Unicomp New Model M Keyboard | Hacker News Reader

Unicomp New Model M Keyboard

softinio.com

5 pointstodsacerdoti7 comments

> The quality of service I received is one of the best I have ever received. When I called to find out more about the New Model M not only was the help I received exemplarity, but once I placed my order, even though it had the custom configuration of macOS support added was shipped within 24 hours of placing the order and the item received is fantastic in every possible way.

That's sales support. Technical support is not so great. I bought a Model M from Unicomp about two years ago. Within about a year, one key became flaky, not registering sometimes. This increased to maybe 10-20% misses. I contacted support and the only help they could provide was to ship the keyboard back at MY expense. For THEIR defective product. That seemed pretty outrageous given that the shipping cost is a significant fraction of the purchase price.

A decent company would send me a replacement immediately, requiring me to return the faulty item, paying shipping both ways. As much as I like their keyboards, I cannot recommend buying from Unicomp because of their poor support.

I really like the idea of Unicomp. US-based factory, still making Model M keyboards to this day. I've bought a classic, an Ultra Classic, a PC 122, a Classic Trackball, and a New Model M. All USB. The Ultra Classic and PC 122 both have developed flaky keys and/or the spacebar. The rest have been fine.

I don't want to try to fight with support to get this sent back since I know that I get to ship it back to them at my own expense, but I will say it deflates my desire to purchase a MacOS compatible Model M for my grandparents (who don't like the tiny thin Apple keyboards) since if it has problems, they will turn to me for help.

Their product support may be a situation of 'penny wise, pound foolish'. Since you can't measure lost sales due to support worries, offering things that cost you like free return labels will never make the cut as their (not inconsiderable) expense is not offsetting any other numbers in the excel spreadsheets the powers that be see.

Ctrl key is in the wrong place. Should be where modern Capslock is. Not that I wouldn’t buy one...

comparing it to my macbook (us layout), Ctrl is in the right place, it just that the function key that should be to its left is not there and is on the other side of the space bar which I prefer.

Fun fact: As well as caps lock, it has a function key lock without having to touch anything in macos preferences.

We are both right. The original Model M did indeed place Ctrl to the left side, not where you see it on your newfangled Macawhatsit.

fair point indeed.

As much as I would like one, $108 to ship a $104 keyboard really kills the deal.

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