Which keyboard are you using?

[darrenf]

I've been using a T41 for two months and I've loved the keyboard -- it's one of the best keyboards I've used. Period. And it's certainly better than any other laptop keyboard that I've used.

My new T42 just arrived and the keyboard is very different. The only obvious difference is the area around the Access IBM and audio buttons. The new one is glossy where my old one was matte. The big difference is in the tactile feel, though. The new keyboard feels like many other laptop keyboards and I don't like it -- enough so that it tempered my new laptop joy .

Needless to say, I swapped keyboards and I'm perfectly happy with my original keyboard, but what do others (who have used the new keyboard longer than I did) think of the feel of this new keyboard?

For reference, the original keyboard was "Made in Thailand," PN 08K5015, FRU #08K5044. The laptop that it shipped with was a 2373-1FU with 3-year warranty shipped from Durham, NC. The new keyboard was "Assembled in China" and I didn't get the part numbers off it. It came in a 2378-FVU with 1-year warranty shipped direct from China.

-darren

[Conmee]

Darren,

I pointed out a similar experience in this thread in which I reviewed the T42p (2373GRU), T42 (2373CYU), and Mofongo's T42p (2379DYU) models. Here's the original thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=1258&start=0

And here are my comments on the keyboard differences:

"The three most common areas of interest with regard to build/aesthetics are keyboard, screen, and battery seating. I've noticed that the non-TRADITIONAL 'p' (as I defined above) and standard T42 models use different keyboards (at least from the one's I've used/reviewed). Both the T42 (2373CYU) and T42p (2379DYU) have keyboards with slightly stiffer/muffled keys. What I mean by this, is that the keys on my T42p (2373GRU) make a slightly more clacking noise and don't seem as firm as the keyboard on the T42 (2373CYU). In addition, the bezel around the volume keys on the T42 (2373CYU) and T42p (2379DYU) was matte, like the rest of the case, whereas my T42p (2373GRU) has a glossy bezel around the volume buttons, just like previous T41p/T40p models. So... I removed the keyboards to take a look. Interestingly, the T42p (2373GRU) seems to have more than double the 'air holes' on the underside, allowing the keys, I assume, to be more 'jiggly' due to less air resistance (?). The keyboard from the T42 (2373CYU) and T42p (2379DYU) had fewer "air holes" on the underside, and the keys felt firmer, with more bounce back. The model numbers are also different, despite what the Hardware Maintenance Manual suggests. The T42 (2373CYU) and T42p (2379DYU) came with keyboard 08K5044 Model RM87 built in Thailand, while my T42p (2373GRU) has keyboard 08K4986 Model RMUS built in China. Not sure why the difference, but the keyboards are quite different from a tactile standpoint, and I much prefer the 08K5044 keyboard built in Thailand. Maybe Mofongo can check his keyboard part and model number too. And finally, with regard to the keyboard, the 15" models seem to have very firm, non-flexing keyboards, while my T42p still has the slight flexing on the right side (business card cured). "

Daniel.

[Chun-Yu]

I also noticed this, and it doesn't seem correlate exactly to model number - I saw a new 2379DJU that has the "bad" keyboard, while my "original" 2379DJU has the nice and firm one.

[darrenf]

-Daniel,

Thanks for the quotation. I remembered reading your comments, but I couldn't find the post when I went searching just now.

My history with ThinkPads doesn't go back very far. Am I correct in inferring from your comments that older T-series laptops had the better feel but a glossy strip at the top of the keyboard? My T41 had the good keyboard and matte strip, so I assumed that this had been the norm.

-darren

[Chun-Yu]

My T41 has the good keyboard and the glossy strip.

[darrenf]

Interesting. I wonder if IBM would swap out a keyboard on this basis. Clearly if you had a 2379DJU and liked it, ordered another and got the cheap keyboard, you would have a valid case for complaint.

-darren

[G-Man]

I just replaced my keyboard on my T40. The new keyboard is much better, and not as noisy as the old one (still faraway from my 600E's keyboard though). The bezel around the volume, Access IBM, Power buttons is matte, like the palmrest.

Regards,
G-Man

[Conmee]

Darren,

I think two things are going on. First, I think the matte finish bezels around the volume buttons will be standard for all T Series keyboards as soon as inventory runs out of the glossy bezels. Some folks complained that the glossy bezels reflected the ThinkLight, so I believe the matte bezels are a permanent change moving forward.

But as far as there being any correlation between matte/glossy bezels and Thailand/China keyboards, I don't think there is any. My T40p and R40 had the stiffer 'good' keyboards and they both have glossy bezels. A T41 I ordered awhile back also had a gloss bezel with a 'good' keyboard. My most recent T42p came with a glossy bezel and China-made keyboard that is much more jiggly/clicky, etc. My employer just provided me with a new T41 for work, and it had the matte bezel and good keyboard. So I switched it out with my T42p keyboard. No harm, no foul, right? lol

Daniel.

[Daniel]

My employer just provided me with a new T41 for work, and it had the matte bezel and good keyboard. So I switched it out with my T42p keyboard. No harm, no foul, right? lol

Daniel.

I've done that with my old notebook battery. Freshened it right up. In the end I lost though when the battery exploded and leaked. Corporate wouldn't care, would they?

[darrenf]

After playing with the "bad" keyboard a little more, I think the worst part is the space-bar. Ugh.

-darren

[Hangfire]

Does anyone know which keyboard comes on the T42 2373 3UU?

[RaysMD]

how do you remove the keyboard?

[Hangfire]

Mash this:

http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-50227

[GoyoNeuff]

Hi Guys,

I've just got my T412379DJU. I've keyboard FRU# 08K5044, and the Access IBM-Volume Control part is matte, instead of glossy.
Hope this helps to clarify.

In the very front of the Access IBM key, in a perpendicular direction towards the LCD, i've found a "bulb" or protuberance ( I don't know the exact word). And also, I've found that "bulb" right above the parallel port, in reference to other forum here about T42 quality assembly.

K.

[gg3761]

I've got the same bulge that you describe just above the Access IBM button. It's subtle but there. Is there a fix for this?

[GoyoNeuff]

well, i don;t know, if we can call IBM and ask them, I'll be more than happy to fix it my self if it is possible. I've only got 2 dead pixels, so it's OK, and I would prefer to keep this one. My other problem is battery rattling, but I believe I can call IBM and they will change it.

????

K.

[rssb]

The construction of the key supports is completely different for the Thai and chinese keyboard. The blue keyboard cushion seems more shock absorbing than the white flimmsy one in the chinese versions

Also the thai keyboard keys are easy to put back if they pop out, just a press fit, compared to the chinese version of holding in place, sliding and then pressing .

[hoya]

this thread would be FAR more helpful if people would use the proper terminology for IBM's keyboards. T4x's use keyboards from ALPS (china), Chicony (china), and NMB (thailand).

the NMB keyboards have historically been superior in every respect, which I assume people have concluded in this thread.

[rssb]

Even my conclusion was the same, Thai ( NMB) better than others. I just happened to have both types of keyboards next to each other today and noted the construction difference, thought the information might be augmenting the data available on this board.

[Army Chief]

I've noticed this, as well. My T41 had the gloss-surround strip and a slightly different feel from the stippled-matte strip unit I received under warranty.

The thing that I find odd is how readily the keys acquire a glossy sheen with regular use -- and even start losing their decals. I don't ever remember this happening on any of my previous ThinkPads, but it's happened to me on three different T41 keyboards now. I'm willing to chalk at least some of this up to the talc-like sand of Iraq, but my present keyboard wasn't ever there, and it is doing the same thing. It isn't a show-stopper, but neither am I pleased.

Chief

[crashnburn]

I prefer the glossy as well.