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We’ve posted about the forthcoming ThinkPad USB TrackPoint keyboard a couple times now, when we found the product listing and then saw it for sale at Lenovo.com. Now we some pictures thanks to the fine lads and lasses at Lenovo. Bask in its glory. (Second image after the jump)
It looks like we expected, sporting the new ThinkPad T400s keyboard design. It has the enlarged Esc & Del keys, revised TrackPoint buttons, and much nicer volume/mute/ThinkVantage buttons. Unfortunately there’s no slick glowing power button like you’d find on an actual ThinkPad.
The one thing that remains to be seen in my mind is the finish of the plastic. Judging from these pictures, it looks like rather shiny, hard plastic. Photos are of course not reliable for this type of observation, but I really hope it’s got a decent finish and not bottom-grade ABS plastic.
Stay tuned, as LogicThinkPad will have one in our hands for review in the near future. If you’re itching to try one out for yourself, they can be had for $59.99 before tax and shipping in the U.S.
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New low price. Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 (30116CU) 21.5" All-in-One Destkop PC cut from $799 - $150 off -
Ultra Small Form Factor Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700 Desktop PC (30151MU) on sale for $649.99 - $50 off - 
12.1-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X200T Multi-touch Tablet PC (7448CTO) on sale with $540 instant discount and 
15.6-inch Lenovo G550 29586PU Laptop with pre-loaded 
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I wonder if there will be a version with a number pad.
where is the number pad?????????
Seen pictures here of the old keyboard with number pad, while I personally own one (the old style) without. They probably still make both types, right? Anyone else think omission of the trackpad is odd though? Clearly this keyboard is based on the X400s, which has a trackpad.
I can’t speak for Lenovo’s intentions. But I’m very glad they decided to revert back to the original M4-1 style, though they could still afford to lose the palmrest.
That said, I’m sure they’ll introduce a bloat model with 10-key, wireless/BT, and that touchpad thing. Choice is good. Forcing us to live with huge keyboards with touchpads is not good. Viva Lenovo!
Dang. In my snarkyness, I forgot to pine for a T400s without a touchpad.
My bad!
I don’t use the touchpad – have it turned off – but don’t mind it being there. Why would you, esp. when it would be the flush-mounted T400s version? Also, having used a Mac, I must say multi-touch is rather good, although this has as much to do with the Mac OS. I can understand why you might not want the palm rest, but having used an IBM server keyboard, which doesn’t have it, I would say the trackpoint is ergonomically superior on the keyboards that do have the palmrest. You obviously aren’t planning on using it on your lap for a media-PC either, like I do.
Ref the comments on the touchpad and keyboard, may I suggest all read the logic behind the design, which stems from user feedback. See David Hill’s blog in ‘Design Matters’ found at Thinkpads.com
Sorry not Thinkpads.com but Lenovoblogs.com
Thanks Mick, I linked to that post later, as it was published after I shared these photos.
So, I have a Thinkpad laptop and I’d love to have an external keyboard (with TrackPoint) that is *better* than that of the laptop. This is just like the laptop.
For instance, I like to use my left palm to press the big CTRL key that’s in the corner of most “cheap” desktop keyboards. I cannot do that with a laptop keyboard, nor with this one.
The only full-sized Trackpoint keyboards I know of that are still for sale in the wild are the old IBM Trackpoint IV keyboard, for about $150, or the Unicomp Endurapro 104, for about $99.