FOUND: ThinkPad USB Keyboard w TrackPoint (55Y9003) to Can

[pkiff]

Apparently Lenovo has discontinued the Thinkpad USB Keyboard with Trackpoint (P/N 55Y9003):
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-73183

At any rate, it is not available in Canada any longer. I just waited 8 weeks after ordering one to be told that my order was cancelled and the product was being discontinued.

I'm looking for two of these keyboards with the standard US keyboard layout.
Shipping will be to Toronto in Canada. If someone in Toronto has one, then give me a shout and I'll arrange pickup in person.

I would pay $40 USD for a used one in good working condition, or $70 USD for a new one, plus shipping. Ideally looking for two of them from a single forum member in Canada or the US.

I'm not looking for the newer "compact" USB Keyboard with Trackpoint which use the chiclet-style keys:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... de=0B47190

22 May 2014: Increased offers by $10.
27 June 2014: No longer looking. Bought the new "compact" version from TigerDirect, and have now ordered two of the old versions through Lenovo Canada - though I'm not sure if the order will actually arrive...
6 July 2014: Received the two keyboards on July 4th from Lenovo: Hooray!

[BillMorrow]

i see two on ebay..
$120 and $110 from china.. they seem to have more than 10 available..
you might negotiate a better price for 2 or 3 or more and do a group buy..

just saying..

[Saucey]

Since they are uncommon, those units seem to float around $70-110 on eBay.
An auction of a brand new in box sold for $90, the one I had gotten with shiny keys came out to $80! Auction as well from the same seller.
I saw one for a buy it now price of $60, I should of bought it when I had the chance, but well, it was sold when I looked back at it the next day.
I am going to sell my unit when I assemble it, but I'd expect it to get to $70.
Heck I might even just throw the T61 keyboard on there because it works. Might look funky.

[pkiff]

i see two on ebay..$120 and $110 from china..

Yeah, I've seen those prices. It's simply not worth that much to me. I may just give in and get the chiclet version if I can't find one in here for $60 or less.

I think those eBay prices are entirely out of whack, no matter how rare these keyboard are. Those are collector prices, not prices for someone who goes through a desktop keyboard every year or two. And as I noted in my related thread in the GENERAL ThinkPad News/Comments & Questions forum (Thinkpad USB Keyboard w TrackPoint gone? Replaced w chiclet?):

Should probably get one before they spike in price on ebay.

Too late! This version of the USB Keyboard with TrackPoint has been selling on eBay for well over $100 for several years. I have no idea why. It has been cheaper to buy one direct from Lenovo (for about $60, shipping included, plus tax in Canada) almost since they were first released. I don't think eBay ever had them cheaper - at least not with shipping to Canada - I've been tracking them!

Two months ago, you could order one of these direct from Lenovo in both the US and Canada for $60 including shipping, and the price on eBay was still $110-120 back then. Weird!

[Saucey]

Yeah I don't get it either.
I had bought one with the intent of connecting a numeric keypad from the W700 with the USB microcontroller and stashing it somehow in an ultrabay CD drive...

Laserdiscs prove to be the same way, sellers on eBay don't know the true value and they'll price their discs at $60 when really its worth less that $20 or $10

[pkiff]

Bump.

Increased offers by $10.

[erik]

phil - lenovo canada is now showing this keyboard in stock.   you might try your luck ordering direct.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... u_area=yes

[pkiff]

Thanks for the heads up, Erik. Weird that they are now in stock. Just ordered 2!

I already got the newer, chiclet version from TigerDirect, and have been using it, but for various reasons, I would prefer to have the older version for sure, if it is still available at a reasonable price.

My last attempt to order one eventually failed when they told me they were no longer carrying them...after about 6 weeks of waiting and my prompting Lenovo Canada for answers about the delay in shipping.

I guess we'll see what happens this time.

Phil.

[Saucey]

Best of luck!
Hopefully there are a few in US stock, I may get a new one and sell the used one for the same amount.

[pkiff]

Weird that they are now in stock. Just ordered 2! [....] My last attempt to order one eventually failed when they told me they were no longer carrying them...after about 6 weeks of waiting and my prompting Lenovo Canada for answers about the delay in shipping. I guess we'll see what happens this time.

Both keyboards arrived on Friday July 4th (not a holiday in Canada). It looks like they shipped from China on 30 June (two days after I ordered them), arrived in Canada on July 2nd, and arrived at my door on July 4th (not a holiday in Canada).

Pleasantly surprised to get the kind of service I'd previously expected from Lenovo Canada orders. So, I guess they are not discontinued...I see them listed on the Lenovo US site now as well...or they found some new stock in China to sell...who knows!

I notice that this version of the keyboard has the new Windows 8 logo on the Win key instead of the old wavy flag logo. I think they've also tweaked the icon for the right-click/context/properties key between the left ALT and CTRL keys. The box has a label that says P/N 55Y9003 Rev: R01. And it has a date on the label: 19Jun14. I'm tempted to think that this is a new round of production of these keyboards, rather than old stock that was found on a shelf in China somewhere. I hope this is a new production run, as that will mean that prices continue to be reasonable for a while longer as long as they remain in stock at Lenovo. But maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Phil.

[erik]

if down the road the keyboard itself wears out then with minimal effort you can swap in a T410s/T420/T520/W520/X220 series keyboard.   i've replaced mine once already with an NMB and have two more on-hand as spares.   two screws are hidden under the label on the bottom but are easily accessed with careful peeling.

the new win8 keyboard logo is mandated by microsoft on all keyboards sold by computer manufacturers who license windows from microsoft.   same goes for the right-click menu key.

glad it worked out.   mine hasn't shipped yet but is less of a concern seeing that yours arrived.   i suspect backorders on them are high given how well this layout is preferred over the six-row.

[pkiff]

if down the road the keyboard itself wears out then with minimal effort you can swap in a T410s/T420/T520/W520/X220 series keyboard. [....] two screws are hidden under the label on the bottom but are easily accessed with careful peeling.

Really? Why didn't I know that! Thanks again for yet more info.

[BillMorrow]

and I just ordered three of these.. $60 each.. the ones i have are worn out.. lots of typing takes a toll on me and the keyboards..
lenovo said something about some weeks for delivery so we shall see what we shall see..

[emeraldgirl08]

if down the road the keyboard itself wears out then with minimal effort you can swap in a T410s/T420/T520/W520/X220 series keyboard.   i've replaced mine once already with an NMB and have two more on-hand as spares.

Erik that is interesting. Is the improvement substantial? If I get a chance I would love to try this! Anyone want to swap me one of these USB keyboards for a T61?

[erik]

and I just ordered three of these.. $60 each.. the ones i have are worn out.. lots of typing takes a toll on me and the keyboards..
lenovo said something about some weeks for delivery so we shall see what we shall see..

mine arrived yesterday via UPS.   in total it took about three weeks but might be faster now that they're in stock.

the keys have the new win8 icons per what phil mentioned above.   both are made by lite-on and in the same plant.   i haven't inspected the controller board for changes but wouldn't be surprised if it's been updated.

Erik that is interesting. Is the improvement substantial?

it's honestly no different than comparing an NMB/chicony/alps on any other thinkpad.   if you prefer the NMB feel and somehow got a chicony or alps then it might be an improvement.   both of my USB keyboards came with NMB boards (yes, even the new one) so for me it was a matter of replacing 1:1 due to wearing out the original board.   i'm partial to NMB and have been since the switch from keytronics boards on older models.

the new USB keyboard will live in the box until i either need a spare or the old one fails.   it's nothing more than an insurance policy.   i'll keep replacing boards on the original as long as possible.