IBM USB Keyboard with UltraNav ( 31P8950 ) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Simply put, the keyboards IBM puts in its Thinkpad line of notebooks are the best keyboards I've ever used.The keyboard here is just a large-model Thinkpad keyboard done up for the desktop with USB (with a built-in two-port USB hub).As such, it's perfect.I've wanted one of these since I first laid fingertips on a Thinkpad keyboard in 1997.

I'm a 100 word-per-minute touch typist who's seen a lot of keyboards -- I learned to type on a manual typewriter in the early 1970s and spent summers in college earning money as a keypunch operator on teletype-like keyboards.Before this keyboard, I was always on the lookout for a better keyboard.

The throw of the keys on this keyboard is a lot less than that of a standard desktop keyboard.And although the keys feel somewhat "clicky" (good for feedback), they're also relatively quiet (good for neighbors and family).The key layout is just like on the Thinkpad.I use the windows key a lot, but you can rebind one of the ALT keys in your operating system.

The keyboard extends a long way below the keys, just like the bigger Thinkpad's keyboards.I find this provides perfect palm rests for me.

I would've gotten this just for the keyboard.But there's also a trackpoint built in.And my fingers want to use it due to long experience on IBM notebooks. Of all the notebook pointer technologies, this is the only one that works for me.It works better than other company's implementations of track pointers (like on a Toshiba my wife had).Trackpoints don't bounce on planes or trains like the touchpads.Applying "belt and suspenders" caution, IBM also included a touchpad and two sets of mouse buttons (one high and one low); the pair closest to the keyboard are very convenient for dealing with the endless series of dialog boxes in modern applications.

All told, this keyboard helps my typing speed and accuracy.And even though I'm a speedy typist, my typing and mousing is still the bottleneck in most of the work I do on a computer.

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Product Description:

Product Name: USB Keyboard with UltraNav
Marketing Information: Bring legendary IBM ThinkPad notebook keyboard look and feel to IBM desktop systems or to ThinkPad docking solutions. For the ultimate in pointing flexibility, this multi-pointing system combines an IBM-customized touch pad and the latest TrackPoint device. The two, built-in USB ports conveniently provides for additional expansion. Plus, it"s the only external keyboard that allows you to close the ThinkPad notebook LCD and still access key ThinkPad notebook features requiring the function (Fn) key, such as system sleep and suspend.
Packaged Quantity: 1
Keyboard/Keypad

Keyboard/Keypad Type: Touchpad & Trackpoint Keyboard
Keyboard/Keypad Connectivity Technology: Cable
Number of Keys: 105Keys
Keys Layout: QWERTY
Localization: English (US)
Pointing Device

Pointing Device Type: TouchPad
Pointing Device Type: Trackpoint
Interfaces/Ports

Interfaces/Ports: 2 x 4-pin Type A USB
Physical Characteristics

Dimensions: 0.85" Height x 15.5" Width x 8.6" Depth
Weight: 0.8 lb
Warranty

Standard Warranty: 1 Year(s) Limited

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