Unicomp and Model F Labs continue to manufacture and recreate the iconic IBM Model M and Model F buckling spring keyboards, which have gained a dedicated following in the keyboard enthusiast community.
As much as keyboard tech has moved on a lot in the last few years, there's still been a quiet corner of the industry dedicated to the old school. Dig a little down the rabbit hole and you'll find Unicomp, a manufacturer in Lexington, Kentucky comprised of old IBM and Lexmark employees who bought the IBM Model M's tooling back in the 1990s.
The thing is, what I've explained there is the Model F's buckling spring system - it's a tad different for the Model M. When the Model M was conceived in the mid-eighties, it was designed as a more 'affordable' keyboard to bundle with IBM personal computers and terminals of the time. As opposed to working on a capacitive plate with plastic paddles, the Model M's springs work by pushing down on contact pads on a plastic membrane, completing the circuit.
So, enough background - let's talk about what I've got in front of me. To be specific, this is the Ultra Compact version of the F77 variant, which provides a tenkeyless layout in a much sleeker looking case than the standard F77, which features all the bezels and retro styling associated with the original Model F. The chassis here though is still noticeably thick and heavy, with a total mass of 4.4lbs and die-cast aluminium construction.
And now onto the most important bit - typing feel. Well, I'll make no bones about it - the F77 feels excellent. Its capacitive buckling springs, besides offering its signature loud click on key press, offers a reassuringly solid progression with a good level of tactility. It makes for an engaging typing experience that made banging out deals and reviews an absolute breeze.
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