Keyboard Pics Quiz - Can you tell them apart? Look harder!

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bluedoc · #1 Post by **bluedoc** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:32 am

Check out my new pic quiz here...

http://www.pbase.com/bluedoc/ibm

Standard disclaimer applies here. These pics are for educational purposes only. The pictures are as I see them with no alteration. If you have no problems currently with your keyboard or computer, PLEASE don't open your computer and check or call IBM for exchange. My case could be one of those rare production oddballs no conspiracies expressed or implied.

bluedoc · #2 Post by **bluedoc** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:58 am

Keyboard_1 - Smudges are factory installed no mine.

Keyboard_3 - Thai-made keyboard but unfortunately in Canadian\French model :(

Keyboard_4 - Thai/s with bigger middle cushion and softer to type with no additional noise and resistance.

Keyboard_5 - Assembled in China model with smaller middle cushion and thinner aluminum back. More noise and clunky. Flexes on the right side but can be padded with business card.\

Keyboard_6 - Keys arrangement of US English vs. Canadian\French.

Keyboard_7 - Another view with name and serial numbers.

Keyboard_9 - Can you judge a keyboard just by looks alone? Generally no, but yes in this case.

Kenn · #3 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:19 am

Nice. Did IBM give you an FRU on the so-called "US-made" one coming in?

JaimitoBond · #4 Post by **JaimitoBond** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:28 am

Nice pics. Judging by looks alone, my KB is like the your old one, except it is for a 14" (4 posts).

On your new one, it's funny where it said "Made in Thailand, Printed in China?"

Question: Have you or can you measure the thickness of the two KB? The China one has more black paint on it, and so it may give a false impression that it is thinner. After all, the Thai one is indeed thicker on the edges, how will it fit into the same keyboard bezel?

The cushion is obviously different in color, and probably are also different in design.

The back panel of the Thai one is finished metal, while the China one seem to be crude, unfinished. It's just cosmetics I think, I also see the same thing on the bottom of mine. But the design is different, as the holes on the bottom indicate.

It is clear they are different models, and not just diiferent in the location of assembly or construction. I noticed that the FRU on my KB is no longer listed on IBM website, I guess they discontinued it for some reasons, either poor design or poor quality control from the OEM. While I'm happy with my KB, I am curious to try the newer one. Not sure what excuse I can give to IBM though...

Kenn · #5 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:33 am

It's not just the finish that's different. You can tell from the stamping that the baseplate of the China keyboard is indeed thinner - around the edges of the holes and dimples, the flat area of the keyboard has raised and warped a bit. You can also see that the weight of the keyboard flexes the baseplate. The Thai baseplate is unquestionably thicker, with no warping at the holes/screws.

bluedoc · #6 Post by **bluedoc** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:42 am

When I heard rom the tech that they have a "US made" keyboard to replace my faulty factory original, I thought it was too good to be true. But he assured me that it will be at my home the next day. When I called back the next day, the warehouse team had a hard time fulling the order. Monday came a keyboard specifically for Canada\French. Can\t wait until next week for another keyboard directly from CN. I am just making too many errors with this Freedom keyboard.

Will provide the measurements later. But the Thailand made keyboard is much less flimsy and its blue pad is much thicker than the clear white pad in the other one.

bluedoc · #7 Post by **bluedoc** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:51 am

When I first got the computer and the keyboard wasn\t working very well so i decided to open it up and adjust the padding with a couple of bus. cards. My first thought was, >Did they hire a blacksmith to wrought my precision keyboard by hand?

I hope they are changing vendors because other features are really nice abou this notebook.

#8 Post by **BillMorrow** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:30 am

keep us all updated on this..

it is VERY interesting..

are you saying that the flimsy china made keyboard is being replaced..??

if you DO get a US made (highly doubtful since nearly EVERYTHING is now made in china) please publish the fact and more pics..

bluedoc · #9 Post by **bluedoc** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 4:05 am

Hi Bill,

Thank you for providing us a forum to find and share info about the Thinkpads.

I don\t know whether they are changing vendors or not just hoping that they would as new thinkad user giving back feedback.

I was told that they have US made keyboards and were sending me one, but I think the tech was just puting me on as i was not happy with my current kb. They said they have at least 3 vendors for keyboards by who knows really. I was not concern about the country of origin of their products as such just know from reading the bulletin that the shoddier new ones tend to me made or assembled in CN.

When i called the warehouse to check on the status of my new keyboard they said that one will be sent from CN within a week. Needless to say, I am not happy to hear words >>keyboard>> and >>China>> in the same sentence. But I am hopeful that it will be a new vendor and of a more reasonable quality.

If only I didn't like my new thinkpad enough to wait for the new keyboard....

taphil · #10 Post by **taphil** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:53 pm

What is keyboard_2?

bluedoc · #11 Post by **bluedoc** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:09 pm

Keyboard_2 is another view of the factory original "asssembled in China" model.

Keyboard Pics Quiz - Can you tell them apart? Look harder!

Keyboard Pics Quiz - Can you tell them apart? Look harder!

More back ground info

Chalk it up for another "faulty intelligence" stor

Machine stamped or hand stamped

Some clarification

Keyboard_2

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