Unicomp again?
Unicomp again?
i have a Unicomp ps2 keyboard that I've been using for about 25 years that seems to be nearing the end of its service life. it gave me a scare a few years back so i bought a cherry mx board as a backup but the thing gave me doublestrikes all the time so that's not a long-term solution for my next iteration. considering going for another unicomp since i like the chonkyness of it. i always think about a keyboard i encountered back in the 90s that had a special MACRO section onboard, and the old SIIG ALPS keyswitch keyboards. anyone used one of those new-fangled optical keyswitch boards?
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I don't know about optical switches, but I know that you can still buy new ALPS alike keyboards from Mathias. I have 4 different models of them e.g. this one. There is a PC version that is branded "quiet pro" that I have been using in the office for a while, but I stopped using it when COVID came.
I had an Ergo Pro, and I can't recommend more against it.
It had a problem with ghosting / doubling keystrokes that kicked in after about nine months. It was intermittent at first, until I realized I was compensating for it consistently. Beyond their support timeframe by then.
The reason I put up for it for so long is that I haven't found a keyboard before or since that had such a great feel to the keystrokes.
I've had several Unicomps and none of them failed in any way. The buckling spring keyboards feel better over time as you keyboard with them.
There's a newer Unicomp that's the standard size layout but with a reduced overall keyboard case size. That one is the best, IMHO. It sounds just and good as it feels. The others have more of a "spring" or hollow sound, versus like a chunk of metal sound.
Downside to the USB Unicomps: there's noticeable latency. In comparison to say, a Logitech K840 or G513.
I type on a Logitech G513 today. Decently mechanical, good key travel, zero noticeable latency.
it’s surprising to me that the usb unicomps have lag, thats disappointing because that was my first choice but that warns me off them.
The lag is unfortunate on the USB version. They're already loud and fairly high activation force; when you add in the latency, the experience of them is pretty different than sitting down in front of a real IBM Model M and a DOS machine (with PS2); like they are far more dramatic than they really are.
It took me a year or so so using the USB version (and occasionally going back and trying them again and again because I like the key feel) before I decided the latency was too much for me.
My memory of the PS2 versions is they have no lag whatsoever. If you have a computer with PS2 you can try it; or you can try a PS2->USB converter, as well. I bet different converters have better latency than the stock electronics.
I have a quiet pro! It's nice, I used it for work for a while, now it's connected to my G3. Same situation; it was my office board but then my office became my house.
This was a while ago so it's possible their quality control has improved over the years, but I had two Matias TactilePro keyboards fail: the first developed keybounce/chatter after a few months, the replacement developed it after a few weeks then had keys fail. They gave me some mild run around the second time and I just wrote it off rather than deal with them.
I have a number of other keyboards, including Unicomp, and only Matias and a Filco Majestouch gave me problems and the Filco went several years of daily use before needing a key switch to be replaced.
I tried some software compensators for doublestrikes but i found they didnt suit my needs at any point of tuning. I’m at least glad others have had similar experiences and I’m not just uniquely cursed.
Not just you.
I think their Alps-style switches are fine but not special. I have an original Apple Extended II and an ADB-USB adapter and the original Alps switches are better.