NMB or ALPS?

I currently have the Chicony keyboard on my laptop, which I like, but things could always be better. I have to replace my keyboard (long story...don't ask), so it seems like a good time to try the ones most people say are better. Between the 2, which is better, the ALPS or the NMB? The ALPS is twice the price of the NMB, but I've heard the Fn button sticks up on it which I wouldn't care for, plus if there is nothing better about the ALPS no sense in wasting $40.

 

I have the ALPS on mine and I love it but I have heard that the NMB is just as good. I don't know what you mean about the Fn key sticking up, mine seems quite normal.

 

I also have the ALPS and have had no problem with it. Why is it twice as much as the NMB? I thought the NMB was the one everyone drools over.

Chris

 

well, if most people droll over the NMB I'm gonna order one of those.

 

Argh, I just got an e-mail telling me the NMB is longer available and has been replaced with the alps.

 

Don't believe them. Mine came with the NMB, which I like just fine, btw.

 

Well, it might be that they just no longer are selling them as replacement parts. I called, and there is no way no how to get them from the parts replacement, they haven't had them in a while (in fact, I've read posts from the summer with people saying they can't get the NMB even though it was coming on new computers).

 

Is the ALPS keyboard the one with the slightly rubbery touchpoint keys under the keyboard?

 

Don't know what you mean. The only physical distinction I've ever heard of is that the NMB has blue plastic under the arrow keys or something.

Chris

 

I remember my z60m had rubber or slightly rubbery touchpoint selection buttons, and then saw that it was the same part number for the T6x/Z6x models. My Z60m had the ALPS keyboard, so I figure it would have been the same on the T60's with that part.

 

hmmm... i have the NMB ... works great though i think the left part of my space bar is kind of raised, but not that noticable to the point of me going mad about this keyboard...

 

So, how much did they quoted you for ALPS keyboard? What is an order number for it? I'm thinking about replacing my Chicony as well. Its not a bad keyboard, but too noisy with that audible clicky feedback. Also, keys feel thiner than NMB on my T42. I'm surprised they don't sell those anymore. I read somewhere when your laptop goes for repair of keyboard, there is a good chance they will put in NMB. Maybe its not the case anymore, and Lenovo is backing away from that distributor? I wish I could try ALPS before making this decision. I wonder if local Staples/OfficeDepot have any T/Z series with ALPS keyboard, hmm....

 

Alps was $81 + 13.50 for tax and shipping. I won't be finding out how it is until I get to the address I had it sent to on Jan 15. If you can wait until then, I could write you a little comparison.

 

Of course, I will wait. Looking forward to your review. I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from that. Thanks!!!

 

I have an NMB. The ESC key is rubbery, and occasionally has an extra click I need to press. It may just be something dirty underneath. I just got the t60 less than a month ago.

 

Hmm, just the ESC key?!? It should be all the same plastic material? Weird. I was at Office Depot today, tried keyboards on various laptops including Lenovo original series - all are terrible and feel so cheap. Makes me appreciate my Thinkpad even more! Still, in pursuit of perfection (I sound like Lexus commercial), I'm not too happy with Chicony in comparison to my NMB on T42. Therefore, will wait for ALPS comparison review

 

I have a chicony keyboard and no complain so far. It definitely produce clicks but it makes me type faster.

I saw one with ALPS and doesnt like the look, especially in the arrow buttons groups (below right). It looks like as if the keyboard is floating, you can see the spring mechanism a bit. It looks like as if it is not securely placed but actually it is. I cant stand it to see notebook have flaw in the design like that. Secure or not, the keyboard first have to have a "secure" look.

 

Ok, I have installed the ALPS keyboard.

First, let me say all of the differences are very slight. If somebody actually cared to have one over the other I would say they probably suffer from some form of neurosis.

As far as actual use and feel, there is no difference. Maybe the Alps is SLIGHTLY quieter than the Chicony, but it's very slight.

From inspecting the two keyboards side by side I can see some differences. For one, the metal backing on the Alps is slightly thicker. I do not notice this is use since neither keyboard has any flex.

The keys on the ALPS sit slightly higher than the Chicony. It's not enough to feel a difference, but I can see the difference if I put them side by side and look at them head on.

The only difference I can actually notice is the trackpoint mouse buttons on the Alps make more of a click than on the Chicony, that's it.

 

Lenovo is sending me a new keyboard. No order number or anything. Does it say the name of manufacturer underneath the keyboard?

 

No, but it does say the FRU number. If it ends in 718 it's Chicony if it ends in 118 it's ALPS.

 

I finally got my keyboard and it says IBM FRU: 39T0958

Does this mean it' neither ALPS nor Chicony?

Edit: I see another sticker that says FRU: 39T7178 so it is indeed ALPS

 

No sorry, I mistyped in my last post. 178 is Chicony (I had said 718) and 118 is ALPS, so that's Chicony. Really though, don't feel bad, from an aesthetics stand point the Chicony is better (you don't see the underside of the arrow keys and the track point buttons)

 

Oh, I really like this keyboard but I sort of wanted a different one only because my first one had two arrow keys jammed in just two weeks with very non-extreme usage. I really hope it doesn't happen again.

Do you have a close-up pic of ALPS keyboard? I am not sure what you mean above.

 

Heh, I need to do some dusting. See how you can see under the arrow keys and the touchpad buttons? Same goes for the F1-PgDn keys, because the whole keyboard sits slightly higher (just a hair, enough to see but not feel).