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    new T400s portable keyboard!

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by sgogeta4, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    sgogeta4, Sep 6, 2009
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  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Engadget has covered it now too, see here. Retails for $60, though, which I think is still a bit too expensive.
     
    MidnightSun, Sep 6, 2009
    #2
  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The Das Keyboard goes for $100+ and the Optimus Keyboard is like $800+... I'm sure there are many users who will pay $60.
     
    sgogeta4, Sep 6, 2009
    #3
  4. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    The older ultranav keyboards were 80-100 bucks. $59 is a pretty good.
     
    jaredy, Sep 6, 2009
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  5. keltix

    keltix Notebook Deity

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    Hmm..

    maybe if they made it wireless and got rid of the palm rest.
     
    keltix, Sep 6, 2009
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  6. jaakobi

    jaakobi Notebook Evangelist

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    Argh! I want my keyboards to have a number pad. Other than that, I guess it's ok, although I'd prefer just to have my Thinkpad instead.
     
    jaakobi, Sep 6, 2009
    #6
  7. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    It is an external keyboard...

    For people who need a thinkpad like keyboard externally...

    Lenovo used feedback from the Design Matters blog to help design this keyboard. Most people said they didn't want the num pad (though maybe they will release a version with one later on). Buying a num pad is easy enough; I don't need it attached to the keyboard itself.
     
    jaredy, Sep 6, 2009
    #7
  8. SpacemanSpiff

    SpacemanSpiff Everything in Moderation

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    Actually, that is precisely the reason I am thinking of buying one. (Never learned to use the numpad).
     
    SpacemanSpiff, Sep 6, 2009
    #8
  9. jaakobi

    jaakobi Notebook Evangelist

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    I think having the numpad is great in some situations. But I already have my external keyboard and mouse so I'm not a potential buyer.
     
    jaakobi, Sep 7, 2009
    #9
  10. t30power

    t30power Notebook Deity

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    I want a external Thinkpad keyboard, Where can be bought?
     
    t30power, Sep 7, 2009
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  11. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    jaredy, Sep 7, 2009
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  12. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    There's a version with the keypad, albeit with the earlier layout. Has been for a long time.

    I have the previous version of this travel keyboard. It's great for use with a docking station and keyboard drawer. That way you keep the same layout and have use of the trackpoint.

    It's also great for use with non-Lenovo laptops (via docking station).

    If $60 is too rich for your blood, it's $47 on CPP. Pretty good deal all considering. But if you have no need for an external keyboard there's not much point in buying it.
     
    Lew, Sep 8, 2009
    #12
  13. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    You can also try and turn up a SpaceSaver II keyboard on eBay. Both of these feature TrackPoints, 3 buttons, windows keys, and lack numpads. I have two of the PS/2 version for use with my desktop, and one USB for occasional use with my x200 Tablet and PS3. The PS/2 version is sturdier, but both are solid.
     
    jonlumpkin, Sep 8, 2009
    #13
  14. dimension6

    dimension6 Notebook Evangelist

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    Does anyone already have this keyboard? I'm looking into buying the Japanese version, and want to know if the keyboard is exactly the same as the one in the T400s. I want to swap the keyboard out with the US English one in my T400s. This would be a great keyboard for my Solaris server, and I don't mind using the US keyboard for that, but would like to stick with a Japanese keyboard on my laptop. Is the keyboard in this removable?
     
    dimension6, Sep 9, 2009
    #14
  15. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    That is pure win. If only it had a numpad for those of use that use them Id burn my ergonomic MS hunk of junk keyboard.
     
    Thaenatos, Sep 9, 2009
    #15
  16. wolssiloa

    wolssiloa Notebook Geek

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    Now if they only add wireless support, perhaps through regular RF dongle and/or BT, I would get it for my HTPC.
     
    wolssiloa, Sep 9, 2009
    #16
  17. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    That's what I am hoping for eventually. Having a trackpoint for a wireless htpc keyboard is awesome.
     
    jaredy, Sep 9, 2009
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  18. Lew

    Lew Notebook Deity

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    Get your lighter out. Right here on Amazon, PN#31P8950

    Note that it's disappeared from lenovo.com -- that suggests they're coming out with an updated version since the Ultranav Travel Keyboard (#41A5161) that I have disappeared for a while before the new layout travel keyboard came out.

    Another option is if the new smaller keyboard (#55Y9003) has a pair of USB ports like my Ultranav Travel Keyboard you can just plug a USB numeric keypad into it and you should be good.
     
    Lew, Sep 10, 2009
    #18
  19. ashura

    ashura Notebook Evangelist

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    Count me in with the folks who would buy this if it were wireless. For me the numpad is unnecessary but it'd definitely be a plus.
     
    ashura, Sep 10, 2009
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  20. nivla

    nivla Notebook Guru

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    Just got mine and it looks and feels great.

    Does anyone have a way to get this to work properly with a Mac? Would love to use it on my MacBook Pro.

    This keyboard and a Logitech VX Nano are a killer combination for notebooks.
     
    nivla, Sep 10, 2009
    #20
  21. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    What do you mean work properly on a mac? It isn't USB? There shouldn't be any special drivers except for Fn keys which are for the thinkpads.
     
    jaredy, Sep 10, 2009
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  22. nivla

    nivla Notebook Guru

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    Report is that the trackpoint does not work as well on a Mac as it does in Windows (XP).
     
    nivla, Sep 10, 2009
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  23. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Ah, okay. I suppose there wouldn't be that many mac users though...

    And if the trackpoint works at all then that should be good enough unfortunately.
     
    jaredy, Sep 10, 2009
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  24. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    Well I didn't burn it, but it messed up for the last time when I was working the other day. High stress + keyboard not working like usual + ergonomic keys = knee breaking keyboard in half. My wife almost had a heart attack when I did it, not to mention was completely confused when i gave out a loud evil laugh/cackle after destroying it. The thing has been bothering me for a few years (plus I always hated the ergonomic boards anyways).
     
    Thaenatos, Sep 14, 2009
    #24