X300 keyboard replacement

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andrewb · #1 Post by **andrewb** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:10 pm

Would anyone more knowledgable be able to help me out please. I am wondering whether it is worth my while to replace the keyboard on my X300. My problem is that it looks, from what information I can locate, that there is only one type of keyboard for the X300. This is described by Lenovo as an NMB. But, on looking at the pads below the keys on my board, I would venture I have a Chicony (perhaps, of the variety re-badged as an NMB).

I am after a proper NMB, but wonder if I am looking for something which simply does not exist. Any views would be appreciated. Thanks.

#2 Post by **erik** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:27 pm

you don't have a chicony. NMB is the only X300 keyboard supplier. besides, i haven't seen any of the rebadged T-series keyboards in over two years and i've literally had over four dozen NMB keyboards cross my path during that time.

i have two X300 keyboards sitting in front of me (one US layout and one japanese layout) and they each have red pads underneath. all of the X300 keyboards i've seen (two of my own plus three others) have looked and felt exactly the same save for the layout.

you're looking for something which does not exist.

andrewb · #3 Post by **andrewb** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:07 am

Thanks. I guess what I am after is anything which is more impressive than the one I have; not a patch on the NMBs on my T43 or T60. Rather, it is so poor (particularly with the flex on the LHS) that, if you close your eyes, you would be hard pushed not to think you were using a Dell circa 1998.

mmm · #4 Post by **mmm** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:06 am

andrewb wrote:Thanks. I guess what I am after is anything which is more impressive than the one I have; not a patch on the NMBs on my T43 or T60. Rather, it is so poor (particularly with the flex on the LHS) that, if you close your eyes, you would be hard pushed not to think you were using a Dell circa 1998.

Hmm.. really weird. My x300 keys are the best I've touched in ages. No idea what you're speaking of..

#5 Post by **erik** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:32 pm

i keep reading about this problem but haven't had it with mine. it'll flex if i push really hard on it but definitely doesn't flex under normal use.

#6 Post by **archer6** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:59 pm

I find the keyboard on my X300 to be stellar. And that's after owning a ridiculous number of new ThinkPads over a decade, largely T series. Mine sees a lot of use and I could not be happier.

tangible · #7 Post by **tangible** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:30 am

My keyboard flexes a lot, and some of the keys make a hollow thumping sound, as if the board has air under it. Went round and round with Lenovo on this, and they eventually admitted they have a design problem.

And yet, some experienced users claim to have rock-solid keyboards, and I don't doubt them. Someone suggested that units with the EVDO card and antenna have the problem, which might explain the difference.

So, a question for those whose kb's don't flex: do you have EVDO?

#8 Post by **JaneL** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:37 am

tangible wrote:So, a question for those whose kb's don't flex: do you have EVDO?

Nope.

mmm · #9 Post by **mmm** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:54 am

tangible wrote:So, a question for those whose kb's don't flex: do you have EVDO?

Don't even know what it stands for, so I guess not.

stgreek · #10 Post by **stgreek** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 1:19 pm

mmm wrote:
tangible wrote:So, a question for those whose kb's don't flex: do you have EVDO?
Don't even know what it stands for, so I guess not.

3G for us Europeans.

tangible · #11 Post by **tangible** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:44 pm

Sorry for the confusion. EVDO is one several acronyms used in the US to describe 3G, or high-speed wide area networking. In my case, it hooks up to Verizon, one of the major US carriers. It's available as an option on the X300, and if selected a cellular radio card and antenna are included in the system. The hypothesis is that stuffing these items into the frame of the X300 somehow destabilizes the keyboard.

EVDO, for what it's worth, purports to stand for EVolution Data Optimized.

Thecla · #12 Post by **Thecla** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:34 pm

I have an x300 with the Verizon EVDO card. My keyboard does not flex. I wouldn't say it's 100% rock solid (there is a tiny bit of "hollow thumping" around the "sd" keys, and a bit of movement if I press down really hard on those keys, much harder than normal typing) but it's pretty close.

chrisc28 · #13 Post by **chrisc28** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:48 am

Make sure you have the screw for the DVD drive bay attached or the keyboard will flex excessively.

tangible · #14 Post by **tangible** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:36 am

I just wish there was a way to know if Thecla's "tiny bit" and my "a lot" represent actual differences in our X300's, or just differences in typing style and perception. Maybe we should all meet somewhere central (Geneva? Times Square? Beijing Opening Ceremonies?) and do a side-by-side comparison.

Or, maybe just trade the X300 for an X200, plus enough spare change for a latte or two.

Thecla · #15 Post by **Thecla** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:39 am

tangible wrote:I just wish there was a way to know if Thecla's "tiny bit" and my "a lot" represent actual differences in our X300's, or just differences in typing style and perception. Maybe we should all meet somewhere central (Geneva? Times Square? Beijing Opening Ceremonies?) and do a side-by-side comparison.

Yeah, it would be interesting to have a huge meeting of X300's to compare screens, keyboards and everything else.

The one I own is the only one I've ever seen, so it is hard to know how different units compare.

But I'll say this: I'm very picky about keyboards. As far as I'm concerned, a good keyboard is the most important thing in a laptop. I never use an external keyboard (or monitor for that matter) and flexing keyboards drive me absolutely insane. So I can't believe the difference between our X300s is only a matter of typing style or perception (unless you type with a hammer).

X300 keyboard replacement

X300 keyboard replacement

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