When it comes to the lasting impression ThinkPad has left on me, it's definitely "red and black." Apart from the latest X1 models and other silver versions, most ThinkPad products—whether laptops, mice, keyboards, or USB drives—are mostly black. That’s why people often call it "little black." Black gives a sense of seriousness and solidity, but pure black can be a bit monotonous. To add some flair, designers incorporated red elements into the product, especially the iconic red dot. This is the key to the ThinkPad keyboard, and its presence makes the keyboard stand out uniquely.
The red dot has even become a habit for me. After using it for so long, I still find myself instinctively reaching for the G and H keys when using other keyboards. It's like a small addiction that’s hard to break.
Reasons to Buy
What really stands out about the ThinkPad keyboard is the superior typing experience and the slightly curved keycaps, which make it very comfortable. The little red dot is not just a design feature—it's a signature element that enhances the overall feel. I have to say, it's one of the best keyboards I've ever used. In fact, a friend once chose the X1 over the XPS 15 simply because the keyboard felt better.
Because the keyboard feels so good, I sometimes wonder if I can use it on other computers. While browsing forums, I discovered that ThinkPad keyboards with the red dot are still available in various generations. Whether it's a membrane or mechanical keyboard, they're quite expensive, so I just keep them in my heart as a dream for the future.
Let me check the price of ThinkPad keyboards on Lenovo's official website for reference.
Due to the high price, I haven’t bought one yet. However, during a forum discussion, I saw a deal where a second-hand ThinkPad Bluetooth keyboard and mouse were available for only 199 yuan. Even though my laptop already has a keyboard, I found a reason to buy it for use with my iPad. So I went ahead and placed the order.
The model sold by the merchant is 0B47189, and there's also a 0B47190 version, which is the wired one. Both are based on the E430 design. Although they’re not sold on Lenovo's official site anymore, you can find them easily on JD.com and Taobao. The official model number is 12182. It supports three devices, similar to Logitech's K480. But according to user feedback, the red dot sensitivity can't be adjusted, and the middle button doesn't work. Also, the top row of function keys and hotkeys can't be switched.
Three Product Comparisons:
From my perspective, the 12182 model is the most suitable for me because I use this external keyboard with both my laptop and iPad. My laptop runs three systems: Windows 10, Ubuntu, and macOS. Every time I switch between systems, I have to reconnect the mouse, which was really frustrating. (At the time, I didn’t know that there was a way to pair all three systems manually by modifying the Bluetooth file. Once I tried it, I realized how much more convenient it was.)
I initially hesitated because it didn’t support three devices, but after seeing the same message again a week later, I checked the Taobao shop and saw many positive reviews. I couldn’t resist the urge to buy it, thinking that the first-come-first-served rule would ensure a better experience. Recharging my faith wasn’t too late.
Appearance Gallery
The seller shipped from Shanghai and delivered the next day, which shows the packaging was excellent and well-protected.
Upon unboxing, the keyboard looked almost new, with a 95% brand-new condition. It was a 16-year-old model from China.
Compared to the T430s keyboard, the layout is similar, but there are differences in the function keys and surface texture. The T430s has smooth caps, while the Bluetooth keyboard has a matte finish.
A closer look: the T430s keycap surface is darker.
The Bluetooth keyboard has a slightly gray surface, which is less prone to fingerprints. The keycap is slightly curved, giving a different tactile feel than the T430s.
Looking at the back, the sides are red and black, with the red part made of rubber, which increases friction and protects the desk from scratches.
The stand height feels just right for me.
The power button is on the right side of the keyboard.
It works with a Bluetooth mouse and maintains the classic red and black color scheme. The material is easy to clean and maintain.
Compared to my wired mouse, the only difference is that this one uses Bluetooth instead of a cable.
Experience Feelings
Connection & Pairing
This keyboard is very easy to use. Just press the switch on the right side for one second, and it enters pairing mode. The computer will detect it, and you can successfully pair it.
Keyboard Feel
I’ve used four ThinkPad keyboards so far: the T430s with backlight, T430 without backlight, X220, and this Bluetooth version.
When it comes to the ThinkPad keyboard feel, many people say the X220 generation keyboard is better than the X230 island chocolate keyboard. When I compared the non-backlit X220 with the T430, I agreed with that opinion. But since I've experienced the backlight version of the T430s, I noticed that the backlight version differs from the non-backlit one not only in lighting but also in the keycap surface and overall feel. They are essentially two different keyboards. The non-backlit one feels softer and shorter, while the backlight version feels stiffer and longer. I prefer the harder feel. From my perspective, the X220 keyboard feels better than the non-backlit X230.
X220 Keyboard
X230 Keyboard
Order from the keyboard feel: X220 = T430s backlight version > T430 no backlight = Bluetooth keyboard.
As for the red dot, the X220 has a higher red dot and feels more prominent than the others. The center buttons are also more ergonomic and comfortable. The X220 outperforms the rest in both ergonomics and feel.
Summary
From my personal experience, this keyboard and red dot don’t match up to the X220, but I'm setting a high standard. In my view, this is more of a portable Bluetooth keyboard. Compared to other similar portable Bluetooth keyboards like Apple's and Logitech's K480, this one still has several advantages:
1. It has a small red dot with full driver support.
2. The keystroke is longer and feels better than most portable keyboards.
3. It fully supports Windows 10, Ubuntu, Mac, iPad, and Android systems. I own all these devices.
Of course, there are some downsides:
1. It's quite heavy, weighing over 400 grams, which is heavier than most similar portable Bluetooth keyboards.
2. It doesn’t support connecting to three devices at once. If you have multiple systems on the same computer, it’s manageable, but the method involves modifying 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 design but aren't satisfied with the feel, you could consider opening the keyboard and replacing it with a backlit one (though I’m not sure if it’s feasible).
Finally, here’s the JD.com purchase link:
The first is my keyboard.
Then, it supports three devices.
After talking about the situation behind the keyboard, this time, recharging my faith didn’t meet my expectations. My next step is to buy an X220 keyboard and a wireless Bluetooth kit to build a custom keyboard that meets my needs.
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