Unicomp GA LLC (formerly Unicomp, Inc.) is an American manufacturer of

computer keyboard A computer keyboard is a built-in or peripheral input device modeled after the typewriter keyboard which uses an arrangement of buttons or Push-button, keys to act as Mechanical keyboard, mechanical levers or Electronic switching system, electro ...

s and keyboard accessories, based in

Lexington, Kentucky Lexington is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city coterminous with and the county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census the city's population was 322,570, making it the List of ...

. The company was founded in 1996 by ex-

IBM International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...

and

Lexmark Lexmark International, Inc. is a privately held American company that manufactures laser printers and imaging products. The company is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Since 2016 it has been jointly owned by a consortium of three multination ...

employees. Unicomp is the current license holder and manufacturer of

Model M keyboard Model M keyboards are a group of computer keyboards designed and manufactured by IBM starting in 1985, and later by Lexmark International, Maxi Switch, and Unicomp. The keyboard's different variations have their own distinct characteristi ...

s using buckling spring key switches, the patents for which they purchased from Lexmark in 1996.

History

In 1996, Lexmark International was prepared to shut down their Lexington keyboard factory where they produced

Model M Model M keyboards are a group of computer keyboards designed and manufactured by IBM starting in 1985, and later by Lexmark International, Maxi Switch, and Unicomp. The keyboard's different variations have their own distinct characteristi ...

buckling-spring keyboards.

, their principal customer and the ''Model Ms original designer and patent holder, had decided to remove the ''Model M'' from its product line in favor of cost-saving rubber-dome keyboards. Rather than seeing its production come to an end, a group of former Lexmark and IBM employees purchased the license, tooling and design rights for buckling-spring technology, and, in April 1996, reestablished the business as Unicomp. Since 1996, the tooling and molds that Unicomp had inherited from Lexmark began to wear out, leading to a gradual decline in build quality and finish. However, in 2020 Unicomp replaced its tooling leading to quality improvements. The company also began shipping new designs at this time.

Products

Unicomp's product line consists largely of modified designs based on late ''Model M'' keyboards produced by Lexmark: * Classic, (formerly called the ''Customizer'') is similar to one of IBM's late ''Model M'' variants and is built on the same tooling. The only changes to the ''Classic'' compared to an original ''Model M'' are the logo, Windows keys, optional USB connectivity (as an alternative to PS/2), and the option for a black case with light gray or white keys (as an alternative to the classic "pearl" beige). * Classic Trackball, a ''Classic'' with a

trackball A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down ball mouse (computing), mouse with an exposed protruding ball. Users roll the ball t ...

and two mouse buttons right above the indicator lights. However, it is not currently being produced due to low demand. * PC 122, a 5250 122-key keyboard similar to the ''Classic'', but with a rearranged layout and an extra set of function keys, and many keys moved to the left side of the keyboard, and the home key moved to the middle of the arrow keys. * Ultra Classic, (formerly called the ''SpaceSaver'') is a lighter, more compact version of the ''Classic''. An

Apple keyboard Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, in Silicon Valley. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services. Founded in 1976 ...

variant for

macOS macOS, previously OS X and originally Mac OS X, is a Unix, Unix-based operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 2001. It is the current operating system for Apple's Mac (computer), Mac computers. With ...

computers A computer is a machine that can be programmed to automatically carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations ('' computation''). Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as ''programs'', ...

is sold under its former name of ''SpaceSaver M''. * EnduraPro, is an ''Ultra Classic'', except with a

TrackPoint A pointing stick (or trackpoint, also referred to generically as a nub, nipple or clitmouse) is a small analog stick used as a pointing device typically mounted centrally in a computer keyboard. Like other pointing devices such as mice, touchp ...

nub and two mouse buttons at the bottom inspired by the ThinkPads keyboards. * New Model M, a full-sized keyboard resembling an up-sized version of the ''Ultra Classic'' design. There is also a variant for Apple macOS computers. * Mini M, a ''TKL'' (''tenkeyless'') version of ''New Model M'' with the lock lights moved from their traditional location above the now-absent numeric keypad to the top edge of the board above the F9-F12 keys. Unicomp also offers a repair service along with replacement and custom parts for virtually all ''Model M'' and similar keyboards made by IBM, Lexmark, Maxi Switch, and Unicomp.

Gallery

File:UnicompCustomizer-Classic104Key.jpg, Unicomp ''Classic'' 104 (UNI044A) keyboard, manufactured April 23, 2012 File:unicomp-spacesaver-104.jpg, Unicomp ''SpaceSaver'' (now ''Ultra Classic'') 104 (UNI0P4A) keyboard, manufactured March 10, 2010 File:Unicomp backside 4935466733 4c5e97aae8 o.jpg, Underside of a Unicomp UNI0P46; built 2005, repaired 2009 File:Ruben Schade unicomp with apple keys 3764313378 f6b2b6e8e7 o.jpg, Unicomp ''Model M'' exchange key caps for an

layout: Option and

Command key The Command key (sometimes abbreviated as Cmd key), , formerly also known as the Apple key or open Apple key, is a modifier key present on Apple keyboards. The Command key's purpose is to allow the user to enter keyboard commands in applica ...

. File:IBM and Unicomp Model M keyboards.jpg, From top to bottom: IBM ''Model M'' Square Logo 1390131 (1986), Unicomp ''Spacesaver M'' UNIZPHA (2011), IBM ''Model M Space Saving'' 1392934 (1991) File:Unicomp space saver model m. with removed key 3864555240 9a2c6b95da o.jpg, Unicomp ''Model M'' with removed z key. Visible: the exposed buckling spring.

References

External links

* {{Citation , url = http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/compleat-classic-keyboard/ , title = ''The Compleat Classic Keyboard'' ( Eric S. Raymond) – Interoperability problems with modern hardware.
Review that includes company informationUnicomp featured on NPR
Companies established in 1996 Computer peripheral companies Companies based in Lexington, Kentucky Computer keyboard companies Computer companies of the United States Computer hardware companies

History

Products

Gallery

References

See also

External links