Thinkpad USB Keyboard

So I picked up that new External USB keyboard with part number 55Y9003.

The keyboard feels great and has a nice clicky feel; definitely more than my x200's NMB keyboard. The keying is satisfying and enables you to type quite quickly.


The keyboard is basically a single piece so it does not flex in the sense that it is not a tray on another frame. However the whole plastic piece itself WILL flex if you press on it. But with actual typing the keyboard feels very good and gives great response. The top 2 rows of keys (ECS, F#, etc) feel a bit firmer than the regular rows and have less action to the presses, but to no adverse effect considering you are not rapidly typing on these.

The top control buttons for muting/volume, etc feel a little cheap but that is hardly a big deal to me.

The tighter key tolerances are nice and appreciated; the larger ECS and Del key I feel indifferent about. The new curved mouse buttons are great and have a nice feel to them given the more natural shape. All 3 buttons press nicely.

The rubber feet grip nicely both flat and propped up. There is a place to wrap up the extra cable on the underside of the keyboard.

All and all I feel very happy about this purchase (about $51 with tax and free ship through the CPP portal). I just wish they had a couple USB ports on here for a flash drive or something.

Pictures below:

 

I have an older model but very similar design (see link below).
I hate keyboards that take up too much room on the desk.
Mine has 2 USB ports. I never use them though, I forgot they were there till I read your post.


http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-45849.html

edit: Oh, I just discovered the USB ports on the keyboard can't read a USB key, a message pops up saying it "USB Hub Power Exceeded". It can power a mouse though. I wonder why there is two of them though.

 

Oh, well in that case I guess I didn't miss out on much.

 

I wish they made a wireless version.

 

Yes, Zaz. I would love one for my HTPC as well...

But heres to hoping they will come out with a wireless version eventually considering a lot of people mentioned wanting it in the lenovo blog.

 

that's because the hub on the old ultranav keyboards are USB 1.1 and therefore don't carry enough power for USB 2.0 devices.   USB 1.1 only allows 500 mA max per port and the host has the option to limit this to 100 mA.   i just checked the properties on my ultranav keyboard and the two ports are 70 mA and 100 mA respectively.   USB 2.0 allows up to 1500 mA -- quite a difference.

had lenovo implemented a USB 2.0 hub in the new keyboard, it would have supported your device.

 

I'm kinda interested in getting one of these, but for my work computer(a Dell desktop), I suppose this keyboard will work ok on that, any way to remap the Fn keys to do something useful on non-lenovo machines?

Also, how long's the USB/ps2 cord on this? Some keyboards are very short on these(when you have the machine on the ground)

btw, thanks for posting the pictures. Looks great!

 

Good to see the external Ultranav keyboards becoming more affordable. What's the official RRP anyway? Old school external Ultranav keyboards cost triple digits each.





Although I'm a mouse person whenever possible, it would be nice to have had the trackpad and even a numeric keypad version for those who prefer them in order to appeal to as broad a user base as possible.

Number crunchers who lack data loggers would appreciate the dedicated numeric keypad.

Me? I'm happy with my sexy, petite X61, so I'm fine with the new external ThinkPad keyboard.

A wireless version with USB 2.0 ports would've been even better. Wires are a trip hazard and an ugly eyesore.

 

Suppose to be $59.

 

Nice! I want one, but need a numpad and no touch pad preferably. Also the $100+ for the full one is a bit much if you ask me. Does it come with the classic tip for the trackpoint?

 

Comes with the soft dome as pictured.