T42 2373-F1G Keyboard

[mcooper]

Dear all,

I have owned this notebook for 3.5 years now and it has performed extremely well. However, one thing which continues to niggle me is the keyboard. Everyone talks about the exceptional typing experience which one should expect with Thinkpads. However, ever since receiving this unit back in 2006 I have been thoroughly disappointed with the keyboard. Fortunately my work is such that I don't have to type long essays all day long. The fact remains that when I compare the feel of this keyboard to a keyboard on a basic HP notebook the HP feels far better.

I know there has been a lot of talk about different manufacturers of the standard keyboard unit and the differences in quality between these. Perhaps with the takeover by Lenovo we can actually expect better quality from now on (good reviews of X200 etc), not worse as some predicted at the time.

[dr_st]

What do you find wrong with the keyboard feel?

My experience with T4x keyboard, regardless of manufacturer, has been so positive, that I'd say your keyboard is either broken, or not seated properly, or you just happen to be in the small minority that doesn't like the firm feel of the Thinkpads.

[RealBlackStuff]

Take it out and let us know the P/N or FRU on the back of that KB.
You may have the cheap-feeling Chicony keyboard, and not the NMB (made in Thailand).

Or if you don't want to open it, plug in your type and serial No. here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo
That will give you the original list of parts.
Let us know one way or the other.

[mcooper]

OK. Here is a photo of the reverse side of the keyboard:

http://merlincooper.co.uk/t42_keyboard.jpg

I'm pretty sure I checked this before and concluded that it was indeed the cheaper Chicony keyboard. I remember seeing a comparison photograph and identifying it as such. In any case, the serial number is visible in that photograph so you can check again for me.

I believe the keyboard is seated correctly. I had to have the main system board replaced about 2 years ago so the machine has been more or less stripped down and rebuilt. However, I didn't notice any difference in the feel of the keyboard after this occurrence and thus conclude that it is seated correctly.

Thanks

[Harryc]

FRU 39T0583 is a Chicony made UK keyboard for a 14" T43. It must have been replaced at some point. The best feel in a T42 keyboard is an NMB. The correct FRU is 08K5046 for a 14" UK NMB T42 keyboard.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-58491
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46503
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories

[mcooper]

Thanks for the info. I've gone for the one off ebay so we'll see how that compares. It's not just the lack lustre feel of the Chicony that's the problem, I accidentally dropped a book on this keyboard some time back and it's broken a few of the keys. Hopefully this will solve all the problems!

[mcooper]

Just to update those interested on my keyboard situation, I ordered the NMB keyboard from a supplier through ebay. This arrived today and having fitted it I can confirm a far superior feel - completely different to the old Chicony model.

Thanks for the advice on this matter.