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    It seems that keyboards on ThinkPad T430/T530/T430s/X230/W530 are no longer water proof.

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by hunnitth, Jan 9, 2013.

  1. hunnitth

    hunnitth Newbie

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    I found this on my T430s, but because their keyboard parts are the same, this should also apply to T430/T530/T430s/X230/W530.

    First, this is the comparison of the places of the two water chute at the bottom and the keyboard. We can see that the two places are at the bottom left and bottom right corners of the keyboard.
    2013-01-09 21.48.24.jpg
    2013-01-09 21.48.31.jpg


    And then, change the view to the palm rest, we can see that one is below the Win key, and the other is below the left and down arrow keys.
    2013-01-09 21.52.35.jpg
    2013-01-09 21.52.42.jpg


    But surprisingly, it show that there is no gap that allows water to flow through at the edge of the keyboard.
    2013-01-09 21.46.16.jpg
    2013-01-09 21.46.43.jpg
     
    hunnitth, Jan 9, 2013
    #1
  2. JaneL

    JaneL Super Moderator

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    They were never water-proof. They were water-resistant, and if you go to Lenovo's site and hover over "Backlit ThinkPad Precision Keyboard", you can see that water-resistant is still in the description. I think they're sealing it up and using a tray more rather than letting water drain through.
     
    JaneL, Jan 10, 2013
    #2
  3. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    so why stop using drain holes? Doesn't it negatively impact the performance?i thought i remember still seing them having it on the bottom case on the T430/T530/T430s/X230/W530.

    I didn't see it on the X1 Carbon. Not too sure about the Carbon Touch.

    edit: upon inspecting the photo and trying to understand what you said in regards to there being need of edge for the water to drain to drain holes. why does it need to go to the edge to let the water through? isn't the keyboard island keys itself is hollow?

    so if what you said in regards to the keyboard needing a certain drain holes channel at the edge of the keyboard, does that means that the drainage holes on the bottom of the notebook is only cosmetic?
     
    wobble987, Jan 10, 2013
    #3
  4. Crimsoned

    Crimsoned Notebook Deity

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    There are drainage holes, and they do work on the T430. We tested one here not long ago for a customer.
    Didn't take the computer apart but the water did drain through the bottom.

    When this happens it's still recommended to shut the PC down, and let it dry for a few days. I would recommend removing the keyboard after 1-2 days, then drying it by hand if needed.
     
    Crimsoned, Jan 10, 2013
    #4
  5. EarthUSACA

    EarthUSACA Newbie

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    What are you talking about? I'm typing this right now in a thunderstorm and
     
    EarthUSACA, Jan 10, 2013
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  6. pepper_john

    pepper_john Notebook Deity

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    and also take the battery out when this happens.
     
    pepper_john, Jan 10, 2013
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  7. pjc123

    pjc123 Notebook Consultant

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    They need to add crumb exit holes.
     
    pjc123, Jan 13, 2013
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  8. shang2

    shang2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It can still handle mild spills alright~~ (from experience)
     
    shang2, Jan 13, 2013
    #8