Thinkpads Forum

I want a Belgian keyboard and a spare - and I've read a lot of posts on the three types (Alps - Chicony - NMB).

At the moment, I've got a German Chicony (FRU 39T7452).
These are the types in stock that I can order from IBM spares:
39T.... Alps (200 in stock)
42T.... Alps (62 in stock)
42T.... NMB (4 in stock)

The 42T keyboards are on the R61 and R61i parts list, but someone on the helpline said his database said the 39T were end-of-line and being replaced by the 42T's for the T60/p.

Has anybody used both types of Alps, if so are there any differences? And does anyone have a 42T NMB? It is the one with the blue rubbers or is it the rebranded Chicony?

i have a 42T3169 NMB japanese layout keyboard on my T61p and it's the real deal.   you are correct that 39T numbers are EOL.   the R60/R61 keyboard tables contain the correct FRU numbers to use when ordering parts.

Thanks, Erik. I've ordered the Alps and the NMB.

What's the price of the NMB ? It's written : call for price.

gaphic2 wrote:Thanks, Erik. I've ordered the Alps and the NMB.

no problem.

Pascal_TTH wrote:What's the price of the NMB ? It's written : call for price.

you can try the maintenance parts site for prices quoted in US dollars.   however, this site has poor links with the database and doesn't always find parts correctly.

Thank you Erik. I will phone Lenovo on monday. I'am in Belgium like gaphic2 so I expect him to post the Belgium price. This should be about 35 to 40 €.

Pascal_TTH wrote:Thank you Erik. I will phone Lenovo on monday. I'am in Belgium like gaphic2 so I expect him to post the Belgium price. This should be about 35 to 40 €.

You're absolutely right: they are 34-37€ without VAT + the 6,50€ flat transport rate - the three types differ by a couple of euros. But you should phone IBM parts (Tel: (+32)[0]22253624 - Email: parts@be.ibm.com - http://www.ibm.be/en/ (> 'Service Parts')). I tried a Lenovo authorized dealer first and was quoted a price of 90 € and 10 days delivery.

I ordered from IBM parts last friday and the keyboards were delivered to my door yesterday.

Just to add my personal preference - I've installed the NMB, the Alps seemed to have longer strokes and is a bit stiffer. The Chicony one isn't at all bad either, and is maybe the quietest of the lot.

Thanks gaphic2. I'am commun with IBM parts and already have an account. I just want to be sure about the price. For DVD burner ultra slim, price starts at 150 € and end at more then 210 € for same specs... I will wait until I have a few parts to order.

Always keep away from Lenovo authorized dealers ! They buy from ibm parts and sold those part twice the price.


BTW, your T60p was upgraded to T7600 or it's the stock CPU ?

Yes, the T7600 is original. It's a 2007-VEF, based on the 2007-CTO. It's a configuration made earlier this year for the German market. I almost lost hope of finding a 15" 4:3 with a 256 Mb GPU.

gaphic2 wrote:Yes, the T7600 is original. It's a 2007-VEF, based on the 2007-CTO. It's a configuration made earlier this year for the German market. I almost lost hope of finding a 15" 4:3 with a 256 Mb GPU.

Thank you gaphic2. So heavy loaded ThinkPad are not common in Belgium.

Are the US & UK versions that much different?