September 2009 Archives

Model: SK-8855
Switch Type: Laptop-style scissor switch
Cost: $50 (from online Lenovo store)
Connector: USB

I've been interested in the Thinkpad-style standalone desktop keyboard for a while, so I jumped on this one as soon as I heard about it (and also found out that it was cheaper than the predecessor)

The Thinkpad Feel

One of the biggest draws of this keyboard is the fact that it supposedly recreates the famed Thinkpad keyfeel on your desktop. While many laptops in the past have offered scissor switches, many people still continue to to swear by those found on the Thinkpad series models.

Unfortunately, I have to say that this keyboard does not feel quite as good as the one on my ThinkpadT400. They clearly look the same and both use scissor switches, but this desktop model feels just a tad more mushy and less crisp. The keys feel stiffer and require more effort to actuate, which leads to fatigue. That being said, it's still a fairly pleasing experience, and it seems like I can type at full speed without any problems (according to typeracer.com).

Another difference is that because this keyboard is really just a thin piece that would normally sit on top of a laptop chassy, it feels flimsier than typing on a laptop (which makes sense, given that it is also much lighter). But this just added to my disappointing feeling in my head that kept saying "It's not the same!" It is surprisingly inflexible for how thin and light it is, but it does still feel "hollow" when compared to an actual laptop.

This keyboard also incorporates the latest improvements to the classic Thinkpad keyboard design, including the large escape key (YES!) and the larger delete key (meh, but OK). In general these improvements are both quite useful, and I look forward to the day when this design is standard across the entire Thinkpad line.

They also got rid of the touchpad in this particular model. Since I prefer touchpads over the trackpoints, I wasn't particularly happy about that, but since this is a model intended for desktop use, you can always just use your mouse.

For those Linux users among you: while the large escape key is a huge boon for those vi sessions, the trackpoint isn't particurlarly handled well on the latest distros (Ubuntu Jaunty for me), so don't expect it to be useful without a lot of tweakage. The volume keys work out of the box, but the Thinkvantage key and mic mute key (as well as a bunch of special Fn keys, as you would find on an actual Thinkpad laptop) do not work, so be warned. That may change in the future, once some Linux hackers get their hands on these things.

Comfort

Increasingly, the most important aspect of keyboards for me is becoming comfort (and that's also why I tend to revert to my MS Natural Elite after a few days of working on anything else).

In the comfort dimension, this keyboard is better than average. Because it is so light and thin, it's easy to put it on your lap as if it were a laptop, and this typing position is actually quite comfortable. You still get a slightly cramped feeling because it is the same width as a laptop, however, and the stiffness of the keys I mentioned earlier adds to fatigue.

In general, I am able to last longer on this keyboard, then say the Realforce 101, which has a more standard design. I plan to use this keyboard on and off (it is useful to have such a compact device which is also pretty portable), and hopefully the switches will wear in over time and not require so much force.

Recommendations

If you're really looking for the laptop keyboard feel, this keyboard is about as close as you'll get to the real thing. Those who like thinkpad keyboards probably won't be disappointed. Though, as I said, it doesn't feel exactly the same as the T400. It probably works a bit better under Windows, and best when it's actually hooked up to a Thinkpad, but I've got it hooked up to a Linux-based workstation, and I'm able to use the most important features.

For those of you who are keyboard crazy like myself, you know that this hobby gets pretty damn expensive pretty damn fast.

So here's a list of inexpensive keyboards you can try, if you want to try some interesting keyboards on a budget.

• Microsoft Natural Elite: This is the basic ergo keyboard from Microsoft. It's their classic design with some annoyances like the diamond arrow keys and the non-standard pg up/down block layout. You can also try the Ergo 4000, though I would recommend against it.
• Keytronic keyboards: These guys are basic rubber dome boards, only slightly more expensive than your standard rubber dome board, but have a very distinct and good feel for a rubber dome board. Make sure you check out the specs and look for a keystroke life of 10 million strokes+, otherwise you're getting one of their cheap ones, which are the same as everyone else
• Thinkpad keyboard: This is the keyboard from lenovo for folks who like the thinkpad keyboards and want one for their desk. There are two models, the big one with touchpad and numpad, and the new one without (and modified esc and delete keys). They have the classic Thinkpad look and feel.
• Buy it on ebay or a shop that sells old parts. A lot of the older keyboards still use switches from ALPS and Cherry, and you can often find them extremely cheaply if you know where to look. You can try things out this way before you invest in that Filco, Topre, or unicomp

Hot on the heels of the new majestouch, I've now recieved the new Thinkpad standalone keyboard (model SK-8855). Typing this post with it now.

It's very light, and looks very much like what you would find in the laptop. I don't know how long the laptop keyboards are supposed to last but this one seems pretty comfortable so far. I know I can type on my t400 all day and pretty much feel ok, so here's to hoping that the desktop version will do just as well.

One funny initial observation is that it has all the standard laptop keys. Including brightness, battery, and screen magnifier. That seems kinda silly if you use it as a desktop keyboard, but I guess they expected people to use it as something hooked into a docking station.

Read more about the board here (Design Matters blog).

Finally getting around to trying some new boards.

Next up is the brown-cherry, tenkeyless Filco Majestouch (FKBN87M/EB). Thanks to elitekeyboards.com, I got this board from a US retailer at a fairly decent price. They shipped pretty quickly, so I'm pretty happy with them.

Short version: Like that it has more keys than HHKB2. Like the key feel. For me Cherry MX Brown > Topre. Would still prefer sun layout and usb hub of HHKB2.

I got a chance to use the board at work for a few hours. Typed a 3000 word document with it.

Interestingly, hands don't hurt that much, even though it's not a ergo keyboard. Probably about the same amount of tension as I would get with the HHKB2, but I like the feel better than the HHKB2.

I can't seem to type on the Topre boards with out bottoming out on every key. Maybe the resistance is too light, or the "give" is too fast. On this board, I feel like I can type a little faster and not stress my fingers as much. It reminds me of the Kinesis countoured boards (as it should, same switch), which I also very much like.

The layout is also much more useful than the HHKB. Yes the HHKB is small, but the layout compression is over-doing it. Separate F-keys are still useful, as well as the most important arrow and page up/down blocks.

I've put a palm rest that I had from before in front of the board. Oddly though, it seems that the rest is too high.. elitekeyboards sells a FILCO-branded one that seems a bit lower, so perhaps I'll try that one.

Also ordered the new version of the thinkpad keyboard. You can read about that one here.

Now if only they made the majestouch in the Sun layout like the HHKB. And also with a USB 2.0 hub. Those are the only to places where I still like the HHKB2 over this board.