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Post Your Mac Setup: Past & Present (Part 20)

A

Altis

macrumors 68040
Sep 10, 2013
3,167
4,898
namethisfile said:
..... (snipped for conciseness)....

But, thanks for the feedback. I thought of splurging and getting the Realforce KB's, which has topre keys I think. But, they are twice as much as the Unicomps. Maybe, down the road, I will get get one. :)

PS---I don't actually know how Unicomp makes their KB's. I don't know if they build them from the ground up or restore old shells or whatnot.
Click to expand...

Unicomp purchased all the tooling from Lexmark for the Model M keyboards. I suspect some of the equipment is pretty old now and making it work right is becoming more difficult. They definitely do get away with a lesser finish than any other company; I think it's because the kind of people who are interested in buying one enjoy the humble, rustic feel and aren't really concerned with the finish quite as much (and the tooling machines are probably about cooked by now). They do build them all brand new though. I hope they come out with the compact 60%ish buckling spring board like they've been saying as the full-size form factor has become too large for me.

I still have my '12 Blackwidow with MX Blues, though I don't use it that much. If you want a a nice clicky keyboard, Monterey Blue (alps-like) switch boards are very satisfying (such as Chicony KB-5181) and easy enough to get. The Hi-Tek Space Invader switches found in NMB keyboards (RT-101) are also really nice.

Ultimately, Topre keyboards really hit the spot for me. I have both 45g and 55g Realforce 87U, though I actually prefer the 45g. The HHKB Pro 2 is also quite an interesting little board. They're so expensive though (even more so in Canada!). Yet, I'd still recommend the Realforce... it seems like a lot for a keyboard that doesn't really have any features, but it sets a new standard for smoothness.
 
L

lagski911

macrumors newbie
Dec 15, 2015
5
4
theSeb said:
It's not really your setup though. You've just arranged every Apple / computing item you own on a desk. ;)
Click to expand...
You would be surprised how many times I actually sit at my desk with everything like this. The only thing is I usually don't use the iPad mini 4 while at home.
 
namethisfile

namethisfile

macrumors 65816
Jan 17, 2008
1,190
176
Altis said:
Unicomp purchased all the tooling from Lexmark for the Model M keyboards. I suspect some of the equipment is pretty old now and making it work right is becoming more difficult. They definitely do get away with a lesser finish than any other company; I think it's because the kind of people who are interested in buying one enjoy the humble, rustic feel and aren't really concerned with the finish quite as much (and the tooling machines are probably about cooked by now). They do build them all brand new though. I hope they come out with the compact 60%ish buckling spring board like they've been saying as the full-size form factor has become too large for me.

I still have my '12 Blackwidow with MX Blues, though I don't use it that much. If you want a a nice clicky keyboard, Monterey Blue (alps-like) switch boards are very satisfying (such as Chicony KB-5181) and easy enough to get. The Hi-Tek Space Invader switches found in NMB keyboards (RT-101) are also really nice.

Ultimately, Topre keyboards really hit the spot for me. I have both 45g and 55g Realforce 87U, though I actually prefer the 45g. The HHKB Pro 2 is also quite an interesting little board. They're so expensive though (even more so in Canada!). Yet, I'd still recommend the Realforce... it seems like a lot for a keyboard that doesn't really have any features, but it sets a new standard for smoothness.
Click to expand...

Seems like you have quite a collection of nice keyboards. A keyboard connoiseur of sorts. Lol. They (KB's) are definitely one of the three main things one interacts with the most in personal computing. The other two being the mouse and the monitor. So, getting quality ones definitely helps. I also like that more and more people seem to be interested in nice, quality keyboards, which seems to be overlooked these days. For example, everyone regards IBM Model M's as the holy grail of keyboards and those were from the 80's and 90's. So, I'm glad that, at least, Unicomp is offering people a chance to experience retro IBM buckling springs. And I even like the retro look of it, too, which is a stark contrast to today's mechanical/gamer-oriented aesthetics. Now, if there is a mouse that doesn't look like a spaceship that is superb for gaming. But, doesn't look gamer-y and no garish LED's of their logos and is available not in black (everything is black these days)... maybe gray, white or some shade of green... then I would probably pick one up.

I thought long and hard about getting the Realforce before settling on the Unicomp. But, like I said, besides issues with a few misaligned letters on the key caps and finishing touches here and there (excess plastic), the Unicomps are excellent. I feel like QC is the issue with the Unicomps. I literally feel like my keyboard came straight off the assembly line without seeing a person. Or maybe a person saw it but he/she just slapped on a sticker on the bottom that shows it was assembled the day I ordered it, wrapped it in plastic, shoved it in a brown box, then shipped it. For a boutique like specialty company that caters to a very few, I feel like no care was given to this keyboard.... so, my theory is that it's not about their tooling. It's probably that they have very few employees working for the company. I feel like someone could have seen the few misaligned key caps on my keyboard and swapped them out for ones that are centered. And, also shaved off the excess plastic and stuff. (SIGH) I mean, this keyboard is not cheap. Anyway, I will probably see what keyboard to get next. But, my next one will probably be the Realforce because I do like that they look like from the 90's.

PS--But maybe you are right. Maybe the tooling and machines they have are also literally from the 80's and 90's. So, the product, like the excess plastic reminds me of some things from childhood with plastic products.... and their key presser is also misaligned....
 
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A

Altis

macrumors 68040
Sep 10, 2013
3,167
4,898
namethisfile said:
Seems like you have quite a collection of nice keyboards. A keyboard connoiseur of sorts. Lol. They (KB's) are definitely one of the three main things one interacts with the most in personal computing. The other two being the mouse and the monitor. So, getting quality ones definitely helps. I also like that more and more people seem to be interested in nice, quality keyboards, which seems to be overlooked these days. For example, everyone regards IBM Model M's as the holy grail of keyboards and those were from the 80's and 90's. So, I'm glad that, at least, Unicomp is offering people a chance to experience retro IBM buckling springs. And I even like the retro look of it, too, which is a stark contrast to today's mechanical/gamer-oriented aesthetics. Now, if there is a mouse that doesn't look like a spaceship that is superb for gaming. But, doesn't look gamer-y and no garish LED's of their logos and is available not in black (everything is black these days)... maybe gray, white or some shade of green... then I would probably pick one up.

I thought long and hard about getting the Realforce before settling on the Unicomp. But, like I said, besides issues with a few misaligned letters on the key caps and finishing touches here and there (excess plastic), the Unicomps are excellent. I feel like QC is the issue with the Unicomps. I literally feel like my keyboard came straight off the assembly line without seeing a person. Or maybe a person saw it but he/she just slapped on a sticker on the bottom that shows it was assembled the day I ordered it, wrapped it in plastic, shoved it in a brown box, then shipped it. For a boutique like specialty company that caters to a very few, I feel like no care was given to this keyboard.... so, my theory is that it's not about their tooling. It's probably that they have very few employees working for the company. I feel like someone could have seen the few misaligned key caps on my keyboard and swapped them out for ones that are centered. And, also shaved off the excess plastic and stuff. (SIGH) I mean, this keyboard is not cheap. Anyway, I will probably see what keyboard to get next. But, my next one will probably be the Realforce because I do like that they look like from the 90's.

PS--But maybe you are right. Maybe the tooling and machines they have are also literally from the 80's and 90's. So, the product, like the excess plastic reminds me of some things from childhood with plastic products.... and their key presser is also misaligned....
Click to expand...

I'd wager that Unicomp has like 2-3 people total. I've heard very good things about their customer service, though, and they are a good source for repairing IBM/Lexmark Model Ms.

You're right about my collection! I have some rather unique keyboards indeed, and about 12 total at the moment. It's the one thing that I use pretty well every single day for many hours, so might as well make it enjoyable I'd say. Use it for work, gaming, coding, etc.

The other nice thing about them is that they haven't really become obsolete. That I can still use a computer component from the 80s today is really amazing -- I can't think of anything else I'd use from pre-2000. I imagine they'll still be just as useful for years and decades to come.

That said, like anything it becomes easy to spend a lot of money on. The folks over at GeekHack (mechanical keyboard forum) refer to the site as WalletHack. It's certainly becoming more common to put more focus on the computer parts that you interact with (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc) as that's really what the experience is all about.

Now get yourself a Realforce 87U 55g for Xmas and thank me later. :cool:
 
Yamcha

Yamcha

macrumors 68000
Mar 6, 2008
1,855
249
DSC_9553.png


My Mac Pro and 2 x 20" Cinema Displays.
 
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Yamcha

Yamcha

macrumors 68000
Mar 6, 2008
1,855
249
Hendrik94 said:
These Monitors Look so Tiny :D Against to 30"
Click to expand...
Yeah lol, I used to own a single Cinema Display 30" a couple years ago. I still regret selling that 30" Cinema Display, but anyway I recently picked these 20" pair because they were cheap and in excellent condition.

Hard to find an older Cinema Display's in great condition, mines literally has no scratches, damage or dead pixels. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought them. But yeah I'd love to own a Cinema Display 30" again, maybe in the future :p.
 
Tucom

Tucom

Cancelled
Jul 29, 2006
1,252
312
Macdude2010 said:
Wired and Wireless, however I am toying with the idea of selling off the wired pair.
Click to expand...


I personally also use wireless headphones, the Beats Studio Wireless to be precise. The no wires is very, very nice, and the sound quality is stellar. I think they were rated best bluetooth headphones. Either way, wireless for me (for now).
 
Traverse

Traverse

macrumors 604
Mar 11, 2013
7,711
4,491
Here
TWO2SEVEN said:
Finally cleared off my desk. It tends to be the landing place for random stuff. I have a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse that I keep in my bag. I took my external monitor to work to upgrade the one that my company provided
Click to expand...
Is that an ikea desk?
 
L T

L T

macrumors 6502
Feb 24, 2013
433
108
UK
TWO2SEVEN said:
Finally cleared off my desk. It tends to be the landing place for random stuff. I have a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse that I keep in my bag. I took my external monitor to work to upgrade the one that my company provided.

b8f663759e76c87587b9967d19647e0e.jpg


592072c95aca7b53f811b926a4af3de6.jpg
Click to expand...

Love a clean desk like this, have just taken my monitor off my desk and packed it away, prefer working on my 15 inch MBPr on its own because of the resolution, so have just got my macbook up on a ghost stand with a wireless keyboard and magic mouse. Although as you say it does leave a lot of open space to dump stuff on
 
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TWO2SEVEN

TWO2SEVEN

macrumors 68040
Jun 27, 2010
3,531
741
Plano, TX
L T said:
Love a clean desk like this, have just taken my monitor off my desk and packed it away, prefer working on my 15 inch MBPr on its own because of the resolution, so have just got my macbook up on a ghost stand with a wireless keyboard and magic mouse. Although as you say it does leave a lot of open space to dump stuff on
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I downsized from a much larger desk last year. I don't use my MBP all that much anyway, when I do it is usually on the couch or in the kitchen. This is more of a charging station than anything.
 
M

MistrSynistr

macrumors 68000
May 15, 2014
1,719
2,131
BlakeBrattina said:
That looks really neat. Nice work.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! Appreciate it. I do a lot of themes for each room in my house. My Bathroom is themed for Jaws in a classical, well put together way that everyone seems to rave about that comes over, maybe I can get some pics up in the future.
 
vincenz

vincenz

macrumors 601
Oct 20, 2008
4,285
220
derek.fulmer said:
What desk are you using here? I dig the look.
Click to expand...

It's a solid pine tabletop I got from ikea years ago, not sure if they sell it anymore. It came as untreated and I bought a few cans of varnish and stained it.

Took me a week to get about a dozen and half layers on. It started off golden yellow and over the years, the wood has aged to the color it is now. :) Quite fun if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.
 
Flixon

Flixon

macrumors newbie
Jan 12, 2013
3
12
Halmstad, Sweden
Hi, long time lurker, first time poster.
IMG_0043.jpg
Running a late 2014 rMBP 13", maxed out exept the SSD. Two Dell 25" 1440p bezel less displays.
Audioengine D1 DAC with Audio-Technica MSR7 headphones. For casual listening some old, but good speakers connected to a Sony receiver.
IMG_0042.jpg
Not quite happy with the cable management though.
IMG_0047.jpg IMG_0044.jpg
Some overview pictures.
Not in picture iPhone 6S 64GB.

Flixon
 
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