# Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II

18 Hacker News commenters recommended Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II and 8 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 7 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend it for its compact layout, built-in TrackPoint pointing stick and flexible USB or Bluetooth connection. Critics say build quality is poor and the keys are not durable.

## Why people recommend it

- Built-in TrackPoint pointing stick (6 comments): "That keyboard was incredible. Very compact, built in TrackPoint (tm) pointing stick, and option to use USB dongle or Bluetooth." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48809016)) "I have an external Thinkpad USB keyboard with full-travel keys, a built-in trackpoint, 3 physical buttons, and no trackpad." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47307592)) "I'll take a good trackpoint + three buttons below space bar over any and all trackpads." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46643406))
- Comfortable typing feel and layout (4 comments): "This keyboard is one of the staples of my desk. Saying this as someone who also dabbles in all of the exotic stuff." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46592151)) "I used to prefer the old chonky Thinkpad keyboards to anything else" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48259804)) "Fastest typing speed and comfort for me is my thinkpad keyboard" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47699227))
- Compact, keyboard and mouse in one (3 comments): "That keyboard was incredible. Very compact, built in TrackPoint (tm) pointing stick, and option to use USB dongle or Bluetooth." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48809016)) "It's really perfect because it's small, complete (keyboard and mouse in one device/port), flexible (USB, Bluetooth, RF Dongle)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46593057)) "bringing a bluetooth (trackpoint II) keyboard is just better overall IMHO" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47225759))
- Mouse use without leaving home row (2 comments): "An added benefit is that I can keep the MacBook on a stand, avoiding the wobble you get when typing directly on it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46667868)) "You can use the mouse without leaving home row." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48122136))

## What people warn about

- Poor build quality and durability (2 comments): "The build quality is pretty bad." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48268547)) "they are not very durable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48418260))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Apple Magic Keyboard](https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-magic-keyboard.md): 35 recommend
- [Logitech K400](https://hackerapproved.com/p/logitech-k400.md): 8 recommend
- [Logitech K380](https://hackerapproved.com/p/logitech-k380.md): 6 recommend
- [Happy Hacking Keyboard](https://hackerapproved.com/p/happy-hacking-keyboard.md): 5 recommend
- [Logitech MX Keys Mini](https://hackerapproved.com/p/logitech-mx-keys-mini.md): 5 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Lenovo+ThinkPad+TrackPoint+Keyboard+II&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II", https://hackerapproved.com/p/lenovo-thinkpad-trackpoint-keyboard-ii/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).