New Thinkpad TrackPoint Keyboard II

[Eclairz]

Didn't see anyone posting here about the new ThinkPad Trackpoint Keyboard II so looks like they announced it, but surprisingly missed this news.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/ThinkPad-TrackPoint-Keyboard-II-Lenovo-updates-external-TrackPoint-keyboard.448649.0.html

Here's the brochure: https://news.lenovo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ThinkPad-TrackPoint-Keyboard-II_Commercial_Draft_CES.pdf

Of interest it looks like it uses a mixed wireless propriety USB and also BlueTooth which is good as I don't find BlueTooth very reliable. They changed it from Micro-USB  to USB-C which is also good, but if they flattened out the tractpad buttons like they did with my ThinkPad X1 Extreme it will be sadder but I guess it means it will be consistent feeling keys with my different PCs and Laptops.

[equalunique]

Cool

ThinkPad TrackPoint keyboards sure are iconc, aren't they?

Good to know USB-C is offered now.

Sent from my Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7 using Tapatalk

[ewon_c]

I just bought a last gen non-chiclet TrackPoint Keyboard (SK-8845), it's good to know the product line gets refreshed
btw, this is my first post on this forum. Hello everyone.

[ewon_c]

I take back what I just said because hmm, they are replacing the trackpoint with the new, flat design found on the new ThinkPad laptops. Not ideal. Guess I'll just stick with my old keyboard.

[yui]

for some reasons reading the title i expected some old bs board review, i did not expect that lenovo still made trackpoint keyboards, nice to know (bs for buckling spring, not the other kind of bs) and welcome ewon_c, i do remember someone else using this picture though, might have been somewhere else.

[equalunique]

Hey FYI I'll add that the TrackPoint mechanical keyboards are a nice programmable upgrade to these Lenovo ones. Anyone who really likes this concept should def check those out.

Sent from my Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7 using Tapatalk

[4sStylZ]

I have the first gen and the design is surprisely close.

This keyboard is very interesting but for some reason a total fail for me. I love the low profile design but the location of some key are strange. For example I have used it a whole year and I am still unable to reach home / end, even with the bumpy cat sticker that I have added to make a sort of homing.

The trackpoint is great in term of quality.

The story have ended when I have tried to plug the micro usb male at the wrong side and break the keyboard female port.
I have buyed some micro usb port but I never had solder something small like that.

[jacethesaltsculptor]

I love the look, it looks really good, but I'd have to try it in person.

I really feel like that the trackpoint would get in the way of the low profile keys.

This already happens on My Model M13, I could imagine it being much worse here, being that it's the only abrasive material on the otherwise smooth surface of the keyboard.

I think it looks nice though.

I just bought a last gen non-chiclet TrackPoint Keyboard (SK-8845), it's good to know the product line gets refreshed
btw, this is my first post on this forum. Hello everyone.

Welcome to Geekhack, glad to have you. 

[phinix]

In Thinkpad laptops you can swap left Fn with CTRL - I wonder if this is possible with this keyboard.

[Sintpinty]

Didn't see anyone posting here about the new ThinkPad Trackpoint Keyboard II so looks like they announced it, but surprisingly missed this news.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/ThinkPad-TrackPoint-Keyboard-II-Lenovo-updates-external-TrackPoint-keyboard.448649.0.html

Here's the brochure: https://news.lenovo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ThinkPad-TrackPoint-Keyboard-II_Commercial_Draft_CES.pdf

Of interest it looks like it uses a mixed wireless propriety USB and also BlueTooth which is good as I don't find BlueTooth very reliable. They changed it from Micro-USB  to USB-C which is also good, but if they flattened out the tractpad buttons like they did with my ThinkPad X1 Extreme it will be sadder but I guess it means it will be consistent feeling keys with my different PCs and Laptops.

New nipple mouse?

[ewon_c]

... and welcome ewon_c, i do remember someone else using this picture though, might have been somewhere else.

It's Freddie Mercury from Queen

[phinix]

I'm hoping this will come out next month, I think I may buy it.

[Eclairz]

It's out today

News
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-TrackPoint-Keyboard-II-is-now-available.463107.0.html

US link
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/new-arrivals/KBD-BO-TrackPoint-KBD-US-Eng/p/4Y40X49493

But not on the UK site yet :-(

[phinix]

It's out today

News
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-TrackPoint-Keyboard-II-is-now-available.463107.0.html

US link
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/new-arrivals/KBD-BO-TrackPoint-KBD-US-Eng/p/4Y40X49493

But not on the UK site yet :-(

Oooh, I gotta have it

I wonder if its possible to switch that fn and ctrl key...

[Eclairz]

I wonder if its possible to switch that fn and ctrl key...

I hope so, the USB version didn't allow us to switch them, even though I can switch them in bios on the ThinkPad laptops.

[phinix]

I wonder if its possible to switch that fn and ctrl key...

I hope so, the USB version didn't allow us to switch them, even though I can switch them in bios on the ThinkPad laptops.

Yeah, I did the same thing on mine, but that was BIOS
I wonder if they could release some firmware update to have that done permanently... I guess it is possible.

[sharktastica]

This is definitely going on my list of things to buy next month. I have a soft spot for most things ThinkPad, and whilst it wasn't perfect (I mean what is?) with its fragile micro USB port and lack of backlighting, the KU/KT-1255 this thing is replacing was an excellent portable keyboard that I found particularly useful when I have to use public computers at libraries or on my university campus. I know there are cheaper options that will do the same thing, but the selling point was that it has a layout and feel I know (being a ThinkPad guy).