Unable to make up mind on keyboard choice, can any people who've used them help?

[supamesican]

I'm trying to decide which keyboard to buy, and I've narrowed it down but really don't know enough about them to choose, so I was wondering if anyone who has used them would be able to say what they do/don't like about them. I won't be getting it for a bit, since its gonna be a birthday gift from me to me.

I've narrowed my choice down to a unicomp, but theres a few styles and I can't choose. I'm torn between the sun unix, white endurapro, a track ball one, or the pc 122 key model. I'm kinda leaning towards the endurapro since it comes in the classic white color(technically track ball does to but not 104 key), but I've heard bad things about the trackpoint. The trackball supposedly has better 'mouse' than the trackpoint, but its more expensive and only comes in black for 104 key. The 122 key only comes in black, but it looks so freaking sexy I can deal with that, plus I could probably use all the extra keys in linux and coding. Then the sun unix board is nice, because the control button is so nice and close which would be nice for vim, but I don't know how that would work on windows for the occasional gaming I do.

So, can anyone that has used these comment on the good/bad points of the specific model?  I realize this may seem a stupid question, but I am very obsessive compulsive about what I code on.

Thanks.

[pentaerythritol]

The Sun Unix board isn't necessary, as there are a variety of tools out there to convert your caps lock into a L or R control - I've used one myself. (However, this is for Windows, although there's almost certainly a way to do it in Linux) The keycaps won't match, but you can buy a swapped set from Unicomp under the buttons category.

That's all I can help with, don't have experience in the others.

[dorkvader]

I took apart a (most likely new) unicomp 122 and reviewed it. They have cheapened up the design as much as possible while still building a reliable product. That said, it would be much better to just get a used one on eBay or the classifides. The older IBM ones have a better build quality, in my opinion.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62060.msg1445825#msg1445825

A lot of people think that a modern unicomp is worse than a model M. I think this is because of 2 things:
1. they changed the case plastic to a different material that makes a creak sound if you bend it. Why you would want to bend it is beyond me and the new material is better but whatever.
2. the metal plate is thinner.

Now I have a lot of model Ms from different years and the unicomp is plenty good. it's also new and USB. Can't lose there.

For the endurapro: just ask yourself if you plan to use a trackpoint all the time. I have an IBM M13 with the fancy trackpoint everyone's all on about, but I don't use it so it doesn't matter to me.

overall: might as well get the normal unicomp. Personally, I prefer the one with the huge case because I actually use the keyboard shelf, but that's just my preference.

[supamesican]

I'm a bit weary about buying ~30 year old keyboards on ebay or the classifieds, but if I can find a good deal on a model F I would probably do that. 

I wouldn't try to bend my keyboard, so as long as theres still a solid steel backplate and decent plastic shell I'd be okay. I don't really expect identical build quality from a unicomp compared to a model M. The model M sold for what like $250 back in the day, and a unicomp is $110 or less.  I'd use a trackpoint/ball at least once a week, saturday mornings in bed watching youtube/amazon prime.

I've at least narrowed it down to the endura pro, 122, or classic now so thats for your help with all that so far guys.

[animaliaparadoxa]

I bought one of these: http://m.ebay.com/itm?itemId=151407153547

Haven't received it yet so no idea as to the condition.

 I'll buy a unicomp when they can learn to make black keycaps with legends like everyone else.