Hello, --- On Sat, 10/23/10, Nate Raymond <[email protected]> wrote:
> The type of keyboard keyswitch you're talking about is a > buckling spring. Unicomp acquired the rights to make > modern IBM Model M style buckling spring keyboards, and you > can buy them new, including USB variants, from their > webstore (I have no affiliation other than being a customer > a few years back): > > http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html The word "style" is key (sorry) here. The thing to bear in mind with regard to the Unicomp offerings is that the Unicomp keyboards are based on the ones Lexmark was manufacturing relatively late in the Model M's product cycle. That is, the buckling spring technology passed from IBM to Lexmark, with Unicomp acquiring it in turn from Lexmark. I mention this because I own both grey IBM logo (IBM-built [1992 and earlier]) and blue IBM logo (Lexmark-built [1993 and later]) keyboards. There's a noticeable difference in build quality between the two: the case plastics on the later blue logo keyboards are noticeably less dense (i.e. lighter) and the keyboards offer slightly less in the way of tactile response (i.e. they are not as "clicky"). Yes, Lexmark built -basically- the same keyboard, but the pressure to shave pennies was much greater when Lexmark started manufacturing keyboards circa 1993 vs. when IBM first started doing so in the early 80's (a time when IBM could charge whatever they liked for their keyboards). (This same cost-consciousness also led to the keyboard cord in some late-model Lexmark Model M's becoming hardwired (think the Apple Design keyboard) as opposed to the older Shielded Data Link connector that allowed you to swap out keyboard cords whenever you liked [e.g. you just garroted your boss with your keyboard cable and now the coils aren't neat anymore: time for a new cable!]). So when Unicomp claims to offer "buckling spring" keyboards, they are correct, but what you're getting is a late-model buckling spring keyboard with some cost-cutting evident compared to earlier models. To be clear: the keyboards that Unicomp offers are of very high quality and worth every penny; I'm not saying they're not. However, the reason I bring this up is because some folks have purchased Unicomp keyboards in the past in an effort to recapture the look and feel of the keyboards they imprinted on 20-plus years ago. Unfortunately, they have come away somewhat disapppointed because Unicomp is offering a buckling spring keyboard along the lines of one from circa 1993 as opposed to, say, the Model M that shipped with a PS/2 machine circa 1987. You just have to be aware of what it is you're getting, is all. Compared to the Made in Futung throwaway keyboards of today, the Unicomp keyboards are miles ahead. Compared to earlier IBM offerings, however, there's a noticeable difference, and one a potential consumer should be aware of before they plunk down their hard-earned dough. To be fair, though, Unicomp -does- offer a fairly reasonable return policy: >If there is a problem with the product you have selected, you may return >the >product within 30 days of purchase for a complete refund of the >purchase >price less any shipping and handling charges. For sales returns >there is a >$5.00 fee to cover the cost of testing, re-packaging and >returning to >inventory. Best, James Fraser -- ----- You received this message because you are a member of the Vintage Macs group. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To leave this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vintage-macs Support for older Macs: http://lowendmac.com/services/
