T60p: New keyboard needed, but what part-number to buy?

[taichi]

Where can I get a brand new keyboard for the T60p? There seem to be a number of keyboards on eBay, but some of them look aftermarket. Is there a specific search term/sku I should look for?

Thanks

[ZaZ]

Did you try OEM or genuine?

[Johan]

I've never heard of an "aftermarket" keyboard for ThinkPad's, so I'd say you're safe to buy on e.g. eBay. Rather I'd however (strongly!) suggest our own Marketplace here on the forum. Just place a "WTB" (Want To Buy") there, and very soon you're good to go!

Keyboards for the following ThinkPad’s are compatible (= interchangeable): T60/p, T61/p, R60/e/i, R61/e/i R61e R61i, R400, R500, T400, T500, W500, W700, W700ds... more info in this post.

PS: Try consider the substantial investment that would obviously be required to manufacture a keyboard for a ThinkPad; you would really need to sell many (many!!) such "aftermarket" keyboards until you actually started making money! If selling such fake keyboards one-by-one on eBay, you'd very soon run into heavy problems with very negative user-feedback, so... you get the point!

Johan

[exTPfan]

Chicony FRU 39T7178
ALPS FRU 39T7118
NMB FRU 39T0958
NMB > Alps > Chicony but all good.

[TPFanatic]

Alps has stiff clicky trackpoint buttons while NMB and Chicony are soft. I think Chicony needs the most force to push down but is also wobbly, Alps has wobbly keycaps, and NMB has the least resistance and shortest travel and least wobbly keys so you can type the fastest.

[brchan]

That's odd, the classic Alps keyboard in my W530 has no wobbly keycaps at all. In fact, its the tightest of my T43 and 2 T60/T61 NMB boards. The keys are also snappier and firmer.

[ajkula66]

That's odd, the classic Alps keyboard in my W530 has no wobbly keycaps at all. In fact, its the tightest of my T43 and 2 T60/T61 NMB boards. The keys are also snappier and firmer.

It's a matter of preference, really.

For T4x/R5x units, NMB would be my favourite.

For *6x generation, it would have to be ALPS.

I have yet to see a Chicony that I like, but to each their own.

[TPFanatic]

I've only touched T4x Chicony and NMB, Z60 ALPS, T/W500 ALPS Chicony and NMB. I think the T500's NMB is stiffer than the T4x NMB so maybe there were improvements made to the scissor switches between generations to decrease wobble.

[taichi]

Sounds like I should find an ALPS or NMB. I hope to find a new one.

By the way, there are aftermarket keyboards (not for me). Here's one:

https://www.amazon.com/Eathtek-T60-T61- ... B003XU2HWS

Johan. I will place a WTB on the Marketplace.
Thanks

[ajkula66]

By the way, there are aftermarket keyboards (not for me). Here's one:

That's NOT an aftermarket keyboard in the picture.

[taichi]

Thankfully, I'm not responsible for the item or its photograph.

But if you read the description

Manufacturer Eathtek
ASIN B003XU2HWS
Item model number T60 T61 R60 Z60

it is aftermarket.

[brchan]

Weird, the FRU number 42t3303 corresponds to the RoHS ID of a T400/T500/W500 Korean keyboard on Lenovo's website.

The backplate design on that amazon keyboard has far fewer holes than a OEM T60/T61 version, and the 'reviews' seem to state that it is different than the OEM keyboards. Surprisingly, this does look aftermarket.

[taichi]

You'd be surprised how many 3rd party, non OEM keyboards there are out there for the T60P. I found this out after contacting a number of vendors on Amazon and ebay.

The only new one I found that is OEM is Chicony, which seems like the least recommended of the OEM models. Does anyone like their Chicony?

I didn't check my Marketplace WTB today, but up to this point no sources on the forum. I really wanted the NMB.

Thanks

[brchan]

Good to know.

Chicony is louder and slightly lighter to the touch. The keys also get shinier faster but overall Chicony boards are still nice to type on.

[taichi]

I called IBM parts today, and gave thm the three FRU numbers for NMB, ALPS, and Chicony, and they have none of them. What they do have is what they call a one to one replica of those FRUs, with a FRU of 42T3273. They would not tell me the manufacturer, so for all I know it could be made by Mattel, or Lego.

Has anyone had any experience with this unknwon keyboard?

[RealBlackStuff]

Most keyboards starting with 42T3xxx were made by NMB. Compare e.g. T500/W500 HMM columns from L to R: Alps-Chicony-NMB).
Whether this also applies to 42T3273 I don't know.

[taichi]

Interesting that the FRU is typically NMB on the newer keyboards. So NMB is still in operation?

So somewhere over $100 for the IBM keyboard, vs around $40 for a keyboard that the vendor claims is a Chicony.

[taichi]

With the suggestions from those on the forum, I sought and found a new genuine NMB keyboard. One of the venerable members of this form, Johan, responded to a WTB that I placed on the marketplace.

In less than a week after purchasing, through international mail, the most immaculately packed package arrived on my doorstep. It was as if it had been sent to me from a fine electronic parts company. It was a pleasure to receive something so protectively and neatly packed. The new keyboard is now on the computer, and the feel of the keyboard is truly a pleasue. I'm grateful to Johan for the quality of the keyboard, and his care in sending it.

MOD edit: no double posting please!
And if you want, leave feedback in the appropriate thread: Positive feedback for FAIR Traders