Thank God for that

Thinkpads are great for Linux and they wanted to give the customers a good feel hardware wise as well. Some linux nerds dont like the windows key since they boot Linux only.

However if having a Windows key is important to you, Thinkpad does give you the option to configure any of the special keys as your Windows Key.

->Start->All Programs -> ThinkVantage -> Keyboard Cutomizer Utility

-> Click on the Tab "For Use with ThinkPad Keyboard" and Mark "Enable Key Assignments"

-> Function Windows(R) key -> Choose any of the 6 special keys available here. Most people go with the Right Alt Key since its seldom used.

-> Click Apply and Close.

All set. Locking your workstation ( Windows Key + L ) also becomes easy since the right alt key is right near the L key as well.