Thinkpad X201 keyboard

Can someone give me some feedback on how the Thinkpad X201 keyboard is? Any mush, flex? Any other feedback would be welcome on this model.

Ta.

 

Personally, I haven't heard of any issue with these models' keyboards. Although all these (and the X220) use perforated backplates, the small size of the laptop and the solid support prevent any flex. Unlike the X220, there are only two suppliers for the X201 keyboard, Chicony and NMB.

 

Hi...

Well, on my X201, when I first got it, there was a bit of flex on the top right corner, which I fixed by inserting an old business card between the frame. I did this by taking out the battery. After doing this though there is no flex and the KB is reassuringly firm.

Compared to my R400, the X201 KB is a makes more clicking sounds - but that is probably because I have the NMB keyboard in the R400, which makes the latter quieter. I suspect I have the Chicony KB on the X201.

I do have the option to replace the X201 KB, but I don't think the the effort is worth it. It is good as it is. Sometimes however when I am sitting in the library and it is quiet all around, I feel it is it too noisy.

 

My X201 keyboard was nice and firm, felt like an older _60/61 style keyboard, instantly familiar, in the short 3-4 weeks I had my X201 anyway.

 

Well...before I bought my X201, I had tested a few machines out in the retail outlets where I am located. Each one I tested had some flex in that corner of the KB. But after I inserted those cards, the KB has been firm. Nothing to complain about except for the clicking sound when using the KB, which is certainly louder than the R400.

 

Thanks for your responses, people. How does the X201 compare to the X220? Is the X201 a respected machine for everyday use?

Can you also tell me the size of the hdd on the X201 please?

 

Can't compare with X220 since I don't have it. But I use my X201 everyday for about 18 hrs a day and it has performed beautifully. My machine came with a 500 GB HDD preinstalled. For more details see my sign.

 

I bought an refurbished unit and had flex on the right side of the keyboard and the space key sounded a lot and felt bad. I bought a new keyboard on Ebay and the space key where a lot better. However, instead i got some flex with the mousebutton trackpoint and I still had problem with flex on the right side of the keyboard (I suspect the flex is because I have an SSD and therefore Lenovo didn't install the "roll cage" which I suspect also prevents the keyboard from flexing).

So I bent the keyboard a little bit beneath the mousebutton and put some layers of duct tape beneath the right side of the keyboard, and now it feels almost perfect. So even if i love my keyboard at it's current state so can't i recommend it because of the "homemade adjustments" it required.

 

i think the keyboard on the X220 is more tactile and has more feedback then the X200/X201 keyboard, which makes it a better keyboard.

 

Looks like I have to skip the x220. I'll probably move to the T430S as and when it comes out. Hopefully, the KB will be at least as good as the R400.

 

It is sounding as though I should avoid the X201. I just spent a month placing cardboard under my T410 keyboard, and don't really want to repeat that all again.

 

Well, after the cardboard treatment, it is firm all over. I've never had to fiddle with the inserts since I first put them. I don't find the X201 KB bad though. It does get the job done and quite well at that.

 

It's still an good keyboard. It's just that it's perfect after "adjustments".

 

Thanks folks. I remain tempted. Has anyone compared the keyboard with that of a T410? I know it's the same physical keyboard, but is there a different feel because of the different size of the body?

 

Well, I expect the KB of the X201 to be a bit less firm than on the T or R series because there is more room for support in those larger machines. On the X series I'll bet the engineers were really cramped. This is also the reason I feel (though I stand to be corrected) that perhaps the 13" (X300/301 comes to mind) is the ideal form factor.

 

It's not the same physical keyboard. Between the X201 and the X220, there was a keyboard redesign (X220 has the newer version with the enlarged Esc and Del keys). Between the T400 and T410, there was the same keyboard redesign.

Actually, on the contrary. The keyboard design is the same, so the keyboard itself is just as solid on the X201 and T-series. The smaller size of the X-series laptops often result in tighter-packed components that end up providing better support for the keyboard. Frankly, though, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a drastic difference in typing experience between an X- and T-series Thinkpad.

 

I thought all current X series will fit into any T/W series ThinkPad. Doing such a thing would reduce FRU parts, reducing costs and giving everything a constantly good keyboard.

I'm not sure about the older 4:3 ThinkPads like the X61 which has a funky sized Del key, but my Z61t's (16:10) keyboard fits into my T60 (4:3).

 

The X200/X201 keyboards will only work in the variants of those two models and no other Thinkpads. Older X-series keyboards work only in the X-series. The X220 keyboard is the first X-series keyboard compatible with other Thinkpad lines: it's interchangeable with current T- and W-series laptops.

 

Freaking heck, confusion. What's the general word on the X201? Good laptop with good build quality for everyday all day use? For me, the Thinkpad Edge 13 keyboard is the best keyboard I've ever had. Sadly, it's underpowered. Anyone compared the two?

 

Performance-wise, the X201 (which uses standard-voltage last-gen Core i_ CPUs) is quite a bit faster than the Edge 13 (which uses Core 2 Duo ULV CPUs).

 

Not sure why anyone would want to skip the X220. I have the tablet version and the keyboard is rock-solid.

 

Certainly, in my opinion, it is an excellent laptop.

 

In my case, i think I would opt for a 14" screen size (so perhaps something like the T4X0s). It has nothing to do with the performance of the X201 that I currently use or of the X220 (which I have not used but which I hear being praised all the time).

 

Some people would skip it has 768 pixels is too low for a 12" ultraportable. X200s can be had with 1440x900. X61 can be had with 1400x1050.

The X201 is fine for everyday use. With a i5-520M and Intel GPU, mine could hit 10+ hours light use with the 9 cell battery.

 

The X200-series keyboard/support design was (IMHO) something of a step back from the X60-series. It wasn't any worse when properly fitted, but it seemed to be a lot less tolerant of manufacturing variations.

The X220 uses the same bowed backplate design of the T420/T520 series and adds enough chassis support that it ends up working quite well in practice. In fact, I'd say that the result is better than the X60-series design if only because it's full size.