Is typing louder on Lenovo's compared to other PCs?

Hello,

I am considering buying a laptop and the Lenovo Thinkpad R series seems like an attractive candidate. My friend has a Lenovo from a couple of years ago and I really liked it from the build to the specs. The only drawback for me is that I felt the typing on it was a little loud, particularly the spacebar. This problem is trivial at home but becomes somewhat relevant when I would be in the library. Does anyone know if newer versions have more dampened noise when typing or do they find them loud as well?

I have also come across a keyboard covering product that was recommended on another thread on this website and can be found at:

http://www.protectcovers.com/detail.aspx?ID=44

It apparently (as stated in the thread) dampens the noise when typing but I was wondering whether or not encasing the keyboard with such a material could create issues for heat dissipation? I am looking at 13.3 or 14.1 inch laptops so this could be an issue. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Lenovo (and IBM before them) uses three different keyboard manufacturers. It is a bit of a lottery for the one you get, but it is always possible to swap the keyboard out for a more desirable model yourself (you will need to buy a replacement though because Lenovo considers them to be interchangeable).

• I have always had Chicony keyboards. These have a great typing feel, but can be on the loud side.
• Keyboards from NMB are supposed to be much quieter, and are considered by many to be the best.
• ALPS are intermediate in feel/noise.

All of these keyboards are of superb typing quality, but they will make more noise than something with a flexy and/or chicklet style keyboard (e.g. a Macbook) due to the nature of their design.

I WOULD NOT USE ANY TYPE OF COVER on a Thinkpad keyboard. This would thoroughly compromise typing feel, and I doubt it would even fit. All ThinkPads (except the SL) use 7 row keyboards (most other brands only have 6 rows), and this makes finding a cover for one very difficult.

 

How does one identify which among the three is the manufacturer of a particular keyboard?

 

There are two ways.

Look up the part number by entering your machine type/serial number on Lenovo's site. You would then check the FRU number and see which one you have.

Visual inspection. Each keyboard supplier has a slightly different keyswitch technology. You can look at the switches (easiest under the arrow keys with a flashlight) and determine the supplier.

Blue Pads = NMB
White switches, downward right = Chicony
White switches, upward right = ALPS

Hope this helps. They are all very good, but some are louder than others.

 

I am not sure what is meant by switches.

However, my keyboard FRU is 02R0400. What manufacturer would that be?

 

where do you find your FRU?

 

Looked it up on the Lenovo website using my model no.

 

If you either take off your keyboard or just pull up on one of the keys...you should either see:
A blue pad under it - which means NMB
A white plastic piece slanting to the right \ - which is chicony
A white plastic piece slanting to the left / - which is ALPS

Oh, and NMB is indeed quiet if you have your finger nails cut and don't throw your fingers down on them (if your fingers are always sort of on the keys they will be quiet).

 

"Best" is highly subective. Some people like clicky keyboards with aural feedback. But, in general, the NMB keyboard is the most highly regarded version.

 

How did you find your model number?
Unfortunately Lenovo didn't provide me with further information regarding my components.

 

It's blue pads, so I have the NMB keyboard on my Lenovo T61. Woohoo!