6 Jun
2016
6 Jun
'16
7:29 a.m.
On 5 June 2016 at 18:01, Andrew M Hoerter <amh at pobox.com> 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
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