Yes, those industrial cases were late-production leftovers. The originals had a black metallic square badge, and then a black oval badge. They are also supposed to be slightly tan, yes. Very nice project! :)

I could have obtained a VAN LOAD of model M's during my high schools purge of their PS/2's back in the early 00's, damn.......

Fun fact: The older ones are heavier because they are full of 20 years of dust and crumbs.

I imagine everyone who has worked in a plastics factory is screaming "JUNE OF 1995!". Because thats what the date wheel says on the NOS industrial housing.

If you use photo paper to print a logo, and instead of packing tape, you use greenhouse sheet repair tape, you get a very authentic looking logo for your projects. The photo paper gives proper shine, and the repair tape is an UV (comes in green and transparent, obvs the transparent for this) resistant, very thick tape used to quick repair greenhouses if they get tears in the plastic. It's almost one mm thick, i think .6 or .7, unsure. It's excellent for stuff like this.

I got lucky, I found a late 80s model m keyboard on the curb two years ago. I cleaned it up and it looks brand new. I was pretty amazed!

The Model Ms that IBM made in their Greenock, Scotland factory in the mid-'90s had the same hard-wired, non-coiled cable and lock light bezel as these Unicomp Model Ms.

I'm a machinist/industrial designer. I can mill out a metal badge if you give me the overall measurements and a .dxf of the required art.

I've been dailying Unicomps of various kinds for almost 8 years now, from their older 104 USB, to the M5-2 replica (useful for server work with limited USB ports), and even their linux layout version (that was weird). I've found them to be suitable for use at work since since I don't mind if they get a little more wear and tear, but they do have their problems. Still perfectly serviceable keyboards, but you can totally see where tooling tolerances have slowly gone out of spec, resulting in misaligned parts.

I have a faint feeling that _still_ using the original tooling isn't actually a praise anymore...

Unicomp are good people, I've bought tons of stuff from them over the years, including a bunch of those industrial cases... one time I had an issue with a WASD button set where one of the letters was printed wayyyy off where it should have been... sent them a picture and they apologized and sent me a new set without issue

Love this keyboard. Had one for a year before he tragically drowned. RIP my old friend. I think of you everyday. :(

I love my Unicomp classics. I think the different texture of the case plastic is because they stopped using PVC plastic for those parts, possibly due to environmental/regulatory concerns, and I wouldn't be surprised if the change in plastic affected the sound/flex/weight a bit. Unicomp has been replacing and improving their tooling too and have had a lot of improvement in the past couple years, especially in terms of the printing on the key caps and overall better fit on the keys and chassis. Also some Lexmark IBM branded model M boards did have the same centered arrangement for the lock lights as the Unicomp boards

Unicomp told me that the new single-piece keycaps are all new tooling/new moulds, so they should in theory be better quality than the ones made from the degraded/repaired moulds they used to use. The casing is probably the same mould though.

That looks fantastic. Never really thought of a green/beige combo before but that works sooo well.

I’ve had one as my daily driver for 3 years now, and I absolutely love it! I haven’t had a single problem with it thus far, and highly recommend it if you’re in the market for a new keyboard!

When David made badge replacement on The 8bit Guy, he used metal tape (looked like aluminum) and he printed the text on laminated tape, black on transparent. Stuck the laminated tape on the aluminum tape and cut it to size. I too want to buy a label maker, it looks fun (but expensive).

Wow the green keycaps are looking so neat on that! I‘m still so in love with my 1988 Model M and it always makes me happy to see one regardless :)

I've been using a Unicomp keyboard for 4 years now (build date of 7/11/2016), and it is THE BEST keyboard I've ever owned! No more rubber dome keyboards on my main PC rig! I love how they make their keyboards to order rather than having a huge stockpile of them in a warehouse. I've admired buckling spring keyboards since I was a little kid. The kids at school loved to mix up the keycaps.

I've been rocking my Unicomp Model M for around 10 years - it works just as well as the day I bought it. I'm typing this comment on it right now. I should add that mine was made in 2009 and feels like a tank - much more like the Lexmark Model Ms were. I don't know when things went downhill, but I'm glad they last forever since it doesn't sound like I'd be very happy if I had to get another one.

I have an original made in Mexico 1990 IBM Model M, and I absolutely love it. It came with one of the IBM PS/2s my high school used for typing classes and I rescued it from the dumpster. The thing is an unstoppable beast, and I absolutely love it.

"C:\LGR" logo in green color would be great!

I have been wanting a Unicomp keyboard for a while, thank you for featuring an unboxing of one!

Honestly the aesthetic with the green keys looks pretty great, to be honest. Like that is a classy looking keyboard!

These guys rock. I adore my M122 (2019). If you're wondering if a Unicomp keyboard is worth it... Yes! Unless you can find a good condition early model M. Unicomp was a great company to buy from. Support these guys!

The curved flow on those keys is part of what makes that keyboard awesome. And for the record, my first keyboard was a Cherry, but not the first PC keyboard I used, that I had the honor of being the Model F on a 286 PS/2.

Those green key caps give that Model M a bit of an early '90s Acorn vibe. I like it.

The white/off white with the green accent keys, very nice! Can't wait to see what comes of the industrial shell project.

I used one of these every day at work and I still can't get over how awesome I think it is in the fact that it was made in this same country. Plus when I'm on the phone and typing with it I sound very busy

I use two Unicomp 101 classics for the last 15 years and they are great. I've worked on mainframe model F's in the early 90s and I couldn't forget how great the tactile feedback was. A good keyboard is a great investment if you are typing on your computer.

I expected the industrial keyboard to have a NIN logo on it.

I had them repair and refurbish a couple of old Model M boards I had, and do a Ctrl/CapsLock swap. Really impressed with their work and the turnaround time.

As I understand it the Unicomps with the Windows keys are a bit better in quality as the tooling isn't quite as old and worn down. I was expecting those replacement caps to just be the outer separate part though.

The green looks superb, really love that!

I love that keyboard and the color combination. Green is my favorite color so I may have to imitate your keyboards.

The different colour keys does make it standout very nicely.

thank you fro the tip, I went and bought an industrial grey case as well.

I ordered myself a Unicomp Model 122 key model 2 days ag. Funny you posted this.

Yes!!! I just bought my Unicomp Ultra Classic with blue keys and I am loving it. I've had no quality problems that others have been mentioning, idk

the case build quality has gotten better since their "classic" keyboard. I recently bought a "new model M" from them and it feels solid if not a little less heavy.

Another great blerb and it's so nice to be able to get more content

Why everyone had bad experiences with the Unicomp keyboards, i brought one around 2019, the trackball black-case model and an classic Model M beige USB, and i felt pretty good, probably i never owned an original IBM Model M; knowing buying one from eBay can cost $300 which ain't gonna pay.

Your cameras autofocus is astounding!

Saw keyboard, clicked expecting Thomas, got Clint. Great review! Still rocking a few 1989 Ms'

I have a Unicomp, and it's hands-down the best keyboard I have. I do agree with the quality control issues; mine had one bad key (it triggered a bit above the click sound). The support I got was top-notch, including internationally mailing some parts free of charge, no questions asked, to see if I could repair it and save on having to return it. Sadly, that didn't fix it, but I ended up just deciding to live with it rather than post the thing internationally --- I'd have had to pay customs duties again, which would have doubled the price! Also, I did also order some coloured keycaps and the printing on them was decidedly off-centre. Good news there: I found an IBM WheelWriter in a junk shop which had original IBM keycaps, with the awesome international typewriter symbols, so I'm just using them. I'm really surprised that there are no clone buckling spring keys out of China yet. It's absolutely delicious to type on, making Cherry keyswitches seem scratchy and cheap in comparison. I'd completely recommend a Unicomp.

It looks awesome, nice technique with the LGR logo. The colour scheme reminded me of the Acorn A3010 from the early 90s.

I've got a Unicomp spacesaver M for Mac and absolutely recommend it. I like it better than the apple magic keyboard, and other vintage keyboards.

I was a mainframe operator for 6 1/2 years and I bought one of the model F keyboards with the f13-f24 and used it every day!

A Green LGR badge would look better with the green keys.

That looks really cool! Good job!

That bag of keycaps sounds oh so much like a bag of lego bricks.

Bought one a couple months ago for work. Its a dream to type on.

Kudos for getting the version without the Windows logo key. I got the 101key (w/o the logo key) with grey/black keys/case maybe 6 months ago, and I'm loving it. Subjectively it feels a bit sturdier than what yours looked onscreen when you twisted it.

I own one since around 10 days and I absolutely love it! Was definitely worth $180 (shipping included)! 😁 The feel and look is just amazing! I ordered a custom Model M with the Ultra Classic chassis and Windows 95 keys 😊

Looks like an Acorn keyboard with that beautiful green!

I got a unicomp over a decade ago - very happy with it - in fact I got two as they sent me the wrong sort (usb instead of PS/2) - so delighted at that. They seem slightly better than the more modern ones - though perhaps that's just rose-tinted specs. Not a real M - but it's still a beast of a keyboard.

So nice to see my neck of the woods represented on LGR!

PBT caps are the nicest for sure. Green looks slick.

Looks like they've improved the printing and build quality a bit since the last unboxing I saw a few years ago. I use a 1987 Model M but I've been considering ordering one of the UNICOMPs with a Windows key -- I actually use it with my Mac Pro but it's annoying to not have Control, Option, and Command all at the same time.

I have a unicomp pc-122 and the quality on it seems a lot better than most of the other unicomp boards I've seen. I'm not sure if its just my unit but I'm happy with it regardless. Mine was also made in 2020.

Cool find on the industrial case! And the Unicomp M looks great in beige and green! As for me, I have a Unicomp Ultra Classic M -- the model with less of a "frame" around the case -- in black with gray keys and Windows keys. It's been good so far since I bought it new in early 2018. Still the best thing I've typed on regularly since the buckling-spring keyboard that came with our old 486 back in the day! (I'm not sure if Acer shipped them with their Acros 486 models, or if Dad picked it up separately when he got the computer.) Speaking of which, my current PC _does_ have a PS/2 port on the motherboard, so if I ever find the 486's keyboard in a closet or something...

I was almost tempted until I checked the postage to Australia. $115. Crazy. Nice customisation. Cheers

I didn't realize they sold colored keys at Unicomp. That looks really nice!

Green is so pleasing on this one.

i love my OG type M. it used to be my daily board but has since been swapped to a more disposable board

i found my current Model M in the basement of an abandoned office building, then i had just heard of this legendary keyboard and it made me so extremely thrilled and exited to finally be able to use one. next up with this keyboard is a bolt mod since rivets are just starting to break off

Metal badges are often available at trophy shops. I used to get employee name badges made up with custom laser etched printing that way.

Cool looking keyboard.

Wooooo, I’ve ordered that case too for my German 1992 Model M, alongside with hungarian keycaps. (I’m from Hungary) Now I have a hungarian industrial Model M, which was never a thing. (Althrough IBM manufactured hungarian boards, but not in industrial.) It looks so sexy, that every time when a new person enters my room, notices the keyboard.

i got the black model M and the model F, which looks like something that should belong to a early Star Trek episode from the 70's. However i did had to repair/clean the one i use now, since i spilled a whole glass of softdrink on it, but it was actually quite easy to fix, just cleaned every key, and put the rest in the dish washer and let it dryed. The only issue i had after, was the PCB that is lying on contacts for the key-traces contact , didn't have proper contact. To fix that i just used multiply layers of package foam , compressed to a sandwich, so when i closed the keyboard with the screws, the foam pressed the PCB firmly to the contact points for the traces.

I've been using one of those keyboards for 5 or 6 years. As a programmer I type a lot, and I find those a lot more enjoyable to type on than a cherry MX. And I'm not a big gamer so I couldn't care less about nKRO, the only gaming I do is a few hours of WoW per week-end and the keyboard is good enough for that. I realize it's not as good as an original model M but I suck with tools and it spares me the trouble of having to bolt mod a 30 year old keyboard or getting a PS/2 to USB adapter.

I've used Maverick Label for things similar to this, and they've done a good job for me. They make metallic badges both domed and undomed, among their other products. I did notice that while they can make single pieces the price for getting 50 is about the same as getting 1, so something to keep in mind...

LoL I just randomly watched LTT video on the old model M's and the new unicomp keyboards....good timing LGR!

Metal or black badge look awesome. Or sth custom like this of course!

My Unicomp died about three years after the purchase. The feeling was also off compared to an original, so overall it was not a good experience. Its saving grace was the presence of windows keys, which has become important for system-wide shortcuts in a modern OS.

Just got mine a while back too! The black, white and grey model M is amazing from them and also a bit heavier

Hell yeah those green keys are very nice. It made your last video really stand out. In 1 second I thought it was a AliExpress copy of a Model M keyboard because of the missing IBM Logo. Now I know it’s a Unicomp and it’s based on the original, I will check if they have one available with the windows key.(Super key on Unix/Linux/OpenBSD Command key on MacOS, which I use way more nowadays then Windows). I miss the clicky sound on my daily driver. Corsair K60 Pro RGB with Cherry MV speed keys(and horrible backlighting, something where Apple keyboards stand out)

Interesting video. I do like the green keycaps better. However, I've never been able to get too excited over a keyboard. Still, not everyone can be a fan, eh? Well done, Sir!

I'd love to see a new Model F review also! Mine is pretty amazing, definitely worth the multi year wait for it, haha.

Saw that green in the thumbnail and thought you'd gotten your hands on an Archimedes for a second.

Getting a strong Acorn A3010 vibe from your shiny new green keyed Model M, as the green function keys on the A3010 look to be the same shade as the keycaps you put on yours.

Reminds me of the Acorn RiscPC/Archimedes computers I use to use in school, those had either green or orange keys on the function keys

This colour scheme reminds me so much of the Acorn A3010 - school days vibes!

I have a WASD custom board, with key coloration inspired by the Space Cadet. It uses a detachable USB-C cable - which I'm glad about, because the cable was the weakest part of my old Unicomp M (which I used for probably about 5 years before it died).

I bought a Unicomp a couple years ago because you've always talked up the Model Ms (Would buy an original, but they're expensive XD) and I love the heck out of it! It replaced the Dell keyboard I'd been using since around 2005, haha. The quality is fine, for me. I like the clicky-ness of the keys and using an actual mechanical keyboard is cool. I did have a weird issue of cleaning it once and they thing just quit working. That's probably my fault =/. Unicomp customer service did send me a shipping label for return the next day and I had it back working in under a week, so I was impressed there! Although, since then, the P key either doesn't work unless I hit it harder than usual or it double presses. I just live with it, though. :)

Surprised at how much of a difference the badge made. Looks smooth

This video helped me discover that the handling of a cardboard box is good ASMR.

That is one hell of a nice wood table

Wow looks great!

I miss my old Model M keyboard but it just didn't match my black monitor & mouse. Glad to see that Unicomp makes a Model M with a black bezel to match my modern PC but still have that classic feel.

I own a Unicomp Model M (euro layout , w/ Windows keys) for, dunno, 5 or 6 years now, with some problems. If you hear a ratteling noise from the inside it means that some of those molten plastic blobs, which fix the metal plate, broke of. I repaired it by drilling tiny holes in the stumps and screwing screws into them. Perfect solution, keyboard is much more stable. In comparison to the old IBM Model M, the metal plate is around 1/4 thinner

That badge actually looks pretty good for what it is.

clint - damn I wish I can get "insert some part or item made" 1 week later clint - *gets what ever item he requested* XD

Just picked one of these up at a closing Bed Bath & Beyond getting rid of their office equipment for $5. I don't even know why it was there, but it was definitely well-loved. 😮

Well... now I know what I want for Christmas. That green and beige is SICK. Don’t care if my PC setup is all black, either!

Man those green keys look really cool on that thing! Anyway, a few suggestions for unicomp - Update the tooling, and try to recreate the original polymer formula, make the general feel of the thing better quality - Add a few more modern features such as N-Key Rollover - Detatchable USB Type C / PS/2 cable

Next thing we know he’s going to take the keyboard apart and cover the case in wood grain

the green is looking good

The green keycaps certainly make the keyboard more aesthetically pleasing. I'd personally go for one with the Windows key (preferably the 3 to 7 logo instead of the current one) that's USB compatible, but that's just my own preferences in terms of computer hardware.

Nice green keys, reminiscent of the function keys on my Acorn A3010.