Lenovo Thinkpad 420s lousy keyboard

Just picked a Thinkpad 420s laptop to replace my aging one. Generally like it - not the same sturdy build as the older models but it is light and comfortable. Only issue is the keyboard is not solid. Particularly on the bottom right where the arrow keys are located. The keys and keyboard give under normal pressure and result in a hollow rattle sound. Looks like it the keyboard tray lacks support (also where the DVD drive is located. I could probably open it up and try to attach a felt spacer or something but curious if anyone else is experiencing this.

I have had a similar problem with an old Z60T and did fix that. Really sloppy manufacturing. Very annoying and I suppose I could see if Lenovo can replace or fix the problem.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

The "trick" is to stick pieces of masking tape (or the like) right under the keys that cause the "hollow rattle sound" to eliminate the gaps. Careful reseating of the keyboard may also help.

I know, it's annoying that customers have to do this sort of thing to a "premium" "business" notebook.

 

Thanks for your suggestion kaso. Sounds like I am better off just fixing it rather than rely on Lenovo.

 

My understanding is that this was part of the design, allowing full-height 2.5" SATA HDD's to fit in the drive bay. It's annoying, but functional. I'm going to wait for mine to come in the mail to find out if it bothers me; seems like a few well-placed spacers, or tape / felt should do it if you're into that.

 

For those of you who have the T420s...

Is the keyboard easily user replaceable?


I'm planning of buying in the US and changing to my Nordic keyboard once I travel back from US.

 

The T420s is not designed to take normal (9.5mm) height drives.

My T420s keyboard is quite solid.

John

 

How does this declaration help the OP? If you cannot give a suggestion, why talk about your own thing?

 

I always enjoy reading posts from different users having different perspectives. This may help to give a more complete picture of the issue, as well as clarify the issue that could be a case by case situation, or could be an objective feeling that may not be shared by every user.

 

^^^ So do I, with the understanding that every user can only report his or her individual situation that may not be applicable to all. However, a request for assistance should be responded to as such.

ThinkPads are not without problems. In certain cases, it is quite acceptable for mine to work and yours not. But why should I declare that mine works fine when hearing about your case?

 

I was not happy with my T420s keyboard. My old X220 had the same problem too.

I have placed some pieces of tape below the keyboard and it is rocksolid now.

 

I don't think there is any notebook that is without problem, especially when the problem is more towards a subjective one. For a title with such a strong word of "420s lousy keyboard", it is good for me to see responses from users who have different experiences of their own. While it may not help the OP, it does help me to get a more complete picture of what it could really mean.

 

Well, the OP did say, "curious if anyone else is experiencing this". Differing responses are OK.

Anyways, back on topic. The tolerances in modern machines is getting smaller and smaller. Using tape to fix a Thinkpad is unfortunately, a more common DIY project nowadays, but it is understandable (as previously explained). In fact, it benefits the DIY guy by giving him/her an experience to fix one's own machine LOL. I got my X200T within a month of it coming out for less than $900 shipped due to a fan issue. The tolerance was so small, that the fan rubbed against the bottom of the laptop causing it to not boot up. I fixed it with some tape. Saved $700.

 

Sorry, wasn't very clear. It's for full-height SATA drives to fit in the Ultrabay caddy, the T420s does not support full-height SATA drives in the main drive bay.

I could be wrong on the ultrabay height, but I saw that mentioned somewhere else.

 

I can confirm that you can put 9.5mm drives into the UltraBay. The opening is actually a bit more than 10mm (my optical drive is a loose fit) which provides enough height for both the drive and the base of the caddy.

John

 

I cant tell if the OP is talking about the T420s or the E420s, he just specifies that its a 420s.

 

T420s - not the edge.

I removed the keyboard and cut some small strips of foam tape and placed several pieces on the internal frame of the offending corner. Seems to work perfectly and now the entire keyboard is "solid" with consistent compression all around. Seems that Lenovo could include a thin, dense foam or rubber gasket to allow the keyboard to seat firmly and provide greater tolerances to the overall fit. Anyhow, I am now satisfied!

 

Since this is actually related to the UltraBay height, is there a difference in size between the battery and optical drive? Or will they both be the same little-smaller-than-the-opening size, so both will be a bit loose?

 

The battery and the optical drive are both the same height (I've just checked) so the battery also has a little wobble. However, this looseness is only noticeable if you touch the fascia.

John