| Professional Mechanical Keyboard Comparison |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Input Devices | |||||||||||||||||
| Written by David Ramsey - Edited by Olin Coles | |||||||||||||||||
| Sunday, 27 September 2009 | |||||||||||||||||
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Page 8 of 11
Dell SK-8115 keyboardExpensive mechanical keyboards are all well and good; but let's take a look at some examples of what most people are actually using to see how they compare. We'll start with the Dell SK-8115, a keyboard included with many Dell computers sold to business and industry. You'll see in almost any business that uses Dell computers (in fact I saw two of them recently at the local Round Table Pizza). Dell refers to it on their web site as "USB keyboard for select Dell systems", whereas other sites refer to it as the "Dell compact USB keyboard". It's a standard 104-key layout with a very narrow bezel (thus the "compact" designation); the only oddity in the design is that the Windows key, alt key, space bar, and menu key are all about half again as deep as you'd expect, with the bottom edge of the keyboard bulging out to accommodate them. This surprising design touch actually does make a difference; using these keys felt easier and more natural. 
If the IBM Model M defined the computer keyboard of the 80s, this represents the standard computer keyboard of the 21st century. Constructed of thin, lightweight black plastic, with absolutely nothing that could be construed as an "extra feature", it's a pure typing keyboard, and Dell sells it new for $21.99. There are two customer reviews of the keyboard on Dell's web site and they both give it five out of five stars. There are no macros, media keys, backlighting, et cetera; it's just a very basic keyboard. So how does it compare to a mechanical keyboard for feel and usability? After spending an hour or so typing on this keyboard, I was surprised to find that it's not as sublimely horrible as I'd expected. The keys are full-stroke desktop-style keys rather than the laptop style keys that are becoming more common on desktop keyboards, the key layout is nicely sculpted, and the rubber domes are assertive enough to imbue this keyboard with as much "key feel" as you'll ever get using this technology. The compact size is a plus if your desk space is at a premium. I couldn't type as fast and accurately on this keyboard as I could any of the mechanical models, but it's entirely usable. In fact, my wife, who's a professional programmer, thinks it's one of the best keyboards she's ever used. Durability is an unknown, although it's likely to be far less than a mechanical keyboard. But durability wasn't a design criteria with this keyboard: it was designed to be cheap yet usable; just enough to keep a typical consumer going for a year or two, and if it dies, who cares? A new one is only $21.99! EDITORS NOTE: It cost me less than $8 per unit to buy a 25-pack case of Dell SK-8115 keyboards, making them disposable.
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Comments
By the way, mine has still this big round connector found in the old AT machines before the PS2-connectors where introduced and no Windows key.
On the topic: It is sad to hear that Cherry isn't present in the consumer market in the US anymore. Here in Germany you can buy Cherry products in every good online store as well as the small retailer around the corner. But I admit they sell G83s, it maybe harder to get an G80 here as well.
If you can't get one in the US without a problem, than you were right not to test it. But as you said in the article, a keyboard is a very personal thing, and it makes you a little sad when your favourite is not included in such a test
So have you compared your Customizer with an older Lexmark-manufactured Model M? To me the Unicomp is like so many things made these days; they're like stage props compared to the things they're made to resemble.
According to the history of the Model M at Wikipedia, Lexmark made the keyboards /for/ IBM, so they were held to IBM's standards, but when their contract ran out and they sold the patents to Unicomp there was no more impetus to maintain those standards.
Anyway, thanks to your article I've been able to check out other brands of keyboards and have just ordered a DAS "Professional S." My thinking is that if it ever gives me trouble I at least have the option of replacing its Cherry MX blue key switches myself. I'm proficient enough at soldering so it shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for the reviews, asalina
In 1991, IBM sold its printing / imaging business to an private equity firm, and that became Lexmark. They got the keyboards, too. This is much the same as the way IBM's personal computer / laptop division was spun into Lenovo.
#1 almost no problem (customizer 101)
#2 F2 keycap is slightly corrupt (customizer 101)
#3 Backspace is noisy, tenkey '8' is not smooth
#4 locking mechanism of stand is weak
#5, #6 no problem (new spacesaver 104PC). The key feel is lighter than customizer.
But UNICOMP is cheaper than original. I have several model M (three Lexmark and one 1390120). The key feel is different, but I also love UNICOMP's feel though quality is quite low.
Spent shipping cost, while under warrenty to have it repaired. They charged me 40 dollars to fix it because it was 'not covered'.
Got the keyboard back, same random turn off problem
DO NOT BUY A UNICOMP