some questions about Thai/China keyboards

[yozas]

Good day to all, (hm, it is 3AM here actually..)
I have a question regarding the IBM T43 14'' keyboard.
I want to know if all keyboards made in China has black rubbers underneath the keys, and whether all Thai made keyboards have blue colored rubbers under the keys?

I read in the forum that by the color of these rubber springs one can say if the keyboard is made in China, or in Thailand (therefore its higher quality and better usability (?) ).

Is it really a reliable way to distinguish China made and Thai made keyboards?
I want to have a Thai keyboard as I have read that it is the only good keyboard for T43, and China made keyboards have some problems like sound making/squeeking mouse keys, not good key response or something.. so in the future I would want to order a good keyboard if my new T43 will come with the China keyboard (I don't know yet)

thanks to all

[christopher_wolf]

Hello and Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums.

This works for me on my T43;

1.) Press the blue "Access IBM" button
2.) Click on "System Information"
3.) Next, click on "Warranty & Parts"

You should be an entry there for the type of keyboard your Thinkpad has. Mine read as follows;

39T0519 FRU-KBD NMB US ENGLISH ROHS

This would indicate that the FRU# for the NMB Thai keyboard is 39T0519; I am not sure, however, how you can specifically tell IBM to put that particular keyboard on your system. You may have to speak to an IBM/Lenovo Rep for that. HTH

[yozas]

thank you, I have my T43 but it doesn't have thai keyboard,
but china made looks normal to me

[nirvana0001]

my keyboard has a product TAG right behind it and said made in tailand. also my rubber is blue color

[davidspalding]

The older NMB Thai keyboards had/have blue rubbers (I understand that NMB is now making theirs in China too). But saying those are "the only good keyboards" is an exaggeration.

I had a Chicony on my T43 which was adequate, no real "problems," but was clearly, visibily not as precisely made as an older T40 NMB (which I found at work). I like the "feel" of the NMB, and the quieter sound, but I don't think it's worth the rigmarole to get one if what's on your T43 is not bothering you.

[yozas]

The older NMB Thai keyboards had/have blue rubbers (I understand that NMB is now making theirs in China too). But saying those are "the only good keyboards" is an exaggeration.

I had a Chicony on my T43 which was adequate, no real "problems," but was clearly, visibily not as precisely made as an older T40 NMB (which I found at work). I like the "feel" of the NMB, and the quieter sound, but I don't think it's worth the rigmarole to get one if what's on your T43 is not bothering you.

ok, thanks.
now i have another question, does anyone have a problem of keyboard letter signs wearing off after some usage?
I do use my T43 keyboard (NON thai one) heavily, and now the "W", "R" and some other letters are half visible, the markings have worn off.
Did anyone notice this problem, or is this normal?
I use my T43 for about 6 months now.