The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II looks nearly identical to the keyboards you find on a Lenovo laptop. It has a rubber TrackPoint between the G, H, and B keys and the left, right, and middle-click buttons at the bottom of the board. It has a low profile with one incline setting, and it has chiclet-style keycaps and scissor switches, which feel light and responsive. You can pair it with one device via Bluetooth and one via its USB receiver. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any backlighting, which may be annoying to some people. Also, the Fn key is placed right below the Shift key, which may cause people who are used to the Ctrl key being there to accidentally hit it. There's no way to reprogram the two keys in the software.
Our Verdict
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II scores decent for gaming, but it isn't for this use. It has high latency and no backlighting, and while it has dedicated software, you can only change the pointer speed and set macros to just the F12 key.
- Low pre-travel distance.
- Light operating force.
- Only the F12 key can be reprogrammed.
- No backlighting.
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is good for use with mobile devices and tablets. It's a wireless board that you can use via its USB receiver or Bluetooth. It's very compact and thin, and it has an integrated pointing stick and mouse click buttons, so you don't need to bring a mouse with you while traveling. Although some keys don't work on macOS, Linux, and mobile devices, all alphanumerical keys work on most operating systems. Unfortunately, there's no backlighting, and you can only pair it with one device via Bluetooth and one via USB receiver, which may not be enough for some people.
- Good typing quality.
- Has Bluetooth support.
- Integrated pointing stick and mouse click buttons.
- No backlighting.
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is good for office use. While it isn't as ergonomic as some dedicated office boards, it should still feel comfortable to type on, thanks to its low profile, incline setting, and light-feeling scissor switches. It's very quiet, which is great for an office environment, and its compact size doesn't take up much space on a desk. Unfortunately, it doesn't have backlighting, and you can only pair it with one device via Bluetooth and one via USB receiver, which may not be enough for some people.
- Good typing quality.
- Has Bluetooth support.
- Very quiet scissor switches.
- Only the F12 key can be reprogrammed.
- No backlighting.
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is mediocre for programming. You can only pair it with one device via Bluetooth and one via USB receiver, which may not be enough for some people. Also, there's no backlighting, and while it has customization software, you can only set macros to the F12 key. Its low profile should feel comfortable even without a wrist rest, and its scissor switches provide a light typing experience. Also, it's compatible with many operating systems, but some keys may not work on macOS or Linux.
- Good typing quality.
- Has Bluetooth support.
- Only the F12 key can be reprogrammed.
- No backlighting.
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is okay for a home theater PC setup. While it doesn't have dedicated media keys or backlighting like other HTPC keyboards do, it does have media hotkeys, and you can control the cursor with the pointing stick nub above the B key and the mouse click buttons at the bottom of the board.
- Good typing quality.
- Has Bluetooth support.
- Integrated pointing stick and mouse click buttons.
- Only the F12 key can be reprogrammed.
- No backlighting.
- No volume control wheel.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 27, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed HHKB Studio in the Extra Features section of this review.
- Updated Jul 23, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jul 20, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 19, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is only available in black. Our unit was produced in March 2021; you can see its label here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is an upgraded and wireless version of the Lenovo ThinkPad Wired USB Keyboard with TrackPoint. While we haven't tested the wired variant, the biggest difference is its lack of wireless connectivity and the macro programmable feature of the F12 key. This model is a great option if you don't have much space since you can use it without a separate mouse, thanks to its dedicated arrow keys, mouse click buttons, and TrackPoint cursor nub, and it doesn't take up as much space as boards with an integrated trackpad, like the Logitech K400 Plus or the Corsair K83 Wireless.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best wireless keyboards, and the best iPad keyboards.
The Keychron K6 and the Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II are compact office keyboards. If you want a model with integrated mouse controls, the Lenovo has a TrackPoint to control the cursor and mouse click buttons at the bottom of the board, identical to what you'd find on a Lenovo laptop. Also, you can reprogram the F12 key to open a webpage, program, or file or insert a line of text. On the other hand, if you prefer a mechanical keyboard with backlighting, the Keychron is a better choice. It's available with a variety of Gateron and LK Optical switches, and it can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth.
The Logitech K780 is a compact 96% keyboard, while the Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II is a compact 75% board. Both are well-suited for use with mobile devices and tablets, but the Logitech has a cradle to hold your device in place. It can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth and another via its USB receiver. Comparatively, the Lenovo has a TrackPoint to control the cursor and mouse click buttons at the bottom of the board. You can reprogram the F12 key to open a webpage, program, or file or insert a line of text. Both have tactile scissor switches, but the Logitech requires more force to get over the actuation bump. Unfortunately, neither board has backlighting.
The Logitech K480 and the Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II are compact and slim keyboards well-suited for use with mobile devices and tablets. The Logitech has a device cradle to sit your phone or tablet into, it has a knob for easy volume control, and it can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth. On the other hand, the Lenovo has a rubber pointing stick to move your cursor without needing a mouse, along with mouse click buttons at the bottom center of the board. While it can't pair with more than one device via Bluetooth, it does have a USB receiver, which you can store in the keyboard when not in use.
The Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II and the Logitech K400 Plus are compact boards with integrated mouse controls. While the Logitech uses a trackpad to move the cursor, the Lenovo uses a rubber pointing stick above the B key like Lenovo laptops tend to have. The Lenovo is better for use with mobile devices and tablets thanks to its Bluetooth support, but unfortunately, it can only pair to one device via Bluetooth and one via USB receiver, which may not be enough for some people. Neither board has backlighting, which isn't ideal if you need to use it in the dark.
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