Thinkpads Forum

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could recommend the best replacement keyboard for my T60p.
The reason i ask is because i already got one with FRU 39TO958 but the coating on the keys is all coming off and even some of the lettering. So now it looks terrible.
Thats with only about 4 months of use.

Originally I had a FRU 39T7118 and the keys/coating still looked good, but one of the key broke.
Also i noticed a diffrence between these 2 keyboards was under the keys, they have a diffrent 'frame' underneath so you couldnt swap keys between them.

So just wondering if anyone knows of the best FRU keyboard for both cosmetics and durability.

Thanks for any suggestions.

39T0958, made by NMB, is generally considered the best.
39T7118, made by Alps, is usually 2nd choice (your KB, don't know how rough/greasy/acidy your fingertips are...).
39T7178, made by Chicony, is considered by most people the least preferable.
However, it's all up to the individual to like or dislike a specific keyboard...

Jay:

The thread T60 Keyboard Comparison (with embedded pics) may probably be of interest/help.

Also, see the threads T60 compatible keyboards and WTB: New NMB keyboard w/US layout for 15" (4:3) T60 (the latter thread containing information about ThinkPad keyboard "inter-compatibility2 acaross the different product lines).

Johan

Hey thanks fellas, that was just the info i was looking for!
Didnt realize there were 3 different keyboards compatible this machine.
Guess i'll go hunting for one now.

While RBS is correct in his answer (in that those are indeed the common rankings amongst the three), I'd like to emphasize his statement about it being individual. I take my keyboards far more seriously than I probably should, but I actually would rank them with Chicony leading NMB. Why? Because it really is totally subjective.

The "best" keyboard is the one the feel of which you most prefer.

(That said, I'd recommend you try a good external mechanical keyboard whenever possible, as I think they can really be quite enjoyable to type on.)

I couldn't agree more with ThinkRob.

I definitely take my keyboards more seriously than anyone should... here in 2012, on my desk is a NorthGate OmniKey 101, and I keep a horde of IBM Model M keyboards in storage, for whoknowswhat reason... anyway, I like 'em loud and tactile.

At this point, I have spent considerable time with all 3 T60/T61-era keyboards. Like Rob, I prefer the Chicony. It has the longest travel and is the most "clickey-clackey", with the most precise "action point" of the 3. They just feel better the more they wear in as well. The 5+-year-old example in my boss's FranknPad is the finest laptop keyboard I've ever used...

A fresh Alps would be my 2nd choice, but they don't wear well at all -- they become stiff, nasty, and recalcitrant as they wear in--the example originally delivered in my T61p now requires you to hit many of the keycaps square in the middle, otherwise they'll bind.

As for the NMB, I can't fathom how this is the general favourite... it feels much more "typical laptop" keyboard compared to the other two. It's very quiet and feels "well-oiled", and certainly gives more tactile feedback than a piece of junk Acer, but it just isn't up to par in a ThinkPad. I've used a brand new and 5+-year-old example, and they feel very similar.

...and that's my 3 cents! :P

I have no feedback on cosmetic durability, as I've never seen one with any letters wearing off the keycaps...

I'm still regretting selling my Northgate Omnikey/102 back in 2002.
I'd had it since 1989 and there was nothing wrong with it, but since I was working on so many other PCs and mainframe computers with F-keys above the regular keys, it was getting annoying having to hunt for left-side F-keys when on my own computer.
If I had bought the Northgate Ultra T back then, I bet I'd still be using it today!
However, instead I got a Logitech Internet Keyboard Y-SE8, which I am still using today, and it too is faultless and fabulous.
In all fairness, the Omnigate was loud, compared to this Logitech!

Some nostalgic reading (and a pic of the Ultra T): http://humanreadable.nfshost.com/howtos ... ltra_t.htm