How are new T60 keyboards?

I have an R40 that is a reliable workhorse, but I want to upgrade. With everything else working fine, a great feature is the notorious keyboard. Hard to describe, but it has decent key travel, it requires a bit more "effort" than other KBs, it's very quiet, and there is no flex whatsoever. I spend many hours chained to the KB, and I really love it. BUT --

I've been looking at T60s online and configuring in my head. I finally stumbled on a model at a BestBuy and put my hands on it. I was shocked to discover how cheap its KB felt: an extremely light touch to it, and (most annoying) very clickety-clackety. It felt like a toy. Do any T60 owners out there have this situation?

My real question: is it true that Lenovo uses 2 or 3 different KB manufacturers? I want to duplicate the solid feel of my current rig. I love Thinkpads and want to stay, but the KB (can you tell??) might be a dealbreaker.

 

Yes, IBM uses 3 different suppliers (NMB, ALPS, and Chicony) I am not sure what kind of keyboard I have (T60), though I imagine one could find out using a tabook or something. I don't know if you can pick the keyboard you want during the order, but if you know the #, I think you can request a new one (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I don't feel as though mine is cheap at all--it's got a heavier touch(more effort) and great feedback, but it's kind of clicky-clacky (which I don't mind)

 

vespoli is correct. I have an ALPS keyboard on my T60 and it's wonderful. It's a little clicky-clacky, but it feels very good and certainly is not extremely light. The general consensus is NMB>ALPS>Chicony, and I've heard that if you call Lenovo, they'll send you a replacement keyboard for free. If not, a replacement is about 40-60 dollars, which isn't too bad.

 

I have the NMB Keyboard. It's awesome ....

You can easily tell by the part number and serial number of the laptop - then look up the parts list on Lenovo's site, and the corresponding FRU# for the keyboard and a quick google search will yield the manufactuerer

 

My two weeks old T60 is already getting old. My space bar key is making noise. Maybe I'll call them up when I have time.

 

I have the NMB keyboard as well. I couldn't be happier with it. Feels great, very responsive, I have gotten to where I prefer typing on this laptop to my desktops.

 

I have a chicony keyboard and love the feel of it. I just wish it wasnt as loud. Sounds like an old model M, just faster presses.

 

I have the NMB on my R60. I believe I had the Alps on my T42. That seemed good to me as well though I am not a huge typer.

 

I too have a chinony if anything goes wrong with it I will probably ask for the FRU of an NMB but its fine if audible better than most laptop keyboards at the very least.

 

Great -- thanks for the feedback. It sounds as though NMB is the one to try. I'd like to talk to Lenovo on the phone and see if I can specify a KB when building a new machine. I could head off at the pass a later replacement. Still, this is good info.

 

I don't think you can specify the keyboard mfr any more than you can the screen. At least that's what the rep told me when I ordered last week. From the shipping info, it looks as if I got lucky and got the LG wide screen on the T60p, but the Chicony keyboard. If necessary, I may just order a separate keyboard.

 

I have owned all three. TBH, I find the ALPS and NMB to be QUITE similar. The Chicony is noticeably louder, however, that does not deteriorate its feel. All three have the familiar Thinkpad 'feel', however the biggest difference IMO is sound level. From silent to loudest, NMB > ALPS > CHICONY

In regards to feel, they all are satisfying honestly. Whatever you get used to in the first week you will prefer likely.

 

I haven't tried the others, but I am very satisfied with my Chicony that I just received. It's very similar in feel to my DiNovo in my opinion, exactly how I like 'em

 

Just got my first (!) laptop, the thinkpad t60p, and the NMB keyboard is delicious and pretty quiet.

 

Love it, quiet.

 

My T60p arrived yesterday. Though the keyboard is the lower end Chicony, I think it'll work just fine for most mobile typing. For more serious, longer jobs, I got the docking station and full keyboard layout, so I don't think the keyboard's gona be an issue with me.