LENOVO THINKPAD USB EXTERNAL KEYBOARD REVIEW

Lenovo has released a new version of its ThinkPad USB external keyboard. It is aimed at desktop and notebook users who don’t own a ThinkPad but want the same typing experience.

Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards are well known for their ease of use so much so that they are considered the best laptop keyboards in the world.

Lenovo ThinkPad USB Keyboard Features

Integrated TrackPoint
Spill resistant
Good ergonomic design
Access to variety of ThinkPad features through the Function Key
Volume up and down arrow keys

The Lenovo ThinkPad USB keyboard comes with a 3-year warranty. It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Build and Design
In layout the new ThinkPad USB keyboard is very similar to the keyboards on some newer ThinkPad laptops. The keyboard features a low profile design with a thin frame and a large fixed palm rest surrounding it. Lenovo has removed the integrated touchpad which used to feature on older models.

The keyboard is very sturdy and shows minimal flex. Lenovo has also made use of rubber pads to keep the keyboard firmly on your desk.

In Use
The keyboard is very comfortable to type on. The key layout is identical to the keyboard on the T400s. Individual key action is smooth and quiet. The top edge of the keyboard comes with quick access keys with which you can perform a number of tasks including volume adjustment. These buttons don’t seem to require additional drivers to work on different laptop models running Vista or Windows 7. If you are using this keyboard on a ThinkPad notebook you will also be able to launch the ThinkVantage software suite by pressing its key.

The new ThinkPad USB keyboard doesn’t have an integrated touchpad. There is only a pointing stick which works reasonably well.

The new keyboard also doesn’t feature the onboard USB port which was present on the previous models. Lenovo may have removed it to cut costs or make the keyboard thinner, but this is a feature may people will miss.

Conclusion
The new Lenovo ThinkPad USB keyboard offers value for the money. The typing experience is nearly identical to what you would get from typing on the laptop itself. If you already own one of the old models of the keyboard you may miss the touchpad and the onboard USB hub. But at $59, the new model is also cheaper than the old models.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF Eee PC 1000HE KEYBOARD

If there is one thing that most netbook manufacturers fail to get right is the keyboard. On most of the netbooks that we have tested the keyboards were too cramped. So far HP has been the only company to nail the design of the keyboard on all their models.

This was not a problem on the few netbooks that strayed from the 10-inch form factor and went up to 11 and 12 inches though.

Well Asus has decided to give HP a run for their money with the new 1000HE which carries that cool clickit style keyboard we see on Sony's, Lenovo's and Apple's which include the spaced keys.

While most these keyboards do take a little getting used to they are still great and offer a better typing experience than those the others on the market.

The new Asus Eee 1000HE is up for pre-order with a price tag of just south of $399.

ASUS EEE KEYBOARD – A SLEEK PREVIEW

Asus has launched a sneak preview of its yet to be released keyboard. Well this is not just another ordinary keyboard by any means. Asus has given a whole new perspective to the term Keyboard by building it with integrated touchscreen display that offers full QWERTY keys. The Eee Keyboard is a fully functional PC powered by Intel's Atom processor and has an assorted USB and video ports in the back and also sports a SSD storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, speakers, mic and Ethernet. The keys are black and inset in a silver metal casing.

Now coming to the extraordinary part of the Eee Keyboard, Asus proudly announced it as the 'First Wireless Media Center Enabled by Ultra Wideband HDMI. And true to their words this wonder kid that is sleek and ultraportable comes with an Ultra-Wideband Wireless HDMI port which so far theoretically can stream videos from the keyboard to your HD TV or a hoard of other display peripherals. Asus has also promised to launch several of these display peripherals once the Eee Keyboard is officially released.

This Eee Keyboard model that was shown before the official start of the CES convention was a prototype and at present has a battery life of about 90 minutes, but is expected to last for about 3 hours by the time it is on the shelves. The price of the keyboard has not yet been decided and you can expect to get hold of a Eee Keyboard by September, hopefully.

KENSINGTON CI70 - A GADGET FRIENDLY KEYBOARD

Kensington has an upgraded variant of the Ci70 keyboard: the Ci70 Keyboard equipped with USB connectivity Ports. This new keyboard is loaded mini-USB connector that will permit the user to fasten smaller gadgets and download files devoid of the hassle of looking through a stack of cords or perturbing about forgetting your cables at work and home.

The Ci70 contents

• Overall Keyboard dimensions approximately measure upto 16.0"L x 7.0"W x 0.25"-1" H
• PC and Mac attuned
• 3 USB 2.0 ports (2 regular, 1 mini)
• 5keyboard hot keys
• 5-year unlimited warranty

The Ci70 keyboard with USB connectivity ports is tremendously light and slim; most part of the keyboard is just a mere.25" thick.

The Ci70 Keyboard loaded with USB Ports is certainly a functional product for people with extra thingamabobs. I love the thought of not having to draw out 5 diverse cords to plug up my gadgets like MP3, camera and phone. It does stench that USB appliances are not homogeneous maybe in the time to come Kensington can stare into adding a micro version of the USB port/connector as well.

Pros
• Feather weight
• 5-year guarantee
• Flexibility to use either if right or left handed
• Companionable with a Mac and PC

Cons
• Kickstand is very finicky
• Served in just a single color option
• A bit pricey