A timeline of IBM keyboard history
The IBM and family keyboard timeline is an illustrated overview of some of the most important events affecting IBM, Lexmark, Unicomp, Lenovo and Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions keyboards. This includes notable keyboard releases and withdrawals, corporate history like company founding, divestures and change in OEMs, and patents. Due to their relationship and impact on the keyboards around them, host devices such as personal computers, terminals, consoles and typewriters also appear throughout the timeline. 144 events have been recorded for the "show all" versions of the timeline.
[1] IBM introduces the PCjr, a small, low-cost PC designed for "home and educational environments and for personal productivity applications." Its keyboard, the PCjr Cordless Keyboard, has 62 "chiclet" style keys, rubber-dome keyswitches and infrared connectivity. The PCjr would turn out to not be very successful, and its original keyboard design considered to be one of IBM's worst.
IBM introduces the revised PCjr Cordless Keyboard to address major complaints regarding the original "chiclet" style design. It still has 62 keys and infrared connectivity, but it now has more traditional style keys and nomenclature is printed on the keys instead of an overlay surrounding them.
[2] IBM announces the 4680 Store System, its first POS solution based around PC-based terminals. At launch, it included the 4683 POS Terminal, IBM 5170 Model 839 or 5170 Model 899 Personal Computer AT/Store Controller, and the 4680 50-Key Modifiable Keyboard (pictured). The keyboard is made by SMK and uses SMK discrete rubber dome keyswitches.
[3] The IBM Model 1B keyboard makes its original debute as an option for the IBM 3192 Display Station models C and D. Model 1Bs take on the same physical layout and form-factor as the 104-key Model F Converged Keyboards but they are not based on existing IBM keyboard technology, instead using Micro Switch ST series rubber dome keyswitches. It's believed the "Quiet Touch Keyboard" term originated as a name for 1Bs.
[4] IBM introduces the 4680 50-Key Modifiable Keyboard/Operator Display for 4683 and 4684 POS Terminals. It is based on the existing IBM 4680 50-Key Modifiable Keyboard, likewise made by SMK and using SMK discrete rubber dome keyswitches but now sporting a tilting LCD.
[5] IBM introduces the 4680 ANPOS Keyboard for 4683 and 4684 POS Terminals. It has 115 keys and an integrated manager's keylock. Like previous 4680 keyboards, it is made by SMK and uses SMK discrete rubber dome keyswitches.
[ASK] IBM introduces the Basic Keyboard initially as an option for IBM ValuePoint series PCs before becoming available with Select-a-Keyboard. It is a version of the Model M Personal System/2 Enhanced Keyboard that replaces its buckling springs with IBM Quiet Touch rubber domes. It is sometimes known as the IBM Enhanced Keyboard with Quiet Touch.
[6] IBM introduces the ThinkPad 701C series notebook computers, sporting a novel solution for reducing a laptop's overall footprint and bezels around its screen whilst maintaining a respectable keyboard size. Its integrated IBM TrackWrite Keyboard (nicknamed "butterfly keyboard") is split into two sliding halves, compacting when the laptop is closed. It is produced by Key Tronic using their own flavour of buckling-sleeve-esque keyswitches. The 701C series will go on to win many design awards.
[7] IBM introduces the TrackPoint IV Keyboard (model KPD8923, also known simply as the TrackPoint Keyboard) under the OPTIONS by IBM brand. It is the designated replacement for the TrackPoint II era OPTIONS by IBM Model M13s and available in pearl white and stealth black. Over its predecessor, KPD8923 updates the TrackPoint stick technology and adds two Windows keys and a context menu key. It is made by Chicony and based on their KB-5923 rubber dome keyboard platform.
[ASK] IBM introduces the Space Saver II (model RT3200) keyboard under the OPTIONS by IBM brand. The "II" in its name alludes to RT3200 being a successor to the IBM ThinkPad Space Saver Keyboard with TrackPoint II (Model M4-1). RT3200 takes on a more traditional TKL form-factor, upgrades the stick to TrackPoint IV and gains a third mouse button. It is made by NMB and uses NMB's own rubber dome keyswitch design.
[ASK] IBM introduces the TrackPoint USB Space Saver Keyboard (model KPH0035) under the OPTIONS by IBM brand. It is similar to the IBM Space Saver II (RT3200) as it is also a rubber dome TKL keyboard with a TrackPoint IV pointing stick, but it is updated to NetVista-era styling and has a longer cable and ThinkPad-style page backwards and forwards keys flanking the up-arrow key. A PS/2 version (KPD0035) will become available at a different date. Both are made by Chicony.
[ASK] IBM introduces the first SK-8835 (USB Keyboard with UltraNav, pictured) and SK-8845 (USB Travel Keyboard with UltraNav) releases, in turn the first models of the SK-8835/SK-8840/SK-8845 family of discrete keyboards with a classic ThinkPad layout and a Synaptic TouchStyk pointing stick.
[ASK] IBM introduces the SK-8840 (IBM PS/2 Travel Keyboard with UltraNav), a new PS/2 member for the SK-8835/SK-8840/SK-8845 family based on the existing SK-8845.
[8] Lenovo introduces the ThinkPad USB Keyboard with TrackPoint (model SK-8855), made by LITE-ON. Compared the SK-8835/SK-8840/SK-8845 family, the SK-8855 is contemporary with ThinkPad T400s/T410/T420 era keyboards and is based on a production ThinkPad notebook keyboard instead of specially made, meaning it is capable of being serviced with other OEMs' keyboard assemblies with minor modification.
[9] Lenovo introduces the Android-based ThinkPad Tablet (types 1838 and 1839). To go with it, the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet Keyboard Folio Case (model 0B33533) is also introduced and is the first device with an Optical TrackPoint.
[ASK] Lenovo makes the Precision Keyboard the standard keyboard design for Lenovo ThinkPads going forward, starting with the xx30 generation. Precision (also known as the "chiclet-style" or 6-row keyboard) is a derivative of AccuType Keyboard that was previously tested on some specific ThinkPads before now mostly laying to rest the 7-row keyboard classic ThinkPad layout across the board.
[ASK] IBM introduces the SK-8845CR variant of the SK-8835/SK-8840/SK-8845 family of ThinkPad-style discrete keyboards, uniquely omitting a TouchPad compared to the previous variants. This is the latest known keyboard release with a classic ThinkPad layout.
[ASK] Lenovo introduces the ThinkPad Compact USB Keyboard with TrackPoint (model KU-1255), made by Chicony. It is the first desktop keyboard based on the Lenovo Precision Keyboard design and is stylistically contemporary to ThinkPad T430 era keyboards, though its keyboard assembly is not shared with an actual ThinkPad laptop. It sports a removable Micro-B USB cable for connectivity.
[10] Lenovo introduces the ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 Gen 1 foldable computer and its optional Bluetooth TrackPoint Keyboard and Stand (model TKBBTDU811). TKBBTDU811 is the first Lenovo removable keyboard with an integrated Sensel haptic trackpad.
- IBM - The Guide to personal computer offerings from IBM Fall 1983 Winter 1984 (#6936938-1) [accessed 2025-05-03]. License/note: photos used under fair dealing.
- ASK Keyboard Archive Photos - P/N 4783896 (198X, SMK) [accessed 2025-03-28]. License/note: photos archived from Recycled Goods, used under fair dealing.
- snuci - File:IBM 73x3832 Unsaver keyboard front.jpg [accessed 2024-10-02]. License/note: public domain.
- IBM - IBM 4693/4694 Store Systems Hardware Service Manual for Point-of-Sale Input/Output Devices [accessed 2022-04-24].
- themk - donated photo. License/note: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
- Richard Sapper - ThinkPad 701 [accessed 2025-03-25]. License/note: copyright of Richard Sapper, used under fair dealing.
- Mechanical Keyboard Tryout - IBM KPD8923 Keyboard image gallery [accessed 2023-11-12]. License/note: photo used under fair dealing.
- davkol @ deskthority - Lenovo Thinkpad USB Keyboard with Trackpoint (aka SK-8855) [accessed 2021-10-16]. License/note: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped & perspective fixed).
- DZ-World @ AliExpress - ThinkPad Tablet 1838 1839 Booklet Keyboard Leather Folio Case w/ US English keyboard USB Port 00HM470 SM10E37708 03X6354 04W2157 [accessed 2024-02-18]. License/note: photos saved from AliExpress listing, used under fair dealing, retrieved via Wayback Machine (2024-02-18 snapshot).
- Lenovo - Parts - X1 Fold 16 Gen 1 (Type 21ES, 21ET) Laptop (ThinkPad) - Type 21ES [accessed 2023-11-08]. License/note: photos used under fair dealing.
