Unicomp Ultra Classic 104 long term use review

Ahhhh… Buckling spring switches keyboard certainly turns nostalgia up a notch or two.  The keyboard switches remind me much of my youth.  I always thought it was funny to having a PC with a buckling spring keyboard in a library.  Echoes could be heard around the library when someone busy typing up a book report.  Fun times…..  Anyhow, as much as I want to be objective, the tinted rose color memory of teenage years simply get in the way, but I will try anyway.

Since IBM no longer manufactures Model M keyboard and sold the rights to Unicomp, it’s up to Unicomp now to maintain the mantle.  Given that Unicomp is vastly smaller than IBM or Lexmark, it’s hard to have the same market presence.  Also, the Model M keyboards are close to indestructible.  So, one can still find one within reasonable price in the used keyboard market.  Despite these negative factors, Unicomp soldiers on with this important keyboard legacy.  The world is just a little better place because of it.

Now, the buckling spring switches work, sound, feel overall just as I remembered it.  The classic PBT key cap feel right at home with this keyboard and boy is it loud!  The melodies of the buckling spring keyboard is a divisive force.  One might enjoy it while others will give you a dirty look as soon as your hand get near the keyboard.  Folks who passed by also commented that the keyboard sound reminded them of college and high school computer labs.

Indeed, Unicomp priced these keyboards to move.  The price is competitive with the Cherry MX clones and are within shouting distance of a mainstream genuine Cherry MX board.  Perhaps because of cost or even acoustic factors, Unicomp ditched the all metal clad shell and opted for a plastic case that could easily manufactured, provided that it has a good mold and plastic injection machine.  I bring this up because it clear that the keyboard’s looks are secondary design goals.  Upon first glance, someone might mistake this board for a run of the mill cheap board.  OK, it does look cheap, run of the mill cheap keyboard.  However, one push on the key and all perception change.  So, the production value is on the low side.

Quality control is another thing.  Little things here and there don’t quite align perfectly; nothing a little trim here and polish there won’t solve, but it simple pales in comparison to higher machining prowess of other larger keyboard makers.  For example, putting it next Ducky Legend with its all metallic top covering and it is clear as day and night.  Unicomp spent all the budget on the key feels and not really the looks and it shows.  However, this keyboard will hold up to years of use without much missing a beat because all the attention is on the important bits.  I have been using this keyboard for a while now and I have gotten quite used to the key weights and it still looks new.  So, I have reasonable confidence in its durability.  I have not encountered any issues regarding to the keys thus far.

I enjoy typing on this keyboard quite a bit, but it is most certainly an acquired taste.  The keys march in precision with authoritative affirmation, a traditional typist’s dream, but touch typist need not apply.  Also, this keyboard will not be welcomed at a library these days, I am pretty sure about that.  The only minor thing I have noticed is that the key caps seem a little slippery to me, probably because it doesn't have as deep of a scoop like the Realforce 104UG.  On the other hand, fingers easily glide off from one to another if needed.  Thus, it does facilitate higher typing rate if one learns to take advantage of that.  I, however, don't have such graceful typing style.  So, that's probably their goal rather than a design slip up, no pun intended.

Overall:  This is a specialist keyboard, but it excels at its primary directive at the expanse of its looks.  So, this one will not attract attention, unless it’s the A-10 Warthog type attention you are looking for.  Indeed, the Ultra Classic is not going to win any design awards, but boy, does it shine at what it does while holding up well after much use.

Grade: B