Author Topic: Just got a call from Unicomp, Tenkeyless coming soon! (Read 29838 times)

coollettuce · « **on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:26:15 »

I just got a call back from Unicomp, he was a very nice gentleman who answered a lot of my questions. Something with a "J" I think, Jim maybe? Sorry, I'm not very good with names.

The one thing I thought I'd share here is that when asked about a keyboard similar to the IBM space saving model, he said it would be coming soon. How soon? Well depends, anywhere from 3-6 months to a year.

So here's me keeping my fingers crossed and waiting.

lam47 · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:28:00 »

Well that could be enormous news!
If they can fabricate the same case as the original I will piss myself.

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:33:05 »

but that's still a long time to come though. We're still talking about months to years, they still have time to scrap it if they don't want it at the end.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:34:12 »

could it be that they've been reading gh after all?! Thats fabulous news! (even if it takes them a year, that they're doing it at all is earth shattering).

did he say its going to be the endurapro style spacesaver or the ibm M style 'mini' space saver? (either would be fine!)

watduzhkstand4 · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:38:49 »

Quote from: wellington1869;99976

could it be that theyve been reading gh after all?! Thats fabulous news! (even if it takes them a year, that they're doing it at all is earth shattering).

did he say its going to be the endurapro style spacesaver or the ibm M style 'mini' space saver? (either would be fine!)

I think Unicomp is finally reaching out to it's consumers! =D

I would like it if it's like the original M Mini color and layout. Then it would be sickkkkkkk!

wellington1869 · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:40:41 »

To whet your appetites: (from our unicomp petition thread)

wellington1869 · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:48:59 »

i guess i've become innured to unicomp's grotesque aesthetics; at this point i'd appreciate a tenkeyless version of their own spacesaver just for the extra 2 inches it'll give me on my desk!

ch_123 · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:49:24 »

Wasnt there talk last year of a buckling spring "mighty mouse" that eventually came to nothing? Maybe they're reviving the idea? Pretty cool news either way.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 14:50:03 »

Quote from: webwit;99982

They could put in OS keys on the bottom row and a trackpoint version would be cool, but those are the only changes I would like when it is based on the original design. Otherwise they should just try something completely new, i.e. a Filco like case design with BS.

well, given unicomp's ultra-conservative track record so far, I think what we can realistically expect is their version of the existing ibm-mini. I'd be very surprised (pleasantly tho) if they did anything more innovative than that!

wellington1869 · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:00:56 »

Quote from: ripster;99987

I must be the only one around here who LIKES those little metallic flakes in the keys.

i dont mind them. I certainly dont hate them.

Quote

I do wish them the best of luck though.

well "3 months to a year" they said, my guess is more like a year probably. They're really very very slow.

Quote

Webwit is just worried they'll be tremendously successful with this and then start making the M15 again. THAT would tank the market.

I'll be rooting for that to happen

wellington1869 · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:08:04 »

I'd like to reintroduce "the precious" to the age of mechanical reproduction and the economy of scale

ch_123 · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:30:01 »

Quote from: wellington1869;99986

well, given unicomp's ultra-conservative track record so far, I think what we can realistically expect is their version of the existing ibm-mini. I'd be very surprised (pleasantly tho) if they did anything more innovative than that!

Unless IBM made a spacesaver vesion of that Japanese C01 keyboard that the Endurapro/Spacesaver is modeled on, I'd agree that it's going to be in the style of the classic IBM one.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:32:28 »

Quote from: ch_123;99997

Unless IBM made a spacesaver vesion of that Japanese C01 keyboard that the Endurapro/Spacesaver is modeled on, I'd agree that it's going to be in the style of the classic IBM one.

the least they can do is make a black version too (they do have access to black plastic, as evidenced by the endurapro!)

o2dazone · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:36:53 »

Quote from: webwit;99981

Other Board

what other board?

lowpoly · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:40:50 »

This one in black, ANSI, bigger space bar:

Japanese IBM 5576-003 (pic by sandy).

timw4mail · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:41:25 »

Quote from: o2dazone;100002

what other board?

I can't read Korean...

lowpoly · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 15:43:55 »

Quote from: timw4mail;100005

I can't read Korean...

Switch the language in the upper right, then find the english sub-forum and the pics section.

ch_123 · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 16:03:31 »

I suppose there's no reason for them to use the Japanese design spacesaver if it isnt more compact than the US one. The C01 was a good deal smaller than the Model M, made sense for them to make it.

ch_123 · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 16:56:38 »

Well, all of Unicomp's designs are old IBM ones, so it's safe to assume that if IBM didnt make it, neither will Unicomp. Thus why it's more likely they'll use the original spacesaver design.

Quote

See the little indent in the front from the trackpoint model - that's on the SpaceSaver too. It'll probably be on the Mini.
Why?

The C01 was only made in a trackpoint version... So I guess that the plastic mould had a cutout space for where the buttons go, and when Unicomp makes Spacesavers, it just uses a C01/Endurapro mould and doesnt cut out the part for the trackpoint buttons. If that's it, it would go to show how eager they are to avoid making new designs, or even tweaking old ones

wellington1869 · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 17:14:20 »

Quote

If that's it, it would go to show how eager they are to avoid making new designs, or even tweaking old ones

with unicomp thats as safe a bet as you can place

ch_123 · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 18:07:31 »

Quote from: ripster;100034

So the Customizer has the speaker holes??

Nope, because it's based on the Lexmark model M (can't remember the exact model number, I think it starts with 4...) as opposed to the good old 1391401. That would also be why it doesnt have the SDL connector. When I said IBM, I meant Lexmark too, basically the pre-Unicomp days.

nerp · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 18:22:37 »

Quote from: ripster;99987

I must be the only one around here who LIKES those little metallic flakes in the keys.

I like them. I also like the Unicomp logo on the boards. Call me strange. Maybe the feeling of using these boards has blinded me to certian things.

If Unicomp is actually going to produce a mini, regardless of the styling, I'll be lining up to order a couple. I've got a couple places where they'd make sense.

Maybe their recent success has made it more financially feasable to produce a mini board. I'm sure the GH community has played a role in this.

ch_123 · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 18:44:13 »

I don't mind the flakes, I just wish they did something about the injection moulding remains on the back of the keys.

Xuan · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 20:04:08 »

create, read, update and delete?

wellington1869 · « **Reply #24 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 20:09:28 »

Quote from: Xuan;100063

create, read, update and delete?

xuan, I wish we gave out prizes for best avatar cuz you'd win first place hands down

Every time I see that I chuckle

skriefal · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 21:10:33 »

This is the one I'd like to see:

Quote from: wellington1869;99979

Show Image

Yes, I do like and use the Windows keys...

megarat · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 21:52:13 »

I just want to (again) put in a quick vote for this to happen, in case any Unicompers are lurking on this thread. I would order at least one, perhaps a matching pair of tenkeyless, BS, USB Unicomp keyboards if such a beast were brought to life.

pfink · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 22:13:51 »

Quote from: megarat;100075

I just want to (again) put in a quick vote for this to happen, in case any Unicompers are lurking on this thread. I would order at least one, perhaps a matching pair of tenkeyless, BS, USB Unicomp keyboards if such a beast were brought to life.

Ditto. If they have 'em in black I'm in for two.

Xuan · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 29 June 2009, 22:24:10 »

Quote from: ripster;100068

Hey Xuan - that RIP Lexmark means your Model M never recovered from your sister??

Hehe, it didn't, i guess I'll have to clean the membrane but I've to buy the appropriate tool to dissemble it first.
Also I found some others death M's in the street (I'll take pics of them), maybe I'll use the parts of those.

Back to Unicrud (what the hell means that anyway?). It'll be nice if they make nice black keys with white letters to, or maybe black on dark grey ala Realforce boards.
Also a proper logo.

Hak Foo · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 00:06:09 »

What irked me most with the Unicomp product is the casting flash on the keys. It didn't foul anything, but it reminded me of some model kits I've bought-- the tooling is like 40 years old, they don't care anymore, so you have the part in a thin sheet of plastic, instead of being free.

Considering that $6 keyboards don't do it, it's just terrible.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 01:50:14 »

lol ripster.

tho for the record, its only on my endurapro that those nubblies HAVE been big enough to catch under neighboring keys and result in keys stuck in the down position... its happened twice so far.

You know i cant let unicomp off so easily

wellington1869 · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 02:14:18 »

please to explain what is dual injected molding?

in terms of sharp edges, my 1401's keys have noticeably sharper edges (which I prefer btw) to my endurapro keys. (I prefer them so much that I always swap out my endurapro keys with the 1401 keys).

wellington1869 · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 02:23:37 »

Quote from: ripster;100102

You know - two different plastics injected into the key - dual shot, dual injected, dual molded, whatever.

I'm trying to figure out if IBMs had used it and then switched to dye sublimated in the 90's or something.

Little conversation started here.

oh ya, i just read that thread. why do you think dual molded keys would have a sharper edge?
[update: duh, i'm slowly coming up to speed here, its late

You mean sharper edge on the colors]

I'm not sure I can tell just from looking... (and I dont have any spare M or unicomp keys to cut up...). I agree though that if they're double molded thats worth something and is pretty cool. Somehow I dont think thats the case with the M's or even the previous F's. I do know I've never seen an M (or an F) with the lettering worn in any way. So even if its sublimation, its a pretty high quality job.

megarat · « **Reply #33 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 02:28:59 »

Quote from: wellington1869;100104

You mean sharper edge on the colors]

Correct! You can sometimes tell dual-shot injection molding by looking at it carefully under a magnifier or through a loupe, or sometimes even by feeling it really carefully. The borders between colors, from the different plastic elements, occasionally have a tactile difference as you cross between the two.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #34 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 02:30:19 »

Quote from: ripster;100105

Yah - any of your moldy oldies (excuse me, vintage I meant to say) ever have that look?

sorry, updated my previous post yet again

no, in short I dont think I would be able to tell the difference just from looking; and at any rate, as far as I know, I've only seen that look on the selectrics.

(too bad selectric keys dont fit the M, eh?)

wellington1869 · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 02:31:31 »

Quote from: megarat;100106

Correct! You can sometimes tell dual-shot injection molding by looking at it carefully under a magnifier or through a loupe, or sometimes even by feeling it really carefully. The borders between colors, from the different plastic elements, occasionally have a tactile difference as you cross between the two.

Is there any known M (or F) that has dual molding? I'd be surprised.

(and if there is, I want one).

wellington1869 · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 30 June 2009, 02:44:15 »

Quote from: ripster;100018

For History's sake (and I remember the Mighty Mouse Buckling spring version so you may be waiting a LONG TIME) my bet is on this:

Show Image

That is the one I want. Unicomp should take pre-orders btw. Like DSI did before they introduced their modular keyb.

IBI · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 01 July 2009, 18:18:33 »

Quote from: webwit;100555

Logitech caps don't have molding artifacts. Ripster, you know what to buy now...

Yes, it's only the paint coming off at the edges you have to put up with. *zing*

wellington1869 · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 13 July 2009, 18:40:53 »

SO I heard that a couple of years ago unicomp 'promised' the tenkeyless was 'coming soon'... and nothing happened.

Maybe this is just a way for them to shut us up every couple of years :-/

iggysaps · « **Reply #39 on:** Thu, 06 August 2009, 22:05:45 »

Any update on this? Am checking the Unicomp site regularly, no sign of the BS Tenkeyless

wellington1869 · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 06 August 2009, 22:13:54 »

dont hold your breath. according to some folks who have been here a long time, unicomp promised the exact same thing a couple of years ago. didnt materialize then either.

yea i was all excited too (i even mention it in my sig) until I heard that.

itlnstln · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 07 August 2009, 08:39:44 »

Quote from: wellington1869;107800

dont hold your breath. according to some folks who have been here a long time, unicomp promised the exact same thing a couple of years ago. didnt materialize then either.

yea i was all excited too (i even mention it in my sig) until I heard that.

Actually, what they promised was a BS version of the Mighty Mouse, but point taken.

ch_123 · « **Reply #42 on:** Sat, 08 August 2009, 09:33:17 »

Now, if Unicomp could only make stuff like this again -

InSanCen · « **Reply #43 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 01:57:59 »

Quote from: ch_123;108179

Now, if Unicomp could only make stuff like this again -

Show Image

I'd be up for that too...

Black, Buckling Spring, 102 Key... drool....

ch_123 · « **Reply #44 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 05:43:51 »

Unfortunately, Unicomp's black key making process wasn't all that good, they stopped selling black key models about two and a half years ago.

CX23882 · « **Reply #45 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 06:46:25 »

Is there any kind of coating that could be sprayed onto the key-caps to protect the lettering?

microsoft windows · « **Reply #46 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 07:59:31 »

A black keyboard would never go with any of my computers...

mmgoose · « **Reply #47 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 08:00:46 »

Quote from: ch_123;108555

Unfortunately, Unicomp's black key making process wasn't all that good, they stopped selling black key models about two and a half years ago.

is that the reason why the blanks are shiny? perhaps they just buffed the letterings out of them?

ch_123 · « **Reply #48 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 08:23:41 »

No, if you look at the above picture, you can see the keys are quite shiny anyway. I think whatever coating they used didn't agree with being printed white. This isn't entirely uncommon - supposedly the Black Dell AT101Ws suffered from a similar issue.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 10 August 2009, 08:52:24 »

Quote from: CX23882;108558

Is there any kind of coating that could be sprayed onto the key-caps to protect the lettering?

Apparently there is:
http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3542&d=1249257324
(ripster's $9.99 Logitech, left)
http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3682&d=1249843151
(old Chicony KB-5312 rubber dome)

News:

Author Topic: Just got a call from Unicomp, Tenkeyless coming soon! (Read 29838 times)