NMB Keyboard for T42

[mcooper]

Hello,

Another one of those posts about keyboards! My thinkpad T42 2373-F1G currently has a Chicony keyboard fitted, which I do not find to be particularly good to say the least. I understand that the NMB keyboard for this model has an FRU 08K5046.

I wonder if anybody in the UK has gone about obtaining the NMB version of this keyboard and if so, what the best source for them is at the present time.

Thanks

[Johan]

Well, although I'm not in the UK (and hence not entitled to provide an qualified answer!), I've just taken the liberty of checking the prices on a 08K5046 at the place (in the UK) where I am pretty sure that's it cheapest... being (believe it or not!) at IBM's spare part site; go to IBM's UK site select "Shop For" (at the bottom), select "Upgrades, accessories & parts" which will take you to Service parts. There, enter 08K5046 in the uppermost box: "Know the part number? Enter it here to add the product to your shopping cart:" and you'll see that the price being £26.61. You may also see eBay or the Marketplace of this forum.

Finally, check the thread keyboard FRU 08K4986 / Part 08K4957 discussing the same question (see my anwer of yesterday).

Hope the above is of some help...

Best regards,

Johan

[mcooper]

This is most odd indeed!

I have just taken the keyboard out of my T42 in order to confirm that it is definitely a Chicony model and have found that the FRU of the keyboard in my Thinkpad T42 is 39T0583.

Having looked this up on the Lenovo website it would appear that this keyboard is used in the R50e, R51e, R52.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 58957.html

Should I be concerned about this? This FRU does correspond to a Chicony but not a keyboard designated for use in the T42. I assume there must be some difference between this and the model designated for the T42 and therefore I am not sure why this keyboard is in my unit.

I ordered the notebook directly from Lenovo's official UK reseller, Insight.

[andrewb]

I have recently purchased an NMB for my T60 from this company, and had no problems whatseover; the keyboard arrived in 4 days and was exactly what I ordered. http://www.bluegoosesystems.co.uk

[Johan]

If you follow the links pointed to in my previous thread, and by that go to Keyboard service parts - ThinkPad T43/p you'll see that FRU 39T0583 (Chicony, U.K. English keyboard) is also used in 14.1" T43's. Since T42's and T43's, as far as I know, are identical with respect to keyboards, this gives good meaning! As you have found out, the 39T0583 is also used on R50e, R51e and R52's... this is OK with me!

In any case, why bother too much about this; you are replacing your present Chicony 39T0583 by a 14.1" NMB keyboard (the 08K5046, English, U.K. which is correctly intended for T42's according to Keyboard service parts - ThinkPad T40/p, T41/p, T42/p). Why not just be happy?!

NB: You would perhaps want to share with us whether "Insight" was more or less expensive, comparing to ordering directly from IBM, as suggested in my above post? Thank you for doing this!

Best regards,

Johan

[mcooper]

NB: You would perhaps want to share with us whether "Insight" was more or less expensive, comparing to ordering directly from IBM, as suggested in my above post? Thank you for doing this!

Best regards,

Johan

Insight no longer sell the replacement keyboard for the T42 Johan. Ordering the keyboard direct from IBM does seem to be the cheapest option which surprises me somewhat.

OK on the information regarding the usage of that keyboard in the T43. This T42 is quite a late model having been manufactured in June 2006 and therefore I assume this is the reason for the anomoly.

OK Pic removed - you will all have to imagine what it looks like instead!

[rbena]

Just to add my experience with a number of T42 keyboards.

My T42 originally had the keyboard model 08k4986, made in China and I believe manufactured by Chicony.

I ordered from a third party suppier a brand new 08k5044 NMB keyboard made in Thailand.

I found the NMB keyboard was quieter and had a dampened touch, which gave it a more quality feel. However, after using it for a few months, I went back to my original keyboard. It had a more springy action and a quicker return of the keys, which allowed me to type faster and with slightly less effort for key depression.

So I guess it depends on which keyboard you prefer, although the NMB has a quality feel.

[mcooper]

OK thanks for your reply to this subject. I haven't yet ordered the new NMB keyboard as I am still deliberating over whether or not it is worth it.

I would have to say that I have been disappointed with the quality of this Chicony keyboard.

[rbena]

Well, there was a - noticeable - difference between the Chicony and the keyboard on my 600e. The NMB was closer to my 600e in a number of respects, but I ultimately found the Chicony more suitable with my typing.

If you are really dissatisfied with the Chicony, I would go for the NMB. You could always resell it, as it is highly regarded.