X200s Keyboard Flex

We all knows that the keyboard of X200s has a bit of flex, but we couldn't find any flex on the x200. That's because the X200 has a much stronger back-plate, which is removed on the X200s for weight savings. See below:


X200 keyboard (up) versus X200s keyboard (down)

So i think the X200 back-plate will fix the flex of the X200s keyboard.

 

Didn't know they used different keyboards...or well with the backplate and without. That sucks .

 

Both have back-plate.. but they're different (see the picture attached).

The stronger back-plate removed in the X200s because holes were made!

 

Lenovo really seems to be into weight savings this year.

A weakened backplate (compared to the T61) was the reason for flex on the T400. And now an even weaker backplate is being used on the x200s?

On the plus side both the x200 and x200 Tablet have no flex (although they weigh considerably more than the x200s).

I'm still undecided on this trend (reduced weight but increased flex), but it is not something I expected in a ThinkPad.

 

I am not sure how big of a problem the flex actually is but could one not simply get a X200 keyboard (or even T61) and put it in X200s? AFAIK they are the same size...

 

I do not find my Keyboard flexes much or at all.
I do find the Keyboard beautiful to type on, i have tried a X200 and it seems the keyboard was different and was not as nice, maybe it was just me

 

Seems not as nice? Perhaps you just have a preference in the various keyboard manufactures. How did you find it not as nice?

 

My x200s keyboard has flex but it really is not enough to bother me, until I am banging on the backspace key and it feels mushy.

 

Maybe. I just found the X200 KB to be a bit clackity to me. mine is quiet and is smooth. Could just be the machine that i had (sent it out to someone).

Either way i still think they are both better than my Dell.

 

Oh ya, better than dell for sure . I wasn't too impressed by the keyboards on the new latitudes..(or at least the 6400).

 

I need to buy the x200 keyboard. Which one is NMB?

https://www.thinkpad-parts.com/search.asp?search=x200 keyboard

 

I was convincing on the phone and eventually got a NMB for my T61. No need to buy one yourself.

 

42T3143 for us eng.

 

I have created another thread and only now found this one.
So, I'm bringing my issue here.

My keyboard feels great except for a problem on the upper left corner. That region below the ESC key seem to not be siting properly. When I hit the ESC and F1 key I get a loud sound of the plate hitting the chassis.

Anybody has the same issue and know how to fix it?

Here's a video I made:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5QW70JZB7Y

 

That sound is odd, and definitely louder than my x200 Tablet (mine sounds the same on both escape and PgUp).

My best suggestion is you try removing the keyboard and make sure everything is nice and straight (or just learn to live with the noise).

 

Yeah! Note that there's no problem on the other corner.

The only spot that it not sitting properly is that one near the Esc key.

Oh, on top of that, my X200 does not sit perfectly flat. The bottom right corner is lifted from the table about 2 mm.

My whole system may be bent.

 

The bottom right corner being lifted is to be expected. The 6 and 9 cell batteries on the x200 lift the laptop up a few mm. However, unlike the 8 cell on the x61/x200 Tablet, these batteries do not run the full width and thus will cause a slight asymmetry with the laptop higher on the right than the left.

 

yes, I use a 6-cell battery.

the problem is: I checked and it does that even without a battery.

by the way: it shouldn't do that even WITH the battery.

 

Problem solved. I fixed it myself.

Materials: tape, three little pieces of a business card stacked together.

Method: removed the keyboard, placed the tape right at the spot near the Esc key. The place where I placed the tape is safe, there are not electronics.

The keyboard feel great now! Very solid!

 

Glad to hear it was a simple fix.

 

I'm glad too! enjoy it

Jon, where can i get x200 NMB Keyboard?

 

IBM Medic has the 42T3143 for $92, this should be the x200 NMB based on the earlier posts in this forum.

 

42T3143 is not listed in the Keyboard service parts:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-70524

 

Just opened up my X200s, and surprisingly my keyboard is the top one, not the bottom one. There's a back plate on it. I guess that's why it doesn't flex at all. Very sturdy and comfortable

 

This is getting confusing then...maybe they started using the keyboards with back plates ONLY after the t400/t500 issues.

 

no kidding!

I can imagine the havoc cause within the Thinkpad design team when the first reviews came out talking about the "end of the legendary Thinkpad keyboard". I'm not surprised to see them taking action.

My X200 keyboard is great, I don't think that the legendary feel is gone.

I would rate some of the Thinkpad keyboards I've experienced as follows:

600E > X200 = X40 > T42 (but all of them are great)

 

I should also mention that the difference between the keyboards of these four laptops could be a result of manufacturer variations.

I should also than Jon for replying to my posts. Very supportive...

 

Can't be, I bought my X200s from Provantage two weeks after it was officially announced.

 

It is there if you look carefully at the right place. US english that is.

 

It is not there dude, I think this P/N (42T3143) is for the T60 keyboards.

 

is there a X200 S NMB Keyboard?

 

Any answer to this question? What do you guys get, chicony or alps, or something else?