Unicomp Ultra Classic Model M Black Buckling Spring 104 Key Large Font USB Keyboard

I am a long-time user of the old IBM Model M and still have three of them in the attic. The oldest one was made in 1989 and still works perfectly. The only problem with the old Model M is that it uses a PS/2 keyboard connector, and PS/2-to-USB adapters that work with newer version of Windows are very thin on the ground. The Unicomp has a lighter build than the old Model M because the chassis is plastic instead of metal, but the essence of the Model M is the key meachanism, and that has remained exactly the same. Same two-part key caps that can be removed with a simple cap puller tool, same buckling spring mechanism with good travel and lovely resistance. The noise sounds a little more hollow than the old Model M's, but that's probably because the plastic body resonates differently than the old metal chassis. Other than that, the typing experience is the same, and the connector is USB2 and works with everything that has a USB port. I picked the large key logo model because my eyesight is going downhill as I get older, and now I wish all my other keyboards had the same huge letters and symbols. If you loved the old clicky keyboards and/or type a lot for a living, these are the only game in town with buckling spring mechanisms. They feel different than the Cherry switches almost every other mechanical keyboard uses, but once you've gotten used to the feel of a buckling spring keyboard, nothing else feels better for hard all-day typing. They're also impervious to dirt and debris because the two-part cap-and-shaft mechanisms are totally sealed. (You can take them both off and then blow out the entire base of the keyboard with compressed air very easily if your board ever gets a little bit of debris under the cap bases.) They're not backlit and they lack multimedia keys, but these aren't gaming keyboards. They are straight-up no-nonsense professional tools for people who have to bang out a lot of words every day. Worth every penny if that's your gig. If they have a drawback, it's that the buckling spring key mechanism is loud. People will hear the machine gun racket from quite a distance away, and if you work in an open office, they may not appreciate the noise. It does, however, make you sound super productive.

Ok its Heavy I like that just like the old school IBM F/M models, I bought this to see if they could recreate the feel of them IBM model F/XT keyboard which was the all time best keyboard I ever typed on back in the day they did not quite make it with that feel and action close but.., I'am not returning it but will put it on a desktop I don't use all the time because it still beats most OEM keyboards. The front row keys sits 3mm to 4mm higher off the desk than my "Das Keyboard Model S Professional for Mac Cherry MX Blue Mechanical Keyboard " you will need a wrist rest where I don't with the Das. the keys feel a little slippery and maybe its the spacing of keys by my fingers don't find the keys as well with it as my Das, might be my just lack of time with it. So I will keep my Das as my everyday keyboard and use this as a backup with my other machines. the killer for me was the height of the keyboard off the desk, I could type faster on the das and the feel. Like i said it just may be time and practice but I'm keeping my Das.

Some keys work only some time

This model M keyboard is fine when it works, however about 30% of the time after booting up the keyboard does nothing. I have to unplug from the USB and plug it back in to get it to work. I tried to contact Unicomp with this issue but their website uses CAPTCHA which seems to be designed to prevent any communication. It certainly prevented me from contacting them, hence the single star. There is no email address either.

Update: Still going strong after two years of use. The key caps have also been personalized. I have been researching different mechanical keyboards to buy for a while now, but wasn’t enthusiastic with the current offerings touting certain linear/tactile/clicky colored switches with lighting effects. After some more research, I landed on Unicomp's Classic Model M. I was impressed with this keyboard right out of the box. The keyboard definitely has some weight to it. The board is fairly stiff with minimal flexibility. I didn’t hear any creaking as I flexed the board. The bold printing on the white keys really gives the keyboard an eye-catching presence. The keys are not back-lit. There is a light texture on the key caps. The keys have a smooth action regardless of where you press the key. Keep in mind that the unique sound of buckling-spring keys may be unpleasant and disruptive to some people. I found the sound to be encouraging. I noticed an immediate change in the way I typed. The feedback made typing interactive and enjoyable. This is definitely what I was looking for in a keyboard. I may have to buy another Classic Model M for work because using the ubiquitous Dell office keyboards is going to be unacceptable.

I've always been kind of a high-end keyboard nut. I love a nice mechanical keyboard - so I figured I'd get my dad one for Christmas... I bought the large font to troll him. I made sure to give him some grief for being old and having old eyes, but the keyboard itself is fantastic! He loves it. I personally own several of Unicomp's offerings, and I love them as well. If you've ever used an IBM model M buckling spring keyboard, these feel very similar and are built using the original tooling that IBM and Lexmark used. I highly recommend Unicomp keyboards. The only complaint I have is that their injection molds for the keys leave a bit of plastic on the lower edges of the keys. It detracts from the overall fit and finish of the keyboard. If you have the patience, and are a perfectionist, you could remove the keys from the keyboard and carefully sand off the excess plastic with low grit sandpaper.