Standalone Thinkpad Keyboard Review

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.