ThinkPad Keyboard styles

[ThinkPad560X]

On here place what your favorit keyboard layout is that you like.

1. ThinkPad mid/late 1990s: 700C-600
http://www.notebooks-b.com/global/php/h ... file_a.jpg

2. ThinkPad 2000 Keyboard layout T20-A20-i Series
http://stuff.silverorange.com/images/t2 ... yboard.jpg

3. ThinkPad 2003-2005: R3-R5, T3-T4, A3, G4
http://media.laptoplogic.com/data/revie ... yboard.jpg


4. lenovo take over keyboard layout 2005
http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/mobile/l ... yboard.jpg

5. ThinkPad SL keyboard layout
http://apexcoupons.com/wp-content/uploa ... d-view.jpg

6. ThinkPad today 2010 Keyboard layout
http://www.notebookcheck.net/typo3temp/ ... 1eb2d1.jpg

[ThinkPad560X]

I like the ThinkPad T43 keyboard style, The Gray color on the top row of the F keys, purple Enter Key, and the red/blue mouse clickers, plus the touchpad rap around clickers around the touchpad instead of the standard straight. Im glad lenovo brought back the color to the mouse clickers as they took them off on the T60/R60/T61/R61/X60/X61, along with the all black top row keys like the older thinkpad had. I think that little bit color made it standout a bit. showed what keys were important and such like the purlpe enter key.

[automobus]

I most like the layout of the twenties-generation. I do not mind the gray top rows found in the thirties, but I dislike the Browser Keys around the arrows. I also prefer the rectangular ThinkPad button (and nearby volume keys) over the rounded Access IBM. But it is good to have the spill drainage holes, introduced (as far as I know) with the thirties keyboards.

I never used earlier ThinkPads. Based on the pictures I have seen, I think the early key layouts look the same as the new year 2000 lines. The only difference I see is that earlier ThinkPads had only two buttons for the pointing device, which simply will not do for me. As a side note, I cannot understand why, in a day when most new mice I see have four or five buttons**, almost every non-ThinkPad laptop that I have seen has just two buttons for the pointing device (and, to my knowledge, every ThinkPad trackpad has only two buttons). Apple's have one or none!

**(usually browser functions, which, like on ThinkPad keyboards, I do not use)

[ThinkPad560X]

The new style keyboards kinda of remind me of the i Series ThinkPads with that C wrap around the mouse clicks only its fited with the buttons now.
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/genesis/phazer/P ... pi1200.jpg

[dr_st]

I like the T4x design with the colors, and the T6x-T400 layout (with Windows keys, but without the enlarged Delete). I can probably live with the large Delete though.

Note that there are also significant differences between country-specific layous. All of your pictures show the standard US layout, while the last one is German layout (which I dislike because the Left Shift becomes unreasonably small. I am also used to backslash being between Enter and Backspace at this point.

[fasteez]

The first one with the green subscripts looks real hot ( blending the old black/green days ... even matrixy )

the T4x / x3x series have my heart

the only "recent" keyboards I've touched are X60/X61 and they're a bit shaggy but maybe these werent from the best manufacturers.

[tfflivemb2]

For layout, I like the T4x series, HOWEVER, given a choice, I would choose a 600 series keyboard in a heartbeat, for feel.

I have yet to find a keyboard that I like to type on, better than the 600 series...

[emeraldgirl08]

From what I've used I really liked the 600X keyboard as well. I'm currently using a T61 NMB keyboard for my T400 and it's pretty decent but not as sweet as that 600X!

[JaneL]

I have yet to find a keyboard that I like to type on, better than the 600 series...

I've found that the X30x is very keyboard nearly as good as the 600 was. It's a very solid feel.

[ThinkRob]

Amazingly, after shimming I'd have to say that my T410's keyboard is actually superior to my 600X's.

Yes, I really did say that.

Of course pre-shimming... well... you've read my rant/review.

[ThinkPad560X]

I just pulled out my ThinkPad 600 and I actually would have to agree that the 600 is well built and has a solid keyboard.

[ThinkRob]

I just pulled out my ThinkPad 600 and I actually would have to agree that the 600 is well built and has a solid keyboard.

The 600 series really does have a nice keyboard. Still, provided that it's even and flex-free, I prefer a keyboard with a little less travel and a little crisper activation. (Of course there is one exception to that rule -- but the Model M wouldn't exactly fit on a laptop...)

[ThinkPad560X]

Messing with my ThinkPad S30 and thought about this, After lenovo bought the ThinkPad in 2005, I never saw the China/Japan keyboards used anymore, such as the shorter spacebar and smaller keys found on all Asian ThinkPads. An S30 and X40 Asian models: http://chandra.way-nifty.com/chandra_li ... e2/X40.jpg Do they still do this with their asian ThinkPads or did lenovo go with keeping one style keyboard?

[dr_st]

They most certainly do. Here is a Thinkpad X100e Japanese keyboard:
http://netbooked.net/images/uploads/rev ... 00e-14.jpg

[Thinkpad Lover]

Why doesn't Lenovo make a few custom Keyboard choices available for each new model- same connector, same size to fit into the KB opening obviously, same screw holes on back, same keys but a couple variations to choose from involving color, key size, key shape, key layout, etc. Then everyone can knock themselves out customizing their laptop the way they prefer. Plus I bet you it increases laptop sales. The way a Keyboard looks/feels/functions is probably one of the most important elements in customer satisfaction. Maybe more important than they realize. For example looking at that Asian Keyboard picture dr_st just posted above- wow!- that looks so different from what I'm used to. Put rounded corners on furniture, not on keyboard keys. The Keys should be in a matrix/ grid pattern with clearly defined square/rectangular boundaries so you feel like this is where one ends, this is where the next one begins. And what a teeny little spacebar! I want a HUGE spacebar taking up half the Keyboard BTW, I have to add my vote: The Thinkpad 600 Keyboard is an all time classic!

Daniel.

[ThinkPad560X]

I guess they still use their classic asian keyboards, never seen a new ThinKPad with one.

[dr_st]

The X100e is not a new Thinkpad?

[ThinkPad560X]

If they had that option I would buy a new T410 with the ThinkPad T40/R50 style keyboard. I like the color coded keyboard. I own a T410 USB Travel keyboard "Without TouchPad" and I like the big Esc and Delete key.

[RealBlackStuff]

I prefer the English UK layout.
My fave model is the T40-T43 NMB-keyboard.

[ajkula66]

The best (for my fingers) ThinkPad keyboard I ever used was on a G40 unit...sold the machine many moons ago, still have the (very worn) keyboard in question. Funny enough, it's the first ThinkPad keyboard that I've seen with some "Swiss cheese" holes that became a commonplace with T4xx/T5xx/W5xx generation, but it felt *really* solid, no flex whatsoever.

On a more standard basis, while I understand why people rave about 600-series keyboards I never got used to them...

My favourite to this day is the "weird duck" A3x series keyboard, closely followed by T4x/R5x Thai one...

To each his/hers own, obviously...

[sysiphus]

Easy, the R5x layout. I much preferred full-sized Ctrl/Alt keys to having the super ("Windows") key. The red stripes on the Trackpoint buttons are nice, so for that reason, I'd rate the current T520 keyboard over what I had in my T60/T60p. The best feel was in the R51, too, though I have no complaints about the T520, and the T60 was solid, too. The enlarged Delete/Esc keys are neither here nor there for me...

[ThinkPad560X]

I am using my IBM ThinkPad X30 right now and it has a very solid keyboard and the keys don't make noise, I'd say my worse ThinkPad Keyboard is the T30, the keys all feel lose almost the same as my 560X, atleast mine does, not sure if all them do. I tryed to change my ThinkPad 560X keyboard keys with a scrap T40 keys but the clips don't line up, I tryed to add the purple Enter key on it. Before lenovo bought the IBM ThinkPad, my i Series 1200 - 1400 have the Windows key on them, not sure why the i Series were the only ones to feature it.

[PowerPC]

I'm on my T60, using a Chicony keyboard. I had an Alps before. I removed to try out mods on the Chicony keyboards.

I actually think the Chiconies are better. I didn't notice any significant difference, and I like how the Chicony "clicks louder". I understand this can be aggravating for a lot of people, though.

Edit: layout. Well, Lenovo with normal height Delete key, with the gray keys from the previous layout. I like the extra Windows keys for key combos and Amiga emulation.