Question for all Unicomp Customizer owners...

[WelcomeToMacintosh]

Hey everyone! I've seriously been considering ordering a Unicomp Customizer 101. I've heard the following things about earlier Model M boards and I wanted to get everyone's opinion on these points:

1) I've heard the Lexmark-made Model M's have more of a sluggish, less crisp type than the IBM-made Model M's. Is that true?

2) For those who have a Unicomp and also have either an IBM-made M or a Lexmark-made M or both... How does the Unicomp board type feel compare to either the Lexmark or an IBM-made M?

I apologize if what I'm asking sounds silly, but I mainly wanted to know because I've heard time and again the Lexmark-made M's are inferior in certain respects to IBM-made M's, and that Unicomp-made M's are basically a clone of the Lexmark-made M's.

Thanks for any and all replies! :-)

Tommy Thomas
Low End Mac
Welcome To Macintosh

[bhtooefr]

I've got an EnduraPro 104...

1. IMO, a Lexmark M just... feels "cheaper," I can't really describe it.
2. I'll compare to an IBM M. It feels a little less even, much lighter, and not quite as crisp (and it also seems more plasticy feeling, whereas the M feels like a well-oiled machine.)

It's definitely not a BAD keyboard though.

[bigpook]

I don't know. I have a lexmark model mini and think it is as well made as my ibm model m mini. Its the only lexmark I have though, maybe I got lucky.
I dont' get the plasticy feeling when I use it either.

I have a unicomp customizer and had a unicomp spacesaver(if only they made it without a numpad) and while there are imperfections in the cases the overall typing feel is still excellent to me.

[ozar]

I have more than one of each and like them all very much.

The Unicomp model is definitely not as heavy duty as the IBM, but it's a great keyboard nonetheless, and you can't go wrong by purchasing one.  In fact, you should have both in your arsenal.

As for typing experience, I sometimes prefer the Unicomp over the IBM.

[Mercen_505]

I have a Unicomp M4-1 and it's freaking terrible. I have a Lexmark M4 and it's far superior: the keys don't wobble in their seatings, sound is consistent across the whole board... hell, even the label looks better!

I have a Lexmark M that isn't particularly well built, but to be fair everything else I have by IBM is ooooooooold, back when they were doing it right. I suspect a Lexmark M is probably similar to if not better than a late IBM M.

[nerp]

I have a lexmark made 1993 model M with dual keycaps and it's a very nice board. I have a Customizer 104 from Unicomp and it too is a fantastic board. I prefer the Unicomp for a variety of reasons. The main one is that they keys feel more crisp, as others have said, and the board is less "pingy" and more "gravelly" if that somehow explains it. I'm not sure if the difference is due to break-in time and wear, but there is something a little tighter and more precise about the Unicomp that I prefer. Both boards are great, though, and if you close your eyes, you really would have a hard time differentiating between both.

If I had to do it over again, I probably would just get two Unicomps and forget about collecting M boards. The build quality differences aren't that big of a deal to me (and only really an issue if you cant' stop staring at the board and insist on lifting it up, poking at it, pushing on the plastic, etc). The fact of the matter is that the Unicomp is an amazingly well made board and simply destroys 99 percent of the boards you can buy new on the market.

I also like the idea of supporting Unicomp by buying new boards.

[WelcomeToMacintosh]

Thank you all for your responses! By all means, keep 'em coming! :-)

I'm actually going to be reviewing different M boards for Low End Mac. I had heard from others that the Lexmark-made M's have a slightly "spongy" feel when pressing the keys, and that they lack the "crisp" bounce back of the IBM-made M's. Is there any truth to that from those who own both IBM and Lexmark-made M's?

I wanted to know about type when keys are pressed in comparison to the Lexmark and IBM-made M's, so I could have an idea whether or not I should order one or not. I absolutely love the fact Unicomp is building these boards in the U.S.! :-)

Any further comments?

Tommy Thomas
Low End Mac
Welcome To Macintosh

[skriefal]

I've never used a Lexmark-made M.  But I do have a 1991 IBM-made M and another made by Unicomp in 2003.  I do agree that the Unicomp board feels less crisp, a bit more sluggish, a bit stiffer, and a bit cheaper.  But that doesn't mean that it's a bad keyboard, of course.

[bigpook]

I've never used a Lexmark-made M.  But I do have a 1991 IBM-made M and another made by Unicomp in 2003.  I do agree that the Unicomp board feels less crisp, a bit more sluggish, a bit stiffer, and a bit cheaper.  But that doesn't mean that it's a bad keyboard, of course.

I guess its all in the fingers : )  I am with you on the cheaper part, and in a direct comparison to an original IBM then sure the IBM wins. Can't really agree with you on the sluggish/stiffer though. While I won't be giving up my Model M mini any time soon, the unicomp is certainly up there with IBM when it comes to keyfeel. Purely my opinion. If the unicomp spacesaver was available without a numpad I would have one.

While I only have had two unicomps the keyfeel was consistent for me between the two. Maybe its me, but I thought the keyfeel was exceptional.
I have had multiple IBM's and that has not been the case. Theres alot that goes with that though, like age and usage. I had one Model M mini that felt very loose and jangly. Man, I hated that keyboard. So much so that I basically gave it away. My other two minis are perfect for me, on the plus side one of them is NIB. I love that keyboard : )

Its all personal preference in the ends anyways, but I can't really talk bad about the unicomps. I am just glad that they are still making them.
Once unicomp goes away, the BS keys will fade away. That will be a sad day for sure.

[bhtooefr]

Well, the patents are expired, so maybe not. And, there's Chinese companies making their own BS boards, although a really poor implementation...

[bigpook]

Well, the patents are expired, so maybe not. And, there's Chinese companies making their own BS boards, although a really poor implementation...

Thats the problem. Sure someone will/may produce them, but they will end up being cheap imitations of the real thing.

[bhtooefr]

But, there may be demand to fill the niche left over. Or, if Unicomp TRULY goes away, maybe even the tooling could be purchased from them.

[ozar]

If the unicomp spacesaver was available without a numpad I would have one.

I'd be all over that!

[bhtooefr]

He meant an 87-key version of the Unicomp SpaceSaver (which is a 104-key board on the 5576-C01 chassis,) not a current-production 84-key Model M spacesaver (which is an 84-key board on a modified 1391401 chassis.)

[bigpook]

But, there may be demand to fill the niche left over. Or, if Unicomp TRULY goes away, maybe even the tooling could be purchased from them.

Maybe, but I am thinking that Unicomp IS filling whatever niche that does exist now. Sadly, its not like they are going like gang-busters meeting incredible demand.

[bigpook]

He meant an 87-key version of the Unicomp SpaceSaver (which is a 104-key board on the 5576-C01 chassis,) not a current-production 84-key Model M spacesaver (which is an 84-key board on a modified 1391401 chassis.)

Is that the mighty mouse?

[cchan]

No, the Mighty Mouse is a buckling rubber sleeve board. Still nice, but definitely in its own genre separate from BS.

[bigpook]

Right, the Mighty Mouse is not BS, but what is the 87 key version of the Unicomp Spacesaver?

[bigpook]

I take it the 87 key version is just like the 84 key accept it comes with windows keys?

[cchan]

Yes. But neither exists. They've just been talked about hypothetically.

[bhtooefr]

Exactly.

104-key SpaceSaver (5576-C01 chassis) = exists
84-key Model M spacesaver (Model M chassis) = exists
87-key 5576-C01-based board = doesn't exist, and is what's being talked about

[MANISH7]

In terms of functionality, the Customizer is every good as my 139401. This is one of those questions that depends on personal opinion. There is no absolute answer. I'd encourage you to order one and see for yourself. You'd get a brand new, clean keyboard manufactured this year that comes with USB connection. You can't go wrong with Unicomp if you like buckling spring keyboards.

[patrickgeekhack]

In terms of functionality, the Customizer is every good as my 139401. This is one of those questions that depends on personal opinion. There is no absolute answer. I'd encourage you to order one and see for yourself. You'd get a brand new, clean keyboard manufactured this year that comes with USB connection. You can't go wrong with Unicomp if you like buckling spring keyboards.

You are right. How a keyboard feel is subjective. Some people are very very happy with a mushy keyboard. That does not mean that they are wrong. I ordered the Customizer 104, and so far have been very happy with it. I will probably increase my keyboard collection in the future, and if I do, I'm pretty sure that I'll get another BS at some point, maybe a Spacesaver? The only downside is see with the keyboard is the noise level which can works against you in two ways:
1. The noise may be annoying for people around you.
2. The noise can let your spouse know that you are wasting time on the computer

[Chloe]

I've seen a couple of 1391406 on Ebay made in 1998.

[Chloe]

The difference in label might be due to regulations to show product compliance logos. I haven't read up on these though:
http://www.ce-marking.org/what-is-ce-marking.html
http://www.ul.com/ulprodcert.html
http://www.amlinkint.com/English/compliance/testing-us-ul.html