Editing ThinkPad keyboard (section)

=== Classic ===
The classic keyboards were originally known as the Models M6 and M6-1 and were produced by [[Lexmark]] and [[Key Tronic]] with [[IBM buckling rubber sleeve]] switches. ThinkPad keyboards then dropped the Model M designation and adopted [[scissor switch]]es, which were manufactured by a plethora of OEMs such as [[Lite-On]], [[Alps]], [[NMB]], [[Acer]], and possibly [[Chicony]].

==== Layout ====
The [[Enter key]] is IBM-blue on most keyboards, although both grey and black variants also exist.

Unless a special compact variant, the keyboard has typically seven rows. The [[Escape key]] is above the F1 key on the [[Function keys|function-key row]] or beside F1 being two keys high. There is a six-key [[nav cluster]] above the [[Backspace key]], later keyboards with a 2u high [[Delete key]]. Above F9..F12 are PrtSc, ScrLk, Pause and on later keyboards also Insert.

There are usually [[media key]]s, a [[#ThinkPad key|ThinkVantage]] button and a [[power button]] above the leftmost function keys.

Almost all keyboards have a [[Fn key]] in the lower left corner of the keyboard. The legend on the [[Fn key]] is often the same colour as the Fn-layer symbols on keys: blue or grey.

The [[Function keys|function row]]'s keys and the [[arrow keys]] are often slightly smaller than the others: three keys fitting inside 2.75u width. On some keyboards, the function and nav-keys are grey instead of black.

On [[winkeyless]] keyboards, the [[Alt key|Alt]] and [[Control key|Ctrl]] keys are typically 1.5u wide. Some keyboards have green Alt keys. On keyboards with [[Windows key]]s, the Alt keys and the right Ctrl key are often smaller to make room for the Windows key and a [[Menu key]]. On some, the Windows key is shrunk to less than one unit in width.

==== With numeric keypad ====
Larger 17"+ ThinkPads with a numeric keyboard on the right side. The left side is no different.

==== Compact variants ====
The keys on the left edge, the right edge and modifiers on the bottom row have been reduced in width to make the keyboard smaller overall. These keyboards do otherwise have the same layout as every other classic ThinkPad.

==== TrackWrite ====
The '''TrackWrite''' keyboard is found only in the "sub-notebooks" ThinkPad 701C and 701CS released in March of 1995.

To make the keyboard fit in the comparatively small width of these laptops, the keyboard is divided on the diagonal into two sections that are stored out of shift when the lid is closed. When the laptop's lid is folded open, the keyboard parts slide (on tracks?) to its full width protruding out the sides of the computer like wings. Because of this mechanism, it has been nicknamed the "Butterfly Keyboard". <ref name="wp_trackwrite">Wikipedia &mdash; [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_ThinkPad_Butterfly_keyboard IBM ThinkPad Butterfly keyboard]</ref><ref name="[thinkwiki_trackwrite">ThinkWiki &mdash; [http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/TrackWrite IBM TrackWrite]</ref><ref name="giz_trackwrite">Gizmodo &mdash; [http://gizmodo.com/5733896/the-sad-demise-ibms-awesome-fold-out-keyboard The Sad Demise of IBM’s Awesome Fold Out Keyboard]</ref>

The key switches are [[buckling rubber sleeve]] over membrane, made by [[Key Tronic]].