Back in December of last year I posted a blog and related survey on Design Matters concerning our in market external ThinkPad keyboard. I've used one for years on my desk. The blog was very popular generating over 100 comments. The related survey probed on things like touchpad vs. TrackPoint use, palmrest depth, overall typing touch and feel, and the design of controls such as volume and mute. Over 800 respondants took the survey. Having this kind of user feedback to help steer future design directions is a gift. Collectively we learned a lot about peoples use patterns and favorite features. Highlights of what we learned Almost no interest in the touchpad. Little interest in having a dedicated number pad. We've heard this one before. Touch and feel should be equal to ThinkPad notebooks. Buttons such as volume, mute, etc. should match the ThinkPad notebook experience. Some interest in a wireless version, but far from unanimous. Reduced price prefered. Imagine that.  

Beauty shot showing the design and nice matte finish

We just announced an updated external  ThinkPad keyboard that takes into account all of this feedback.  The keyboard layout, touch and feel matches the T400s as close as humanly possible. This includes the updates to the now famous "supersized" escape and delete keys as well as the volume and mute buttons. We also removed the touchpad and dedicated numberpad. The keyboard is now spill resistant just like a ThinkPad and there is nice place to store excess cord.  We made sure the feet that create inclination have a nice rubber coating so the keyboard won't slide around on your desk. These details really matter. Collectively, the changes we made allowed us to reduce the price by 40$. Amazing!

 

Top study model is fome core with paper keyboard printout

Just like any ThinkPad branded product, we spent a lot of time tweaking and tuning everything on this keyboard. We made nearly a dozen models before it was given the green light to manufacture. The fidelity of the models range from simple fome core studies to highly accurate 3D models made from CAD data. We even designed the bottom to make sure it looked and worked exactly the way we wanted. I thought I would share an early sketch of the bottom side  and how it finally ended up. Make sure you notice the 2 drain holes.

Early sketch of the bottom side showing cord storage concept

   

Final design of the bottom side showing a much simpler cord storage design

I really like this keyboard and how it matches my new T400s. The feel is fantastic. Thanks for all the feedback that helped us to design it. Who knows maybe we will eventually make a wireless version.

David Hill