Does a T20-22 Top/Display fit on a T23 Base?

[Robbyrobot]

As far as I can see from the HMM, the T23 only differs from the T20-22 models in the base/connections/mainboard (with CPU and fan). I have a good base with all the connections and a T23 mainboard with CPU and fan, and would like to use T20-22 parts I have to build a complete computer. That would mean using the T20-22 Keyboard CRU insulator, the hinge cover, keyboard bezel, keyboard and display on the T23 base.

Am I correct that this is possible and presents no problems?

[rkawakami]

T20-T22 keyboard will work in a T23. You may want to change the keyboard button cover however. Otherwise your T23 system will look like a lower T2.

T20-T22 keyboard bezel (palmrest) is not a perfect fit on a T23 base. There's a difference in at least one of the plastic screw towers. A proper T23 palmrest has one projecting just above the opening for the trackpoint buttons. The T20-T22 bezel does not have this. For example these were pulled from a couple of current eBay auctions:

http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t2x/ebay ... lmrest.jpg
http://www.kawakami-ca.com/ibm_t2x/ebay ... lmrest.jpg

I have not actually tried to swap a T20-22 palmrest into a T23 base so I don't know exactly what would be missing or different.

T20-T22 keyboard CRU is a different shape than the one in a T23. Don't know what the impact is.

T20-T22 hinge cover is compatible with a T23. The ones that I have pulled out from the "miscellaneous parts" kit for a T22 has the same FRU as one taken off a T23 (04P3132).

I'm pretty sure that I've taken a complete T21 lid assembly and transferred it onto a T23 non-wireless base, although it was a temporary swap so I did not notice if there were any problems with closing the lid. The lids are different for the T23s which had the wireless antennas in the lid and the ones which did not. This also means that the T23 bases are different too (the wireless base and lid is ever so slightly wider).

[Robbyrobot]

Why did I just know this wasn't going to be as simple as I had hoped?

Thanks for the details, Ray... looks like I'm going to have to start collecting new parts, this time for a T23.

[Msmax]

A T20-T22 palmrest does not fit a T23.

The plastics shape on the left side just above the PCMCIA slot and cooling fan outlet is different.

I tried it and it did not fit.

Msmax

[tfflivemb2]

As stated, the LCD/Display portions and the keyboard themselves are interchangeable, but the palmrest is not.