Just recieved a NMB keyboard and wow..

It is amazing!! So easy to type on, the feel is great. Thanks guys for recommending it.

 

what keyboard did you have before?

 

ALPS (+10 char)

 

This is an external keyboard?

(Heh, still using my Northgate Omnikey 101. )

thanks,
hank

 

No, it's an internal keyboard. I replaced mine..

 

Did you buy it or ask for a replacement op?

 

I have the same question actually?

 

I asked for a replacement.

 

And you got not hassle? Did you have to present a reason why you asked? Did you pay anything extra?

 

I have a warranty. My keyboard was worn out from day to day use so it was greasy so I told them that and they replaced it.

 

Oh, okay. I was under the impression that you did what you did after receiving a new system. I don't know if your method would work for someone who just received a new system. I think that Lenovo would be a little bit more skeptical and even hesitant in sending a new keyboard outright.

 

i called it the first day i got my t61, took a few minutes to register (it wasnt updated yet) but IBM warranty has never let me down

(well expect one time with a t61 and the defective 140m i had, i was out of warranty - but visa credit services took care of me)

 

My T61's ALPS flexes quite a bit near "d" and "enter" keys. Heck, I can feel the difference when I exert some pressure on the trackpoint. The keys are really soft though.

I'll try to ask for a NMB.

 

Really? That's encouraging to hear. So, they didn't ask you any questions or anything at all? They simply just sent you what you asked for?

 

You bought the warranty, you are in charge. If you want a new keyboard, you will get on.

 

I hear you. I'll definitely take advantage of it.

 

all they ask is the standard info to verify the machine is in warranty and then ask you what's wrong. these guys are IBM tech support in Atlanta. very good and easy to deal with assuming you have an active warranty.

and half the time they dont even require you to ship the old part back (ie palmrests, keyboards, etc..)

they have never questioned me.

 

Wow, that's incredible. I'll definitely use that to my full advantage should there be any parts (keyboard, palmrest, etc.) that I'm not satisfied with. Thanks for sharing the information with me.

 

how do u check which version of the keyboard you have?

i have an x200 and would like to know which i have

 

You can actually tell by visual inspection. Look underneath the arrow keys. You should be able to see the switches. Chicony keyboards (mine) are white and slant down left "\", Alps keyboards are white and slant up right "/", NMB keyboards are blue and have pads.

General opinion seems to be that NMB keyboards are the best (at least for the T61) as they make the lease noise and have a solid feel. However, I think some of the T400 keyboards that flexed were NMB.

Chicony used to be considered the worst because they are noisy. However, I am very satisfied with mine. It has great travel, no flex, and makes less noise than my old T40 did.

Alps is considered intermediate in quality.

However, all of them are superior to any keyboard you can get from another manufacturer.

 

Yeah, I've been kind of shocked at the number of people who reported flex and also reported that they have NMB keyboards.

 

Interesting.

 

..........

 

...also interesting.

 

Is there really that much difference or is it placebo?

 

You know, I've begun wondering the same thing in recent weeks. Something seems strange here. I've read quite a few reports about the T400 keyboard flex on here and a few other sites and, surprisingly, a lot of these reports have pointed the finger at NMB. I say 'surprisingly' because they're reputed to be the best of the three (Chicony & ALPS being the other two). So naturally, I wonder if:

A. The flex issue has been so talked about and overly reported that people are convincing themselves that there's flex even when there isn't or it's so minimal as to go unnoticed otherwise. People sometimes only notice something is there after someone else brings it to light.

OR

B. NMB keyboards have been reputed to be the best for so long that even if there is flex, people don't notice it or outright convince themselves it doesn't exist. (The same affect as A.)

OR

C. Both.

Now, I certainly don't doubt that people have experienced flex. I'm sure nobody woke up and decided they were going to try to bring Lenovo down by spreading false rumors of the demise of the legendary keyboard. Heck, I've even seen video of it. However, maybe it's not as widespread as it seems.

 

The new NMB keyboard I received has less but bigger "holes" on the backplate than my previous ALPS. Moreover, it has more support on the backplate right beneath the trackpoint, which diminishes the flex when the trackpoint is under considerable pressure. A look at both manufacturers' backplates will tell you everything.

 

Yeah, same here. I recieved a NMB keyboard from Lenovo when they offered replacements for original T400 keyboards. I cannot believe the difference. I honestly thought people were making them out to be more than they are (my T42 had ALPS and my T400 came with chicony), but man, NMB are like that extra 10% that makes the difference.

 

Wow thanks, I don't know how I missed this information before.

 

I never realized how bad the flex was on my W500 until they sent me the replacement one. The flexy one was an Alps and when I pulled it out there was a visible u-shaped bend on the left side of the keyboard! That should not be possible if this was all placebo.

 

I just received my NMB keyboard replacement a few hours ago, and I can already tell what a huge difference it makes. I originally had a Chicony, but man this is better! Even the trackpoint buttons seem superior to me...

 

I believe you are confused. The issue with the recent notebook keyboards is not the manufacturer of the keyboards—it’s the new lighter back plate design Lenovo requested of their manufacturers. This design leverages the chassis for its strength and minor tolerance variations in the chassis builds caused this back plate to flex. To address the issue, Lenovo is now offering the older keyboards with the more rigid back plate—and all three of Lenovo’s keyboard manufacturer produce the models with the rigid back plate. For whatever reason, it appears out of these three more rigid models, forums are most vocal about the NMBs.

 

I hear you, but I must not be the only one because so many people swear by NMB's. Personally, I don't plan on making any changes to the keyboard until I get my model and play with it thoroughly. You and Stealth have both made me aware that Lenovo has reverted back to older model keyboards, so I think I should be fine when I receive mine.

 

So are you saying you have finally decided on the Thinkpad?

 

No kidding, it took long enough

 

Yes sir. I have finally decided it will be the T500.

Nothing wrong with a little research, is there?

 

Nah, it is cool, just giving you crap. Hope you enjoy your purchase

 

I had no idea what the whole "keyboard flex" thing was about til I read this thread... My Fujitsu didn't flex at all. It's not that bad, but it's annoying since I know it's there haha. I'll see if it bothers me any more in a few months.

 

Yeah, my theory proving valid on some level. By the way, awesome specs on your T500.

 

No, not at all. You almost took as long as I did

I think you will love the machine.