Unicomp Model M keyboard Review – Classic design and buckling springs instead of normal mechanical buttons

The difference between the Unicomp Model M and a current gaming keyboard is exactly where? Well, the Unicomp Model M focuses on working reliably for decades, rather than flashing colorful lights that look like a disco to disguise a lack of quality. In addition, the Unicomp Model M keyboard has an interesting and varied history dating back to the 1980s. It is closely linked to the IBM Model M, a legendary keyboard that is considered one of the best mechanical keyboards of all time. And today you’ll also find out why I paid almost 190 euros to treat myself to some relief from my ailments, which unfortunately isn’t available on prescription.

The birth of the IBM Model M

The IBM Model M was first introduced in 1984 and was a further development of the previous IBM Model F. The keyboard relied on the so-called “buckling spring” switch design, which is known for its distinctive keystroke and tactile feedback. This technology produces the characteristic click and tactile feedback that many typists and programmers still appreciate today. The keyboard was part of the IBM Personal System/2 (PS/2), a series of computers introduced by IBM in the 1980s. It quickly became popular due to its robust construction and durability and found a place in offices as well as among home users. The Model M was built to last for decades, with replaceable keycaps and a solid metal frame. The transition to Lexmark was a turning point.

In the 1990s, IBM began outsourcing its hardware and accessories division, which led to the transfer of keyboard production to Lexmark, a company that was spun out of IBM in 1991. Lexmark continued production of the Model M, but made some changes to the materials and manufacturing process to reduce costs. In the late 1990s, as demand for mechanical keyboards declined due to the proliferation of cheaper membrane keyboards, Lexmark decided to discontinue production of the Model M. This almost meant the end of this iconic keyboard.

The founding of Unicomp

To continue the Model M tradition, former Lexmark employees founded Unicomp in 1996 and took over the production equipment and the rights to the keyboard. Since then, Unicomp has continued to manufacture the Model M, retaining the original buckling spring technology and classic design. Unicomp still produces the keyboards in the USA and has made it its mission to preserve the quality and typical typing feel of the original Model M. Today, the Unicomp Model M is a favorite of anyone who appreciates the tactile feedback and durability of a mechanical keyboard. Despite modern alternatives, the Model M remains a symbol of longevity and high build quality. Unicomp has made minor adjustments over the years to make the keyboard compatible with modern systems, including USB ports and different layout options. Nevertheless, the basic design remains largely unchanged, giving the keyboard a timeless quality.

Detour delivery and technical data

Ordering the item in the USA was too expensive for me, as I would have had to pay almost 80 euros net for shipping alone, plus import sales tax and fuss, which would have landed me at almost 240 euros in the end. Retro is all well and good, but I’m not Croesus. If you then find a German publisher who offers the whole thing in their store for well under 200 euros and can also deliver within 2 working days, then I’d rather leave the money in the country. However, it didn’t go quite so smoothly, because what was delivered was: a book. Especially as the author is not really one of my usual favorites.

What makes you think I ordered something by Hoppe, on the other hand, is a mystery to me… He compares democracy with monarchy and comes to the conclusion that democracy is not the more “progressive” form of government, as is often claimed. While monarchs are said to have a long-term interest in the preservation and prosperity of their country, democratic politicians are only interested in short-term gains and re-election, which leads to irresponsible policies and a waste of resources. Well, I don’t want to discuss that here, but at least they tried to impose some anarcho-capitalism on me ideologically. I was even allowed to keep the book as “compensation”, but after reading it a few times, I felt rather nauseous. It’s a good thing that the keyboard arrived after all – this time even in a box befitting its status, as it is quite massive.

Why the keyboard is an almost ideal solution for me

I have to start with something personal and I hope that I can help those who suffer from a similar problem to mine with today’s article. Even if I do proofread at the end, some texts are barely legible in the raw version because they are full of typos and I don’t always catch everything at the end. However, all this has an annoying background, because I’m actually a 10-finger typist, or used to be. My problem: diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This is one of the most common forms of diabetic neuropathy and affects up to 50% of people with diabetes. The most common symptoms are numbness, tingling, burning and pain in the extremities. These symptoms are caused by the breakdown of nerve fibers that occurs as a result of hyperglycemia and poor blood sugar control. Neuropathy can also lead to muscle weakness, making fine motor tasks such as typing on a keyboard difficult.

The limitations caused by DPN can have a particularly severe impact on activities that require precise finger movements, such as typing on a computer keyboard. Traditional membrane or scissor-switch keyboards often require a smooth and flat keystroke, which can be problematic for people with reduced tactile sensitivity and muscle weakness. High typing accuracy is made more difficult and the strain of repetitive movements can exacerbate symptoms. This also applies to gaming keyboards with mechanical keys and a relatively short stroke. In addition, there are ergonomic inconsistencies in modern keyboards. Many keys offer little tactile feedback. For people with limited feeling in their fingers, it can be difficult to tell whether a key has actually been registered. Most keyboards require a consistent and relatively high actuation force, which can be tiring for those with muscle weakness, and they have a compact layout without clear key demarcations, leading to an unergonomic hand position that exacerbates symptoms with repetitive strain. This looks much better here with the Model M:

First introduced in 1984, the IBM Model M keyboard’s unique “buckling spring” design offers a number of benefits for people who suffer from the aforementioned problems. The buckling spring technology provides a strong tactile feedback. When a key is pressed, the spring “buckles” under tension, producing a distinct click. This feedback helps people with impaired sensory perception to feel that a keystroke has been registered, increasing typing accuracy. The Model M’s deep key travel also allows users to press the keys to a clearly perceptible point. This reduces strain on the fingers and hand muscles as the user does not have to guess whether the keystroke was successful.

The mechanical construction of the Model M ensures that the keyboard is extremely durable and will maintain its performance over many years of intensive use. This is an important factor for frequent typists who write for hours every day. The Model M offers the ability to easily swap out keycaps, which can be useful for designing an ergonomic or customized layout to meet the specific needs of a user with neuropathy.

Although modern gaming keyboards often offer mechanical switches and RGB lighting, their focus is more on aesthetic features and fast switches for gaming. While such keyboards do offer some tactile feedback, the stability and classic layout of the Model M is often better suited to heavy typists. The Model M’s buckling spring switches are significantly louder and offer stronger tactile feedback, which is a great advantage for people with impaired sensory perception. In addition, many modern gaming keyboards focus on linear switches that offer less tactile feedback. Thus, the IBM Model M remains a remarkable option for those who value quality and ease of use, especially under the special requirements of neuropathy patients. Unfortunately, it is not available on prescription.

Technical data of the Unicomp Model M