T60 compatible keyboards

[Markstar]

Hi,
I'm trying to get a keyboard for the T60 (1951) from ebay and was wondering which FRUs were compatible.

I know there is a list over at http://www-307.ibm.com , but people are also selling other FRUs as T60 keyboards, e.g.:
39T7453/39T7454 (here or here), both supposedly only for R6x, Z6x

I have seen others, too, so I would like to know if there is an "unofficial" list with compatible keyboards out there.

Also, I was wondering how compatible the keys themselves are. For example, let's say I have a 39Txxxx keyboard from ALPS and there is a 42Txxxx also from ALPS - can I just get that and exchange single keys?

Thanks in advance for your time!

[Peak2Peak]

Do not know of a an "unofficial" compatible list, but can confirm that I have replaced a clients very worn out T60 keyboard with a new R400/T400/T500/W500 UK keyboard FRU: 42T3961 (P/N 42T3928) - Model MV90 - works great, but the keyboards base plate is very flimsy compared the original one (FRU: 39T0982) fitted within the T60.

[Markstar]

Do not know of a an "unofficial" compatible list, but can confirm that I have replaced a clients very worn out T60 keyboard with a new R400/T400/T500/W500 UK keyboard FRU: 42T3961 (P/N 42T3928) - Model MV90 - works great, but the keyboards base plate is very flimsy compared the original one (FRU: 39T0982) fitted within the T60.

Hmm, flimsy doesn't sound so great, I guess I'll stay with the recommended FRUs then, just to make sure. :wink

It would still be interesting if the key mechanism is the same for all manufacturers, though.

[Johan]

Recently, while investigating the "cross-ThinkPad keyboard compatibility" of T60 US-keyboards (FRU's 39T7178=Chicony and 42T3143=NMB and 39T7118=ALPS), I learned that the keyboards for the following ThinkPad’s are compatible (interchangeable): T60/p, T61/p, R60/e/i, R61/e/i R61e R61i, R400, R500, T400, T500, W500, W700, W700ds. This issue of T60 keyboard compatibility also (in a limited edition) discussed in the thread Is a R61/R61i keyboard usable in a 15" (4:3 LCD) T60?.

You will find all the FRU’s for e.g. German-language ThinkPad keyboards via Service parts list index – ThinkPad listing e.g. the following (German) T60 keyboards: (see Keyboard service parts - ThinkPad T60, T60p (for 4:3 LCD models)):

ALPS: 39T7127, Chicony: 39T7187 and NMB: 39T7450 (the same FRU’s are found in Hardware Maintenance Manual - ThinkPad T60/p (4:3 LCD models).

To find out which keyboard you have (unless it has been replaced since the T60 was assembled), follow the advice in the top of this post and do a “View parts lookup results for this system”. In the same post, you’ll find links to instructions about how to replace your keyboard, if you don’t know this already.

Then, the question: If you can’t get hold of the keyboard you want, than what... which of the other are best? For information about this, see the threads T60 Keyboard Comparison (with embedded pics) and Are there several keyboard makers for T60s? and NMB keyboard....

In the earlier days, when the T4x series was new, the NMB-branded keyboards - and especially those manuactured in Thailand - were by many users (incl. me) considered as being *the best*... se e.g. the thread T42 Thai (NMB), China (Alps) Keyboard Impressons (long). Since NMB keyboards are no longer being manufactured in Thailand (and T60 NMB keyboards were never), this thread is more of ”historical interest”.

Notice that many T400 and T500 users complainted about flimsy keyboards (see e.g. ThinkPad T400 and T500 Keyboard Stiffness: Myth Busted and try for yourself to Google for e.g. "T400 keyboard flex" or "T500 keyboard flex") so keep this in mind if e.g. getting a T400 keyboard for your T60.

PS: You may perhaps find German T60 keyboards at the German ThinkPad forum?

Johan