What is your favourite and least favourite ThinkPad keyboard?

[micrex22]

Sort of inspired by another thread, what is your favourite and least favourite ThinkPad keyboard? In terms of series or sub FRU (since as everyone knows, the same model of ThinkPad can have an extremely different feeling keyboard depending on which FRU you get: i.e. Chicony, ALPS, NMB, keytronic, LITE-ON etc).

For me it would have to be the ThinkPad 850 keyboard in terms of keyboard feel, it has *very* good stabilizers too-- never bothered to check which make it was. However, the TrackPoint on that keyboard leaves something left to be desired, but the buttons are very crisp.

For my least favourite, it would have to be the SUPER gummy keytronic 701C keyboard or the low-end chiclet ThinkPad Edge keyboards (again back at the FRU games, depending on which FRU you get will dramatically change the way the keyboard feels).

[UMPC2024]

Least favorite: T430 chiclet keyboard because I got blisters on my ring fingers from extended typing due to the glossiness that develops. It also has a tendency to lose its protective layer and develop shine.

Favorite: T410 keyboard because feels right and can beat it to __ without keyboard shine, has all the keys in the right place and able to have less typing errors than chiclet style rubbish.

[600X]

It's hard just to choose one favourite keyboard, but it will pretty much come down to the 600X or X301. The typing experience on the 600X is better, but the X301 has a bit more too offer, such as rubberized key caps. The X1 keyboard is probably just as good as the 600X or X301 in terms of typing experience, but the useless layout cripples it.

My least favourite used to be the X220 keyboard (which can be found in many other models), but that prize now goes to any of the new chiclet keyboards.

[ZaZ]

I've liked every one I've tried.

[Temetka]

I've liked every one I've tried.

I agree.

I am saving up for T430s, so we will see how it goes with that keyboard. But to echo the comment about the keyboard on the T410, I really like it. It can take extended typing sessions without any part of my carpal screaming at me and the key caps cup my fingers.

[lophiomys]

Most Favorite: the classic 7-row keyboards by NMB, e.g. in the 15inch T42p.

Extra mentioning deserves a keyboard of yet undetermined manufacturer in an old and battered Thinkpad X31. It has green rubber domes and blue/violet plastic parts under the key caps. Despite it's age, this one still feels like new and a very distinct and strong tactile feedback.

Least Favorite: any recent keyboard by Lenovo and the chicklet keyboards in the Apple MacBook Pro's.

[Ibthink]

I like and have liked all ThinkPad keyboards. To name a few favorites, the R60 was pretty amazing, as well as the X1 (which I have to admit, I only briefly tried, but definitely felt great. Also, the T440s LiteOn keyboard was pretty awesome. W550s LiteOn is close, but not quite as perfect somehow...

My least favorites are the T430u and the R50e (NMB, Thailand). Though they are still good keyboards of course, but not on par with the rest. Especially the R50e NMB is pretty weird in feel.

[Saucey]

I agree with OP about the 701C, had gotten an IBM M4-1 space saver keyboard and kind of regretted that purchase. Though it isn't that horrid, just a bit of disappointment.

755CE feels great, probably the best of the Bento box ones, 365 is almost as good.
R61 14" model is my favorite of Core (2) Duo era, I think they were Alps or chiconys... forget but it wasn't NMB.

[Eric Giles]

I've always thought the keyboards on the 600 series, T4x, T6x and x300/301 were some of the best I've ever used. But surprisingly, the best overall typing 'feel' of any Thinkpad I've ever used was on my X230i Tablet. Mine was the basic no-frills model with the non-backlit keyboard...these had 'grippier' keys than the backlit keyboards, which made it very comfortable to type on. I also have access to a non-backlit T430 keyboard which feels almost exactly the same.

[Kilkenny]

Of the 3 I own, my favorite is the T42, followed by the T60, with my least favorite being the X201. That said, the X201 is miles ahead of current chiclet keyboards. It is mushier than both T series keyboards though and it's noticeable when used side by side with them. The T42 is absolutely perfect.

[brchan]

600, 770, T6x, T4x are the keyboards I prefer, and in that order. If it were not for the keyboard flex of the 770, it would be first. The key travel is very long and the response is great.

[ajkula66]

A3x keyboard which was built *solely* by NMB. T4x NMB keyboard is a not-so-close second.

Least favourite? Never cared for the 240 series keyboard, found them to be somewhat shallow unlike the ones on the X2x series.

Out of the current (sigh) atrocities I guess that the previous (2nd) generation Carbon would have to take the "cake" of being the dumbest one ever found on a ThinkPad, so it gets my vote...