Thinkpads Forum

Any brave individuals who got a solid keyboard with their machine willing to post some pictures of the inside and underside of the keyboard?

It's a curiosity thing.

My T500 has a no flex keyboard, still it has holes in it. I have a T61 with NMB and T60 Chicory to compare.

picture of my T500

The keyboard on my T400 is very solid, the very same high quality keyboard that I have always enjoyed on the many T series, X series and other new ThinkPads I have owned. It's important to remember that the keyboard used on the T400 is the _exact same_ that is used on the T61, from the same vendors. Besides mine I have three other friends that also have T400's with exemplary keyboards. Any doubts? Just look up the FRU numbers. It's a fact, not speculation or guess work.

Cheers.....

Mine seems slightly less solid than my friend's T61 - but it's still a great keyboard, and no keyboard on any consumer laptop can compare. That alone, to me, is worth the price of this machine.

Got my t400 and the keyboard definitely feels different and not as responsive as my t43. I'd probably rank it like this my t42 > wife's t60 > t400.

Might have to switch out the keyboard, but I'm not sure yet.

hello.
i recently brought my r61 and it seems to feel a little strange when typing compared to the older thinkpads. My friends older r60 keyboard feels much better. Is this something thats going to be permanent or is it going to become more responsive over time.
i am really concerned about this....

My first T400 had a lot of flex. The second one is almost as solid as the Chicony in my previous T61.

My W500 has a little flex, but not much. Flex only occurs when pressing on the keyboard, and it's only slightly worse than my father's T60. Still by far the best laptop keyboard, and very pleasant to type on. Now, if I could just get the palmrest to sit flush...

comptiger5000 wrote:Now, if I could just get the palmrest to sit flush...

Here is the answer:
When you have time and are not rushed, just take it off, look at how it fastens very closely, you will then see what type of "movement" is required as you insert it back into place. It's a bit counter intuitive, so once you give it a good look, then it will be very easy to install securely.

Cheers...

meh wrote:Mine seems slightly less solid than my friend's T61 - but it's still a great keyboard, and no keyboard on any consumer laptop can compare. That alone, to me, is worth the price of this machine.

Well Said!

Of all the recent ThinkPads I own, the one with the most robust and solid keyboard is the T60. It's totally free of any give or flex. An amazing feeling when you type on it. Second is my X60s which is really strong. Then when one takes it's size into account, it's simply amazing how rock solid it is. That said, I find the keyboards on my T400 and T500 quite good. Not quite as solid as the T60 but still very good. When one is not obsessing on it, and just typing it's as good as any I've owned.

That's my take (or 2 cents, as they say)....

Flexing keyboard... what is THAT about?

Just how hard are you all pressing? As a touch typist, not all that fast, but fairly... I'm just not getting what you guys are talking about.

To me, the criterion is the "click feel". This keyboard is not as sharp a "click" as some previous IBM thinkpads. But it is not bad, and better than my Sony Vaio. It does not slow me down, nor do I put any attention on it.

Other than wondering what you (who've talked about "flex") are talking about. Sorry, but I really don't get it.