Keyboard replacement question

[hobbes]

I needed a replacement keyboard for my newly acquired T42, since the trackpoint buttons worked poorly. When I contacted Lenovo to order one (under warranty), I specifically requested the NMB keyboard and was told that was what I was getting. From reading multiple threads around here about the keyboards, the consensus seemed to be that the Thai keyboard (from NMB) is the preferred option, and that the part number for it is 39T0519.

I received my new keyboard and sure enough the part number was 39T0519. While that is correct what is confusing is that the box and the label on the underside of the keyboard both say "Made in China". The keyboard seems to have the correct blue bumpers, but the metal baseplate didn't appear to any more solid than the previous one.

This keyboard is fine, but it doesn't seem all that great. It is certainly much better than the crappy Chicony keyboard it replaced, but it is not as good as I was hoping. Perhaps it is just suffering in comparison to the 600X I was using previously, known for its great keyboard. Do they no longer make the Thai keyboards? I'm just wondering if this keyboard is as good as it gets or if there is another option I'm not understanding.

[GomJabbar]

Here is another thread on this subject that I remembered reading.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=25154

[hobbes]

Here is another thread on this subject that I remembered reading.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=25154

Thanks for the link. I hadn't come across that thread in my searching.

Sounds like they moved production of the NMB keyboards to China, and they are close in quality, but perhaps not quite the equal to the ones produced in Thailand (differing opinions). Still, I guess this keyboard is as good as I can do for the T42, so I can rest easy that there isn't a better option out there.