Unicomp breaking news!!!!

[Waves77]

Hmm... I don't know if they'll make it. The appeal for a good quality keyboard is either pure quality, for which there's too little of a difference for a model M in most cases (especially since these can be found for much cheaper), or quality + design (gamers that are willing to spend that kind of money) - I'm thinking of the Das keyboard here.

I think the market for new high quality keyboards without any additional features is pretty slim, seeing the amount of members we have as the only western keyboard freaks forum...

Also, they could really use just a little bit of marketing and an updated site IMHO.

[bigpook]

An updated web site and a little bit more of an aggressive marketing/advertising would certainly help.
I read somewhere and don't know how accurate it is but Unicomp was bought by some of the previous Lexmark employees. I could be way off here. But if it is true then it almost sounds like a pretty cool retirement gig.

 You know, provide existing product to a niche market. Not too much work, not too much stress, sell enough product to pay for the Tee Time....
They probably make enough money to get by, and have no interest or desire to grow their market.

The question is where you will get a NEW Buckling Spring keyboards when Unicomp does finally go away?


Please note that I could be way wrong and the reality is Unicomp is growing and is releasing a slew of new product that will just wow everybody including those keyboard makers in Japan and Korea....then again, maybe not. Whats your reality?

[Mikecase00]

One would think there might be a sizable market for a bluetooth, n-key, buckling spring (or blue cherry) board available in a variety of case/key color combos (including black) and with the classic  84/101/105 key layouts.  It's pretty clear from this site that those are the most demanded features, but for some reason, they're completely unavailable in a single package.  Sure some boards come close; the Deck keyboards would be awesome, but they opted for the non-clicky linear cherry switches and a bizzaro space-saver key layout; the Das III looks promising but apparently lacks true n-key rollover support, has no bluetooth, and no space-saver layout.

If a manufacturer could just put these things together I think there'd be *a lot* of interest from the hardcore gamer/coder crowd.

Alas, Unicomp's access to the buckling spring and original M board designs that would be an excellent starting point from which to develop something like this, but they do not seem to be in the innovation game at all.  Unicomp's business seems to be milking the basic IBM keyboard designs for all they're worth, but I bet they have almost no resources devoted to new product development.

The "high-end"/"serious user" keyboard market amazes me, the requirements are pretty basic and well known, but manufacturers mostly ignore these and focus on adding craptacular secondary displays, multi-media keys, and the like.

Shame really...

[Waves77]

You know, provide existing product to a niche market.

Agreed. Usually a great way to get dedicated customers that don't mind paying for extra quality. Main problem I see here is that they are pretty oblivious to their market, and there's not many reasons to choose them over a used model M...

[bigpook]

The main reason for me to choose the unicomp over an model m is simply that the unicomp is brand new. I have both types and prefer the key action on the unicomp keyboard over the Model M. Don't know if being new has anything to do with the tighter feel that I get on the unicomp keyboard.

[bhtooefr]

One thing I'll note is that the patent on buckling spring technology expired over 10 years ago, so anyone could make a buckling spring keyboard...

[bigpook]

One thing I'll note is that the patent on buckling spring technology expired over 10 years ago, so anyone could make a buckling spring keyboard...

While that may be true, it doesn't seem likely that any other vendor would use that technology. Its been 10 years and no one else has taken up the idea.
Just because they could does not mean that they will.

[bhtooefr]

The market's small enough that Unicomp almost totally satisfies that market, though. If Unicomp went away... demand may be high enough for another company to consider producing BS keyboards.

[Waves77]

Let's all pitch in a couple of buck and come up with our own line of BS keyboards

[bhtooefr]

I think it'll take more than a couple of dollars to do that.

One interesting thing I will note, though... only four plants, IIRC, were ever equipped to produce buckling spring keyswitches - the one currently owned by Unicomp, in Lexington, KY, IBM UK's, IBM Japan's, and Maxi-Switch's, in Mexico.

[bigpook]

And of those four plants, how many are still in production, besides Unicomp?

[bhtooefr]

AFAIK, Unicomp's is the only one - Maxi-Switch was only producing M13s under license, IIRC, IBM UK was (IIRC) only making 1391401s and 1391406s (and variants,) and IBM Japan was making some weird Japanese-only buckling spring keyboards that probably aren't in production any more.

[bigpook]

Well there it is then. In the best of times there were 4 plants. Now its down to one, and when that one closes there will be no other company to carry on the design. Sorry for being so down on this. I am still chapped that Unicomp is not releasing the BS Mighty Mouse.

[bhtooefr]

Except someone else could buy Unicomp out, or they could clone the design, if they determined that there was such a market.

[bigpook]

I suppose that is possible.

[iMav]

According to Chuck from Unicomp:

A new version on the Mighty Mouse is still on the drawing boards.  We hope to have this late this year (2010).  It will have a few more keys and be a buckling spring key switch.

If I had to guess, I would say that these won't have the plastic-rivetted frame assemblies.  I'm guessing they will be more Model M2-ish.  I say this mainly because I've been told many times by Unicomp that it would cost around $200k to retool for the 84-key space saver.  (and there is no way they are shelling out that kind of dough for the new Mighty Mouse)

[bigpook]

a mighty mouse with BS and some extra keys is a good thing, right?

Not so familiar with the M2....

[iMav]

a mighty mouse with BS and some extra keys is a good thing, right?

Not so familiar with the M2....

The M2 is nice in that the buckling spring assemblies are accessible. I have a M2 that I refurbished with all new buckling spring assemblies from Unicomp.  No frame assembly to crack open...just a few screws.

I'm guessing the "few extra keys" will be windows keys.  A three-button trackpoint would be nice, but I am only expecting two (although this should be a nice 'board even if they leave the trackpoint off).

[bigpook]

Didn't a few users here have the M2 and if IIRC, they weren't too impressed with it.

I could be wrong though, if its BS with the mighty mouse form factor than I will be looking forward to giving it a try.

[itlnstln]

I think the problem people had with the M2s was that the capacitors would go bad.  After a replacement, it was OK.

[bigpook]

nice, since unicomp is creating them new this won't be a problem.
Happy to see Unicomp releasing something 'new'.

[iMav]

Additional clarification:

It will be just like the current MM except for the extra buttons and the key switch difference.

I like it!

[iMav]

Additional clarification:

It will be available with and without pointing stick

I, personally, like the M4 and M4-1's.  With new buckling rubber sleeves, they are really nice to type on (the BRS's DO wear out).

I think they'd have to sturdy it up a bit to accommodate the BS's.  I'll definitely buy a few.

[wellington1869]

i'm just stunned that unicomp is contemplating anything new at all.

[itlnstln]

i'm just stunned that unicomp is contemplating anything new at all.

This line and your avatar are pretty epic.

[Phaedrus2129]

i'm just stunned that unicomp is contemplating anything new at all.

Adapt or die.
- T. Rex

[quadibloc]

- Flimsy design.  Fails the Ricercar flex test.  Daniel Day Lewis can flex it with his Left Foot.
- Keys look like they've been lettered with white out.

I don't think you need to be afraid of either of those things.

Although they say that it will be "just like the Mighty Mouse" except for having buckling spring switches, you can't just fit a buckling spring in the same position as a scissor switch. It won't fit.

So what I expect it to be, despite their statement, is something like an existing buckling spring design. Not the model M, but, say, the M2, or their own design with Windows keys - so it will be a bit narrower around the edges.

But they will give it the Mighty Mouse layout (plus Windows keys).

Because while that would involve some retooling, at least they wouldn't have to come up with a completely new more compact switch design.

[kishy]

RE: M2, not impressed

They feel different, in what I'd describe as a bad way. The boards flex and the action isn't quite as...good. I dunno. If you like them, you like them, but if you like the feel of a well worn normal M you don't like M2s. They're just too different from each other.

That said, a BS Mighty Mouse is an interesting idea. Too bad they can't source the newest "true blue" trackpoint.

[itlnstln]

That would be disappointing.  A new BS keyboard from Unicomp might be something I would want to invest in.  We'll just have to see what the reviews are like when it comes out.

[itlnstln]

The M15 has the same key style as the M2.

How do you like the M15 compared to a standard Model M?

[ch_123]

M2 + Trackpoint? I'll buy two.

[itlnstln]

That's what I'm thinking.

[kishy]

The M15 has the same key style as the M2.

Well then, I'd like the M15 even less...

Really I don't think the M2 is a bad keyboard, or that the mechanism is crappy or anything. I just don't like it compared against a typical M. Something about how keys have a greater, freer (free-er?) movement...almost a feeling of disconnection with the keyboard itself. M2s AFAIR have a bit of a tighter feel...bad on a keyboard.

[ch_123]

I have an M13 with worn springs and an M2 with good springs. The M2 is nicer to type on. It's just like any variation on x Model M is better than y Model M. It's still the exact same mechanism at the end of the day. The best one are the ones with the least wear.

Ripster - wasn't it said that it was going to be Buckling Spring?

[ch_123]

I think the problem people had with the M2s was that the capacitors would go bad.  After a replacement, it was OK.

Specifically the technology used to make the controller was too far ahead of it's time - the M2's controller boards are quite small, even by today's standards. When they were designing it in the late 80s the technology would have been very immature. They're going to have to make a new controller one way or another so I'd say the issues will be dealt with.

[kishy]

The best one are the ones with the least wear.

This is where I disagree...I really think that the soft bounciness and more of a "feeling of disconnection with the keyboard" that comes from more worn ones is what makes the mechanism enjoyable.

My M13 is very crisp...while it's good, I prefer, of all the keyboards I have, the first 1391401 I ever got...and it's been beat to hell and back.

[itlnstln]

Ripster, Check it.

[itlnstln]

Just making sure you didn't miss something.

[iMav]

Yes, we have been through this before.  Don't get your hopes up.

[microsoft windows]

I'll just be happy with the Model M I've got. It feels good enough for me. When you're satisfied with what you have, you aren't all disappointed when you can't get something new.

[bigpook]

I'll just be happy with the Model M I've got. It feels good enough for me. When you're satisfied with what you have, you aren't all disappointed when you can't get something new.

Hate to say it, but that is so very true.

[iMav]

BTW, this will be a two-button trackpoint (just like the previous Mighty Mouse/M4-1's).  Would love to have three buttons.

[ch_123]

It would be nice if this new contraption was black with black keys, but I can live with the silver keys if it's any good.

Then again, we could all be terribly disappointed like we were two years ago =P

[itlnstln]

I was bumping around QWERTer's Clinic, and I was reminded of this:



I wonder if Unicomp might just be taking the Space Saver and slapping a trackpoint in it.

[itlnstln]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.  My bad.  I need to become more familiar with their products.  I forgot, too, that this new keyboard is supposed to be numpad-less.

[InSanCen]

*IF* it happens, I'll buy one. But I'm not exactly waiting with baited breath.

[elservo]

I have never even typed on a buckling spring yet.  I've wanted to order from Unicomp so many times before but instead I just take my wife out for dinner.  I usually have a ribeye.   I'm fine with the ribeye until I get on geekhack and feel jealous when I have no input to give on anything buckling spring related.  I just read this whole thread and I barely understand what's going on.

[ch_123]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.  My bad.  I need to become more familiar with their products.  I forgot, too, that this new keyboard is supposed to be numpad-less.

To rub in the irony, the Endurapro came first.

The IBM wiki has a relatively concise Unicomp section.

[itlnstln]

I have never even typed on a buckling spring yet.  I've wanted to order from Unicomp so many times before but instead I just take my wife out for dinner.  I usually have a ribeye.   I'm fine with the ribeye until I get on geekhack and feel jealous when I have no input to give on anything buckling spring related.  I just read this whole thread and I barely understand what's going on.

I don't know if I would go out and buy anything.  You will probably run into one at some point that you pound on for a few minutes.  It's not like Buckling Spring 'boards are particularly uncommon.  You might even run into one at a second-hand store.  That said, they are definitely worth trying; they're one of the best switches available.

[elservo]

But what about all those ribeyes that would go uneaten?  If I can't have them, NO ONE CAN.  

*dry clicks revolver*