Keyboard and Trackpad
Except a few minor changes, this is more or
less a same 6 rows keyboard that Lenovo has used in the X230 and some other
recent systems. At this point, at least 6 months after the company released its
latest keyboard design, but we should summarize what's new, as we imagine some
people are preparing to upgrade their old ThinkPad. It is important to know
(besides the fact that this is a Chiclet layout) that the keys have 30% more
space than before. Meanwhile, page up / down has moved to the south, so we are
back with the arrow keys, which are arranged side by side instead of stacking
each other. It is also waterproof, like other ThinkPad keyboard before. In
terms of safety design and effective labor, Lenovo had insisted that even
though it has moved from the traditional spread to Chiclet arrangements, the
keys will still provide the same quality. In other words, typing on a Lenovo's Chiclet
keyboard will feel like typing on one of company's old models according to this
theory.
Lenovo
ThinkPad Twist’s trackpad
We think our resident ThinkPad
Fanboy-in-Chief Tim Stevens would not agree with that, but that is still an
excellent keyboard, even if it makes people take times to get used to. The
U-shaped "Smile" keys provide a comfortable resting place for the
fingers, while providing strong feedback and completely no give in the
underlying panel. It is interesting that the keys have enough distance so you
cannot press wrong key. Simultaneously, Lenovo did not need to shrink the Enter
key, the Shift or Caps Lock to compensate In short, it is one of our favorite
laptop keyboards, and of course, it will be the best keyboard you can find
among those Ultrabooks - a category where typing effectiveness is often brushed
aside.
What
a ThinkPad review will be if it is not referring to the signature pointing
stick?
So what's new? First of all, Lenovo adds 4
Windows 8 hotkeys for the Functional Panel above. This includes buttons for
searching, settings, application list and application toggling. Related to the last
one, you will see a thumbnail (small picture) spread across the screen, with
representing an open program. You can click on them with your mouse or finger,
but you can also use the left, right and Enter keys to select the thumbnail you
want. Previously, we have frankly spoken that we like to use Windows 8 as a
devices with variety of touch input, but it's still very nice to see Lenovo
adding one option for those who prefer keyboard shortcuts.
Another change: the keyboard is not backlit
although you will find other models in Lenovo's line that have one. The X230 is
a computer like that.
The
keyboard is not backlit
Finally, what a ThinkPad review will be if
it is not referring to the signature pointing stick? If you are addicted to it,
rest assured: it's still comfortable and easy to control as ever. If you always
wondered why Lenovo do not give up that old red stick, maybe it's just time to
give it a try. Especially compared to the touchpad, which falters at
single-finger navigation, the pointing stick is completely precise when it
comes to moving the cursor around the screen. We also like the fact that you
can push the pointing stick to the left or right as a way to speed through the
Live Tile page.
However, the touchpad is still useful for
specific multi-touch gestures, including gestures for Windows 8 as swiping in
from the left to select opening applications. Obviously, touchpad driver still
needs some fine-tunings, as it is easy to launch an application accidentally
when all you're trying to do is move the cursor around the screen. However, the
touchpad itself has just enough friction, and reacted well with Windows 8
gestures, so we feel it has the potential as a versatile navigation device when
Lenovo fix those drivers.
