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IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

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Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#141

Post by alxndr »

benburton wrote: post #93
MichaelGG wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If only they'd make a split layout ergo design. One of the only mechanical ergos out there (available today) is the Matias Ergo Pro. And it's got a lot of dumb design decisions. Like dedicated copy/cut etc keys that just send Ctrl-C Ctrl-X etc. Bizarre. Strange placement of Ctrl that still, after months of usage, cause me typos. And a remote Esc that hurts more than normal to reach. Among other silly key placements.…

Best bet is to wait for Massdrop to relaunch that ErgoDox kit: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox?mode=guest_open

If you're not looking forward to doing the soldering yourself, check out the Ergodox EZ campaign (funded but still open): https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ergodox-ez-an-incredible-...

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#142

Post by better_buttons »

The think I love the most about these keyboard/trackpad/trackpoint peripherals is the physically distinct mouse buttons.

Do you KNOW how insanely awful current model trackpads are?

Every single manufacturer seems to think it's a good idea to fabricate the trackpad as a solid unit, and have it act as both the left and right buttons, and it is SO horrendously impractical that it pains me to even broach the subject.

Every single fucking laptop I see tries this, and fails. They are all bad.

And yes, I know Apple does it. And you know what? The MacBook trackpad/button unit also sucks. But. They have the capacity to tailor the operating system for a closer behavioral fit. And that's the only thing that separates the Apple product.

Note physically separate mouse buttons on this IBM/Lenovo unit. These buttons are so much more reliable and accurate.

When you press one button, there is little risk of accidentally interacting with the other button, because they are not physically united by the same piece of plastic..

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#144

Post by Immortalin »

timtadh wrote: post #79
LesZedCB wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Long live the Capslock-as-control-key master race. :)

emacs user! another to be expunged. all hail as caps lock! for on that day, all shall be in normal mode, on the day of text one will `export EDITOR=/usr/bin/vim` -- from the book of vim 2:12

Spacemacs! Spacemacs! Spacemacs!

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#145

Post by technomancy »

ams6110 wrote: post #61
abtinf wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You say swapped, I say its the correct placement. I use control much more frequently than fn, and its easier to reach it with my pinky on the thinkpad keyboard.

Me too, that's why I have Control and Caps-Lock swapped.

It's a start, but I'm much happier having moved it to under my thumb.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#146

Post by zhte415 »

p_eter_p wrote: post #46

There is a special place in hell reserved for the designer who swapped the function and control key placement on that keyboard. Thankfully you can change it in the bios.

:)

Unless you work in a corp that locks down BIOS.

:(

Also note the size and placement of the delete key. It just seems a little bit bigger and easier to reach. And I'm sure this is due to corporate use of email, where pressing delete quickly speeds up the day no end.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#147

Post by cerberusss »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #102
p_eter_p wrote: post #46

There is a special place in hell reserved for the designer who swapped the function and control key placement on that keyboard. Thankfully you can change it in the bios.

> Thankfully you can change it in the bios. Unlike on Macbooks and the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Grump. Yes, you can use Karabiner[1] to swap the keys, but it's not at a low enough level that it works everywhere . Still, it's good enough for most use. [1] https://pqrs.org/osx/karabiner/

What do you mean, not on a low enough level? I'm an avid user and donator of Karabiner, and I'm interested to know what you couldn't map?

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#148

Post by krylon »

ams6110 wrote: post #61
abtinf wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You say swapped, I say its the correct placement. I use control much more frequently than fn, and its easier to reach it with my pinky on the thinkpad keyboard.

Me too, that's why I have Control and Caps-Lock swapped.

As a heavy emacs user, this was one of the best things I ever did. I used to think the term "emacs pinky" was a joke, but it is really not.

And anyway, I cannot remember needing CapsLock even a single time, but I do remember hitting it by accident many times, so I do not really miss it.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#149

Post by valarauca1 »

MichaelGG wrote: post #56
valarauca1 wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Replacement parts are normally made in the same production run as Production parts. You just project the number of replacement/warrenty claims, and build 10% over that. Cuts the cost of dyes/run times. This is also why replacement parts become next to impossible to find 10-15 years down the line. If they are available they'll become outrageously expensive due to another company purchasing the rights to make spare par…

Engine parts from Level3? Like generators?

Nope transmissions. Level3 purchased a large number of John Deer patients from the 1950's and 60's and produces surplus tank parts.

Well technically its a manufacturing company with their controlling interests owned by Level3. Its very steady predictable revenue. Literally an investor centric board member's wet dream.

Re: IBM is still making ThinkPad keyboards

#150

Post by throwaway7767 »

sevensor wrote: post #23
throwaway7767 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have one of those. While they're very much a descendant of the Model M, I'd say their quality control is lacking. The PageDown key on my keyboard is much lighter than all the other keys, it feels really mushy and doesn't have the same tactile feedback that it's supposed to have. All the other keys are fine. I can live with it, but I never saw such an issue with any of the Model M keyboard I've used. Also, their USB…

I have one, and I found that problems with it not working during bootup were related to its large power draw. It's been working fine for me since I plugged it into a powered usb hub. YMMV.

Thanks, that makes sense. I remember the original model m's were real power hogs, to the point that USB->PS/2 converters rarely worked with them.

Now I wonder if they're just using the original circuit with a tacked on converter... might have to open it up to check.

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