T42 Keyboard -- Is this a Thai?

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fbrdphreak · #1 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:18 pm

Hey all,
Can't seem to find a definitive answer via searching.
I found the thread that gives a link where you can look up all the parts used in your exact laptop. I did that and here is the result for the keyboard:
Mfg Part#93P4810 FRU#93P4840 KEYBOARDS US ENGLISH ALPS

Is this the Thai keyboard? If not, can someone help me find the 15" SXGA+ Thai keyboard FRU#? Thx!

#2 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:31 pm

no, i think not..
if asked, i can look up the thai FRU when my assistant comes in tomorrow..

fbrdphreak · #3 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:42 pm

That would be great Bill, at your convenience

I'm also interested to know the same FRU's for the 14" SXGA+ T43. Thanks in advance!

kevinh · #4 Post by **kevinh** » Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:54 pm

The Thai keyboard is NMB. The FRUs are: 08K5044 14.1"; 93P4780 15".

Kevin

fbrdphreak · #5 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:58 am

Awesome, thanks! Does anyone know if these FRU's are the same for the T43's? Thx

danT43 · #6 Post by **danT43** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:40 am

Call IBM and ask for FRU # 39T0643
It is Thai keyboard and it seems it is some kind of replacement nubmer for 93P4780. Everyone in ths forum talks about 93P4780 as the Thai keyboard and they are right, just that IBM does not have it in stock and will send you China keyboard that subs for 93P4780 (did it twice to me). But if you ask for 39T0643 they have it and will ship it to you.
Please dont make the mistake to insist on the 93P4780 number cause you will end-up with too many Chinase keyboards, beleive me!

Check out the following table to compare numbers.
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... MIGR-58491
Both 39T0643 and 93P4780 are listed under NMB.

Keyboards are the same for T42 and T43, at least it seems so.

Good luck!

fbrdphreak · #7 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:02 am

Thanks guys, great to know

baertracks · #8 Post by **baertracks** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:34 pm

danT43 wrote:Please dont make the mistake to insist on the 93P4780 number cause you will end-up with too many Chinase keyboards, beleive me!

It must depend on who you talk to. I called IBM on Wed morning (Apr 22) and said the the keyboard on my new T43 266897U seemed a bit noisier than the ones on my previous thinkpads, and that an online "Thinkpad Forum" suggested that I try keyboard FRU 93P4780. They agreed to send a replacement keyboard and confirmed that 93P4780 was in stock.

I received and installed the new keyboard the next day. It is clearly marked as FRU 93P4780 "Made in Thailand."

I have, however, not noticed much of a difference in quality (even though I am a multi-hour per day user). I am wondering if perhaps the Chicony keyboard that comes with the new T43s (FRU 13N9893) may be better quality than the keyboards provided with the T42s. Both of my T43 keyboards feel about the same weight and have the same flex.

FRANK

fbrdphreak · #9 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:34 pm

I have a new T43 that I am reviewing here and I will check the keyboard later. I also have a personal T42 15" and that keyboard is NOT a Thai, but I can say the T43 keyboard feels wonderful compared to my T42. So I will check the FRU and we'll see!

Dow Jones · #10 Post by **Dow Jones** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:29 pm

I have experience with both Thai and China keyboards and I must say I prefer the China one.

The Thai keyboard feels more solid on the initial keypress, but lacks the "springyness" of the China keyboard. The China keyboard has a stronger "bounce" resulting in a deeper keystroke sensation. Even though they may both have equal depths.

Another way to describe the keyboards would be that the Thai keyboard is subdued and quiet, whereas the China keyboard is peppy and enthusiastic.

I am the type of person that prefer to feel every keystroke and that's why I like the China keyboard over the Thai.

fbrdphreak · #11 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:42 pm

That's a very good estimation, that is exactly how my T42 non-Thai feels compared to what SHOULD be a Thai T43

mickles · #12 Post by **mickles** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:57 am

So ...

How do we get them to send us a Thai keyboard again?

The Weissman · #13 Post by **The Weissman** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:36 pm

I just got off the phone after most of an hour with IBM, and did not get the result I wanted.

My T42 machine type 2379DXU came with the Alps (Chinese) keyboard FRU 93P4840. I requested a replacement under warranty with keyboard FRU 39T0643, the NMB (Thai) keyboard. I was almost to the finish line when the CSR told me that he could not place the order for that keyboard for my 2379DXU; that it would not fit my machine, but that it was indicated as a fit for the 2379DWU.

He wanted to send me another Chinese keyboard with the same FRU as the one I have now, but I would not take it. He is instead sending me FRU 13N9893, the Chicony keyboard, which I have not seen discussed in the keyboard-related threads on this forum.

I told him I was not happy with this replacement, but he said that if I wanted to return the Chicony, I could. Right now, I don't know how I can get my hands on a warranty replacement with the Thai 39T0643.

I love a good keyboard and I know I can get better than this keyboard I'm using now. I am frustrated that IBM cannot supply me with the NMB.

Steve

fbrdphreak · #14 Post by **fbrdphreak** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:41 pm

That's very interesting. Do you have the 14" or 15"?
Best I can recommend is try again. Diff CSR's think they know diff things

GL

mickles · #15 Post by **mickles** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:14 pm

Weissman, what did you tell them when you requested "replacement under warranty" ?

The Weissman · #16 Post by **The Weissman** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:25 pm

I told them I had sticky keys.

mickles · #17 Post by **mickles** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:45 pm

Well, like fbrdphreak says, try again I guess.

The Weissman · #18 Post by **The Weissman** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:11 pm

Okay, I tried again. And again, even though I insisted on getting the NMB keyboard (FRU 39T0463), the CSR would not deal with me. I asked for the FRU of the keyboard he was sending, and it was 13N9893--the Chicony keyboard. He said, "They're all the same." I said, "No, they're not; they are made by different manufacturers, feel differently, and have different quality." And he just replied, "No, they are all the same."

It didn't pay to argue.

mickles · #19 Post by **mickles** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:48 pm

That's unfortunate man. I doubt I'll have the same luck as well.

The Weissman · #20 Post by **The Weissman** » Sun May 29, 2005 5:34 pm

I just bought and installed a new-in-box Thai keyboard (93P4780) from a user on this forum, and I have to say that I don't observe much of a difference between this and the Chicony keyboard it replaced.

Now I love a good keyboard. I still use the Northgate keyboard on my desktop PC; and I have new-in-box ergonomic Northgate and clickety IBM keyboards waiting in the wings.

But if there is a difference between NMB (Thai) and Chicony and ALPS (Chinese) for the T42, it's lost on me, I regret to say.

Steve

JHaislet · #21 Post by **JHaislet** » Sun May 29, 2005 6:02 pm

I found this while looking up the FRU# for a T43p and assume the same numbers apply to the T42 mentioned above. Is the 2nd row of numbers the manufactures part number? And the first row just corresponds to the FRU#? I can only purchase numbers in the first row (FRU# 39T0519) and could NOT buy # 08K5044. Is there any difference as to which part is which or will I get the same part regardless of which number I order (top or bottom)?

http://img274.echo.cx/img274/9033/keyboard56bm.jpg

sugo · #22 Post by **sugo** » Sun May 29, 2005 6:45 pm

When I got the Thai for T42, I asked for FRU 08K5044.

Most likely 08K5044 has been discontinued and replaced by 39T0519. IBM Parts CSR can tell you for sure.

migo2137 · #23 Post by **migo2137** » Tue May 31, 2005 12:31 pm

Hello!

Can you tell me where this keyboard comes from?

08K5051

Thanks!

/Michal

sugo · #24 Post by **sugo** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:00 pm

08K5051 is a Swedish or Finnish NMB keyboard for 14.1" T4x. Congrats, most likely it's a Thai. You can take it out to check for yourself. It's only 4 screws.

#25 Post by **aamsel** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:32 am

Well, if you really do like the Northgate and "clickety" IBM keyboards, then you probably won't notice much difference.
Basically, since all of the Thinkpad keyboards are quite silent, and (compared to Northgates) non-tactile, they will seem the same to you.
However, some people find that they can type quicker on one or the other.

Andrew
Austin, TX

The Weissman wrote:I just bought and installed a new-in-box Thai keyboard (93P4780) from a user on this forum, and I have to say that I don't observe much of a difference between this and the Chicony keyboard it replaced.

Now I love a good keyboard. I still use the Northgate keyboard on my desktop PC; and I have new-in-box ergonomic Northgate and clickety IBM keyboards waiting in the wings.

But if there is a difference between NMB (Thai) and Chicony and ALPS (Chinese) for the T42, it's lost on me, I regret to say.

Steve

T42 Keyboard -- Is this a Thai?

T42 Keyboard -- Is this a Thai?

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