Unicomp

Unicomp, Inc
Company type	Private
Industry	Manufacturing
Founded	April 1996; 28 years ago
Headquarters	Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Products	Computer keyboards
Website	pckeyboard.com

Unicomp is a manufacturer of computer keyboards and keyboard accessories, based in Lexington, Kentucky, United States.

History

In 1996, Lexmark International was prepared to shut down their Lexington keyboard factory where they produced Model M buckling-spring keyboards. IBM, their principal customer and the Model M's 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

Near-view from the side of a black Unicomp SpaceSaver 104 (UNI0P4A) keyboard

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 and two mouse buttons right above the indicator lights. However, it is not currently being produced due to low demand.^[1]
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 variant for macOS computers is sold under its former name of SpaceSaver M.
EnduraPro, is an Ultra Classic, except with a TrackPoint 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 Lexmark Space Saver design.^[2] There is also a variant for Apple macOS computers.
Mini M, a TKL (tenkeyless) version 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

Unicomp Classic 104 (UNI044A) keyboard, manufactured April 23, 2012
Unicomp SpaceSaver (now Ultra Classic) 104 (UNI0P4A) keyboard, manufactured March 10, 2010
Underside of a Unicomp UNI0P46; built 2005, repaired 2009
Unicomp Model M exchange key caps for an Apple keyboard layout: Option and Command key.
From top to bottom: IBM Model M Square Logo 1390131 (1986), Unicomp Spacesaver M UNIZPHA (2011), IBM Model M Space Saving 1392934 (1991)
Unicomp Model M with removed z key. Visible: the exposed buckling spring.