Ultra Classic Model M Black Buckling Spring 103 Key USB Keyboard

I don't write reviews often but I'm so happy with my new keyboard I felt I had to in this case.I have Model M2 that's been in my family since it was new in the 90s. It's been my everyday keyboard for about the last 8 years. I never had the pleasure of using an actual Model M, but I always understood it to be a bit better than the M2. Unfortunately, some keys finally started going and it just wasn't working like it used to. I tried cleaning and reading up on fixing it but I was unsuccessful.I was just about ready to abandon buckling springs and the keyboard I loved but lo and behold, Unicomp! I was amazed at the story of the founders of a company who loved buckling springs as much as I did. As I understand it, they used to work for IBM/Lexmark and decided to buy out the keyboard technology when the company announced the end of these keyboards. Since 96, Unicomp has been making these keyboards up to the same, if not better standards of the original Model M.The keyboard itself is an experience like no other. Yes it is loud, heavy, and big, but those are the things I love! This isn't a modern sports car, this is a vintage Cadillac. I don't mean that in terms of speed, but in terms of comfort and satisfaction. My typing speed is actually faster on the Model M compared to other keyboards. Each keystroke is a pleasure as the spring engages, clicks, and clacks. It's simply unlike any other modern mechanical keyboard.I love this keyboard, I love this company, and I sincerely hope they're still doing the same thing in 25 years because I imagine it will be at least that long before I ever need to replace this one!

Good keyboard, nice and heavy.

As others have said, after about three years of use, I'm suddenly experiencing a problem where keys will stop working overnight. It started with the number keys at the top of the keyboard and the spacebar, then started to affect some other keys. I was considering sending it in for repairs ($30 and up), but I read some comments online, and someone said they had gotten theirs to work again by turning it over and shaking it. Skeptical, I tried it — and it worked! But the next day (today), I had the same problem, and again it was remedied by shaking it; I'm typing on the keyboard right now. So apparently it's become the Etch A Sketch of the keyboard world, and you have to shake it to reset it every day. It may also be worth noting that after the first year of use, I had a different problem with this keyboard which may have been electrical in nature: the keys were getting scrambled on some computers. It was repaired under warranty, and worked fine again for some time, but now here we are. So when it works, I love this keyboard, and it's a great replacement for the IBM Model M, but over time, its manufacturing flaws become apparent, and I'm reluctant to either pay for further repairs or purchase a replacement from Unicomp. I'll keep using it until the shaking stops working and seek a new mechanical keyboard.

Plastic didn't feel good, some of the keys stuck or didn't register keypresses. This is not the Model M I remember.

Made in USA (Lexington, KY) & extremely well built, the Ultra Classic from Unicomp is an incredible keyboard for typing / coding. The Ultra Classic is basically the IBM Model M with a somewhat smaller footprint: buckling springs, pbt dye sublimated keycaps, metal internal plate & same Model M layout made with the exact tooling used by IBM.As it only has 2 key roll over, this keyboard is suited for typists & not really for the gaming market. That being said, the key feel & classic metallic thock from buckling springs brings your fingers joy as you type, though the key weighting is a bit on the heavy side (65g+ force).Overall a wonderful, dependable keyboard for typists that will never disappoint.

quality is not as good as the original versions, but is acceptable. i had to do some minor repairs on it as some of the springs were not installed properly, not a shipping related issue as stated in box. other than that i am happy with the purchase.

The Unicomp Ultra Classic Model M Black Buckling Spring 103 Key USB Keyboard is the updated USA-made USB wire connected version of the old IBM PC Keyboard developed for the original PC, that was available throughout the 1980's as standard issue from IBM. One of the OEMs of this keyboard was Lexmark, based in Lexington, KY. As the PC matured, and folks were looking for more and more features, wireless, gaming, portability, price.. the keyboard became less and less popular through the late 1990's.... but the quality and feel of this keyboard (which after many years of development by IBM in the 1970's to emulate their Selectric typewriters) has never been matched. I had been looking for a keyboard to have that same look and field only to find the Unicomp. As I understand it, Unicomp was a supplier of the keyboard to Lexmark in the 1990's and bought the operation, concentrating on making new and reconditioning old PC keyboards in the original Lexington, KY factory. This model is slightly redesigned to be a little smaller and less bulky and allows for use of a mouse more easily that the original model... but it is still a significantly heavy and sturdy keyboard with the same feel as the old IBM PC keyboard - This one is made available in reverse black/white/gray color, with an added Windows key. The Lexington, KY factory can manufacture many other options, including the original model and white/gray colors. I would recommend an additional Belkin F8E263-BLK WaveRest Gel Wrist Pad for ~ $10 to $15 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z5RA/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 that has worked out great! Highly recommend... but be aware, this keyboard does produce the original clik-clik sound!