Thinkpads Forum

Where can I get a new keyboard for my T61? I've read a lot of info here about NMB, Alps, and Chicony keyboards but they all refer to the T60. Are the T60 and T61 keyboards the same?

Thanks.

T60, T61, R60, and R61 keyboards are interchangeable.

you can buy a new keyboard through IBM maintenance parts at 800-388-7080 options 2:1:1.   FRU numbers can be found on this page.

1. What guarantee is there that I will get the NMB board, and not a rebadged Chicony? I'll even settle for an ALPS if it's better than what I have right now.

2. What do T61s normally ship with? Mine has gray pads with a spring system that travels South to North when looking directly at the laptop.

What you're describing sounds like an ALPS keyboard. when you look "under" the keys if it looks like / rather than \ then it's ALPS vs. chicony. If you see blue pads, that's NMB. There is not answer to what they "usually" ship with - it could be any of the three.

Do the NMB keyboards from IBM currently have the blue pads on the bottom?

rxblitzrx wrote:1. What guarantee is there that I will get the NMB board, and not a rebadged Chicony? I'll even settle for an ALPS if it's better than what I have right now.

i haven't seen relabeled keyboards in two years.   you're worried about a non-issue here.   my personal T61p shipped with a chicony and i'm now typing on an authentic NMB that i got from IBM maintenance parts.

fwiw, keyboard "quality" is personal preference.   you might not even like NMB.   you need only worry about it if you completely dislike the keyboard you got with your T61.   fwiw, the new alps keyboards are really good and you might be happier keeping what you have.

rxblitzrx wrote:2. What do T61s normally ship with?

the obvious answer; alps, chicony, or NMB.   seriously, it depends on supply.   last year i ordered two T60s for friends and one came with an alps and the other an NMB even though the two units were literally built within hours of each other.

rxblitzrx wrote:Do the NMB keyboards from IBM currently have the blue pads on the bottom?

yes.

rxblitzrx wrote:What do T61s normally ship with? Mine has gray pads with a spring system that travels South to North when looking directly at the laptop.

The following thread has a picture of each keyboard which you can use for identifying your keyboard type:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... sc&start=0

You know what... after taking a closer look at the pictures and another peak under my keyboard. It's actually an NMB!

Honestly though, I don't like it. I don't think the keys travel far enough, like my old R40, so it provokes my fingers to fly faster than they should which leads to typos. Maybe after some use, I'll get used to it.

The keys feel a little too slick too. No real traction between my fingertips and the keys.