ThinkPad USB Keyboard with TrackPoint – My New Favorite and Best (Mini) Computer Keyboard

As much as I work with computer, I do my best, and also with a bit of fanaticism, to find quality peripherals to use in my daily work — meaning keyword, mouse, and monitor. It is also because I am very sensitive in the various aspects of each item I use that I am quite picky.

For the longest time in past few years, I’ve been using Logitech Illuminated Keyboard as my main keyboard. While it still works wonder, I’ve recently discovered a better alternative…

(Yes, I love laptop type keyboard so if you are into mechanical keyboard, you can probably stop reading here.)

Allow me to introduce ThinkPad USB Keyboard with TrackPoint!

For people who are professionals and work with laptop, you are probably familiar with Thinkpads and you probably also know the beloved key action on a Thinkpad keyboard, especially the ones back in the days. A key reason I want this keyboard more widely adopted is that… I’d hate to see a quality, useful product discontinued due to lack of adoption. Now, let me move on to the pros and cons of this keyboard.

Pros

• Yes, this keyboard maintins MOST of the key action of the original Thinkpad laptop keyboard. I said almost because it is like the new Thinkpad’s keyboard which is of slightly less quality than the older Thinkpads.
• Keyboard takes up minimal space compare to a full size keyboard (see picture below compared to the Logitech Illuminated keyboard. Also without the number pad, I can access the mouse more easily.
• The trackpoint works just like and as well as a Thinkpad’s trackpoint, especially if you install the driver and configures its sensitivity to your liking. With the trackpoint, I get to use the mouse less thus causing less strain and also making my workflow more efficient.
• The layout for the Home/End/Page Up/Page Down buttons is conventional in the upper right corner. A BIG plus compared to many other “mini” keyboard where they force you to a “Fn” key + another key to perform these buttons’ action. And because they kept the layout conventional, I don’t get confused or need to look down at my keyboard so much when I type or write code.

Cons

• The number lock could be on when you boot your computer so you may get confused when it warns that you typed in incorrect password until you realize that it is on (and thus need to hit Fn+ScrLk to turn it off).
• There is no number pad. A con for people who need it.
• The casing is all hard plastic so there is a bit of flexing when you type, especially if you type heavily.

For me, the pros heavily outweighs the cons and after a month’s usage, I am making it my main keyboard. I strongly recommend it. If you like Thinkpad’s keyboard, laptop key action, and having a trackpoint like the laptop, you’ll love this! It is available on Amazon between $50-$60 bucks.

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