Unicomp Ultra Classic 104 - Quinn's Curios

Unicomp is a Kentucky-based company that manufactures reproductions a few of the well-known buckling spring keyboards of yore. The most famous of their reproductions is the Model M, a full-sized beast that commands a large amount of desk real estate.

This is my first full-sized mechanical keyboard purchase since I bought a “Das Keyboard 4 Pro” in 2014. After a few years using smaller and more ergonomically-minded boards like the Ergodox, it has been interesting to use this board. Now that I have had more time to use and become familiar with this board (approximately 1 week of dedicated home use), I feel more comfortable producing a “full” review.

Basic Info:

Purchased From: Unicomp, Inc.
Cost: About $150 USD
- $99: Keyboard, $30: Printed ANSI Modifier Keys (normally $36, Unicomp offered a discount for buying this with the ‘board), $20: Tax
- Free shipping
Set-Up Time: N/A (board was ready to use out of the box)

Pros:

The board has a great retro aesthetic, paying homage to the beloved Model M keyboard. This includes, among other things, a lip for a pen / pencil / writing implement. The board is also a bit of a “chungus,” (ie it is very large), and dwarfed in size only by the (now discontinued) PC122.
Though the Ultra Classic is based on a board that is decades old, it still includes modern features, such as a USB connection and the OS key. With that being said, those who want a more “old school” experience can purchase the board without an OS key and a PS/2 connection.
Unicomp offers a wide variety of customization options for the keyboard, from covers and keycaps to replacement cables and LED Overlay Stickers. The attention to detail is impressive.
This keyboard sounds unlike any other keyboard I’ve used. This is no doubt due to the buckling spring mechanism of the board, which has a distinct, metallic click when being used. This is a bit of a double-edged sword, however (see “cons,” below).

Cons:

I’m not sure if it is this version of the buckling spring, or all buckling spring switches, but I found the typing experience to be, “mushy.” Though this feeling subsided somewhat as I spent more time with the keyboard, it was never fully resolved. Each key’s short travel distance (especially in the alphas) paired with a rock-hard bottom out required me to use a softer touch than I was expecting. Even after I adjusted, I still wasn’t particularly comfortable typing on this ‘board.
This may not be a con depending on your use case, but this keyboard is loud. I originally purchased this keyboard with the hope of taking it to work with me, but my office-mates would have my head if I brought in something this noisy.
The keyboard does not include a detachable USB cable, or any built-in cable management. While this makes sense given the retro aesthetic the board is going for, I can’t say that I didn’t miss those features a touch during my time with this board
The manufacturing tolerances on this board are not great. Some keys are higher than others in the same row (I’m looking at you, OS keys in the bottom row), and a few of the keycaps came with unfinished bottom edges. Neither of these really affect usability, but it is still a minor annoyance (especially on a keyboard that costs over $100 shipped).

Conclusion:

There is a lot to like about this board, from the retro aesthetic to the manufacturer’s attention to detail. The price also seems reasonable when compared to other off-the-shelf boards. For example, a full-sized Das Keyboard 5 comes in at a similar price, and more niche offerings like Topre can cost 2-3 times more than the Unicomp.

With that being said, the Unicomp failed me in the one place a keyboard must excel: the typing experience. Even after I had a week to get used to it, I still strongly prefer the “thocc” of Topre and the tactility of my Zealios. Ultimately, while I think the Unicomp is a fun piece of keyboarding history, it will not be staying in my permanent collection.

Check it out here.

Basic Info:

Pros:

Cons:

Conclusion:

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