Actual differences between Thinkpad keyboards

There's always quite a bit of talk about the 3 keyboard FRUs for Thinkpads and everything I've read suggests NMB is the best. I've always wondered, what are the actual real world differences between them all?

• NMB
• Chicony
• ALPS

I will start. My x200s has a Chicony, and x201s has an NMB. I checked today for the first time because I actually noticed a difference in feel between the two systems and wanted to make sure it wasn't just my imagination. Comparing the two, the Chicony seems to feel softer, as in less force is required to push the keys down where the NMB is much firmer. I'm still getting used to the NMB and am making more mistakes with it than I do with the Chicony. :|

Would be interested to hear what other people notice between the various types.

 

The NMB is generally thought to be quieter. Chicony is clickier. I guess would agree the NMB is a bit harder to press because it doesn't bounce back as easily.

 

There was a thread either here or on the Thinkpad.com fourm that I remember reading, that most people seemed to prefer the NMB keyboard (the one with the blue under the keys).
I have the NMB keyboard on my T61, and it is fantastic. I have no idea what keyboard is on my X301, but it feels even better then the one on my T61.
To me, the Thinkpad keyboard is one of THE best out there, no matter if it's ANY of the three kinds, most of them are much better then the competition.
Mike

 

You could take a look at this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=44310&start=0

I found it very helpful in describing the differences of the keyboards without actually trying them.

 

ddensity, when did you receive your x201s? and when did you order it?

i made an order on 3/3, but the scheduled ship date is 3/17, been waiting for so long!!!

 

How do you tell which one you have?

 

I found the topseller pre-built model to be a better value and was close enough to the spec I wanted, so I went with one of those (5143-28U). The same spec machine is ~$350 more on Lenovo.com than what I paid, without factoring the tax or shipping they would add (CA resident, so 10% tax direct from Lenovo). So, a significantly better price. Ordered 3/1 and received on 3/4 from PCNation.com. That's the other advantage, you can get them next day if you please.

Realistically the only change I would have made if I were ordering custom would have been a 64-bit install of W7 and maybe the 6300 wifi card instead of the 6200. I ended up doing a clean W7 x64 install using ABR on an Intel 80GB G2 SSD, so it worked out anyway

 

It explains it in the link I posted.