T23 as replacement for 770X?

[Tarkus]

I'm sorry to bring this up, but is there anything newer in the TP line (T23, etc.) that matches the KB and solidity of the 770X? Many thanks for any suggestions.

[schen]

Actually, the closest will be one of the last 600s; the 600X, I think. Most folks here would probably agree that the build quality and KB on those are some of the best ever. I've used every machine in the T2x line and they are very good, but not quite up to the fabled 6 and 700 lines. And I think that the later 600s got up to speeds that the 770Z didn't quite reach.

[pianowizard]

I was also going to recommend the 600X. Take a look at cmarti's TP600X to get an idea of how powerful the 600X can get.

[rkawakami]

All of my 600X keyboards have a much "firmer" feel than any of the T23s I have. It may have more to do with how the keyboard is firmly attached to the keyboard bezel/palmrest in the 600X, versus the flimsy (read: it needs to bend when you insert or remove it from the laptop) keyboards of the T-series.

[asiafish]

Most X-series keyboards are up there with the 600 series for solidity. I've currently got a T23 and an X22 and the X wins hands-down.

[pianowizard]

Let me remind everyone that the OP is no just concerned about the solidity of the keyboard. He wants the keyboard to be good, and the whole laptop to be solid. This is what s/he wrote:

is there anything newer in the TP line (T23, etc.) that matches the KB and solidity of the 770X?

[asiafish]

Again, the X-series. I would put the build quality of the X2x easily equal to the 600 series (no experience with 700 series), and far better than the T4x. In order of solidity (keyboard and chasis), I would rate the TPs I've owned or used as follows, with best being first.

X22 and 600E (tie)
X41
X32, T20, T22 and T42p (Tie)
T23 (feels cheaper than T20)
570

I've had two T23s over the years and they are both about the same, which is to say the plastics just seem a bit cheaper than on the older T20 and T22 (assuming T21 as well). Of course, even the flimsiest ThinkPad I ever had, a 570, was still a very solid machine that was far more than any non-ThinkPad I've owned with the singular exception of 12" aluminum PowerBooks, which are right up there at X22/600E level.

Solidity is relative, too, as some models have extremely stiff structures but slightly mushy keyboards (X32), while others have fantastic rigid keyboards marred by slightly flexible chasis (570). For me, the keyboard is the most important part, which is why I like the X22 so much despite its age and lack of speed. My T23, on the other hand, is absolutely gorgeous, but like all T2x models, there is a bit of flex in the keyboard that is kind of annoying. In fact, I'd go so far as to say the keyboard on my Toshiba is a bit more solid, though without the long key travel that I love on ThinkPads.

[Tarkus]

Many thanks for the ideas! They are much appreciated.

[beeblebrox]

Again, the X-series. I would put the build quality of the X2x easily equal to the 600 series (no experience with 700 series), and far better than the T4x. In order of solidity (keyboard and chasis), I would rate the TPs I've owned or used as follows, with best being first.

X22 and 600E (tie)
X41
X32, T20, T22 and T42p (Tie)
T23 (feels cheaper than T20)
570

I've had two T23s over the years and they are both about the same, which is to say the plastics just seem a bit cheaper than on the older T20 and T22 (assuming T21 as well). Of course, even the flimsiest ThinkPad I ever had, a 570, was still a very solid machine that was far more than any non-ThinkPad I've owned with the singular exception of 12" aluminum PowerBooks, which are right up there at X22/600E level.

Solidity is relative, too, as some models have extremely stiff structures but slightly mushy keyboards (X32), while others have fantastic rigid keyboards marred by slightly flexible chasis (570). For me, the keyboard is the most important part, which is why I like the X22 so much despite its age and lack of speed. My T23, on the other hand, is absolutely gorgeous, but like all T2x models, there is a bit of flex in the keyboard that is kind of annoying. In fact, I'd go so far as to say the keyboard on my Toshiba is a bit more solid, though without the long key travel that I love on ThinkPads.

Asiafish, I solved that flex in my other T23 with the help of a view business cards, stuck underneath the flexing areas (e.g. where the cursors are). When the notebook came back from service, the business cards were gone and IBM service glued some thick stripes on exactly the same spots. I guess, they knew about the flexing keaboard problems.