Thinkpads Forum

Hello Group:

I currently own a T-60 which is about 8 months young and have noticed that many of the keys on my keyboard are shiny.
Some keys have a flat look and some shiny and I think the unit was like this from day one.

My daughter in law just got a new T-61 and all the keys on her keyboard have a flat finish, which in my opinion looks much beter, ie: not worn looking. Additionally, her keyboard appears to have a more solid feel when pressing the keys, ie: less disstance when pressing the keys.

Would I have a leg to stand on with regard to getting a replacemnt keyboard as my unit came with a 3 year warn. ?

If they offer to replace the keyboard, is there a certain unit I should request, as I'm sure they make several for each model.

Thanks in advance for your imput.............

Steve

Sir, there is no one type of keyboard for thinkpads. T6x and many other series come with NMB, Alps and Chicony manufactured keyboards. One of our fellow members RonS did an excellent comparison with pictures of them.

@Truthfinder,

Your T60 keyboard might be a second hand keyboard. If your thinkpad's warranty is still on, go and ask for a replacement. Show them the pics of your keyboard.

Sorry to mention this. I would like to know whether the thinkpad which you have owned is a refurbished unit.. (sorry if it sounds offensive to you)..

Nope, I got my T-60 as a brand new unit about 8 months ago. Some keys are shiny and a few have a slightly flat look. Overall, they look mostly glossy.

My unit has 2 years and 3 months left on the waranty. Should I just request a replacement, and if so, is shiny keys reason enough to get a free replacement.

Steve

Truthfinder wrote:Should I just request a replacement

No.

Does your reply indicate that after spending $1500 on a so called best built ThinkPad, a keyboard should be worn out and not replaced after a few months of in home, very light use !

I beg to differ!

My unit is used about twice weekly for an hour at a time, thus the keys should not turn shiny as far as I'm concerned.......

I just got off the phone with the Tech support and they are shipping a replacement keyboard as well as a palm rest.

I guess sometimes we just have to take a shot in the dark, NOT taking NO for an answer.

Thanks to all who responded.

It didn't come like that. Mine is about 8 months old as well and also has some keys flat and new looking, and some shiny and used looking. The ones that are shiny just happen to be the ones I use the most often. I'm sure things such as differences in skin chemistry and what we put on our hands can affect the situation also. The point is, it doesn't affect performance, it is most likely normal wear and tear, and a new keyboard is only about $50 to buy online.

I'm not surprised Lenovo had to cut back severely on IBMs very liberal return policy. People act like if a problem is anything short of running it over with a truck and it's still not perfect, that Lenovo has ruined quality and the world is going end.

I think the oil naturally present in our fingers somehow damage surface coating on these plastics overtime. That's why the keys get all shiny after a couple of months of use. This is normal.

To avoid this, wipe your keyboard at the end of the day.

Thank you one and all.

I will make sure to keep the keys clean, and hopefully get some extra life out of the keyboard.

In the event I need to purchase a keyboard and or Palmrest, could anyone direct me to a website where these items are sold.

Thanks much

Truthfinder wrote:I guess sometimes we just have to take a shot in the dark, NOT taking NO for an answer.

Sometimes when you ask for opinions, you get them.

Thank you and as always, I do appriciate the opinions of the group, even the sarcastic responses. After listening to all the feedback, I choose to make a warn. claim which turned out well in this particular instance.


Again, Thank you all

IBM/Lenovo is usually very generous when asked to replace keyboards. If you mention that anything is wrong with it, you'll typically have a new one shipped to you overnight as a warranty replacement.

If you system is out of warranty, a new T60 keyboard costs about $50. A very fair price, I think.

Ron:

Thanks for the reply............

I appriciate your advice..............


Have a great day

Truthfinder, here is a really good thread that has plenty of info on the different types of keyboads and should have some links to sites or other threads with links to sites where people have purchased keyboards. I would post them here for you, but forgot to bookmark them at the time.

acasto wrote:Truthfinder, here is a really good thread that has plenty of info on the different types of keyboads and should have some links to sites or other threads with links to sites where people have purchased keyboards. I would post them here for you, but forgot to bookmark them at the time.

Sir, that is already been mentioned.

ryengineer wrote:Sir, that is already been mentioned.

Sorry, not trying to steal anybodies thunder or anything. It just wasn't mentioned in the context of "where to buy a keyboard" so someone might not think to look there.

RonS wrote:IBM/Lenovo is usually very generous when asked to replace keyboards. If you mention that anything is wrong with it, you'll typically have a new one shipped to you overnight as a warranty replacement.

It does not apply to singapore. I have asked for a new T60 keyboard because there is this loose keycap and when you type, it keeps popping off and the springs underneath it is a bit flaky and the bezel is loose. Have asked for so many times until i nearly faint but there is always a NO.. i nearly jumped over the roof because of this problem.

If you find your fingers oily or greasy or dirty, then put on a glove to use your thinkpad.

THe thread shows and talks about the various keyboards, however, I still don't see where to actually purchase a ThinkPad keyboard......
Does Lenovo sell them and are the prices listed anywhere?

I know people seel them on Ebay, but from what I've seen most are used, pulled from used equiptment.....................

Truthfinder

Truthfinder wrote:Does Lenovo sell them and are the prices listed anywhere?

Start here. Write down FRU number you want. Then, near the bottom of that page click on "Purchase parts online." On the next page, near the bottom, find the section titled "To buy a service part FRU." Select your country, and you'll be guided from there.