Thinkpads Forum

Hey everyone! Hope you're all well!

Just curious how long it took everyone for their ThinkPad keyboards to start developing that typical greasy shine on the keys (due to wear and tear). I recently bought a used T420s and it came with a new looking used keyboard. There was no wear or tear to it (I checked really carefully, trust me). However, after only using the ThinkPad for about three weeks, there are already worn out marks developing on it. I used an X31 before and it took about a year for the first marks to develop. I do have to mention that I have logged about 225,000 keystrokes on the keyboard, which was measured using WhatPulse.

This doesn't really bother me, because I can easily get a new one on eBay, but just thought this was an interesting phenomenon to observe and I wanted to study how long it took other ThinkPad users to wear out their keyboards and to see if developing worn out marks is normal for three weeks of use with the amount that I type. Thoughts and comments would be nice and thanks for your time!

As you have already noticed, it depends on the keyboard. Cheaper ones (Chicony models) tend to become shiny quicker. The same holds true for many of the newer keyboards; probably because Lenovo is trying to keep costs down. (achieved by using cheaper, lower quality plastics) Since I'm super-OCD and a total clean freak that disinfects his ThinkPads almost every day and washes hands every half an hour, none of my higher quality keyboards have developed any shine.

The most notable machine is my X301. I bought a new keyboard for it in early 2012. After nearly 4 years of typing (which includes long research papers), it is still completely matte. Not even the space bar is shiny. However, one must keep in mind that it has a slight advantage compared to other keyboards due to its anti-wear coating.

My X220 with its lower quality keyboard lasted about 1 year before I noticed a minute amount of wear on the space bar and one or two keys.

My T61 Chicony keyboard has some slight shine on the space bar after about half a year. Not very impressive considering how well the T60 ALPS keyboard held up during the same time span. (no shine)

My ThinkPad Yoga was probably the worst. Most keys were starting to show the first signs of visible wear after about half a year, although it still looked relatively new if you didn't look carefully.

That's pretty much it. I've typed on many keyboard but only did so for an extended amount of time on the ones that I just mentioned, primarily the X301.

You could spray a matt finish on the keyboard after removing it. I would use an enamel. It will hold up better over time and will not attack the letters. It takes longer to dry however.

You might try a lacquer, but I would test it on an old desktop keyboard first to make sure it doesn't attack either the letters or the plastic.

I havent truly worn out a Thinkpad classic KBD. They just last. They do get shiny but unless it drops dead, I wouldnt replace it.

If I'm at a desk I use it as a DTR and use a full size mouse kbd. Even on a couch or whaetver I use a mouse.

rhomusic wrote:Hey everyone! Hope you're all well!

Just curious how long it took everyone for their ThinkPad keyboards to start developing that typical greasy shine on the keys (due to wear and tear). I recently bought a used T420s and it came with a new looking used keyboard. There was no wear or tear to it (I checked really carefully, trust me). However, after only using the ThinkPad for about three weeks, there are already worn out marks developing on it. I used an X31 before and it took about a year for the first marks to develop. I do have to mention that I have logged about 225,000 keystrokes on the keyboard, which was measured using WhatPulse.

This doesn't really bother me, because I can easily get a new one on eBay, but just thought this was an interesting phenomenon to observe and I wanted to study how long it took other ThinkPad users to wear out their keyboards and to see if developing worn out marks is normal for three weeks of use with the amount that I type. Thoughts and comments would be nice and thanks for your time!

Mine looks brand new. The reason is a out a "keyboard condom" over it. Well it's actually a cover but the material is like that of a non lubricated condom IMO.

I have similar experiences. NMB keyboards (especially X30*) typically last the longest when it comes to wear on the keys, but Chicony tends to get shiny faster. No experience with ALPS, though. I have however gotten a thinkpad a T61 with a VERY worn NMB keyboard where all the main keys were very shiny. Even the key mechanisms were mushy. Must have been used extremely heavily, but the rest of the unit was in good shape.

Thanks for the responses so far guys! I hope more people will respond. Maybe just for fun, I'll make a poll.

I do have to say that my keyboard is an NMB keyboard. The FRU isn't 45N2211, it's 04W2753. It's definitely NMB because the rubberdomes are red. So given that it's NMB, I'm surprised that the keys are starting to shine like they are.


EDIT: OMG, I just realized something. Lately I've been putting Vaseline on my hands because my skin cracks and bleeds during the winters. Maybe that's why the keyboard has shine. It's due to the grease from the Vaseline. Silly me!
Well, keep the comments coming please! It's still interesting to hear people's thoughts. And thanks for your thoughts!

Yes I concur with the comments about the X301. I use mine, which I purchased secondhand with the trackpoint and there is no wear. I actually bought 2 units because they were so cheap thinking that the keyboard would probably develop wear. But there is no wear visible yet.
Interesting about the vaseline and some people have more natural oils in their skin as well.

shawross wrote:Yes I concur with the comments about the X301. I use mine, which I purchased secondhand with the trackpoint and there is no wear. I actually bought 2 units because they were so cheap thinking that the keyboard would probably develop wear. But there is no wear visible yet.

X30* series keyboards had an additional "coat" to make them last longer and delay the appearance of shiny keys. No other ThinkPad keyboard compares in this respect.

Ah, I've heard about the anti-microbial keyboard. I just never thought they really existed. If I get a used X301, how can I get a new keyboard with the same coating for it? Do you guys know if the T420s and the X220t have antimicrobial keyboards (or the special coating)?

rhomusic wrote:If I get a used X301, how can I get a new keyboard with the same coating for it?

NOS keyboards are available from Chinese sellers on feebay for just about any ThinkPad model.

Do you guys know if the T420s and the X220t have antimicrobial keyboards (or the special coating)?

No and no. These are the same keyboards, BTW.

For my T60, approximately 12 to 18 months. On my T420 about 1 year.

However, for me the most disappointing was the T430 keyboard. When new, the keycap finish was already much less textured then the previous models. I found that your hands had to be squeaky clean in order to type on the T430. The smallest bit of natural oils gave the keyboard a slippery and greasy feel. This meant far more frequent cleaning of the keyboard - sometimes several times a day. Now I use an external mechanical switch keyboard with the T430, as the unit's own keyboard has proved far to frustrating for my work.

I really don't mind shiny keys on the older keyboards, as they still provide a superior typing experience.