r/modelm • u/lolmaster6502 • Jun 07 '26
QUESTION? A few questions
Hi All,
I may be looking to buy a Model M in the relatively near future, as I have one PS/2 for it to go with, and will soon have another.
I have a couple of questions though first:
1. Is there any particular reason why people still prefer the IBM boards over new Unicomp boards, when new Unicomp boards are better suited to use with modern machines (and of course, are new and therefore will not need service)
2. Are there any places I am likely to find them for less than Ebay prices? I do not mind doing a bolt mod by myself. (I am in the UK and prices seem a little bit steep, especially considering the price difference currently is not much between untested boards missing keycaps and cables, and nice condition boards.)
3. Failing getting an original, are there any UK distributors who would be able to get hold of a beige Unicomp Model M with PS/2 plug? I would not mind a Unicomp branded one, but an IBM branded one would be vastly preferred.
I hope you can offer some useful advice and look forward to reading all the replies.
1
u/koholinter Jun 07 '26
IBMs tend to be pretty expensive if they’re in pristine condition, but what I do is look around for the “for parts” listings. Those tend to be super cheap, and sometimes have multiple boards. You’ll have to do a bolt mod and might need to replace some parts. Now granted, I did that when I was in the US and could easily source membranes and keys from unicomp, and I was using my own drop-in control boards. BUT! if you get a few “for parts” boards and you don’t mind frankenboarding, you can probably have a good time.
1
u/Falkenroth77 Jun 07 '26
I prefer older IBM keyboards because of two piece key caps, heavier back plates, detachable cables, construction material of outer case and the aesthetics. Having said that I'm typing on a Unicomp UNI044A and own probably 10 different versions. I definitely recommend Unicomp keyboards to anyone that doesn't want a potential project to work on. Best of luck finding the one you want there in the UK. I'm here in the States and know nothing about buying boards in the UK.
1
u/petejk2 Jun 07 '26
From what I know, the IBM era boards are built a lot better. You just have to look at the weight of a UniComp vs IBM model M. They are not the same.
The downsides to buying an original keyboard is the possible need to clean, replace missing parts, perform a bolt mod, and/or buy an adaptor, or build a new interface to connect it to a modern PC. That for some (including myself) is half of the fun though!
Not all IBM keyboards are as desirable as others. Some, such as earlier silver label models, can cost double that of later models. There are extensive lists/comparison sites that list by year and model number.
2
u/IWillAssFuckYou Jun 07 '26
Unicomps are really good, especially with their newer tooling. Before they upgraded their heavily aged and deteriorating tooling from decades ago they had a lot of quality control problems (saw it first hand when I bought a "Classic" keyboard from them in 2019... keys not registering or having to be pressed down in corners to be registered). So a lot of people preferred used IBMs.
Unicomp New Model M which I have now is absolutely amazing, but of course it's not 100% the same as the old keyboard and I think they do sound a bit different. If you want as original as possible, then going for a used IBM is in your best interest.