IBM 31P9490 Keyboard for Thinkpad (Black)
IBM (Aap Misc Parts) - IBM (Aap Misc Parts)
Release date: 1970-01-01
Electronics
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IBM 31P9490 Keyboard for Thinkpad (Black)
Date undefinedI 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, and
try to get rid of mouse for most cases.
The only thing I am happy with is the trackPoint, but that
cannot save the poor manufacturing.
And finally I gave up and returned it.
Waste of time and passion.
IBM 31P9490 Keyboard for Thinkpad (Black)
Date undefinedI've used the older IBM branded version of this product (a couple of years old) and this Leveno/ThinkPad version just feels cheap to the touch.
If keys aren't pressed directly down, they get stuck. This is really a problem for keys on edges of keyboard like the arrow-right and the functions keys since I keep my hand on the home-row and reach.
I truly love this style of keyboard, but the quality just isn't there anymore.
Oh, and Leveno, if you read this, including a fancy leather carry case doesn't fool anybody. If anything, it raises expectations that the product isn't cheaply made.
IBM 31P9490 Keyboard for Thinkpad (Black)
Date undefinedI bought this keyboard for my desktop after falling in love with the keyboard on my T43. The experience has been mixed. 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. Note, this evaluation ignores the rather trashy function (FX) and Ins/Home/PgUp/Del/End/PgDn keys. Those are just as bad as, or worse than, those found on free keyboards.
Beyond the keys, the trackpoint is a delight to use. 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. However, it doesn't have a trackpoint.
