Unicomp
Encyclopedia
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
s and keyboard accessories based in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. The company was founded in April 1996 when they purchased the license to the buckling-spring keyboard technology (the technology behind the famous IBM Model M and many other keyboards) from Lexmark International, Inc.
Unicomp's product line consists mostly of IBM-/Lexmark-originated designs, or slight modifications of those designs. For example, Unicomp's Customizer 101 is essentially a renaming of IBM's 42H1292 (a later variant of Model M, with the same non-detachable cable, with the same drain holes in case of beverage spillage, and built on the same machines as the original). Other than the manufacturer's logo, the only changes of the Customizer 101 from IBM's 42H1292 are the additional option of a black-colored case with lighter-gray keys (in addition to the option of the original cream-colored case) and availability in USB. They do, however, have many other products, such as a 104-key variant with Windows key
Windows key
The Windows logo key—also known as the Windows key, the home key, the meta key, the start key, MOD4, or the flag key —is a keyboard key which was originally introduced on the Microsoft Natural keyboard before the release of Windows 95. This key became a standard key on PC keyboards...
s, custom keyboards, and keyboards that have a built-in trackball
Trackball
A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down mouse with an exposed protruding ball. The user rolls the ball with the thumb, fingers, or the palm of the hand to move a cursor...
or TrackPoint (like those found on IBM ThinkPad notebooks).
In addition, Unicomp sells replacement parts for older IBM/Lexmark keyboards, and will repair just about any keyboard manufactured by themselves, IBM, or Lexmark. Their entire product line is manufactured in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at their Lexington factory, and feature an 18-month warranty, except for the Value Plus/SK-720C, and SK-7500 wireless, which are manufactured by contract manufacturer SiliTek, a division of the Taiwanese peripheral manufacturer LiteON, most likely in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
or Malaysia.
Unicomp products can be purchased at the company's Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
store, or by telephone. In addition, Unicomp offers custom design services.