Lenovo Preferred Pro Keyboard vI vs II vs something else?

[WarhawkCZ]

Hi guys,
I hope this is the right place to ask. I am looking for a new keyboard for the office. A mechanical keyboard is out of discussion because of noise. I work in something between the cubicle and open space type of a workplace and my colleagues would not be happy with it. Now I have some rubbish from Logitech (k520) which is terrible and completely worn out after only two years.
I've just discovered positive reviews on Lenovo Preferred Pro keyboard. I really like the black-gray-blue combination and standard layout and option for the palmrest. It also seems that this keyboard exists with IBM branding. However, there is also a newer variant - Lenovo Preferred Pro II. I have not found many information about it except few reviews on amazon.

Does any of you have a comparison of both? I know that for the price it sells on ebay I can buy both and test but it is somehow against my belief.

I also appreciate any other tip.

Regards, Jiri

[bit_twiddler]

There are many different types of mechanical keyboards. They can be characterized as:

"clicky" - produce a click at or near actuation point
"quiet" - produce no audible click at actuation
"tactile" - pressure increases near actuation point
"non-tactile" - pressure is constant

to which I would add:

"clacky" - produces a loud "clack" when the key bottoms out

Here's something to view:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDUyNY4CAGk

You can also install rubber bumpers to remove the "clack" at the end of the stroke.

Cherry makes various type of switches, it sounds like you want a tactile or non-tactile, non-clicky switch with
no "clack."

[bit_twiddler]

Here's another video to watch, which goes into more detail:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPbGZRouc8Q

[Thinkpad4by3]

If you want a office mech. Keyboard that wont annoy your coworkers look at Matias QuietClick switches. Much quieter than brown.

[dr_st]

Noise aside, there is no need for a mechanical keyboard for simple office work. The good rubber domes (and the Preferred Pro is certainly one of them) suffice.

The Preferred Pro II seems to be a very new design (judging by the modern Lenovo logo). So it's not surprising there is not much experience with it. I have not seen one in person, but if the reviews on Amazon are good, it probably is OK.

Note that these keyboards are also not very quiet. They may not be as loud as the loud mechanicals, but the quieter mechanicals may be on par with them.

Also, pay attention that there are several variants of the "Preferred Pro". There is a PS/2 and a USB one, and there is also one with a built-in fingerprint reader, and what looks like much shallower keys. That one does not get good reviews at all!

[thinkpadcollection]

There are plenty of dome keyboards that are actually decent and quiet. I have a old Logitech K120 which is still good after several years.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[WarhawkCZ]

I will probably give a shoot to Lenovo Preferred Pro version 1. I am somehow suspicious that the version 2 is a typical lenovo costdown f-up.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

[ansible212]

I have the Preferred Pro II and it's a very nice keyboard.

I have no experience of the previous version, however, and so cannot comment on whether it is better or worse.

[WarhawkCZ]

So, I've just received the keyboard and devoted the first few strokes to this thread. I ordered a Business Black Preferred Pro (bottom of the keyboard says P/N:41A5129) with the Slovak layout. This is actually super close to my native (Czech) layout. I wish I could get the English variant for this price but this is close enough. The difference between the business and non-business variant is probably only in the optional palmrest which is quite nice, rubberized (the Thinkpad lid type of style) and easy to remove. I give it thumbs up. The first impression is very good. After a few years with chicklet and low-profile keyboards, this is a refreshing experience.

The best part - I paid 7.95€ for the keyboard and 5.95€ for shipping.

[WarhawkCZ]

Just an update: I still like the keyboard