Fans of the Lenovo’s laptop keyboard nub (aka the TrackPoint) can get the experience on a desktop PC thanks to the newly released $99 ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II.
While this isn’t the first time the company has released a keyboard with the nub attached, this one does make some pretty notable changes that make it worth a look. Most importantly, the ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II comes with USB-C charging and support for non-Bluetooth wireless connections via a dongle that allows connecting up to two devices at a time. It also supports Bluetooth for anyone looking to connect without a dongle.
Outside of those changes, the keyboard has some aesthetic tweaks that make it look more like the ThinkPad X1 than the original model. The keys also take on the dish shape that provides solid comfort and ergonomics while in use. Battery life is improved over the original. Rather than one-month of life, the ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II promises to last for about two months on a single charge.
The first one offered support for wired connection, while the new one drops that in favor of a USB-C charging port and two forms of wireless connection.
Like the original ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II with the Lenovo nub, there’s support for both Windows and Android devices (no Apple devices for this keyboard). It also features left- and right-click buttons under the keys and legs on the back that let users prop up the keyboard for better ergonomics.
The TrackPoint is one of those devices that keyboard users either seem to think is the greatest thing since sliced bread or the worst way to control a computer ever created — there appears to be no middle ground on this one. This has been the case since IBM first started putting TrackPoint nub on their devices in the early 90s and it doesn’t seem like the divisiveness will ever change.
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