On 5 June 2016 at 18:01, Andrew M Hoerter <[email protected]> wrote: > I have a couple of buckling-spring Unicomps as well as IBM model M's, and > while I would agree that the IBM version is more heavily built, I think the > Unicomp is of reasonable quality. At least for people who don't plan to use > it as a deadly weapon. > > It would have been nice if they had made the cable detachable though. > > Also, I'm not sure it's fair to call Unicomp a "clone", as I understand it > they were either an OEM for IBM, or acquired the production assets from > them, or something along those lines. Pretty close to the real thing in my > view.
I think IBM offloaded the keyboards line to Lexmark, who offloaded it to Unicomp. So, yes, it's legit, you're right, not a clone. The one unit I have tried felt rough and poorly-built compared to the Real Thing, and it failed after a few months. I understand the owner got a warranty repair and that failed, but I think he has a working one now. As it happens I was chatting with his housemate today on Twitter and I think it's still working now. But then, he is on the list, so he could answer for himself if he liked. :-) For an expensive keyboard, it did feel cheap to me -- including, as you say, the captive cable. I would have liked to see proper onboard USB using a standard cable, perhaps with a 2nd port for a mouse. -- Liam Proven • Profile: http://lproven.livejournal.com/profile Email: [email protected] • GMail/G+/Twitter/Flickr/Facebook: lproven MSN: [email protected] • Skype/AIM/Yahoo/LinkedIn: liamproven Cell/Mobiles: +44 7939-087884 (UK) • +420 702 829 053 (ČR)
