Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II - Reviewed, with Steam deck, iPad vs MX keys

[@wes1581]

Honestly the track point looks like a game changer, i stumbled upon this from the Steam Deck subreddit but I might actually buy one of these for work and of course the fact I can use it with my steam deck is a bonus.

[@TechGuyBeau]

It’s not the best windows device as you typically have a mouse, but for the steamdeck it’s wonderful

[@wes1581]

@@TechGuyBeau Not going to use it for my PC but I'm thinking it'll be great for my work tablet. I hate the small mouse/keyboard set up I use on it currently, keyboards sized appropriately for travel are just too small to have good synergy with a mouse, feels like I'm always awkwardly moving my right arm back and forth between em. This looks like I'll always have my arm positioned optimally.

[@DreadfulUtopia]

In KDE, the middle mouse button (the scroll wheel usually) creates sticky notes. Since the Steam Deck uses KDE as it's desktop environment in desktop mode, that's why sticky notes were appearing when you were clicking the middle button on the keyboard. I actually really love this keyboard, and it's definitely a must-have for my ThinkDeck, but It's like nearly 200 dollars on Amazon here in the UK, which is insane. I guess when it comes to trackpoints, Lenovo have a captive market, so they can just charge whatever they want...

[@TechGuyBeau]

Oh desktop mode. Sorry I was only using it in games

[@richardmckee9466]

@DreadfulUtopia Probably because of off-market sellers on Amazon, not having a "captive market".

[@mdtaylor2274]

Thanks for the review. I just ordered this to pair with my X1 Carbon.

[@DigitalSamTV]

Does the ThinkPad keyboard have a backlight behind the keys? If not that is a complete deal breaker

[@anirangoncalvesbr]

The light icon is missing from the spacebar - so yes I would say backlighting is missing in this one 😢

[@simbin.]

What are your thoughts on the "perfect" travel bag, to snugly fit the Deck, along with its Dock, this keyboard, Xbox controller, HDMI and power cords? Most of the laptop bags I've seen aren't really suitable. The ones specifically marketed as Steam Deck bags are too small for a keyboard and game controller.

[@TechGuyBeau]

on that im not sure. I mainly use my deck around the house. When i travel i typically only bring the keyboard and a 8bit do SNES style controller

[@GoldenRNB]

Question is, did you use a data Type-C cable? There are lots of Type-C cables out there and some are just meant for charging, but not data transer.

[@TechGuyBeau]

Yeah it was a data cable. I can always try again with a different cable.

[@GoldenRNB]

Please do and let us know if it works wired. @@TechGuyBeau

[@TechGuyBeau]

@@GoldenRNBdidn’t work sorry

[@netrodex]

hey man I got a question. I just got this keyboard, and I love it! but.. it is possible to use a 100w for fast charging? or no. Just only using my usb laptop port to charge?

[@aminnieto3551]

I bought this Keyboard, you can found the price 103.99 usd in CDW page web, thanks for your video

[@b13nx2k]

It doesn't work wired. USB C for charging only. I had one for one year. The 2.4 GHz dongle stopped working after a year. I like it so I'm buying another.I also have the MX Keys but prefer the Thinkpad keyboard II

[@iamgreyhound]

Has the mx mini held up to regular use, I keep hearing people say keys start sticking in a year or so, its a 100 quid here in the UK, can't decide!

[@TechGuyBeau]

It’s expensive but I’ve had no issues. I use it regularly for my mac. Maybe those people have cheese fingers lol. But yeah I’ve liked mine quite a bit so far. Personally no issues yet

[@FS-zt6tm]

is the trackpoint keyboard identical to the ones on thinkpad laptops? I've use chiclet style thinkpads in the past and kind of miss the feeling of typing on one so I kind of want to pick up one of these keyboard plus the navigation with the trackpoint was something I used a lot

[@TechGuyBeau]

The keyboard is ever so slightly different, but the trackpoint is the same

[@mayanksapra6507]

Did u notice any difference in typing experience when you switched from laptop's keyboard to this wireless keyboard. I understand it is also a thinkpad keyboard but it doesn't offer the palm support which thinkpad laptop does. Did you have a same typing experience on this wireless Thinkpad Trackpoint Keyboard II or it took a while to get used to it?

[@TechGuyBeau]

It’s about the same. A touch better on the laptop but negligible

[@My_Alchemical_Romance]

I have used the MX keys Mini for Mac for two years; and even as we speak now I’m typing on it while trying to figure out how to pair the Lenovo to my PC; which is ironic bc thats what its advertised for; and NOT for apple… Yet, my ipad is all it will connect to. It was connected to my PC earlier; and even tried updating drivers and restart; but, whichever device we are speaking of using it on; the reason i upgraded to the Lenovo with the nib and finally relegated my MX Keys Mini to my desk; after one of its chiclet style keys has popped off going in and out of my bag; which even has its own secure keyboard space; so its definitely now a desk-queen. I wanted a keyboard and mouse in one; and quality construction; which is what made me upgrade to the Lenovo… I DO wish it had the backlit keys such as the MX…. But hey; cant have your cake and eat it too. As long as I dont have to worry about carrying around and daily driving a mouse in and out of my bag as well; I will take the hit on the 3 device functionality; and, if the Lenovo thinkpad keyboard was not remedial in that sense; I would be using it RIGHT NOW! appreciate your view on this; great video on great products, no matter what one may choose .

[@RorschDG-2]

There is a Thinkpad Keyboard that came with the X1 Fold 16 that IMO I think would work way better for handhelds. The only unfortunate thing is that it costs over $500 and yeah...no

[@dogeloaf642]

If it had QMK/VIA compatibility, instant buy. (A small trackpad also would be nice.)

[@iroomi4698]

very nice review, thanks for the comparison.

[@TechGuyBeau]

Thanks for watching!

[@devdee7285]

Does the track point work on Mac?

[@stasimon]

This keyboard should have an additional row with function keys f13-f24 for prescribing macros and shortcuts.

[@chanm01]

Did you mention where you found this for $70 CAD or whatever you said it was? I'm sure inflation has something to do with it, but these now retail for over $100, and it just seems like too much for what it is.

[@TechGuyBeau]

yeah it was something like that at the time. But they still go on sale on lenovo website. keep an eye out for sales and coupons. the lenov owebsite is kinda random in a way

[@user-rk2sy8df4s]

does scrolling work with the trackpoint on android/ios and pc/mac?

[@TechGuyBeau]

I don’t have an android but yes to the rest

[@handlemonium]

I have a pair of Plugable/iClever (Macbook size) trifold BT keyboards and the tactility is fairly good -- very compact when folded which is nice for traveling. The tactility is pretty much Thinkpad actuation feel with Zenbook key travel. I wonder how that would compare to the Thinkpad wireless?

[@TechGuyBeau]

ive used similar portable keyboards, they dont really measure up in raw typing experience. Premium keyboards like the thinkpad one here, or the MX Keys i showed are just about the best experience you can get without using a mechanical keyboard. That being said, the foldable ones are much more portable, and likely will get the job done. The key travel will be less on this as you say, more like a zenbook or ideapad. Entirely serviceable and decent... it just depends on your keytravel preference I lean towards more travel, as im used to thinkpads or mechanical keyboards.

[@Oleg__]

The inability to reassign the Fn and Ctrl keys like you can do on ThinkPad laptops made many users return this keyboard.

[@handlemonium]

Yeah I mess up a lot on my work Thinkpad xD

[@TechGuyBeau]

I’m not gonna lie it is pretty annoying. Luckily I use this mainly with other devices, like my steam deck. But the fn ctrl swap is moronic. I’m constantly confused my my fn combos don’t work if I use with windows 😑

[@sphinx4579]

is there no way you can reprogram the keys through the OS?

[@Oleg__]

@@sphinx4579 You cannot reprogram the Fn key. No OS can see this key. This key works inside the keyboard itself at the hardware level.

[@handlemonium]

@@TechGuyBeau luckily I use a desktop with a regular keyboard when I'm at work in-person and my laptop stays mostly at home so I use a mechanical TKL keyboard with it.

[@Dean.....]

I have a MX keys and I don't really like it. My main is still the Logitech K830 but Logitech discontinued it so I am SOL when this thing breaks. This just might be the replacement I was looking for if I need to buy a new wireless keyboard. KZbin algorithm sure is something though, I found this video searching "lenovo z13 keyboard" and I guess, because you briefly mentioned it in the video, this popped up in the search results.

[@2klatte]

So the bottom line…..this keyboard is not the same high quality and the typing experience is not the same as the ones on the actual Thinkpads then???

[@TechGuyBeau]

It’s close but it’s not the same. Easily a top tier keyboard, but just not quiet as good as a thinkpad

[@creaturecore13]

The next Deck should have a nub instead of those trackpads that just eat space. A aokzoe A1 pro with an 8" screen is a decent amount smaller then the deck because it doesnt have those track pads.

[@whitygoose]

this guy is insane.

[@TechGuyBeau]

maybe a little

[@WR3ND]

I had heard the cable is only for charging.

[@WR3ND]

Ok, you mention this later in the video.

[@DigitalSamTV]

Love it : "cos using a mouse was irritating, incredibly irritating" hahah 😅

[@TechGuyBeau]

Sounds like something I’d say lol

[@TexHasselhoff]

👍

[@travisschneider3011]

I say the best keyboard for the Deck is the, Onn. Compact Wireless Keyboard for Tablets and Smartphones It has arms that swing out so it turns into a Steam Deck stand. It is pretty small and fits into a bag no problem. The only issue is with it is that it uses batteries and it is bit of a hog. I bought some USB rechargeable ones for it.

[@kChallo]

和手機相容度高的keyboard?😮

[@TechGuyBeau]

It works with phones over Bluetooth yes