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I've paired this with the Targus AWE26US laptop stand (Targus AWE26US Ergonomic M-stand for Notebook Computers), which raises the laptop screen to an better height for me. This doesn't feel quite a solid as the genuine article. The stand has a hook for storing a keyboard, and since this keyboard has integrated pointing devices, the pair make a nice, neat solution to the problem of the laptop form factor's poor ergonomics.The layout of this keyboard looks very much like the T4x Thinkpad series; it might even be possible to pop the keyboard unit out of this and pop a surplus "genuine" Thinkpad keyboard into it. To put that in perspective, I often wear through the black color on the palm rests to the underlying colored plastic; I always wear out the letters on top of the keys. That said, the ThinkPad keyboards are the best I've used, at least until their spring mechanisms start falling apart. So genuine ThinkPad quality is a pretty high standard.I'm quite satisfied with this keyboard. I haven't taken this one apart to see because I'm reasonably happy with this unit, but I'll probably look into it.
I own a 5-yr-old thinkPad and love the X31 kbd so much, so bought this kbd in hope that I can have the same typing experience with a desktop.The IBM-made label is fairly deceiving. Turns out I have to hit keys very hard--driving me mad,too bad for one that's working around the keyboard, andtry to get rid of mouse for most cases. The only thing I am happy with is the trackPoint, but thatcannot save the poor manufacturing.And finally I gave up and returned it.Waste of time and passion.
Those are just as bad as, or worse than, those found on free keyboards.Beyond the keys, the trackpoint is a delight to use. I bought this keyboard for my desktop after falling in love with the keyboard on my T43. Though light ,the keyboard feels pretty solid.For those looking for an alternative, I've tried the latest thin aluminum keyboard that Apple makes, and the keys are quite nice. It's a bit different from the thinkpad keyboards, but I think if I were willing to put that much money down for another keyboard, I could easily grow to love it. The keyboard is certainly good, and if I don't use my T43 for a while I wonder how much better the T43 keyboard could be, but once I return to the T43 keyboard, I realize the desktop version has a ways to go. The experience has been mixed. Note, this evaluation ignores the rather trashy function (FX) and Ins/Home/PgUp/Del/End/PgDn keys. However, it doesn't have a trackpoint.
The plastic case used in the travel keyboard is very lightweight and feels flimsy as a base compared to the 5 pound laptops it typically appears in. I own four of these keyboards, and I've given several to friends to replace their other substandard compact keyboards. However, I find the key-feel and mechanism the same, and the lightweight base does not negatively affect usability. I'm an avid thinkpad user, so having exactly the same keys at my desk and on the laptop is a big win for me. I love this keyboard. I also really enjoy the trackpoint, and while I still have a real mouse on the desktop, there are some things I enjoy using the trackpoint for.
The product died in less than two years, and it only rarely went into the laptop bag (in other words, it wasn't handled roughly). It worked great, while it lasted, but when I plugged it into the machine this morning, the "B", "N", and "(space)" didn't respond. I discovered the keys can be popped off and replaced without damage (pop off from the top), but there was nothing out of place under the problem keys, so I concluded that it was an electronic problem.something that shouldn't crop-up in such a short time of use.
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