X230 picture

[dr_st]

I wouldn't mind if the change was constructive (like lets say the big Esc and Delete keys).

Interestingly you can observe that the main changes between the new keyboard and the old Edge chiclets is indeed enlarged Esc/Del keys. The reason behind is so clear that it's hilarious. After almost starting world war 3 with the enlarged Esc/Del on the traditional Thinkpad keyboard a few years ago, I am sure their engineers would feel like total idiots losing this "important change backed up by careful research", and so they transferred it to the new keyboard. But the new keyboard is only 6 row, so what do you do - enlarge these keys horizontally! But bummer, now it means you don't have enough room for proper spacing between the function keys (F4/F5 and F8/F9). Oh well, how important is that really?

[wolfman]

Exactly. I could handle the change to a chicklet 7 row keyboard but chicklet and 6 row at the same time seems like more change than was needed at one time. I actually liked the enlarged Escape key in particular. Great for working in VIM. I would've actually preferred the insert key to be enlarged over the delete, but it's OK and probably just a quirk of how I cut and paste.

[wolfman]

I wouldn't mind if the change was constructive (like lets say the big Esc and Delete keys). But offering a crappy keyboard layout like 99% of cheap notebooks currently have does not improve anything. What next, ABCDEF instead of QWERTY because it "looks better" ?

One of the developers on my team at work remaps his keyboard to Dvorak - maybe THAT's the next big thing...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard

[dr_st]

One of the developers on my team at work remaps his keyboard to Dvorak - maybe THAT's the next big thing...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard

That's just a matter of software layout (like a different language). Any keyboard can go between QWERTY and DVORAK by simply swapping the keycaps...

[wolfman]

That's right (he remapped it in software).

[FragrantHead]

His name isn't Carlos, is it?

The myth of the Dvorak keyboard: http://wwwpub.utdallas.edu/~liebowit/keys1.html

[FragrantHead]

The devolution of the Thinkpad into generic no-name brand X is almost complete. It rose from the mud until it got pounded back into the ground by Apple and Chinese indifference. Now all that needs to go is the trackpoint.

I'm tempted to stock up on a 10-pack of current Thinkpads. Better yet, if someone could point me to a T60(p) with a 4:3 screen. But I want one that's new and shiny. And with the keyboard from the 380 series that I have in storage. That keyboard still had travel. Such a relief.

[Puppy]

Now all that needs to go is the trackpoint.

Right. MacBook does not have trackpoint -> new generic universal notebook made by Lenovo gets rid of trackpoint -> more sales

[Soul_Est]

What bugs me above anything is the move towards copying Mac.
Mac goes Chiclet everyone goes Chiclet.
Mac has backlit keyboard everyone has backlit keyboard.
Mac has NO latch, everyone has NO latch.
Mac decides that round edges are cool, everyone decides that round edges are cool.
Mac decides that glossy screen are IN, everyone decides that Glossy screens are IN.
Mac decides that round edges are UNCOOL ala Iphone 4, everyone suddenly realizes that Square is back.

I mean for god sakes, I would think that Thinkpads would be the last to give into this Mac trend.
Anyone who understands true style, knows that style comes from setting trends not following them.
I always thought that Thinkpads were beyond trends, they were classy like a fine Zegna suit or an classic Patek watch. They didn't need to care for what was IN because they followed their own style.

I loved showing people my Thinklight or my Matte Black Chassis (with no lines across it) or my old school Keyboard. Now everything that made Thinkpads Cool is gone. It's like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantine suddenly decided that manual watches were no longer COOL and decided to make digital watches. It's insanity to try to follow trends, when your Brand is so old and distinguished that you are your own trend.

This is what Lenovo has forgotten. They spend tons of money buying what was considered the Patek Philippe of PC Brands, and instead of sticking with traditions they have decided to cheapen the brand by following trends that only low level PC companies need to worry about. It's kind of like buying a Patek Philippe and turning it into Seiko Kinetic.

The very notion of an old distinguished brand is that you are beyond trends, because you are your own trend.
This is something that Lenovo needs to understand.

The reason why Macs are always on top is because they don't follow trends, they set them. I hope some folks at Lenovo are listening.

Actually, Sony VAIO 505 Series was the first with a Chicklet Keyboard as seen here: http://www.trustedreviews.com/Sony-VAIO ... top_photos

I do agree with the rest of your rant though.

[Jason404]

I think the point is that ThinkPads have them because of Macbooks having them, not VAIOs.

Most ThinkPads are used by business workers who did not buy them themselves, and I suspect that most of them do not appreciate ThinkPad design features and would prefer to have a glamorous Macbook instead, hence this market-led travesty keyboard.

[dr_st]

I think the point is that ThinkPads have them because of Macbooks having them, not VAIOs.

I'm pretty sure that the chain is actually longer. HP was the first to switch its business (Elitebook) line to chiclet keyboards, and Lenovo followed suit.

I got to type briefly on both kinds of keyboards (HP's and Lenovo's). Lenovo's is much better. The mechanism is not the problem. The layout of the keys is.

[erik]

perhaps telling david hill directly is worth a shot: http://blog.lenovo.com/design/9-princip ... -by-design

[Puppy]

BTW Lenovo admin has just removed the link to the X230 picture from X230 picture thread

While I understand their policy it is probably too late to stop the disaster and distrust.

[Puppy]

I asked local Lenovo office about X220 availability and they was not able to confirm how long it will be available. Most of eshops here does not have them in stock with "delivery is not confirmed". So I grabbed one of (last?) X220 i5 plus 4yrs warranty upgrade.

At least Lenovo marketing did a good job with X220 sales by the silence about possible new keyboards

[tockki]

I too just bought a X220T... sad story for Lenovo. It was funny when I asked the Lenovo rep about the chicklet keyboard. He was surprised too.

[Illia]

I asked local Lenovo office about X220 availability and they was not able to confirm how long it will be available. Most of eshops here does not have them in stock with "delivery is not confirmed". So I grabbed one of (last?) X220 i5 plus 4yrs warranty upgrade.

At least Lenovo marketing did a good job with X220 sales by the silence about possible new keyboards

Lucky you are. In my country they still are not available.. By the way, if the keybords don`t satisfy your needs,why not buy smth like

it`s easy and convenient.

Admin note: Post has been noted. Does not appear to be from a spammer yet.

[emeraldgirl08]

^^^ You must be joking right? That rubbery foldable novelty keyboard would end up in a box labeled as "computer accessories that I bought and have absolutely no use for anymore."

[benjs]

^^^ You must be joking right? That rubbery foldable novelty keyboard would end up in a box labeled as "computer accessories that I bought and have absolutely no use for anymore."

I'm pretty sure it was a joke, given that we all value IBM's originally really firm and the Thinkpad's lighter (but still rather hard) keys/keypress.
... at least I thought that's one of the reasons the Thinkpad has been popular among those who value high quality.

[emeraldgirl08]

I'm pretty sure it was a joke, given that we all value IBM's originally really firm and the Thinkpad's lighter (but still rather hard) keys/keypress.
... at least I thought that's one of the reasons the Thinkpad has been popular among those who value high quality.

I was curious what sort of response the poster for that rubbery doormat would respond with

I smell something akin to this afoot.

[benjs]

I overlooked the "1 post" number of posts I have to admit, so... yes, I suppose you may be right.