Which T42 keyboard is this? - Made in Thailand or China?

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Edward Mendelson · #1 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:04 pm

Hello,

IBM tells me they shipped my 14.1-inch T42 2373JTU, and the serial number check shows me that the keyboard part number is 08K4957, FRU 08K4986. The machine won't arrive for a few days, but, meanwhile, does anyone have any insight into whether or not this is the Thai (is that NMB?) keyboard or the Chinese (is that Chicony?) one?

This page -

http://www-306.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46503

doesn't list these numbers, but there NMB numbers that are on the page seem very close to the numbers for my machine, so I'm hopeful. Any further information will be gratefully received.

Edward Mendelson

JohnDrake · #2 Post by **JohnDrake** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:07 pm

A machine ending in a U is a US machine...my guess it is an American keyboard...

Edward Mendelson · #3 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:21 pm

Sorry for the confusion - I meant was it the model of the US keyboard MANUFACTURED in Thailand (better) or China (worse)?

lfeagan · #4 Post by **lfeagan** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:22 pm

Ah, found it again, yeah its Thai.

Edit: I stand corrected, ignore me when I am tired from getting no sleep

[censored] that thing is hard to find on IBM's website. Their search sux.

Edward Mendelson · #5 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:23 pm

Terrific - that's good news. BTW, I was tempted to get the unit you have with the SXGA screen, but decided I couldn't afford it just yet. How do you like that screen???

lfeagan · #6 Post by **lfeagan** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:25 pm

The screen is great for my needs.

sugo · #7 Post by **sugo** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:11 pm

nope, 08K4986 is made is china. The Thai one is 08K5044. I have both.

not a big deal, i called IBM and got the thai one from them before i even got my thinkpad

Edward Mendelson · #8 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:16 pm

Hmm... This is curious - now that I've searched the forum, I see that other people report that 08K4986 is Chinese. I wonder if some parts with that number are actually Thai now? Will find out when the machine arrives...

Kenn · #9 Post by **Kenn** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:40 pm

Edward Mendelson wrote:Hmm... if it is the Chinese one, I'll obviously want to replace it...

This is the first time I've done this so if anyone can tell which number to call, I'll be grateful.

Sugo, exactly what did you say to get them to send you the Thai one??

NMB is Thailand. ALPS is China. Chicony is new to that list, no idea there....

BccKiller · #10 Post by **BccKiller** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 11:58 pm

Chicony is also China. I have two of them with me now.

BCCKiller

I get Taurens · #11 Post by **I get Taurens** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:36 am

I believe it's a keyboard made in China. see if you like it, if you have some experience with laptops, it should take no time for you to tell if it's a suitable keyboard or not, I mean, if you like it, does it matter where it is made? there are people find typing uncomfortable with the Chinese keyboard(if that's the case, call IBM to replace it), there are also people who just want some justifications for the money they spend. I suggest you to make up your own mind, if you like the keyboard, then it's a good keyboard. More people prefer the Thai keyboard, but everyone does...
hope this helps
regards

Plinkerton · #12 Post by **Plinkerton** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:51 am

That FRU is definitely not Thai. It's Chinese. I've had both also.

leedatsing · #13 Post by **leedatsing** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:12 pm

Edward Mendelson wrote:I meant was it the model of the US keyboard MANUFACTURED in Thailand (better) or China (worse)?

how can u know Thailand is (better) or China is (worse)?

Edward Mendelson · #14 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:40 pm

Search in this forum for "Thai" and "keyboard" (all words) and you'll find a consensus. Some people's opinion may of course be very different. I haven't tried either, myself. UPS misdirected my ThinkPad in Hong Kong, and now says it's back on track for delivery, so I won't be able to find out for myself for a few days.

mytp · #15 Post by **mytp** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:30 pm

Is there any way of knowing which keyboard I have (Thai or Chineese) without physically removing it from the thinkpad, like for example by using the serial number of the thinkpad on the IBM website?

Matt_ · #16 Post by **Matt_** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:06 pm

Hi mytp

From http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/ , click "Parts information" and then click "Parts lookup" (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... sLookup.vm)

Edward Mendelson · #17 Post by **Edward Mendelson** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:57 am

Just to close this: the keyboard 08K4986 is the Chinese-assembled one. It wasn't as bad as I expected, and I could live with it, but I bought a Thai-assembled 08K5044, plugged it in, and found that it was better, as everyone says. Thanks to all for advice and information.

Which T42 keyboard is this? - Made in Thailand or China?

Which T42 keyboard is this? - Made in Thailand or China?

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