Keyboard flex officially recognized and solved?

Here's an interesting observation: The T61 solid backed keyboards are now listed as the keyboard replacement parts for the T400 and T500 as of the last update on 7/22/09:

R500 and T500
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-71050
R400 and T400
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-70428
R61 and T61
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-70192

Interestingly, the Swiss-cheese design keyboard that came with my T400 (FRU #42T4002) is now listed as a replacement part for the R series. I wonder if Lenovo is now using solid backed keyboards as an official replacement for all T400 and T500 keyboards, including the Swiss cheese design, in recognition of the keyboard flex issue. Or even better, are new T400 and T500 units being shipped out with solid backed keyboards?

I just got my keyboard replaced with a solid backed version (FRU #42T3143). It's not exactly as solid as my friend's T43, which is ROCK SOLID (don't have a T61 to compare it to). It's maybe 80-90% of the firmness. It's definitely an improvement over the original "50-60%" with the Swiss-Cheese style + support bracing. It's not 100% perfect, but close.

 

Yes, T61 keyboard are not as 'firm' as the amazing T4x series keyboard, the NMB version was my dream keyboard. Why Lenovo does everything to screw the legendary Thinkpad quality, I don't think that switching from a solid backplate to a 'swiss-style' were going to dramatically reduce costs, I can understand the price competitiveness, but why screw on the most flagship qualities of the Thinkpad heritage.

 

Why screw layout that was accepted for a long time ? I understand that some folks like bigger escape and del butonst but I dont. I dont find myself comfortable with this. Sorry people !

 

And what does the T400s keyboard have to do with any of this?

 

I don't know how officially recognized it is, as the rep I spoke to had never heard of the issue, but he was still willing to solve it by sending me a T60 keyboard for free.

 

I bought my wife a T500 a few weeks ago. I think the keyboard is lousy compared to that from my (stolen) T61.

Will they send me a new keyboard if I complain given that this just shipped and wasn't part of the original batch of Ts with bad keyboards?

Anyone received a keyboard replacement for a T500 purchased in the past several months?

 

The rep I talked never heard of the issue either or pretended not to at least. But what the rep said (and what other people have said their reps have said before) is that they're only able to replace the T400 keyboard with another T400 keyboard, not a T6x keyboard. I think this used to be an issue because they were different part numbers (T400 got a swiss-cheese style keyboard, t6x has a solid backed keyboard), but that's not an issue anymore! According to the links in my first post, Lenovo considers them one in the same -- same FRU numbers, and same as the numbers sold online as T6x keyboards. I guess R series owners get screwed over -- Swiss cheese style keyboards such as my factory-installed keyboard are now listed only for R series replacement parts.

My original post was more of an interesting observation and conjecture than a specific question. But I do wonder if the solid backed keyboards are being installed as standard. My guess is not, considering the last post, but at least they seem to be using the solid backed keyboards as a replacement part if your original keyboard needs to be replaced.

 

They do seem to be using the T61 keyboards as replacement parts now, as this T400 owner's recent experience seems to show. Good to hear that Lenovo is offering those replacements again, even though it may not be official.

 

They are probably shoving them over to R series users to utilize the inventory they already have and only replacing upon complaint.

 

Just called Lenovo New Zealand. They still refuse to replace the flex keyboard on my t400 with a T61 one. They said the only thing they can do is to send me another flex keyboard manufactured in a different factory.....
Maybe the changes only apply to US customers..

 

That sucks . Sorry to hear that.