Distinctive buckling-spring feel
The spring-and-hammer mechanism provides a crisp tactile event and audible confirmation unlike MX-style switches.
Unicomp
New Model M
A newly manufactured 104-key buckling-spring keyboard with dye-sublimated PBT caps, a steel-backed chassis and the unmistakable tactile click of the IBM Model M lineage.
- Score
- 7.8/10
- Est. life
- 20 yrs
- Cover
- 1 yr
Last-known catalog price
$189.00
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Product Overview
Unicomp builds the New Model M in Lexington, Kentucky as a modern full-size continuation of the classic membrane buckling-spring design. Part UT40U4A has 104 US-layout keys, a fixed USB cable, two-tone dye-sublimated PBT keycaps and a heavy internal steel plate. The current chassis measures about 17...
$189.00
In Stock
Specifications
- OverviewBrand
- Unicomp
- OverviewProduct category
- mechanical-keyboards
- OverviewExpected lifespan
- 20 years · We Buy It For Life editorial estimate
- Dimensions & WeightDimensions
- Approximately 17.875 x 7.5 in
- Dimensions & WeightWeight
- Approximately 3 lb 11 oz (1.67 kg)
Why We Love It
The features that make this product stand out from the competition.
Wear-resistant legends
Dye-sublimated PBT caps resist shine and fading far better than thin printed ABS caps.
Factory parts ecosystem
Unicomp continues to sell compatible caps, cables and repair services for its Model M family.
Detailed Quality Score Breakdown
Core Performance
Primary Performance
8.4
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Feature Richness
7.4
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Build Quality
8.2
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Reliability Score
8.1
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Longevity
Durability Rating
8.2
Unicomp's physical specifications document the heavy full-size chassis, while the exact model uses the established...
Wear Resistance
7.6
The exact-model retailer documentation identifies PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends.
Component Replaceability
8.6
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Design Timelessness
7.9
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Serviceability
Repairability
8.2
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Spare Parts Availability
8.0
Unicomp maintains a live parts, covers and repair-services catalog alongside current New Model M production.
Warranty Coverage
5.0
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Service Network
5.8
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Value
Total Cost of Ownership
7.6
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Resale Value Retention
6.8
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
User Satisfaction
8.3
AI-assisted preliminary estimate pending editor review and durable-source evidence.
Total Cost of Ownership Calculator
The sticker price is just the beginning. Use this tool to estimate the true long-term cost of this product. Adjust the sliders based on your expected usage and care to see how the value holds up over time.
Buy box purchase price$189.00
Based on your estimates, the true cost is:
$0.74 / month
$8.90
Per Year
$177.97
Over 20 years
Calculation: (Purchase Price + Total Maintenance - Resale Value) ÷ Lifespan
Tracked price history
Observed US merchant prices in USD.
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Sign in to view price historyFrequently Asked Questions
What is the exact layout and model identity of the New Model M?
The researched target is Unicomp part UT40U4A, listed as the New Model M Space Saving Full-Sized Keyboard. It has 104 keys in a full-size US ANSI layout and is identified as a Unicomp model.
What switch and keycap construction does the UT40U4A use?
The UT40U4A entry specifies IBM membrane buckling-spring switches and PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends. It also identifies this exact part as the white-and-gray keycap variant, rather than a different New Model M colour variant.
How much desk space and weight should I allow for the New Model M?
Unicomp's physical comparison lists the New Model M 104/105 at 3 lb 11 oz (1.67 kg), with a width of 17.875 inches (45.4 cm) and depth of 7.5 inches (19.05 cm). The comparison does not provide a height for this row.
What type of cable and connection does this keyboard use?
The exact UT40U4A database entry lists USB HID connectivity through a fixed, straightened-style Type-A USB cable. This is a wired connection specification for the New Model M, not a wireless connection feature.
Is the New Model M suitable for a quiet or shared workspace?
The Verge review describes the New Model M as using the buckling-spring mechanism and specifically lists its uncompromising loudness as a drawback. Buyers sharing an office or room should treat its pronounced typing noise as a practical consideration.
Is the UT40U4A a vintage IBM keyboard?
No. The database identifies the OEM as Unicomp and records the New Model M's earliest appearance as 2020 Q1, so the UT40U4A is a Unicomp production model rather than an original vintage IBM board. Its buckling-spring design is part of the Model M lineage.
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