Hey, remember last year when Lenovo's UltraNav keyboard
made a (re)appearance on Flickr because the company was
soliciting feedback on how to make it better? Well check it -- there's a new version in town, and it incorporates all those user suggestions. Lenovo says people mostly wanted the exact same feel as their ThinkPad laptop keyboards in the desktop unit (no surprise there), but almost no one wanted wireless, a number pad or a trackpad -- so the new model pictured above is more or less a faithful wired replica of the
T400s board, right down to those liquid drainage holes. What's more, cutting the numeric keypad and trackpad allowed the company to reduce the price by $40, so this little slice of hotness is now just $60. Not bad, but we'll be honest -- we'd still throw down for a wireless version of the old UltraNav in a heartbeart.
[Thanks, Tian]
Read - Lenovo DesignMatters blog post on the keyboard design process
Read - ThinkPad Keyboard at the Lenovo online store
posted Sep 6th 2009 8:06AM
I'd get it.
After logitech screwed me over three times.
Yep, me too. Logitech hasn't been that great to me, even with their "high end" products.
Allow me to warmely recomand what I think is THE BEST wireless multimedia kboard money can buy bar none, and , as strange as it may sound it is a Microsoft product:
the" Wireless Entertrainement Keybord 7000.
It comes with the W.E. mouse 8000 and if you use rechargeable batteries it's better than the 8000 model.
I've had it for over an year and I love it more and more every time I use it.
So much so that often I remove it from the HTPC in the living room and take it to my home office to work on it (its BT connection really is P&P), where it takes the place of the Logitech DeNovo edge that often likes to act up and prancing for no apparent reason.
I know it's Microsoft hardware, but this one it's really worth every penny.
I hate these things, why does anyone want to be reminded of their work laptop when they type?
Apples to oranges.
Contrary to appearances, this is a WIRED keyboard. Don't ask me why; I can't see why I would want this on my desktop instead of a normal 104 key keyboard. I could see this being used sitting on the couch with an HTPC, if this was wireless.
@plexus
thanks!
@Plexus,
No offense, but Microsoft has been making great keyboards and mice for years. I don't see what's "strange" about Microsoft making a good product.
I have 3 G15's. Accumulated over 3 years, all still work. Don't blame Logitech for making something you couldn't take care of.
"Three times" - yea, it's you. Not even a hint of fade on the WASD's either.
I am SOOOO happy to see this. Although I can not use any keyboard other than a Thinkpad's, I would not buy this if it had any of: Trackpad, Numpad, wireless. I can't stand owning items with features I will never use. I don't even really need this because I have several Thinkpads already but I think I will stock up and buy several. I will surely use one with my Macbook Pro which I have always hated using because of the terribly uncomfortable keyboard (hard edge by wrist and trackpad = barf).
Its as if (finally) someone out there has made the perfect hardware for ME!
MS Keyboards > Logitech Keyboards
Logitech Mouse > MS Mouse
Why anyone would want a laptop style keyboard with no number pad for their desk is beyond me.
ddub, because many don't use the 10-key much and it's more ergonomic to have the mouse closer to the body reducing strain which is most important to me. The Thinkpad keyboard layout is the best mini-keyboard available IMHO. I have a BTC mini keyboard at work but the pgup, pgdn, arrow keys, delete aren't in the most intuitive location which slow me down a little. I was looking all over two months ago for a layout like this! Needless to say I just ordered one.
I guess there are two types of people in this world, those that use the 10-key and those that do not. I'm frustrated when I don't have it to use on my laptop. Entering numbers without it is just slow and awkward.
Glad that they didn't put trackpad on. Trackpoint=thinkpad
I'm coming around on the trackpoint meself these days.
But... "everyone" wanted *wired*? F'realz?
Completely agree! I never touch the trackpad on my T61. It's funny though, we have about 30 or so T60/61s at my school and NO ONE uses the trackpoint. I'm always shocked when they say that.
I love the trackpoint on my Thinkpad. If I'm looking for anything more accurate, I'll carry a mouse. The trackpad just seems to get in the way when I am typing.
having used both for years, i prefer the trackpad to the trackpoint. i find it easier to control, and easier on the repetitive motion. i'm a bit disappointed to find out i'm in the minority. the original idea looked pretty good to me. if either came with an ergonomic keyboard, however, i'd still buy it.
They might be doing a wireless soon. They have been trying to push through a version with 4 buttons at top to switch between 3 keyfobs and a bluetooth. Wireless kb that supports 4 computers at a time. With just a press of a button you can change from HTPC to XBOX360 to Laptop to Desktop.
Combine this with Apples stupid forthcoming tablet thing and you could have a useful product. Now if only someone could come up with some sort of hinge to combine them.
they already have...it's called a laptop
a macpad?
The Apple tablet will have a simple docking station and wireless keyboard for when you want to use it while at a desk. Feel free to stick with your cool thinkpad laptop with that annoying mommy nipple in the middle of the keyboard.
I'm not good at reading sarcasm so, just in case you're not kidding,
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=329576204C9E42289967E79E0E7C9A2D
Take Mikey's link and add OSX86. WIN!
LOL lopek!
Nice. Too bad it went over the heads of so many and they upped EI8GT to highest.
Oedipus complex much?
Could be anyone's nipple. You, went there.
Last comment was aimed at RockStar.
Wireless trough bluetooth would have been a reasoable option. And when will they do away with the akward placement of the Fn-Key? I love my Thinkpad, but this drives me nuts and bolts...
Really? That bothered me at first, but now I'm used to switching between my ThinkPad and Dell. Although I'm still not a huge fan of the ThinkPad keyboard in general. Feels weird to me. But the TrackPoint is amazing.
Ahh, a new variation on an old favorite.
Now, when is a wireless version coming out!?
This is a step in the right direction. To date myself, I would REALLY love a keyboard more like an IBM Selectric III electronic typewriter!
Can someone tell me why they'd need a wireless keyboard...? I can sort of see the appeal for a mouse (if you can ignore the lag), but outside an HTPC environment (where what you really want is a wireless mediaboard, certainly not this thing), a wireless keyboard I don't get it at all. You're sitting in front of your PC, your keyboard is stationary and sitting on your desk, the wire isn't going to get tangled in anything and you can't move far enough back from the screen to justify wireless (unless you have the eyes of a hawk). Where does a wireless keyboard become advantageous?
Neatness man. It's the same reason people hide their Home Theater cables. Idk about the no number pad thing. I love the 10-key
Yeh id say neatness as well. I bought a wireless keyboard to use with my Mac, and lost 2 USB ports in the process. It just makes the desk look neater and if i need the desk space i can throw the keyboard somewhere.
I guess my question would be: Why not?
ANY chance I get to reduce the number of wires pouring out of my PC I will take.
@Pingles: Here are my two reasons:
1) Generally wireless keyboards from Microsoft (my KB vendor of choice) don't have the scroll/numlock buttons visible- you have to look at the wireless base (if possible) and by that time you may as well have a cord.
2) Functionally a wireless keyboard is no different than a wired keyboard- so how can I justify the batteries and environmental cost? At least with a mouse (since it moves) having no chords makes it easier to move on the desktop.
I also think wireless keyboards are a huge bag of hurt when used in desktop PCs.
They are a serious security risk, they use batteries (which has disadvantages aplenty), they don't work any better than wired keyboards, they clog the RF spectrum even more, some of them are not even well supported (ie. you can't use them on the BIOS, or even on some OSes)
"Just for the looks" is not a valid reason. I don't know how's your desktop, but on my desktop, you can't even see the keyboard's wire unless you pull the keyboard out.
"Just because it's one less cable" is a very lame (borderline idiotic) excuse.
Wireless should be reserved for things where it's actually useful, like mouses or headsets.
Seriously, why is (if it is) trackclit comfortable? As far I used it few times it seemed a looot of hassle..
I guess it's an acquired taste. At first I mssed around with it, then found myself using it more and more. I like it because I can keep my fingers on the keyboard, not having to go grab the mouse. Don't use it all the time, of course. Mostly just for scrolling.
I guess it depends on person to person. For me, my hands arent as cramped.
First few times you use it, it's hard to use because it's hard to aim accurately. Then after you use it continuously for a few days of work, you learn to be able to use it correctly and then it's ridiculously better than a touchpad - no need for multiple swipes, hands stay on keyboard, lesser stress on fingertip after prolonged use... just make sure that you set the sensitivity to as high as it will go and you're in business.
It's a matter of practice. I found it took a few days to get used to a track pad when I got my laptop. For those who had it as the one practical choice, they would get used to a trackpoint. My T42 has both. If I was using this keyboard, Obviously, I would have a mouse right beside it, so the track point would be irrelevant.
If you look at the track point fans, I'll bet most, if not all are Thinkpad users who actually use the laptop as a portable device. Not just for carrying from one room to another. So a mouse is impractical. And as some of the Thinkpad models have only got a trackpoint, they used it and found that it worked well with a little bit of practice.
Personally, I can't understand why some of the current netbooks insist on near useless mini touch pads when the track point would be so much easier to incorporate. Patents perhaps.
I'm more interested in the keyboard aspect. The Thinkpad keyboards are renowned for their quality. And if I had known these were available, or on the horizon, I'd have got one. As it is, I just bought a full sized, but laptop style keyboard for my desktop, and in all honesty, it is much nicer to use than a full sized full travel keyboard, now I am used to the Thinkpad keyboard, and found it jarring to go from one to the other.
I've always found laptop keyboard uncomfortably cramped and confusing. Why anyone would want the same thing in a desktop keyboard eludes me. I guess these are people who use laptops all day long and want to continue that habit at home. I admit I hate laptops, so that may be clouding my opinion.
I use a laptop almost constantly, and i find it impossible to use most desktop keyboards because the keys require a lot more force to hit, they're a lot deeper.
Logitech S510.
ThinkPad keyboards are not your typical laptop keyboards. They are very comfortable and satisfying to use.
Personally, I still prefer my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite for desktop computing.
yeah - the switch between full and low-profile keys can be kind of annoying.
deathboard...
If it's not just $60, then how much is it?
The last model of this was too light. It kept moving around all over my desk. I threw it away. Hope this is better. Trackpoint FTW!
"almost no one wanted wireless". - Where did that come from? I definately want that with bluetooth wireless so I could use it with my iMac.
This is what people wanted? I have no idea why someone would buy a keyboard with no number pad. I also assume that because there's a trackpoint device, people will be using that instead of a mouse. Again, WTF? Thinkpad keyboards are great for laptops, but that's the point. They're great /for laptops/. When I buy a standalone keyboard, I'm looking for something a bit more functional.
We've been using the predecessors at point of sales with very cramped spaces where they needed a full keyboard. Worked very well.
I don't understand why David got low ranked. I completely agree. Someone enlighten us?
Makes me wanna say - "Who stole the screen of my laptop?" :D :D
Lenovo says people mostly wanted the exact same feel as their ThinkPad laptop keyboards in the desktop unit
Perhaps among people who choose Lenovo laptops. I was issued a ThinkPad at work, and hate it! A large part of that could be because of Vista, but the keyboard is aweful. It is loud, stiff, and uncomfortable. I'm more likely to go buy a third party keyboard to use with the BlinkPad than to want a keyboard that emulates the latter.
I have a DOS keyboard which makes a lovely noise as I bash the keys.
I didn't know they put DOS in a keyboard.. maybe your talking about an old Model-M style keyboard.
Opps I meant DAS keyboard...
Or you could just go with the iOne Scorpius M10 mechanical keyboard
http://www.ergogeek.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=407
Now if only someone would put the Lenovo/IBM TrackPoint IV into a keyboard with blue stem Cherry MX switches. (I love my M10, but...)
I love that mouse. It has made my fingers-skills so awesome that I can satisfy 10 women at a time.
LOL... "Woman seeks guy with minimum 5 years TrackPoint experience"...
Glad to have a cheap competitor to the Logitech DiNovo (the original). The first DiNovo keyboard looks a LOT like this and uses Bluetooth. The batteries last forever, it's sleek.
The keys are too noisy and the grey gun metal frame with black keys is sexxay. BUT Logitech wants way too much for it and the Bluetooth receiver is a huge mouse cradle.
Me likes this keyboard.
buuut, I lovee thinkpad touchpads :(
Read the article. This is NOT a wireless keyboard. It just looks like one.
your comment has no context.
but I wish there was a wireless one- great design for htpc.
And that was supposed to be in answer to Mark's post, where he questioned the appeal of a wireless keyboard.
stupid comment system.
I got the older version and I'm very happy. For me,
Pros:
1) Trackpoint (So much fun to use)
2) Thinkpad style keyboard without windows key--great for Mac and Windows gaming.
(Remap Alt into Command key, CTRL into Option key, and caps lock into Control Key)
3) Has touchpad so I won't need my stupid Wireless Mighty Mouse all the time.
Cons/My Wish list:
1) Please: USB 1.1?? Either give us USB 3.0 or bluetooth, and no RFs please.
2) Touchpad needs to be bigger so that Multitouch can make sense
3) The Left & Right click buttons bellow it should just blend with the whole form just like those on Thinkpads
4) Why the Contextual Menu Button? Then what good are the right click buttons?
5) Please ditch the Windows button altogether, it's so annoying during counter strike
US$100.00?? If Lenovo gives buetooth, preserve the old layout Fn CTRL ALT SPACE
ALT CTRL and no Contextual Menus, upgrades to huge multitouch, levels the left&right click with the form factor, Heck, I'll still buy it even if it is $200.00
So I hope Lenovo announce early if they are willing to preserve the old layout, otherwise I'm gonna have to stock up, just in case.
-ND
It would be awesome if they added a screen to this keyboard, just look how thin it is.
Then Sony's X series will then face off with Lenovo's X series......
why on earth isn't this wireless?
This keyboard = Lame. "Crowdsourcing" = annoying web word. Cmon. Seems they "sourced" a turd. Trackpads are the standard now, and for good reason.
And don't you guys re-read your posts after posting them? You need a proofreader, sheesh. Any of you guys have English degrees? "...slice of hotness not just $60"? You mean to use the word "now". Wait, isn't this all you do? Write words? Then you should at least get that right (or, wait, "rite"...).
And it is not a "slice of hotness", but thanks for your opinion (which is the readers' job, btw). But thankfully you left out the most annoying "after the break" phrase that you creatively challenged posters put in practically every post. Sometimes reading this blog is like suffering through nails on a chalkboard.
Whew, now I feel better.
Have you ever used a trackpoint? I'm sure most people who use it are going to like it because it's simply easier to use—from control of point movement, to pointer speed, and you don't really have to move your finger around like a crazy person.
And why can't give these folks some slack?
All your bitching, and you left the comma out of your contraction. It's "C'mon", not "Cmon".
IRONY!
Pads aren't the standard, they're the only thing left. No one else can successfully produce a trackpoint device because Lenovo owns the patents. The patent states the trackpoint is between the G,H, and B keys (the center of the keyboard.). Any one else wanting to produce a trackpoint style device has to place it somewhere else on the keyboard, which makes it awkward.
Nothing is more painful than watching some clown use his touchpad, taking an eternity to move around the screen. A trackpoint is as fast as a real mouse, hands down. When you start going uber nerd, using the trackpoint in combination with the touchpad for scrolling, then you're king.
@ Mondo
You missed the point. Track pads may be standard on most laptops, but this is not a laptop. Track points are standard on Thinkpads. And this is who the keyboard is aimed at.
Would you honestly choose a track pad over a mouse, if both were available? Because as it is a desktop keyboard, why would you not have a mouse sitting right beside it?
Looks like I'll be upgrading a lot soon than planned.
i am definitely going to upgrade. Question is when will it be available in Canada.
though a Die hard Thinkpad person, i want a trackpad. Sorry, the nub just doesnt do it for me
Make it wireless, and I'm sold. I'm so tired of using the Logitech Di Novo Mini for my HTPC.
I had a T61p, never ever used the trackpoint. When I got the x200t, it didn't have a trackpad and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. After using it for a week it became clear - I will never use a trackpad again. The trackpoint is just miles better once you get used to it. Faster, more accurate, take up less space and never accidentally move the cursor around with your palm.
As far as keys go, I love the Thinkpad keys, but not all of them are the same. Lenovo uses a few different vendors they and some are better than others.
Hey! Hey listen!
$10 Keyboard ftw.
Nice looking, but it has that damn little eraser head pointer. No touch-pad no sale. Those eraser heads are useless. The worst pointer ever designed.
I often find myself using the trackpoint instead of my wireless mouse, even when it's already sitting there. It works so well that I disabled my touchpad in the BIOS.
Yeah if I had a machine with both I would disable the touchpad. It would only be an annoyance.
Wow! My stupid Logitech DiNovo has nothing on this. Ha Ha! Finally a keyboard and mouse in one! Trackpoint will rule the earth!
I wanna bluetooth edition
I'll stick with my Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2, thanks.
9/15/09
I just received this keyboard from LENOVO. Absolutely great! Confortable, nice key stroke, key key spacing and just EVERYTHING. I hate keyboarding or in lay terms: typing. I hated it in college on my Selectric and in grad school on the Apple // keyboard, but this keyboard makes the task truly enjoyable! I MUST be getting old, I am getting excited by this thing.