**First Impressions of ThinkPad**
When it comes to what ThinkPad left on me, the most memorable thing is its “red and black†design. Except for the latest X1 models and some silver versions, most ThinkPad products—laptops, mice, keyboards, and even USB drives—are mostly in black. That’s why people often call it “Little Black.†Black gives a sense of professionalism and solidity. However, pure black can be a bit monotonous, so the designers added red elements to the product, such as the iconic red dot. This red dot is not just a design feature—it's the key to the ThinkPad keyboard, making it unique.
I still have a habit from using the red dot for years. When I switch to other keyboards, my right index finger instinctively tries to move the mouse by resting on the G and H keys. It's a small but noticeable quirk that shows how deeply the ThinkPad design has embedded itself in my habits.
**Reasons to Buy**
The superior typing experience and slightly curved keycaps make the ThinkPad keyboard instantly recognizable. With the blessing of the Little Red Dot, I can't help but praise it. Not only do I like this keyboard, but I’ve also used it extensively. A friend once chose an XPS 15 over an X1 because of the better keyboard feel.
I’ve often wondered if I could use this keyboard on other devices. After checking forums, I found out that ThinkPad actually offers keyboards with the red dot across multiple generations. However, whether it's a membrane or mechanical keyboard, they’re all quite expensive. So I kept dreaming about it, hoping one day I could fulfill my faith and buy one.
I checked the official Lenovo website for prices. Then, during a forum discussion, I saw a deal: under 199 yuan. I bought a second-hand ThinkPad Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Although my laptop already had a keyboard, I needed one to connect to my iPad. That was the perfect excuse to treat myself.
The model sold by the merchant is 0B47189, and there's also 0B47190, which is the wired version. Both are based on the E430 design. While Lenovo doesn’t sell them officially anymore, you can find them on JD.com and Taobao. The model sold on the official site is 12182. It supports three devices, similar to Logitech K480. But user feedback says the red dot sensitivity can’t be adjusted, the middle button doesn’t work, and the function keys aren’t swappable.
**Three Product Comparisons**
From my perspective, the 12182 is the best fit for me because I use it with my laptop and iPad. My laptop runs three systems: Windows 10, Ubuntu, and macOS. Every time I switch systems, I had to reconnect the mouse, which was frustrating. (Later, I learned that you could manually edit the Bluetooth pairing file to support multiple systems, but it wasn’t easy at first.)
Initially, I held back because it didn’t support three devices, but after seeing more reviews, I decided to go for it. It was a tough decision, but I felt it was worth the wait. Recharging my faith wasn’t too late.
**Appearance Gallery**
The seller shipped from Shanghai and delivered the next day. The packaging was excellent, protecting the product well.
The keyboard arrived in good condition. I’d say it's about 95% new. It’s a 16-year-old model, but it still looks great. Compared to the T430s’ keyboard, the layout is similar, but the surface is matte, while the T430s has a smooth cap. The Bluetooth keyboard is slightly gray and less fingerprint-prone. The keycaps are slightly curved, though the effect isn’t obvious in photos.
The sides are red and black, with rubber parts that add friction and protect the desk. The stand height feels just right for me. On the right side is the power button. It supports Bluetooth and keeps the classic red and black color scheme. The material is soft, so I always take care of it.
Compared to my wired mouse, there’s no difference except for the connection type.
**Experience Feelings**
**Connection Pairing**
This keyboard is very easy to use. Just press the button on the right side for a second, and it enters pairing mode. Once the computer detects it, the pairing is successful.
**Keyboard Feel**
So far, I’ve used four ThinkPad keyboards: the T430s with backlight, T430 without backlight, X220, and this Bluetooth one. Most people say the X220’s keyboard feels better than the X230’s island-style keyboard. When I compared the non-backlit X220 and T430, I agreed with that view. But after trying the T430s backlight version, I realized the differences were more than just lighting. The keycap surface and feel are completely different. The non-backlit version feels softer and shorter, while the backlight version feels stiffer and longer. I prefer the harder feel.
From my point of view, the X220 keyboard feels better than the non-backlit X230. The red dot on the X220 is higher and feels more responsive. The bottom of the X220 also outperforms the others in terms of ergonomics and feel.
**Summary**
In my experience, this keyboard and red dot don’t match the X220’s quality, but I set high standards. In my opinion, this is a portable Bluetooth keyboard. Compared to other portable Bluetooth keyboards like Apple’s and Logitech’s K480, this one still has several advantages:
1. It has the little red dot with full driver support.
2. The keystroke is longer and feels better than most portable keyboards.
3. It works perfectly with Windows 10, Ubuntu, Mac, iPad, and Android systems.
Of course, there are some downsides:
1. It’s quite heavy, over 400 grams, which is heavier than most similar keyboards.
2. It doesn’t support three devices out of the box. If you use multiple systems on the same computer, you’ll need to modify the Bluetooth pairing code (not recommended for non-experts).
3. The keyboard feel can’t compare to the X220 or T430s backlight version.
If you really like the look but not the feel, you might consider replacing the keyboard with a backlit one (though I’m not sure if it’s feasible).
Finally, here's the JD.com link to my purchase. This time, recharging my faith didn’t meet my expectations. The next step is to buy an X220 keyboard and a wireless Bluetooth kit to build a keyboard that truly satisfies me.
Drop Cable,Fiber Drop Cable,Bus Drop Cable,Fiber Optic Drop Cable
Huizhou Fibercan Industrial Co.Ltd , https://www.fibercan-network.com