Keyboard replacement part question - NMB T6x/T,W500

[Troels]

Hi!
So today i was using some sort of glossy plastic HP "ProBook" with a horrible keyboard and what appeared to be a 16:9 glossy screen. I just couldn't get used to it, and 16:9 was feeling completely like a letter box format - too little space (visually). So instead of upgrading from 4:3 as many would probably do, i'll remain a bit mad and buy new replacement parts for my T60p (15" QXGA).

One of the things that after 3 years and 6 months need replacement is the keyboard. The black plastic coating under the keys are flaking, and the plastic has started to disintegrate.

The machine was originally imported from the US, and i replaced the keyboard with an ALPS manufactured keyboard with a danish layout. I originally ordered the NMB directly from IBM, but i soon got an email stating that they unfortunately couldn't supply a NMB keyboard, and offered me the ALPS one instead if it was ok.

I understand that the 15.4" T61/p keyboards and T500/W500 keyboards are also compatible with the 15.0" T60/p - and for once it seems as if they can supply an NMB keyboard version meant for those instead.

With all the "flex" issues with these keyboards in the T500 and W500 (right?) which was supposedly fixed more than a year ago - is it safe to order a T500/W500 keyboard and get a good one? Since there's probably little sale in danish keyboard layouts compared to the US - does anyone know if the remaining stock was discarded when the problem was fixed?

Is the NMB T61/p keyboard still considered better - did it have any "issues" or differences compared to the quality of the T60/p NMB, which everyone with a flexy T500 seemed to order instead?

[Harryc]

To the best of my knowledge, the T500 keyboards were not changed. They have a swiss cheese bottom plate that makes the keyboard itself prone to flexing. What Lenovo did to remedy (or close to a remedy) the situation was to install bracing/brackets in strategic locations in later designs to help with the flexing issue, but I think the keyboards are the same as original.

[Troels]

Thanks - that sounds fair. I guess the 15.4" T61/p keyboard would be the right one to order, just to be safe. They all seem to be made in China now and not Thailand, but i guess it should still be alright. Guess i'm going to be staring at the shipping box for a long time, fearing that they either put in a swiss-cheese keyboard version by accident, or a relabeled Chicony... or an incorrect layout. Now, i'll complete the order.

[Binh]

Troels,
Any keyboard pulled from T61 (not only 15.4" T61) will fit T60/p. For example I replaced my T60p 's ALPS keyboard with NMB one from T61 14" 4:3, and then replaced it with another one from Z61 and they fit perfectly. I also hear that T6x, T400, T500, keyboards are compatible but not tested yet.

To say frankly, there is only a marginal difference between NMB and ALPS. The keys on NMB are a bit softer, keystrokes are a bit shorter, but they are a bit mushier. You can not expect a big difference between T4x's Thai made NMB and other keyboard in the golden time of Thinkpad.

In my opinion, if you strongly decided to get NMB, it is better to find it on T61. In my observation, there quite large number of T61 equipped with NMB keyboard. If you are satisfied with you ALPS, then do not bother to find NMB.

[Binh]

Also, take into account that NMB keyboards may be not reliable as other brands. In the last 3 years, I saw 4 faulty keyboards (T4x and T6x), they are all NMB (!).

[Troels]

Thanks Binh, it is indeed very valuable information

Long story short: I ordered the NMB T61 keyboard directly from the Lenovo/IBM spare parts shop in Denmark. So in order to ship it as fast as possible, they just shipped me the Chicony version instead (without telling me). The NMB apparently was out of stock with a lead time of 4 weeks (est.).
I didn't open the package, but contacted them right away - unfortunately they couldn't get the Alps of the NMB as they were claimed to not be produced any longer, but they were willing to accept that I returned the Chicony. Very friendly support, but apparently not willing to try to source the keyboard elsewhere - their European warehouse in the Netherlands would be a good place to start. I offered to pay more for this service, but no dice.

So I found another online shop, where I got a clear confirmation that the FRU number on the keyboard box is exactly as written at the order page - i.e. an NMB. I placed my order and received the keyboard.... which turned out to be a Chicony. Manufacture date and FRU# on the box was exactly the same as the one received by Lenovo. A bit frustrated, I wrote back to them hoping for an explanation and received an explanation about how there were no differences between those part numbers and that part numbers differed depending on if it was for a service repair or replacement part. I doubt the latter statement is correct, but the first is definitely incorrect.
So I sent them a copy of the T61/p HMM in PDF format, stating where to look so they could spot the differences with their own eyes. Even then, I received a phone call from their supplier - unfortunately i wasn't near my phone, but according to the voice mail, they couldn't understand what made them different and even Lenovo wasn't able to either (!).

I paid what I thought was competent people ~$80 for a keyboard - but they apparently failed at delivering what was advertised.

So, I ended up returning the last Chicony I received and finally gave up and broke the sealing off the keyboard box Lenovo sent me. I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. The Chicony keyboard looks and sounds like a counterfeit keyboard, but unfortunately it can't be. It's noisy, the feedback is lousy, and to top it off the white lettering has a red tint.

If this is really the stance Lenovo is taking here locally, I'll completely avoid them in the future. Hilarious how they charge so much for their products and services here, when they can't even afford to supply anything but a horrible keyboard as a replacement part. Apparently, the same applies for keyboards with the Danish key layout for W500/T500/T400.

I received some PMs with alternatives from a kind forum member, links which i should investigate further - but not sure i really feel like buying more replacement parts, which probably turn out to be Chiconys because the sellers don't know the difference.

[Binh]

Yeah, I understand your frustrated experience with Lenovo's re-labeled stuffs.
Did you ask the sellers about the famous blue pads under the keys? It is the reliable sign of NMB keyboard and can be easily seen under the arrow keys.

If you don't mind German or Dutch keyboard layouts, you can find a number of recent topics selling NMB keyboards on http://www.thinkpad-forum.de (I guess that you already are a member of that forum).