1391401 Model M vs Unicomp Classic

[dwasifar]

I have a 1991 1391401 Phosphorglow Model M that lives at work, and a Unicomp Classic that lives at my home office. Recently I blanked the Unicomp. After using it at home for a while, I took it to work with me and swapped it for the M, just to see how well I could code on it.

The answer turned out to be that I need more practice on the symbols in the number row, but after a week with the Unicomp as my primary work keyboard I was itching to put the M back in its place. Not because of the blanks, but because of the feel of quality. Putting them side by side in a work environment really shows where Unicomp cut corners to be able to produce the design without pricing it out of the market. It's not just the fit and finish, either, although that's the most immediately obvious thing - plastic flash on the keys, cheaper plastic on the body shell. But I can overlook that. It's more about the feel and the sound.

Compared to ordinary rubberdome keyboards the Unicomp is still clearly superior, but compared to the real Model M it feels plasticky and imprecise under the fingers. The key movement feels a little gritty, and the clicky sound is muffled and thuddy compared to the brisk snap of the M. I am noticeably slower on the Unicomp, even just typing an email without having to use the symbols. Maybe the speed difference is just because I've grown more accustomed to the IBM; perhaps it would disappear with time. But I don't feel the same way about typing on the Unicomp as I do on the IBM. The real M makes me want to use it.

Am I alone in this? Am I imagining it?

[fohat]

There are many of these debates.

If you have an original IBM black label modded by Phosphorglow, then you have a primo specimen which sets a high bar for comparison.

My personal M collection is almost exclusively older bolt-modded units, and I prefer them, but for a casual user a Unicomp is an excellent starting point for buckling springs. I fear that these threads disparaging Unicomps may scare potential buyers away - a new modern Unicomp is still a superior keyboard.

[Redmaus]

Fohat got it right dead on. If you wanna go back to the best possible build quality, try a model F. That is where is gets really enticing.

[dwasifar]

If you have an original IBM black label modded by Phosphorglow, then you have a primo specimen which sets a high bar for comparison.

That is absolutely right. I actually have two such boards, and they are both excellent. You definitely get more than your money's worth from him.

but for a casual user a Unicomp is an excellent starting point for buckling springs. I fear that these threads disparaging Unicomps may scare potential buyers away - a new modern Unicomp is still a superior keyboard.

Yes, I can see the risk of that. I was careful to say that it is clearly superior to ordinary rubberdomes, and it is. If someone came and took away my Model M boards tomorrow, I'd use the Unicomps for everything, even though I have a Das too.