Thinkpads Forum

I'm wondering if it's by design on all these wide W5xx and 70x or whether it's just mine that the keyboard assembly depresses when any key is pressed including ones on the numeric keypad. The plastic plate with ThinkVantage buttons at the top can also be pressed down a bit.

The assembly rebounds upon release of the key. Obviously, there is a slight gap underneath the keyboard and keypad rather than resting flush on top of a rigid surface. The only keys that are resistant are the ones on the very bottom and left on the main keyboard, and very right on the numeric keypad - the periphery where there is structural support.

Also, when you press any key including on the main key board except the function keys, it sounds like a sharp "clack-clack". It's possibly related to the first matter.

In contrast, the keyboard on my compact X201T is rigid and, when any keys are pressed, makes a soft "click-click" sound.

I noticed it right after a warranty service was performed which involved removing the keyboard and keypad. The soft or "mushy" keyboard and keypad may always have been like that but since the service, I've become more alert to nuances. So I'm wondering if the keyboard and keypad weren't put back correctly or whether they're intrinsically that way.

Hi there
there HAS BEEN lots of posts on this topic (w5/7xx) keyboard FLEX issues on this (& other forums)
....not sure what solution(s) you prefer....
For me EASIST was = get a older from my T60P keyboard and it works like a charm!!

Personally I found it very frustrating using that famous FLEXY keybapord and threatend to return all the W Series at that time - horrible things.....I had Lenovo (USA)Tech Support (in early days of W500 release) replace that famous FLEXY keyboard with the FRU from T60p!!! - not sure they are doing that now though!
However - there are always downside too - as SOME of the older T6xx series keybaord are not 'spillproof' like the newer W5x series ones are.

Cheers

I have a W510 and, yes, my keyboard flexes a little bit when certain keys are pressed. This is quite annoying. As a structural engineer, I must say that the 'stiffness' of recent keyboard assemblies are much less than than the T61 ones. I fixed my problem by removing the keyboard and 'strategically' add patches of 1.5-mm thick 3M double-sided adhesive tape underneath the keyboard assembly.

Oppps .. sorry ment to add the MFG'er of NON FLEX keyboard;
NMB = the famous company ( that used to be the OEM of T6x Series - in days of IBM.... now leNOvo ..... who knows) Last time I was in HK , I saw NMB advert'ing vig'ly about their NON_FLEX keyboard for lenovo & other few other laptops.....
((pls google NBM keybaords for their website).....
http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=e ... 36&bih=612

here are a few links from this and other forums for more detaisl::
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=41755
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo- ... icony.html

Cheers

Oh now it's clear. I should have searched for 'flex' rather than 'sink down' or 'mushy'.

Apparently, it is a common enough 'problem' that some have gone as far as post YouTube videos.

Not one inclined to opening up a notebook out of fear, unlike you two, I'll reluctantly just live with it.

Thanks for clarifying it.

It's a tradeoff between weight and having a non-flexing keyboard. Lenovo introduced the much lighter T/W 500 keyboard and people were not blown away by the weight reduction of around 50 g, they were angry because it was more flexing. My x220 keyboard (I think lenovo uses the same keyboard now around all thinkpad business models), has some holes below, the T60 keyboard I have has no such holes. The x220 and W500 or W700 experience can also differ because lenovo uses different keyboard frames.

I would like to have a lighter notebook and would not mind a more flexing keyboard. Everyones taste is different

ssd_thinkpad wrote:It's a tradeoff between weight and having a non-flexing keyboard. Lenovo ...................I would like to have a lighter notebook and would not mind a more flexing keyboard. Everyones taste is different

SSD*... we 'talking' here of a W SERIES machine - trust me weight is NOT even in the picture when pple buy W Series - often they are looking for "Z...zzz... GRUNT...." and often used a DSEKTOP repalcement.

I think most pple who complain about 'flexy' keyboard often do lots of "typing" ON THE LAPTOP.....where I use my work W Series - on desk via a docking stations which has external K/b, monitor & mouse etc etc... for travel I have a X1 ( at moment) but also use the X220T lots of times ,,,,,,

Cheers