t40 :keyboard too stiff, keys hard to press, advice needed

[smith07031]

Got a 'new' t40 thinkpad today, everything great except the keyboard built in sucks. It is way to stiff, hard to press. I need a keyboard that has a light feel to it, like 'action" , one that I can type quickly without a lot of pressure. Is there a quality internal keyboard replacement I can buy for this model(I once had another t40 which did not have this stiff hard to press action )
Your suggestions will be appreciated(no external keyboards please)
I have no problem taking apart the unit-
Thank you.

[mouse@cheese.storage]

Hi,


Two things that come to mind, unless this is a really new unit, then maybe you want to clean the keyboard as dust might obstruct its good use.
Secondly, I remember there were several manufacturers of keyboards, so maybe you should find another manufacturer.
Though any keyboard gets more smooth with using, so keep typing

[smith07031]

Thanks for your reply. Laptop looks brand new, not a scratch or any dirt on it. However as you said, there are several manufacturers of the keyboards, I believe the worst(which is probably under my fingers) are made in Thailand.
EG: I was buying a lot of keyboards from a good supplier on ebay for a dell latitude, these were made in China. Then he sent me one like on this t40, stiff and hard to type on. Well I compared the 'bad' one to the good ones, the one with the stiff hard to type action was made in Thailand.
Well I told him I needed the ones with light action, made in China.
I called back in 2 days, he told me that the ones in China for that model
were discontinued.(I sent the bad one back to him for a refund)
So I guess I will have to try several vendors.
I have had another t40 which I sold then was not nearly as hard to type as this one(plus 4 or 5 t30's)
Thanks again for your reply.

[sparta.rising]

Many people consider the Thai (NMB) keyboard to be the superior keyboard, I think the China keyboards are made by Alps and Chicony. I have a Chicony on my T43 and grew accustomed to it. But I've used all of the keyboards, a new Thai feels excellent, but I definitely think they get stiffer with misuse.

[smith07031]

all the Thai ones I had were too stiif, required too much pressure to type(bothers my wrist and hands) I need one that requires very light pressure to type(with 2 fingers, like I do)

Here is link I found here re this issue on this forum(if no hyperlink, copy and paste)

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=2177

Thank you.

[rbena]

I have two each of the Thai NMB and Chicony keyboards.

The NMB has the dampened quiet feel of my 600e. I also find the Chicony has a lighter and springy touch, that allows me to type faster and with less effort.

I like the NMB, but the Chicony is my favored keyboard for prolonged typing.

[underclocker]

Sounds to me like beer, soda, or other spill. I'd soak the keyboard in distilled water and let it dry for a day. That may fix it.

[rbena]

Sounds to me like beer, soda, or other spill. I'd soak the keyboard in distilled water and let it dry for a day. That may fix it.

Unless of course the keyboard exhibited the relative stiffness from the time it was absolutely new. I understand many people like the slightly stiffer and more tactile feel of the NMB, vs the lighter springy feel of the Chicony.

[rbena]

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