Unicomp Model M review (buckling springs)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2024
- Skip to 12:02 for a typing demonstration.
My other keyboard reviews: • Thomas' Keyboard Reviews
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22
A review of my Unicomp Model M keyboard. In this I compare the Unicomp to its IBM ancestors and divulge some of the history of the boards, and of Unicomp in general. Hope you enjoy the video!
The practice sentence was: "Hello my name is Thomas and I'm typing on a Unicomp Model M right now. Not quite as heavy or quite as crisp as the Model Ms of old, this thing nonetheless holds up very well for a keyboard."
One of the few videos you need a subwoofer to hear the narrator.
He should have an 900 number to call to talk nerdy retro tech talk to sooth you to sleep.
...or be a hump back whale.
A voice deeper than I thought my personality was in high school.
You kmow... I haven't tested his videos with nice headphones, but now that I think of it, it's probably practically nerd asmr
Probably the only legitimate use for a subwoofer other than ruin any music you play it on
I received my Unicomp Model M today and it types DIVINE, SUBLIME, HEAVENLY!!! Reminds me a lot of the Model M my dad had with his AT back in the day (yes unfortunately he didn't have a Model F with his AT). I ordered 2 logo-less led overlays with it ($1,50 each). One with lock light cutouts and symbols, one pure black. I replaced the Unicomp badge immediately :)
My keyboard was built 28-Sep-2018 and the problem with the lettering seems to be solved. My 'print screen', 'insert' & 'delete' keys have perfectly centered lettering. Definitely a must have!!!
5:24 gave me a good long laugh. Cheers for the video, mate.
nice to see you here :)
Snazzy Labs hi
Didn't expect to see you here.
oh look it's quinn from snazzy labs
“That’s a nice niche product we have here, would be a shame if there was a run on it”
“Right, better make the logo look like duckweed to put people off”
First time I heard about IBM Model M being sought after, was back in 2004.
As time went by, more and more people wanted to have a model M.
Made me regret throwing away mine, a Lexmark made Model M, when I got a Logitech multimedia keyboard in 1999.
But, I was 14 years old at the time and didn't consider such things.
But what stuck me, on reading that first article was the description of the Model M.
It was a solid piece of technology, from a by-gone time, where metal was used in construction and with it's 2.5 Kg of mass, it was a lethal tool, that keyboard warriors could use in self-defense.
Made me laugh out loud.
Not exactly as bad, but when I was 13 I got the original Razer Blackwidow Ultimate, a pretty decent keyboard and big at the time. But at some point a broke the stabilizers on the space bar and other large keys, being a dumbass kid I was afraid of getting in trouble, so I left it in an alley.
A mostly working, and pretty expensive keyboard, abandoned in an alley because I was stupid. I literally have no Idea why I did it. I pretended I was having trouble with windows recognizing it or something like that, and went back to my cheap rubber dome until I could buy my own replacement.
I remember the late 90s, you weren't cool unless you had the Logitech multimedia stuff. The Microsoft stuff was also really good back then.
@@nunyabiz2016 Interestingly enough Logitech still is king when it comes to computer peripherals. Have you tried the z533 Logitech Computer Speakers? They sound insane for just $100.
@@nunyabiz2016 Eh, I don't know. I played around with those fancypants multimedia keyboards, but as a *nix nerd, who spent his days and nights typing into various consoles, I very quickly reverted back to my model Ms. The Logitech and Microsoft stuff all felt like mush to me. Not to mention the very visceral feeling of the music of a buckling spring or mechanical keyboard that cannot be replicated with a foam and foil or rubber dome keyboard.
Still better than the rubber tramp stamp sliders they used on the old (well, technically the newer) PETs though! God what a miserable thing those are. Every couple months they need to be rebuilt, cleaned, and usually more conductive element added to the "stamps" - and even then they are barely functional for real typing. I think I may actually have to layout a new board for all of us with 4000 and 8000 series machines...
@@SergeantExtreme Except their gaming keyboards. I was given a G910 by a relative and wow, Romer G is a pile of dogshit wrapped in a tortilla made of "this is supposed to be *tactile*?"
My god, your voice is one of the most amazing things I've ever heard.
Thanks :) .
thats true bro
Nope. The sound this unicomp makes is more amazing.
I know, it's like if Bob Harris' mellow voice had a lovechild with John Peel's attitude.
‘This standard one is repulsive enough to give eye cancer’
Ya know people, there’s a reason I’m subscribed to this man.
Just popping in that thanks to your reviews, I made up my mind and went for a Unicomp. I chose the SpaceSaver M, which is basically the Ultra Classic with minor Mac-related modifications. The only part that has noticeable mo(u)lding blemishes is the bottom. The top case is virtually perfect. Neat! It just doesn't fit perfectly and has the creak you mentioned. The typing itself is very solid, basically what I expected.
Something you need to know about this Mac version is that the F keys don't behave normally. They always control brightness and such, requiring you to hold down Fn to use actual F keys regardless of the system's setting for F keys. It turns out you can invert the keyboard's own Fn behavior by pressing shift-Fn. This is undocumented. There's only a FAQ entry hinting at its existence whose answer hasn't been filled in. Thankfully I found it.
Can you read me H.P. Lovecraft while I fall asleep.
I love H.P. Lovecraft :D .
Favorite story? Mine is probably The Whisperer in Darkness, although there are still some I have yet to read.
My favourite is probably The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, but I like many many other stories almost as much.
Chyrosran22 really you should read an hpl audiobook, you’d get fantastic hits
Unicomp also does original Model M repairs, I have a Blue Label late 1993 Lexmark made Model M that sat in the dusty depths of our High School tech room closet. Got the keyboard for free, as it was malfunctioning. Sent it to Unicomp for $46 USD and they fixed everything. The bottom case on mine was cracked, they pulled the label off of the original and put it on a brand new bottom case. Unicomp is amazing.
THEGHOSTSLAVE Even though it's still a business, you can tell a lot of passion goes into their business and that's amazing.
I bought a Unicomp "New Model M" (That's the name it goes by on the website anyway)
It doesn't have any of the keycap print issues, and the case doesn't flex as much. Thought I'd put the information out there.
Typed this comment on it lol.
E:
It seems they've fixed some production issues with their newer keyboards, which is a good thing to see for sure.
Alright, thank you so much for putting this information out there. I was conflicted about buying one, especially since I wanted the classic look over the flashy lights despite the fact that I'm in high school. I decided to just go for it despite what I had heard from multiple reviews about the build quality. This reassures me about my purchase, thank you!
@@owenfield818 just remember that the "classic" is their old model m product (the one that Chyros has i'm pretty sure)
the "new model m" is the one that you should get if you want the updated tooling and build quality improvements.
@@lettuce7378 Alight, I ended up purchasing the Spacsaver Mac model. As far as I know that's a new build, am I correct?
@@owenfield818 I believe so.
@@lettuce7378 Ok thank you. I'm now even more satisfied with my buy.
Brand new Unicomp ultra classic user here (build date 2-3-17). The frame is much more rigid than the previous generations of the Unicomp boards, and the keyboard doesn't creak at all. Key printing is very sharp! The alignment issue with the "insert", "delete" and "print screen" still exists, however you really have to look to notice it. The cable is very long and comes out of the right side of the keyboard, but there is a cable grove to route the cable to leave the left side of the keyboard.
Please get into voice acting or audio books
I'd love to :D .
The Ultra Classic comes with removable key caps.
TheEnderknight Yep. That's also their newest design and best keyboard. I have the Classic because I like the larger size but I plan to get an Ultra Classic and a Battleship, just for the hell of it.
Cool, I changed the color scheme of my ultra classic to have green wasd, red I and blue Q and blank purple pause break. I replaced one windows key with the windows 3.1 logo. I replaced menu with a gnu key. Customizing Unicomp keyboards is fun. If only I could install between key leds.
Oh that voice.
Using your voice to test out my new subwoofer.
Just received mine, an ultra classic black. Have to say that the build quality is good and imperfections are almost gone. Letters and caps look and feel great. No molding residue or that kind of a mess. Only thing that might qualify as imperfection is that right lower corner joint could be a little tighter. Does not rattle or have creaking noises more than other plastic chassis keyboards. Nice to see that guys at Unicomp are having the quality back up.
I'm actually quite happy you decided to review one of the Unicomp boards, I have been quite interested for awhile but have seen several QC concerns/complaints which drove me away from considering one. I may now give one another look in the future.
LiquidEvilGaming I bought one around six months ago. The Unix version in white. It has proven to be a nice keyboard. No QC problems at all. Perfectly functional. Although I have to say that it has been replaced by a Happy Hacking Pro as my daily driver. Topre switches are nicer than bucking springs, IMO. At least the 45-gram, case-mounted Topres of the HHKB.
Enrique Aliaga Oh boy don't let Chryos see that comment about the Topre :p
I also have a HHKB Pro 2 (and had and sold a Realforce) but I like having multiple switch types in my collection to swap out now and again. Buckling springs are one of the few I don't have in my collection and I have passed up quite a few deals on these boards due to all the bad comments I have read about them. It's good to see someone else reinforce the fact they had a positive experience with theirs so next time I see a good price on one perhaps I will jump on it.
Cheers
I get Topre. I just don't understand the HHKB layout xD .
Chyrosran22 Oddly that is one of the things that drew me to the HHKB and led to my selling my Realforce to a GH member. However given your profession I totally understand why the HHKB layout would be...rather infuriating to work with.
Hey man, I am thinking about buying a Realforce 87U 55g. As you know, I already have an HHKB. Do you think it's worth it? I have never ever tried a RF so that's why I am very curious. Since you sold yours, you seemed to have leaned towards the HHKB. Why so?
Honestly, I find these to be the most comfortable keyboards EVER! I have one for both home and work. While the clickeyness seems to bewilder my co-workers - who often times wonder if I've smuggled an old typewriter into my office - none the less its a much welcomed improvement to the cheap stock keyboards that come with our Dells.
But is there a reason that they are used by gamers other than the comforts of the keys? Could they perhaps be popular among gamers even if they were non-mechanical?
I like your Voice.
yeah no shit. total pro.
Kinda wish you hadn't told me they make 122 key battleships. I now have the bad idea to buy one, modify it to contain something like a raspberry pi and have a badass programming computer.
Wait till I do the review on my M122! :p
(no actually don't, that one won't be out for quite a while I think xD)
Quick question about the M122. Does it send scan codes for all the keys?
Ryan Chevalier I don't know, it has an RJ connector that I don't have a converter for.
And now you've given me the same bad idea, even though I cannot even hope to afford it. Thanks for that.
It is 2021 and I just scored a PC 122 Battle Cruiser. Absolutely loving it, including a set of Tux Linux keycaps.
2 weeks ago I received my Unicomp Spacesaver for my Mac and I’m totally happy, feels like the early 90’s. It helps me a lot because I type a lot.
As someone who has used Models M for years, from many different IBM and Lexmark units, all the way to the 104 key Unicomps, I have to agree. Of course, today I just received the new 122 Battleship from Unicomp that I ordered 6 months ago, and I have to say, this thing is sweet! I can't wait to map all the different keys to their new functions. Even so, the 122 has a nice feel to it, that same feel and snap as other buckling spring keyboards, of course these aren't broken in yet so they are not as light on the fingers as some of the older ones. However, it has a lot of the weight of the originals. Even the knock test seems to indicate to me a thicker plastic for the main case components as compared to the latest 104 from Unicomp.
As a side note, however - the "new model M" 104s have been retooled in the past couple years so some of the molding and dye sublimation errors seem to have been worted out. The only issue I have found with the new caps that can be ordered standalone from Unicomp is that some times the replacement keys have a tendency to stick in the downward position in their slots, particularly when installed in old IBM boards. Still, Unicomp is awesome and I am very glad they are keeping the flame of these old beasts alive, and has successfully dragged the venerable classic into the 21st century. That being said, on any legacy operating systems, I still like to use my old IBM boards - particularly on anything that runs MS-DOS.
Got mine today, a spacesaver with Macintosh keys. Such a pleasure to type on, and the plastic frame has no blemishes! It was manufactured Dec 20, 2016. It seems they heard the cries of minor aesthetic issues and solved them.
Always enjoy a new video by Chyrosran. Nice comparison, it's worth seeing for those who don't like heavy keyboards.
I lost it at the eye cancer part
Here are my thoughts regarding the Unicomp vs Original IBM. First of all, great videos and looking forward to subscribing to your channel. My first ever buckling spring keyboard was Unicomp Model M from 2016. Used it just over 4 years now. I fall in love with the mechanism and will never go back to any other. I have experience with blue and brown cherry switches as well. Excellent feel but nothing in comparison to the buckling springs. A few weeks ago I bough original IBM by Lexmark Part number 92G7453. Without further ado, the moment I laid my hands on it, it felt miles above Unicomp in every way. From the build quality to the typing feel and all. Totally different experience. Finally, I understand that Unicomp doesn't come even close. That being said, I do not wish to discard Unicomp because, in all fairness, thanks to Unicomp I am into IBM keyboards and love it. Therefore, credit to Unicomp as well. The original IBM belongs to 'Elite' category without any second thoughts.
The best IBM / Unicomp comparison video I have seen. Excellent.
I have been using a Unicomp Classic 105 since 2015 and i've been quite happy with it. It took some days to get used to, as previously i was using only cheap 10€ keyboards, and being kind of a heavy typist, the rubber domes used to be destroyed in a matter of a year or two of use. The Unicomp so far is holding very well, loudness aside, is very sturdy and it doesn't move around the desk thanks to the weight. Only hard note at the time was the price: 90$ plus 40€ of customs taxation, as i could only import it from the USA to Italy. It was one of the rare places i could buy one with custom layout too (Italian in my case) so i didn't have to settle for US Layout keyboards and having to kind of re-learn how to type the special characters!
Remember back in the early 2000s in my high school, my teacher had a really old computer from the mid 80s used to compute our notes and I am pretty sure the keyboard was a model F. I touched the keycaps and damn the feeling was great. Pretty sure it was a Model F because my dad had an IBM XT with a model M and the feeling was not the same.
Your industrial model M is so sick. Looks like it’d be home on the Death Star. I need one. Wish it wasn’t so difficult to source one.
7:00 The moment everything was decided..
@ 7:40, I have not seen one of those two-part dettachable keycaps in several decades now, this was unexpectedly nostalgic. I used both Model F and Model M keyboards many years ago while studying at the university and having a part time job as a programmer. The company I worked for had several original IBM PCs. Feel and the typing sound from those keyboards was truly great. If I recall correctly the model F's had slightly stiffer keys, harder to press than the M's, both great anyway for sure.
PS. Correction, just checking more of your videos learned that apparently the model M keyboards (~70g) were harder to press than the model F ones (~60g). Always though that the harder-to-press ones were possibly the older models, but turns out it's the other way around! Quite a realization. In any case missing these keyboards and their typing feel right now
Bought one of these beauties on the back of your excellent review - I plumped for the endurapro version.
I feel you are worthy of some sort of sponsorship deal from Unicomp - think they are missing a trick in not jumping on you.
Thank you for all your in depth and informative reviews - good luck with your channel, and I look forward to the day you proclaim your official holy grail of mechanical keyboards
I have bought Unicomp Customizer 104 seven years ago for myself and IBM Model M (made in late 80s) for a friend. Unicomp still works like a charm, but it's not buit as solid as IBM was - it's rigid enough, but I can squeeze the bottom part with my fingers. Keycaps have got some yellowing (hardly visible though). I still love my Unicomp keyboard and hope that it will last for another 10 or even more years.
Now I need something compact and more quieter for my home PC, so I decided to give a try to chinese Anne Pro 61-key keyboard with brown switches.
Honestly, I could listen to your voice for hours.
my Unicomp has 2 parts keycap, seems they started making those again
Oh that sounds great. When did you purchase it?
kL-Spazmo Thank you so much for your answer. I'm relieved then :)
I just bought a Unicomp M122 and it still has the 2 part caps.
Depends on what type of key(color) you get surprisingly enough. Pebble and gray two piece others one
@@12me91 On my unicomp ultra classic white keycaps have two parts and gray have just one
Your description of the classic M put a tingle down my spine. :)
I'm curious, do you think Unicomp's release of the New M would warrant a revisit for their new model?
I personally have both, and the new one is significantly nicer in its build and feel.
I’ve been using an Ultra Classic for about 6 months now. Build date in Nov ‘18.
Great machine and the white/grey/black schema is striking!
Next have to purchase one for home!
Have had the same Unicomp keyboard since 1995. Good construction can't complain. Singular observation is if you drop one and a key pops off best check that spring is still attached. Otherwise that key is nonfunctional.
Cool!
Bought one of these a few years back. Space bar stopped working a few months after buying. Spoke to their tech support via email and when it became apparent it was a real fault they simply stopped responding to me, bad show
This is the keyboard I use day to day and it's a joy.
The problem with Unicomp is that their international shipping costs are jaw-dropping ridiculous. I ordered one from Canada and they charged me like I was ordering from Mars or something.
The keyboard itself is an absolute joy to type on though, which is just what you want out of your keyboard as a developer. No complaint there. Which is funny because watching your other videos with Model F and beam spring keyboards makes it look like I bought a cheap keyboard.
I feel that my keyboard is of higher quality than the one you reviewed though. Mine has double-cap keys, and while the sticker still bears Unicomp's hideous logo it doesn't stick out.
They're not thinking global, that's for sure. I wouldn't confess what it cost me in the end to have one shipped to spain + some custom keys... I already had a model M and it's obvious that it its not the same foundation. A genuine model M feels like a wall piece resting in your desk, while the unicomp feels more "earthly" in that regard, like you are able to break it using force, but the keys are exactly the same and just that is worth the money and wait.
I have a Unicomp SpaceSaver M (this is the Mac version of the Model M) made in 2012 and it has 2-part keycaps. And the quality of the legends is rather nice.
I have the same keyboard except the Windows version, and it also has the two-part caps. As mentioned by another user, they brought them back later.
That's interesting, I have a SpaceSaver M manufactured in 2019 and it has one-part keycaps.
In comparison, my 1988 model is 2,25kg, and 1992 model is 2,05kg. Both look identical outside with grey oval badge.
I have an 1987 silver badge Model M, with a German layout, and used it for several months as my main keyboard. Those were built to last!
I just ordered a mac version of this some of the flaws are to be expected given the circumstances, but as far as function and typing goes, the keyboard is solid. I don't mind blemishes on the plastic much or slightly off-center ledgers. Every manufacture is unique, so it's not a given that it will turn out flawed. What adds to the charm of some of these possible flaws is the fact that it's coming from using the same machinery that crafted the original M models, so as long as it not due to cheapness as much as it is due to a relic from the original products, I find that kind of like a cool, nostalgic badge.
unicomp brought back the doubleshot and two part caps after this.
A silver badge IBM industrial keyboard is my dream. Although I cannot complain about my 1991 Gray badge Model M.
I love videos like this. Thank you for educating me. I just bought a unicorp model m because of this. :)
Worth pointing out that Unicomp got the tooling from LEXMARK, not from IBM directly, so when compared to early IBM models it is entirely possible that even the build tools used to manufacture them are different, it's more fairly comparable to a later Lexmark Model M
Thanks you! This review was really helpful in helping me decide what to buy.
I love the classic Windows logos 1993-Early 2001
I bought an Ultra Classic from these guys about 5 months ago and I think they have... Not sure... But feels like they hired a consultant to help them out. My 104 key is fantastic and I have used a 1987 model M to compare. The character stamping is better, the feel is better, and with some inexpensive mods from them makes it a great board. I challenge you to do an update. My only qualm is that the space bar is a bit wonky, but otherwise it is solid af. The sound is my favorite part! Every key sounds different and is like playing a musical instrument. They have improved over the years and I think it deserves the attention it should get. I modded mine with blue ANSI caps and get so many compliments. Try and deck one of these out and give an honest review.
I got the New Model M with the stock grey keys and the blue key subset, all straight from Unicomp. Even my spouse, who does not give two craps about this stuff, thinks it looks awesome.
Subscribing because I can't get enough of his voice.
Nothing against this reviewer, but, everyone always flexes these these things and complains, but I’ve dailied a Unicomp as a gaming board for like 6 years and love them, when they’re sitting on your desk being used, you would never ever comprehend flex or that it could creek if you torqued the chassis.
The reason the Unicomp sounds at a higher pitch is the same reason the rack tom sounds higher than the floor tom on a drum set: smaller drum = higher pitch. Yes, also because of the thickness of the frame, but primarily because of the smaller size. I prefer the lower pitch as well, but I wouldn't say Unicomp's higher pitch is a result of the key switches themselves.
Do you think the new model M will hold up for multiple decades like the old ones?
That early M square, silver badge is a bit of a gem
I recently got a Unicomp 103-key classic "M" keyboard (UNI044A). USB interface.
Classic gray/beige color scheme. And I can report that I have the removable key caps, unlike what was shown at approximately 8:04. Not that I ever intend to remove them, but they are definitely separate.
I've got a late 2016 build date Classic 104, the key legends are just as sharp as on my '88. Its also worth noting that my classic also has 2 part keycaps now as well.
Voiceover - ASMR as flip. Keyboard - retro as flip. Quality - OVER 9000.
I own a Unicomp and I love it 😁.
I'll have to get one. I currently use a wireless Corsair red switch, but I used to have an old PS/2 Fujitsu keyboard. I may have used a Model M because I remember using an old keyboard that had that late IBM oval logo. I was born in '93 so it's hard to tell lmao I've had Unicomp in the back of my mind since LinusTechTips made a video on them lol I'll probably get a PS/2 version since my motherboard supports it and it'll free up a USB slot
I feel like IBM tends to over engineer it's stuff. Their mainframes, their thinkpad laptops... everything just built like tanks. So over engineered that it's difficult to break them.
Saab are the auto version of IBM in that regard ;)
@zeuperm Too bad HP has that contract now. 🤮
@@sanoj92 SAAB is Shit... 900's and 9000's become money pits after 100,000 kilometers... They are the rubber done switches of the Auto world.
And their stuff does tend to last both physically and technologically. I'm in the process of building a Thinkpad T430 and with certain modern parts and mods it's still more than adequate for most computing tasks. Model M is still a great keyboard despite being designed decades ago. So these particular examples weren't over-engineered only to become obsolescent shortly afterwards.
I can't believe they are still making model Ms, it's very surprising. I might buy one of the unicomp models, although, used IBM model Ms might actually be cheaper... Decisions decisions.
New Model Ms are hit and miss. I was lucky enough to have one with good build quality as I bought mine in July of last year.
@@nerdyneedsalife8315 I just bought a 1988 Model M. It is in virtually brand new condition. It is amazing, and since it isn't ABS it has not even yellowed at all. This truly is the best feeling keyboard out there. And it is great for gaming to be honest. Only thing is that these keys are definitely much more difficult to press. It took a while to get my fingers strong enough to feel normal. I don't know if you game Chyrosran22, but you should do a review that you can easily game on a Model M. It is actually a pretty great experience.
Recently got a 122 from Unicomp and it seems like the keycaps are back to the 2-part design in case anyone was wondering.
I once owned a Unicomp-made 122-key Model M. Albeit its high price (it cost me some € 180 including customs fees), it "only" lasted for 6½ years. One drawback were its rather weak plastic rivets, which fix the key carrier on the baseplate and started breaking after some 3 years, so I was forced to do a full screw job, replacing the rivets with M2 screws. Another 3 years later, some keys stopped working. After disassempling the board, I found out that the conductive strips on the two plastic sheets had become rusty and therefore had lost their ability to conduct electric signals. Unfortunately, Unicomp had changed its manufacturing process, so that replacement sheets were no longer available. :(
What about using conductive ink ? with a fine paint brush ?
there are also conductive ink-pens out there.
It looks like you can change the led overlay to one that is blank and doesn't include LEDs or one that keeps LEDs but doesn't seem to include the logo if you think it is ugly. On their website it is at: Parts, Covers, and Services> Misc> LED Overlay
You should totally make a video of you reading Beowulf or something like that. Maybe even Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. You have an amazing voice, and TH-cam videos aren’t going to be as well paying as voice overs and audio book readings. Try it out sometime. Read something on your channel. I feel like you have the perfect voice for medieval literature. God, I sound like such a nerd, don’t I? It’s only because I have a class about it currently.
When he pulled the OG IBM, Dayum.
My favorite keyboard IBM Model F first edition, no other keyboard has ever came close to the feel of that keyboard. I also own the second edition model f and it’s not the same as the first. Model m’s are also in my collection along with some Unicomp and most of the model m are made in the USA for that’s the models I was seeking, after they started to be outsourced to outside America the quality dropped.
It is tough to find on their site, but Unicomp has introduced the New Model M, a slightly larger and heavier version of the Ultra Classic. They claim the New Model M is "more rugged", which might mean reduced flex in the keyboard shell.
Have had mine for 10 years. Will never buy another. Fucking amazing. Don't care what it sounds or feels like vis a vis the IBM. I know what i've typed. Bliss.
i saved a unicomp model m, build 2014, from a blood laboratory. The user managed to bend the pins of the ps/2 connector and asked me to replace the keyboard. I gave him a $8 logitech OEM PS/2 keyboard, and repaird the model m. Now i use the repaired model m with my amd ryzen gaming pc :)
I'm a bit more impressed by the fact that your blood lab bought Unicomp Model Ms.
@@brainandforce GE uses unicomp model Ms on their medical equipments, I saw one on eBay.
I have a Unicomp with brilliant white keycaps. It's quite striking looking.
I just bought a new Unicomp keyboard. It seems like they have changed their tooling for the keys as the fonts for the special keys are different. They are not crooked, and are centered as well. The lock indicators are blue now and are almost blindingly bright.
Awesome keyboard and Lol at the 1990's Windows Logo! :)
Just ordered one after a few days of struggling to make a decision, it was almost 160 euros after shipping from an european supplier but I hopefully it will be worth it
Never had one but I have a faint memory of using identical looking keyboards as a child, maybe they weren't buckling springs but then again the memory is very faint
I love your voice
those keycaps are awesome, i would love to have those and replace them with my old keycaps
Love the channel, I am deciding whether to buy a New Model M or a Matias Quiet Mini Pro. Such a tough choice. Which would you saw have better tactility? Unfortunately no local shops stock either so I have to order from overseas.
Great review. If I buy one of these it's going to be hard to live with that key print being off center but it sure does look like a good keyboard.
One thing I noticed is that the Unicomp keycaps are substantially lighter. I only have a kitchen scale and it's not terribly sensitive, but the 2-part Model M keycaps register as 2g, while the Unicomp keycaps don't register at all (which I'd guess means they weigh less than a gram). When I first bought one of the Unicomp boards, I found that the typing feel was much stiffer/more springy - but putting the Model M keycaps on the Unicomp board made it feel much more like the Model M - which I'd suspect is down to the Model M keycaps being twice as heavy (or more).
That said, there may have been some placebo effect at play - I didn't find that the Model M felt any different to type on with the Unicomp keycaps.
I'd weigh a bunch of keycaps at a time, not just one. That would make it much more accurate.
That's a good idea. I tried weighing 14 of each keycap at once - I get 35g for the Model M caps (so about 2.5g apiece), and 29g for the Unicomp caps (so about 2g apiece). A bit of a difference, but not as much as I'd thought.
Are they both one-piece or two-piece?
The IBM caps are two-piece, and the Unicomp caps are one-piece. The Unicomp board I have is the same model that you reviewed - though it looks like their white/beige model does have two-piece caps.
You can't compare one-piece to two-piece caps, of course they're not going to be the same. I'm pretty confident across same-piece caps the weight will be pretty consistent, though.
I had one of these for nearly a decade, and really enjoyed it. Not long ago I spilled some liquid in it a ruined some of the key operation. Will maybe get another one if they still make em, though my KB collections is getting a bit out of hand.
its a model m, throw it in a dishwasher and let it dry out it will work again no joke
I believe the one piece keycaps are only offered on that particular layout. The one I have (2016 MFG) has the two piece keycaps, while the terminal layout one from 2011 I have, has the one piece keycaps. The one piece ones also sound a little different, more "clunk" instead of light spring.
They certainly have 2 part key caps now. I have three of their keyboards!
Unicomp announced a "New Model M" and a TKL. They appear to have upgraded the build quality on both. Allegedly shipping in May 2020. Deets here: www.pckeyboard.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/Update%20and%20Announcement%20v_1.2.pdf
I can confirm the build and keycap quality on my 2021 Unicomp New Model M appears to be better than what's shown in this video. I'm quite happy with it!
What I wish for, is a tenkeyless (no num-pad) keyboard with the tactile quality of an old model M, but high scan rate and n-key rollover. That never wears out, and can be cleaned easily. I know, I'm never going to have one, am I.
Yay you reviewed it! I was hoping you'd look at the internals of the Unicomp, heard they aren't held together as well. Problems that seem exclusive to the black models are case blemishes and imperfections, looking at photos of the white ones it seems they don't have those issues. Good review though.
The internals are OK, they're not that interesting.
Chyrosran22 I see, thanks!
You have such a nice voice!
I am considering purchasing this keyboard. I want something which helps me touch type and gives me that retro feel. How often do you use this particular keyboard?
I got the most recent version of the Unicomp, the New Model M. It's awesome. I use it every day and it's highly recommended (unless you want a quiet keyboard). It feels great on the fingers - everything down to the keyfeel, the texture of the keycaps, and the sculpted key layout make this an awesome choice.
The lettering on Unicomp keyboards had improved by the time this video came out; it used to be worse before that. That's why I bought a completely blank version. The downside of that, is that I get called a 'hipster'; the upside, is that no one around the house will dare touch my keyboard when I'm away.
It's like the days when I had an HP calculator with Reverse Polish Notation and nobody borrowed it because it did not have an "=" key.
The legends on the latest Unicomp keys are excellent, I can tell you. Sharper than what Thomas is showing us here four years ago. You can get a whole printed keycap set from Unicomp if you want. They're not too expensive. And you can get some colored keys. I got a set of blue ones for a blue and grey look.
You were actually typing anything, were you? I mean, no one uses an index finger on the space bar. Its not a thing...
Found one at a thrift store in mint condition for $5 last week. Didnt realize it was as revered until I got home. Using w my MBP without issue.
If you, or anyone else, still have this keyboard, I would be very interested in buying it. It done's have to be the same layout, the only requirements that it works properly, is in a good enough state, has a 105-key layout, has the same layout of the bottom row keys as in the video, the button keys between and including the control keys should be in a good state, should use the English names, and there should be an Alt Gr key. As for the rest of the keys, can don't care about their caps, and it don't matter if they are even missing.
The good news is you can get one new from Unicomp for $104 US plus shipping and taxes. It's now called the New Model M. As for the keys, you can order a custom one, or you can get some custom keycaps (from Unicomp for example) and you can remap the keys as you need. They do both ISO and ANSI.
@@gyozakeynsianism Unicomp's customisation options are rather limited, sure you may be able to find compatible caps that look and feel the same elsewhere, but if you are just going with Unicomp, you are not going to be able to get caps to swap AltGr and RSuper (with any available cap option for RSuper). Not only have I've not been able to find it on their website, I have personally asked them and got it confirmed. That said, a few days ago I say that they released a ”mini” version that appear to have the AltGr and RSuper in the positions I like, however, I would not recommend a non-fullsize keyboard.
To clarify, that problem with the version currently being sold (if you see (on Amazon) a picture with the same layout as in the video, it's just an old picture, they are not selling that version) is that they went full traditionalist (less removing the modern keys all together) and resized the bottom row keys so that LSuper and Menu have the same size as normal keys and RSuper slightly smaller than the other keys (ISO LShift-sized instead of Tab-size), which (the latter) makes the real reproblem not fully solvable using official parts: that they swap the position of AltGr and RSuper which is not only confusion (if you use different keyboards, which is not necessarily solvable) but also extremely uncomfortable (especially when typing AltGr+7 (= {)) even though I'm very well endowed, having 25% larger hands than any other adult male I know (measuring from the largest width of the hand stretched out as much as possible), I can only imagine how uncomfortable it would be for a girl or child.
@@mattias3668 If the problem is the positions of Alt and RWin, and you can customize the keys on the software side, the issue remaining is the key legends. Say you want to get the New Model M, and you have the RAlt at 1.25 units, the RWin at 1.5, the Menu key at 1 unit, and RCtrl at 1.5 units wide. You can order a custom RWin key in place of the RAlt by going to Unicomp's website > Parts, Covers and Services > Buttons and selecting Multi Wide Keys; there you make a Tab 1.5 unit key with the Windows logo as a legend. That oddball 1.25 units one is a different issue, but I think you'd be able to do a single-unit custom (Buttons > Single Unit Key - Buckling Spring - printed) and in the Characters field type "Alt". Alternatively you could talk to Unicomp support and see if they can make a 1.25 unit Alt key for you.
Come to think of it, maybe you can just order the New Model M and ask them for the Mini M keyset instead!
Good luck!
When did you purchase this Unicomp keyboard? If I remember correctly, they swapped the location of the Win and RAlt keys to "more closely match that of the original IBM keyboard." However, yours appears to have the old layout. Do you know if it is possible to purchase the 104 key model with the original layout?
I didn't buy it, it was a donation.
I purchased this keyboard this week. I have a roll top desk so the clicks are really Amplified. No sound can escape this desk LOL. Check out my video to hear 8 minutes of soothing clicking sound
One note regarding the two-piece keycaps. I'm not sure if they have switched to single piece for the whole product line, or if they switched back to two-piece keycaps. That being said, my 2015 Unicomp has two piece keycaps. It is the 122-key model, but it does have two piece keycaps on all keys except for the multi-unit keys. Interesting that your 2009 one has single piece keycaps. I've heard people mention the single piece key caps before, but never have experienced them. The two piece keycaps on my unicomp are identical to the two piece keycaps IBM used in the past.
Lettering print still seems good, and the only obviously mis-positioned legend on my keyboard is the right arrow key.
My Unicomp has double layer keycaps and the wire stabilizers. Built July 2015. Same with another that my friend has with a 2017 model.
We have the same mouse! And soon we'll have the same keyboard. It arrives soon and I cant wait to try it out!
Good luck, he has like a couple hundred keyboards in his collection...
this makes me think of a video I saw earlier today about a kid over lubing his backspace key.
Hey there Mr. Chyrosran22- have you ever heard of model Ibm m-1 which is listed on ebay and looks exactly like the m-2? I appreciate you! thanks Mate