Thinkpads Forum

I had some trouble with my keyboard it was an ALPS, FRU 39T7142. The extreme left side keys especially the lower ones produced a weird sound and and had also a longer travel. At the end of the travel it was like another click.

I called IBM support and the next day I've got a new keyboard, FRU 39T0982 which to my pleasant surprise is a NMB . Brand new, it's "Made in China" and it is UK layout ; all Thinkpads come with this layout despite all keyboards sold in Romania are US layout, stupid thing but that's it.
I installed the new keyboard, which was easy using the included instructions. The new keyboard is a little "firmer" and no more weird sounds and two stops travel. I've asked a US layout, but I was told that I must purchase it and wait for it, because they don't have it in stock, so I stayed with the original layout.

It's a nice feeling to know that the good reliability and built quality of these machines is backed by good support.

Regards,
v.

Those are U.K. versions of the keyboard. You're lucky!

In the U.S., IBM has been taking Chicony keyboards and re-labeling them with NMB part numbers. Of course, it's still a Chicony.

I finally got a honest-to-God U.S. NMB keyboard. I now have all three T60 U.S. keyboards - NMB, ALPS and Chicony. I took pictures of a way to tell which from which (without opening the system). I'll be starting a new thread on that topic soon.

RonS - i'd be very interested in that post when you get around to it - appreciate the hard work!

I'm looking forward to that thread too. Thank RonS.

Is there a DEFINITIVE thread for T6x keyboards? I thought I saw one before. I searched and cant find it, found this one.

Is NMB still the best?

crashnburn wrote:Is there a DEFINITIVE thread for T6x keyboards? I thought I saw one before. I searched and cant find it, found this one.

Is NMB still the best?

Here is the link.

I have all three types of keyboard for T6x. It feels NMB is still the best in terms of typing. But I am sure, either Chicony or ALPS looks better than NMB. I mean, one of them is blacker than NMB. I will point out which one it is later.