to being "sealed".  I take it you have a unit(s) like that?  Any solutions for that ...Or is this really just "normal"?
If it is, oh well.  I would just live w/it then.  ?
« Last Edit: Tue, 22 March 2011, 21:34:35 by Engine »
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In order of purchase:
Unicomp Space Saver(Black) - Topre Realforce 103U-UW -   Topre Realforce 103UB - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Blue - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Brown - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Blue - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Brown

Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 22 March 2011, 22:25:49 »
It would appear to be normal to me. I just checked 8 different keyboards, 1 Unicomp, 6 IBM, 1 Lexmark, and they all have this "issue". Honestly, it's not something I had ever even noticed before.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline bill gates iii

  • Posts: 9
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 22 March 2011, 23:37:10 »
My preferred keyboard for Windows software with USB support is a Unicomp.
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Offline javifast

  • Posts: 41
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 23 March 2011, 01:27:19 »
I bought a Spacesaver from Unicomp, and the keyboard is perfect. I live in Spain.
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Too many keyboards....

Offline ch_123

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Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 23 March 2011, 05:55:19 »
As has been pointed out, there is always a bit of looseness, even on the most hardcore oldschool Model Ms. If you want to confirm, open the case with a 5.5mm nut driver, and look for broken tabs.
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Offline Engine

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 250
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 23 March 2011, 19:14:45 »
Thanks for the input everyone.  It sounds like what I'm dealing with is a "normal" deal.  Kind of weird but I guess.  Oh well.
I do have to say though, I love my Buckling Springs!  With that, I will probably order another one if my Mom likes the one I'm going to let her trial.
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In order of purchase:
Unicomp Space Saver(Black) - Topre Realforce 103U-UW -   Topre Realforce 103UB - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Blue - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Brown - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Blue - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Brown

Offline ch_123

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Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 23 March 2011, 19:37:00 »
I can beat that. I have a 1985 Model M where the leftmost tab has broken clean off.
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Offline Engine

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 250
Are you happy with your Unicomp...?
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 23 March 2011, 21:54:34 »
I do believe that Unicomp is basically working on a budget and showing it.  They can't scrimp on the technology, so the body has to give.  Too bad really.  In a way, I think that BS is a universal favorite but will die out if the keys outlive the chasis.  Then again, that's probably why they only charge $80.  Can I really complain?  I don't know.  I guess my complaint is that why not spend a little more and make the thing solid in everyway.  They don't have to start from the ground up.  Just spend a little more money on plastic.  How 'bout a gapless chasis.
« Last Edit: Wed, 23 March 2011, 21:59:09 by Engine »
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In order of purchase:
Unicomp Space Saver(Black) - Topre Realforce 103U-UW -   Topre Realforce 103UB - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Blue - Leopold Tenkeyless MX Brown - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Blue - Filco Majestouch 2 MX Brown
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