5 ms·
I agree that there have been several misssteps (like Lenovo tring to replace the Fn-row with a touchbar) but I think there is a lot to like about the current it
by alexvoda 5y ago
I agree that there have been several misssteps (like Lenovo tring to replace the Fn-row with a touchbar) but I think there is a lot to like about the current itereation as seen on the T14 (1). It was even officialy converted into a wireless keyboard (2). Things I like in no paticular order:
- Shape of keys: mostly flat chicklet but slightly scooped, rectangular with one curved edge, island style
- Fn keys are separated in groups of 4
- Spacebar is exactly 5U long and alligned to CVBNM (I find verry annoying when this is not the case)
- Modifier keys are vertically aligned to shift row keys
- Home, End, Insert, Delete placement is reasonable (especially Esc is above ~, Delete is above Backspace and Insert is next to Delete) though I usually find Fn+arrows more mentally comfortable for PgUp/PgDown/Home/End
- Media keys is great with leftmost group being audio, followed by display and then others
- It's backlit
- LED indicators for Caps and Fn
A layout I might find even better is the japanese version(3). I would actually prefer to have the spacebar only as wide as VBN and have 2 more modifier keys left and right. This version however has one key to much to the left of the spacebar.
(1) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e0Sd1FYDL._AC_SL1280_.jpg https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e0Sd1FYDL._AC_SL1280_....
(2) https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/accessories-and-monitors/keyboards-and-mice/keyboards/KBD-BO-TrackPoint-KBD-UK-English/p/4Y40X49520 https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/accessories-and-monitors/keyboa...
(3) https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5158Zq01plL._AC_SL1145_.jpg https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5158Zq01plL._AC_SL1145_....
- eliasmacpherson 5y agoUnfortunately they just remind me of bad memories. The aftermarket external keyboards are the solution for me. > (like Lenovo tring to replace the Fn-row with a touchbar) Normally I would thank somebody for bringing something like this to my attention, but I actually don't even want to know and will try and blot this sentence out from my memory now.
- alexvoda 5y agoThan, to your horror, here is how it looks (1). Thankfully it was only used on the Gen 2 of the X1 Carbon. The thing is, the concept of the touchbar (especially as technically implemented by Apple with a matte texture) is actually great. The great mistake was having it replace the Fn-row. If it was placed above the Fn-row, the touchbar would have been great. (1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkB6T6LrhQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkB6T6LrhQ