Unicomp Model M PC 122 Black 5250 Buckling Spring USB Keyboard

Ahh the old feel of a Model M/F keyboard. Unicomp has hit it out of the park with these inexpensive rereleases. They feel and sound just as good as the original 1984 IBM Model M I had growing up, but with the all-too-convenient USB interface so that modern computers don't need a daisy-chain of active converters to get the old 5-pin AT DIN jack to be recognized. Also, the non-aged black & grey look adds an air of professionalism to my desktop area. One complaint I have about the key layout on this Model F is Unicomp's decision to not mimic their Model M's incorporation of the Windows/OS key's location between the left Ctrl & Alt keys. It is still relatively easily accessible as the bottom-left most button, but it does make a few keyboard combination presses awkward. Still, the only fault is on my part as I could have instead purchased a Model M from Unicomp for less and had all the conveniences of modern keyboards married with the sinfully-decadent feeling of buckling spring key presses. I wanted the ridiculously large "battleship" of keyboards to annoy my coworkers. Also the rearrangement of some other non-standard locations of keys (mirroring the original 122-key Model F) makes for a whimsical reprogramming of my brain-finger-key wiring. If you actually have need of an old 122-key terminal keyboard that interfaces with modern computing technology, look no further than this keyboard. If you're looking for a buckling spring keyboard that won't set you back a few hundo, then perhaps consider the Model M instead (also from Unicomp). This Model F is for the nerds, for sure.

First, I researched this purchase for several weeks. So that being said, I had extremely high expectations and was hoping for a blast from the past considering Unicomp's takeover years ago of the old IBM Model M production company. Second, this was shipped first in the US, and then later a few hours outside the US, but certainly not halfway around the world. The keyboard arrived layered in tons of bubble wrap. So far so good. After carefully unwrapping, I discovered that a few keys were dislodged. No problem, it was trivial to pop the keys back in, and apparently even expected according to the shipper. With how easy the keys are to pop in and out, it makes sense. But moving on, the problem was the N key worked about 20% of the time. The spacebar was also erratic. I was going to record a video of myself literally just pressing the N key over and over and nothing happening on most key punches, but I got frustrated and slammed things around, and needless to say this keyboard won't be in service anytime soon. Unicomp, for their part, were professional, though a few reps were rather abrupt and basically the help stopped at the suggestion (read: 500 words of instructions) that I try to remove and reinsert the problem keys. After a $100 purchase that only a keyboard aficionado would even make, I don't need an instruction manual on how to remove and insert a key. I did manage to get one seemingly nice, go the extra mile type of customer service agent who offered to take care of it for me and get the return process rolling. But I declined to take Unicomp on their offer given the costs of shipment, import taxes, and the fact that the keyboard itself underwhelmed me. It was clunkier than I expected. The build quality didn't inspire much confidence that the replacement wouldn't have some other issue. Lastly, the positioning of the non-standard layout with respect to the Windows key and Escape key would have driven me crazy over time. So, your mileage may vary. Looks like a lot of you had a better experience than I did.

Pros: The keys feel good. The keyboard FEELS solid. Cons: The keyboard is not solid. They melted plastic through the holes instead of bolting it or using metal rivets. Shortcuts! Trying to put it back together with bolts is a pain! The pieces fall out, nothing holds the springs in! You must hold it upside down while working and prey all the springs stay in peace. I have bean working on it for over 4 hours now and am about tempted to sell it for parts or repair. It started with the control key needing to be pressed super hard. Then several keys on the left bottom of the keyboard needed to be pressed hard. In retrospect: I think I would only bolt mod the five or so that broke, not the whole keyboard.

This keyboard is very good for typing, the reason you are probably buying it is for the buckling spring switches, but there are tiny problems with the board. The board uses a very slightly non standard layout where keys like escape and the windows keys are moved to the side of the board, the only bad key relocation in my opinion is the placement of the home key between all the arrow keys, and instead of having a large left shift key you have an unmarked key that types out a backslash next to a tiny left shift key. To get this out of the way the F13-F24 keys are combinations of shift and the normal function keys, they do not send unique key-codes, this is also true for some of the keys on the side of the board. I knew this before purchasing, since there are literally no keyboards that will send a F13-F24 key-code on a modern computer this is still an amazing addition to the keyboard. My keyboard did have two keys that were finicky and even after removing the keycap like the documentation inside the box said to do they still have issues registering key presses with the consistency the rest of the board has, it is such a slight issue though I'm not gonna return the board, I want to keep it here and use it! The only real problem I have with this board is that it does not work when my computer starts up with it already plugged in. I have to unplug and replug it in every time I use it, if anyone else is having this issue please tell me.

lasted six months. today, 4 keys quit working at the same time. no visible dirt or anything in the bad keys. i am writing this review on a ten-dollar piece of junk i found in the basement. i give up -- i am going to order some cheap keyboards. this was very nice while it lasted.

This keyboard is nearly exactly like the original IBM dumb terminal keyboards! I work as computer operator, which means I work at an IBM workshop so having the extra PF-keys is a must. The key layout and labeling makes it easy to use for both working on a mainframe/AS400 environment and yet still have some of the necessary keys to work with the Windows OS, like the Windows flag key as an example. The buckle contacts has a very satisfying feel to them while typing. The USB connection is a very nice touch. It makes it easy to plug this keyboard directly to another computer rather than having to deal with IBM's proprietary connections or the other “old school” PS1/PS2 connections. Overall, I really like this keyboard! It makes work on mainframe computers/AS400s so much easier without dealing with adapters, non-Windows keyboard standards, or even dealing with holding the shift key and guessing which of the other PF-keys you need to press on a modern keyboard. The overall build quality of the keyboard is excellent and looks and feels just like the original IBM dumb terminal keyboards. I’m guessing this keyboard will last for another 50 or so years! I would highly recommend this keyboard to anyone who happens to work on IBM mainframes and or AS400s. The cost is a bit up there, but then again this is a TRUE mechanical keyboard so I shouldn’t complain. PS. So far from my experience, this keyboard is compatible to most of the dumb terminal emulators.

It's great, If you're definitive on getting it, you can stop reading this review and buy it. but to the people who are kinda thinking about it, here are a couple gripes I have, the shift button is interrupted by an unlabeled forward slash key for some reason, I ended up just pulling it off because I keep pressing it. another thing to notice is the arrow keys are in a strange cross shape, with a home button in the middle, It's not a big deal for me and I can tell that I will eventually get used it it, but I can see how this could be annoying for gaming. For instance, the binding of Issac you usually want to use WASD and the arrow keys to play, but since the arrow keys are different then the placement of WASD, it's going to mess around with your muscle memory. but for typing this keyboard is a delight, loud clacky keys, outstanding key feel (but slightly stiff sometimes) yeah, get this thing if none of that bothers you!

I wanted the extra function keys, but I did not like the old school feel. Just was not the keyboard I expected. Really felt like I was typing on a typewriter.