Thinkpad keyboard makers

Chicony
ALPS
NMB

What are the generally believed traits of these different makers. I have the Chicony keyboard. I find it totally ok really. I just want to know how they differ in case I write a review of my machine.

The touch seems pretty light and its a bit noisy on the Chicony. So I would guess the touch is heavier deeper? on the others and maybe they are quieter. I vaguely recall that the ALPS was the best thought of.

Someone please clear this up for me. Thanks.

 

I believe that a notebook brand has set guidelines for things such as key-length or depth. On IBMs I believe they have 18mm of travel.

If my knowledge is correct it is in fact the materials / area produced that affects the quality and feel of the keyboard.

Also, it may be the area that a person uses the laptop in that could effect use quality. i.e. dry air might weaken the keyboard (button?) membrane for example

 

It's the NMB-manufactured keyboard that everybody likes. Having had an Alps on my T43 before getting it replaced with an NMB a few weeks ago, I can say that I definitely prefer the NMB. It has a much more solid feel than the Alps, it's quieter, and the keys don't wobble. The Alps had a very light feel and felt okay when I was typing quickly, but it was very noisy and the keys felt rather unstable.

That said, I had a T42 with an NMB keyboard that felt great, but was really unresponsive and was continually missing keystrokes if I didn't hammer it.

 

I've had both, the seemed similar to me, but I'm not a huge typer.

 

i dont believe T60s are shipped with the NMB any longer, just the ALPS (which has replaced it)

So it is Chicony / Alps, however you can buy the NMB off ebay

 

yeah but how are they different? the official list still has all 3 as supplied.