T60 Keyboard Comparison (with embedded pics)

[marvel]

Got my NMB today and the space key is indeed a bit raised. Another impression is that it´s not a big improvement comparing to Alps. The Alps feels more solid and springy, more distinct. The NMB is somewhat softer and "plastic" to the touch. I´ll give it a couple of days...

[ciaeyes]

My T61P came with the NMB board and I hated it for the simple reason that the space bar is actuated by only one sensor in the middle. As such it rocks very easily and often "misses" placing a space when typing quickly. I complained to IBM and they sent out a new one which had the same single point of contact in the middle of the space bar. Too much like a teeter totter for me.

I purchased the Alps board as a result of the information found on this board, so thank you to all for your detailed experiences.

So......I have two NMB keyboards that will be going on eBay shortly.

My old Z60M had the Alps keyboard and I loved it. I have no experience with the Chicony board but in terms of cost the NMB ($38.00/on sale right now) is the cheapest followed by Alps ($78.00) and the most expensive is the Chicony ($138.00).

[MrSnake]

hi guys,

I'm looking for a keyboard replacement and for for my T60p (8741-C4G) the Lenovo site shows:

Keyboard service parts - ThinkPad T60, T60p (6369, 6370, 6371, 6372, 8741, 8742, 8743, 8744) Wide screen models
Keyboard service parts - R60, R60e, R61, R61i (14.1 inch and 15.0 inch standard screens)

39T7122 ALPS 46 Euro
39T7182 Chicony CALL
39T0962 NMB CALL



On the phone a guy said the old FRU's are not valid anymore for my T60p (39T7202 Chicony) and I need the 42T3147 NMB from the R61's.

Keyboards for R61 and R61i
42T3213 ALPS 46 Euro
42T3277 Chicony 32 Euro
42T3147 NMB 38 Euro


So there's, 3 to choose from now.

My situation is, I'm happy with keyboards that I have in my 3 Thinkpads:

13N9909 Chicony in my T42p
93P4780 NMB in my R50p
39T7202 Chicony in my T60p (qwerty, but i need this one to be Belgian Azerty layout)

BUT, in the T60 at my work is an azerty 39T0962 NMB and frankly, it sucks in all aspects.
Unlike the NMB in my R50p, this one looks & feel cheap and has major flex.


Is there any way to know if the recommended 42T3147 NMB is as good as the one in my R50p? or least better than the one in the T60 at work?

Or are the 42T3213 ALPS and 42T3277 Chicony for the T60p as good as the one I got in my T42p?

Excuse me for all the fuss, but I simply want to avoid receiving something like the 39T0962 NMB.


kind regards

[georgelam]

I first came across this thread a few days ago when I was searching for the FRU number for this keyboard I found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-IBM-Lenovo-Thin ... 286.c0.m14

I immediately ordered one as soon as I found out it is an NMB, and I have to say I cannot be happier about it. I now have four T60 keyboards (an old Chicony and a relatively new one, one ALPS and this new NMB). My experience with them are essentially as Ron described in his review: the Chicony ones feel mushy, with the older one more so, while the ALPS keyboard is almost as good as the NMB.

I have decided to revive this old thread in part because I am simply so happy with my new keyboard, but I also want to pay kudos to Ron for his awesome review. This is definitely a must-read for new and uneducated ThinkPadders like myself.

[dr_st]

My own experience is the T60 world is limited to NMB keyboards, on several 14"/15" models.

However I've found that the main problem I have with the T60 keyboard is not the keyboard itself, but the support the base gives to the keyboard.

And I am inclined to believe that it matters more than the actual keyboard manufacturer. 15" models seem to have bigger issues than 14".

My experience is described with great, somewhat excessive detail, in this thread:
Indepth analysis of keyboard sturdiness: T4x vs. T6x (Long)

Eventually I managed to improve the feel of the keyboard by a lot using a fairly simple mod described in said thread.

FWIW.

Oh, and by the way, I've had some experience with Chicony/Alps keyboards on T61 (which are the same as respective keyboards on T60). They felt worse. Again, no idea if it is the keyboard or the support...

[Muse]

I'm not sure the OP correct. I looked at the keyboards (removed them) today of my two T60's, both of which have the forward-slash springs. One is definitely a Chicony (not ALPS as the OP says). I can tell because "Chicony" is clearly cast into the plastic at manufacture. At the same place on the keyboard, the other says ">ABS<" followed by 84AAA0080B M1-2, FRU = 39T7118, which the OP ID's as an ALPS (in the linked photos), as I said, mine is a forward-slash, so I suppose it really is an ALPS, but the other (also forward_slash, didn't make note of the FRU) has to be a Chicony. Internet searches on ">ABS<" followed by 84AAA0080B M1-2 reveals no information, so I don't know for certain that it is an ALPS, but I have to BELIEVE the first one is a Chicony!

I have a 3rd Thinkpad, a T61 and the keyboard has back-slash springs under the arrow keys. Haven't looked at the keyboard removed yet, but it's FRU is 42T3273. I think that probably is a Chicony, based on info in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo- ... ave-5.html

And indeed, the thread linked indicates that my FRU 39T7118 keyboard is an ALPS.

[achat_2]

I found this thread while search for a X201s keyboard.

Lenovo currently proposes two choice for this model: does anybody know if the NMB / Chicony distinction apply even to the X20x series model?

A.

[ThinkPad]

This is a great thread that deserves a bump. I found this while seraching information about the different thinkpad keyboards. I have a T61p and am looking for an NMB keyboard. I thought they were made in Thailand, or is that for the earlier NMB keyboards?

[dr_st]

T4x NMBs were made in Thailand. T6x NMBs were made in China. Not sure there exist NMBs in later models.

[Initial D]

Lenovo currently proposes two choice for this model: does anybody know if the NMB / Chicony distinction apply even to the X20x series model?

+1 for this. Anyone with any experiences?

Right now I have a NMB in both my T43 and T61. I have a Chicony in my X201s. I actually "enjoy" using my T61 over my X201s because the keyboard feels so much better. I will replace the Chicony eventually (but not in the near future).

For feel and enjoyment, my experience has been (avg 100+ wpm):
NMB(T43)>NMB(T61)>>>>>Chicony(X201s)

[urbanguy75]

I have an NMB on my T61.

[MTyn]

Who can help me out with these keyboard FRU numbers?

I pulled these keyboards from a T61p (15.4 widescreen) and like to know in which other Thinkpad models they fit :

39T7203
42T3168
42T3157

[RealBlackStuff]

Any T6x/R6x and AFAIK some from the T400/T500 series (earlier models).

[ajkula66]

Who can help me out with these keyboard FRU numbers?

I pulled these keyboards from a T61p (15.4 widescreen) and like to know in which other Thinkpad models they fit :

39T7203
42T3168
42T3157

R60, 61, 400, 500 and all the submodels

T60, 61, 400, 500 and the submodels

W500

All of Z series (ThinkPads, not IdeaPads)

[MTyn]

Very clear, thanks!

[Saucey]

This is a great thread that deserves a bump.

Great indeed!

Never knew there was a difference. I bought a parts T60p for the T61 I have and it didn't have the same keyboard/keys as it and I just presumed it was because the model change.
The T61 feels alot better than the chicony T60p (just checked), I'm happy to know there is a difference so I know which one to grab and try next time.

[Easy Wind]

This is a great thread that deserves a bump.

Great thread!
Never knew there was a difference

edited the above quote to more reflect my sentiments on this (just now finding) thread since 2008.

I work on Lenovo's every day in a repair shop, so I see/replace all three types of keyboards all the time. Never gave them much thought outside of "does it work and can we send this one back to the customer?"

Off to find what kinds are in my own T60's now!

[JeffCullen]

I am a bit of a keyboard nut, and use an old Northgate Omnikey 101 at my desk.

In T60 and T61 Thinkpads, I have tried multiple samples of all 3 OEMs and contrary to popular opinion, I actually prefer the Chiconys! Strangely, T60-era Chiconys seem a bit better to me than T61-era.

A fresh Alps comes in second for me, but they don't seem to wear well and become creaky and nasty...

I find NMBs to feel the most "generic" -- quieter and mushier than the other two.

All down to preference...

[ajkula66]

All down to preference...

Exactly.

My favourite - when it comes to T6* era keyboards - is Alps.

[Shredder11]

Great topic! I own six Thinkpads; 3x Z61p ; X60s ; X61s ; G40. Half of them had the NMB to begin with but now only the X models have them. My Z61p have two ALPS and one Chicony respectively. I'm not sure what the G40 has yet, but it resembles an ALPS in construction sort of, but does not feel like one and more like a cheaper NMB. Anyway my preference is maybe the NMB although I agree with the comments about the spacebar and enter keys. The ALPS are very nice though providing they are not worn out, and I would say these keyboards are a good alternative to the NMB. The Chicony on mine is very worn with shiny keys and noisy key action, with very little resistance or feedback. I think even if this keyboard was new I would not like it.