Thinkpad Keyboard Noise

I have a T61 and I'm ready for a new notebook. Can someone describe the amount of keyboard noise of the T520 compared to the T61? I like to type while on the phone, and the T61 keyboard is loud enough to be picked up by the phone -- and I use a noise-cancelling headset!

Thanks in advance.

 

My impression of the new-style Tx10/Tx20/W520/X220 keyboards is that they're definitely quieter than the Tx00/T61/T60 keyboards, but the difference is not that significant. If typing noise was audible on your T61, it'll likely still be audible on the T520.

 

I have a T410s and has the same style keyboard as T520, much quieter but I actually prefer _60/61 series keyboards (feel, that clicking noise).

 

Wanna trade?

Kidding aside, is the feel the same aside from the noise?

 

I have both types of keyboards (T61/T400, vs a T410) and I would say that the feel is definitely different.

I've not done any scientific measurements or anything of that nature, but the T61/T400's keyboard seems to have more 'travel' whenever I hit a key - compared to the shallower feel when I type on my T410.

I also agree with MidnightSun that the newer keyboards are quieter, possibly in part due to the shorter travel on each key - if keyboard noise is an issue, I think that the new-style keyboards would actually contribute quite significantly to reducing noise.

It is also just a matter of opinion but I FAR prefer the feel of the keyboard on the older models, but again this is a matter of preference.

 

The amount of keyboard on a T61 depends in large part on the manufacturer of the individual keyboard, in my experience. I don't think my T420 is any quieter than my T61. In fact I've been disappointed by the noise of my T420 keyboard.

 

I agree the newer generation keyboard on my T420 does feel quieter in comparison to my NMB T61 which is considered one of the best in its generation.

 

The Tx20/Tx10 keyboards have less post-activation travel, and a slightly shorter overall throw.

Personally I prefer them to the T60-series keyboards, as I can type slightly faster on them. I chalk this up to it being slightly easier for me to gauge where the activation point is, and thus waste less energy bottoming out. That's sorta the opposite of what you'd expect on a keyboard with less travel, but there you go.

That's actually the reason that I dislike the 600's keyboard. I know it's revered, etc... but it's too bloody difficult for me to guess how much force I need, so I end up mashing the keys down until I bottom out -- and since it's got such great support, this ends up being quite fatiguing.