Help us get a Unicomp tenkeyless keyboard!

[sordna]

A Unicomp employee is asking the community to create cases in Unicomp's ticketing system to request the long awaited Unicomp Mini (Space Saving Keyboard)
Alternatively you can send email to support@pckeyboard.com

LET'S ALL MAKE THIS REQUEST FOR A TENKEYLESS UNICOMP CLICKY KEYBOARD !!!

Given enough participation, hopefully a keyboard like this will soon become a reality:

endurapro-mini.jpg (173.57 KiB) Viewed 13617 times

[Spharx]

The layout that bugfix made would be superb because it would fit the needs of ansi and iso users.

[sordna]

Fixed that for you, let's not forget the spirit:

unicomp-mini.jpg (208.13 KiB) Viewed 13531 times

[litster]

Fixed that for you, let's not forget the spirit:

unicomp-mini.jpg

Ooh, that looks pretty good!

[Minskleip]

I want one with 7bit layout!

At least HHKB layout is possible to make with a few extra springs and hammers!

[krstf]

Ticket posted. Would be interesting to see how many tickets they were getting concerning the SSK.

I'd like a non-staggered BS SSK keyboard by the way...

[webwit]

Lol, Unicomp must be delirious about the unified demand. Post about a Unicomp SSK, get replies which state: Nice, but I want an ISO one. Nice but I want a 7bit one. Nice, but I want a HHKB one. Nice, but I want an ergo board with unstaggered keys. So this is how you don't get a Unicomp SSK keyboard.

[Minskleip]

Haha

But you can make your own HHKB style with extra hammers and a new controller. That's what I meant.

[krstf]

I'd still buy at least one, regardless of the various layouts mentioned already.

[Ekaros]

Layouts shouldn't be too hard for them if they are build like other BS-boards. Only difference is keycaps different placement of hammers. BS is quite different from MX boards as matrix can be same for all as stabilisers aren't mounted to plate or PCB.

What they need is likely only new case, matrix+plate+platisc-"plate". And maybe some reprogramming of old controllers. These do cost to develope and machine...

[sordna]

The main hurdle is the case, molds are expensive. Webwit is right, for now we need to ask for a tenkeyless buckling spring keyboard, and not mention all these options and variations if we want to stand a chance in getting this done.

Also, if this keyboard has the usual unicomp pricing (around $80) and is readily available (not rare anymore) it wouldn't be as hard a decision to mod them ourselves.

[ripster]

It's in Webwit's and my interest for this to not happen.

5013170200_21a3478d65_b.jpg (284.76 KiB) Viewed 13411 times

[litster]

I don't think a new Unicomp SSK model would make old IBM's SSKs cheaper. It certainly would not affect industrials your your other rare ones. The rare SSKs are expensive to buy and hard to find because they are collectibles. For one, the new one from Unicomp will most likely have Windows keys. And when you can buy one whenever you feel like it at a fixed retail price, the rush to get one is gone.

[ripster]

Well, I'm not that worried actually.

But I DO believe in Santa Claus.

[webwit]

I'd love to have a space saving buckling keyboard with trackpoint.

[cable]

Fixed that for you, let's not forget the spirit:

unicomp-mini.jpg

Motherducking ISO without a big enter key? My dream has officially come true.

Where can I get this?

[hoggy]

You just need to give unicomp a call.

[dfxdx]

Everyone show your support for this! I want this to happen. I tried out a BS keyboard for the first time yesterday and it feels so good. I was originally thinking that a Topre would be my dream machine but not I am not so sure. A BS TKL would be perfect. If perfection can be improved upon I would have the pointing stick thing too as long as it works like my Thinkpad and not like the Dell implementation which is just rubbish. Please let Unicomp know that you want one!

[acfrazier]

I have already been calling them a lot about this, but to show my faith in this (I REALLY WANT THIS but I doubt they will drop $250,000 on tooling) I am sticking it and moved it to Keyboards.

[bhtooefr]

So, the good thing is, Unicomp's architectures are very modular.

No need to complain about ANSI vs. ISO - the way the Model M-derived designs work, the tooling makes one design that is only defined as ANSI or ISO by where the hammers/springs and the inserts are placed. So, you'll get both designs.

If they do it on a modified version of the EnduraPro platform, you also get flexibility on whether it has a TrackPoint or not - Unicomp does, after all, have a blockoff plate to remove the buttons on an Ultra Classic.

Controller would be an issue that I forsee - they'd have to design a new one. However, I don't see any good way around that that doesn't increase labor costs significantly, no matter how they design the keyboard, unless they do away with lock LEDs.

[7bit]

Lol, Unicomp must be delirious about the unified demand. Post about a Unicomp SSK, get replies which state: Nice, but I want an ISO one. Nice but I want a 7bit one. Nice, but I want a HHKB one. Nice, but I want an ergo board with unstaggered keys. So this is how you don't get a Unicomp SSK keyboard.

Making Ansi/ISO, split up Back Space, split up right Shift should be no problem.
I'm not sure about the gaps between Alt and Control.

We just have to tell them they should fill these gaps, plus add the possibility for a switch into every of these possible positions.

Also, we want it in industrial grey with a square silver on black aluminium IBM label!

ps: Any chances they make a terminal tenkeyless?

[MegalomaniaC]

I really dont mind if it is ISO or ANSI while its a SSK, but please lets make Unicomp build them! I would buy one instantly nomatter the price (well, if its cheaper than a common ssk, if not then im still getting the IBM one xD)

[sixty]

You guys keep forgetting that the Model M, including the space saver is multilingual by design and will work with ISO/ANSI/JAPANESE JIS either way. ISO or ANSI is peanuts. The expensive part is the mold for the case parts

[Tycn]

Do you need to replace your old IBM buckling spring keyboard?

Tell us the part number you are needing and we'll build you a new one, (with a Unicomp logo of course).

Sounds like they might be equipped to produce a number of IBM models.

[ripster]

I believe in Miracles...

[1391401]

Personally, I'd prefer one of these:

[Ekaros]

Personally, I'd prefer one of these:

That one is bit pointless, near same size as full sized Filcos and such...

[1391401]

Personally, I'd prefer one of these:

That one is bit pointless, near same size as full sized Filcos and such...

Actually, it's nearly identical to the IBM Model M Space Saving keyboard, just as the Unicomp Classic is nearly identical to the IBM Model M, but then that's as it should be because Unicomp intentionally makes a replica of the IBM Model M and has carried on the Model M legacy for years now. Hence, if anyone's going to create a clone of the original Model M Space Saving keyboard, it should be them. Your comment is akin to labeling the Unicomp Classic pointless because it's the exact same size as an IBM Model M, which is entirely the point; to create a replica.

[MoarMAtt]

Put in my email and they gave a prompt response that it was on "their wishlist" but couldnt confirm nor commit to it. CURSES!

[ripster]

This is me when I joined Geekhack on the left. On the right is iMav.


Here I am now.