Which model ThinkPad has the best keyboard?

[alpuzz]

I really like the Thai keyboard on my T43, but while browsing here and on other forums, I have seen a lot of people reminiscing about the build quality and keyboards on their "older" ThinkPads. So i'm just curious, if you had to pick a model or series that had the best keyboard of all ThinkPads, which would it be?

--Al

[GomJabbar]

I used to have a 600E, and I loved the keyboard. I now have a T-42, and I love its keyboard too (it's apparently an ALPS). IMHO IBM's always have the best keyboards.

If I had to choose however, I would probably pick the 600E. This is mainly because it appears to have a sturdier keyboard, that may hold up better over time.

[whizkid]

I've used an X21, typed on an X30, had a couple 600X's and a couple 600E's, but I say the best keyboard I've used on a ThinkPad has got to be the one on my 750P.

The machine is 13 years old and the keyboard can still handle my stubby fingers easily. It's just a nice machine.

[AlphaKilo470]

Hmm, let's thing, definitely NOT the 760 series keyboard, those sucked, in fact, I think they were the rock bottom worst ever. I like the tilt up design and the wrist pad is nice as is the tactile feedback on each key but you'd have to pound on each key as hard as you can otherwise, you'd have more missed characters than you'd ever want to imagine. The keyboard itself was just poorly designed.

I think I'll tie first place between the 380 and 570 and 600 keyboards because they provide plenty of wrist space and a keyboard that is soft, yet solid and give good feedback and never miss a keystroke. I would say the 755 keyboard as it has the best keys I've ever typed on but the lack of wrist support bumps it down to number two on my chart where it sits just above the 350 keyboard that holds the number three spot.

[alpuzz]

[quote="AlphaKilo470"]Hmm, let's thing, definitely NOT the 760 series keyboard, those sucked, in fact, I think they were the rock bottom worst ever.

Interesting. So, where would the current T series rate?
Also, which models had the Butterfly? I always wondered why IBM killed that so quickly.

--Al

[bhtooefr]

The 701 series had the butterfly.

I think it was killed because by the time people wanted a small laptop again, the 701-sized chassis wasn't big enough, so the butterfly was useless.

The S and 200 series MIGHT have been helped by a butterfly, but I'm not sure how much they would have benefitted.

[pphilipko]

The i Series had terrific keyboards! I know that it's the "cheap" model, but the keyboard's much more sturdy than the T series.

The X40 also has one of the best keyboards too...but of course, I might be somewhat biased.

[K. Eng]

The 600 series (600E and X) had incredible keyboards. They were just absolutely solid feeling, and not a hint of flex or flimsiness anywhere. The T2x, which replaced the 600 series did not have nearly as nice a keyboard. The T2x has an ok keyboard, but it is mushy compared to the 600 series.

The T30 and T4x have a keyboard that is more similar to the 600 than the T2x, but I don't think the T4x keyboards are quite as good.

[farmer kev]

If the 600 has the best the 770 series is a close 2nd.

[JHEM]

1) Any 75X series machines.

2) Any 600 series.

3) Any 770 series.

4) Everything else, and distantly at that.

Regards,

James the Opinionated

[pipspeak]

the 570 and 600 keyboards were pretty good IMO, better than the T40 I now have. However, the T40 is still streets ahead of most other notebook keyboards out there.

I also use the IBM USB external keyboard, which is identical to the T-series keyboard but with numerical keypad. I love it.

[tom2517]

The 600 series (600E and X) had incredible keyboards. They were just absolutely solid feeling, and not a hint of flex or flimsiness anywhere. The T2x, which replaced the 600 series did not have nearly as nice a keyboard. The T2x has an ok keyboard, but it is mushy compared to the 600 series.

The T30 and T4x have a keyboard that is more similar to the 600 than the T2x, but I don't think the T4x keyboards are quite as good.

There was an interview article by a Taiwanese thinkpad website administrator with Thinkpad's Japan Yamato Lab (TP Design Lab) and the engineer at the Yamato lab said the keyboard feel on the 600 series was the one they tried to emulate for the T4x series.

Many Japanese were disappointed by the keyboard on the T2x series, saying it "floats" and thus Yamato lab were determined to correct that with the T4x series. However, the engineer said it was not be possible to duplicate the exact feel because the platform is different. He pointed out that the T4x series actually has better "keys" but the 600s had much better and solid base. Hence even if one were to take the 600's keys (in theory) and put it on T3x or T4x, the feel would be different.

Another aspect where the 600 series was great was the palmrest never gets hot. Again, the engineer said they had tried to to emulate that on the T4x series but like the keyboard, since the design, cpu, and platform is different, it will never be the same.

According to the engineer, IBM spend the most money on the 600 series, many parts were made just for it. In today's competitive world, IBM would not be able to ever, do the same again.

P.S. This interview was pre-Lenovo.

[K. Eng]

Wow I didn't know that! Thanks for the info

There was an interview article by a Taiwanese thinkpad website administrator with Thinkpad's Japan Yamato Lab (TP Design Lab) and the engineer at the Yamato lab said the keyboard feel on the 600 series was the one they tried to emulate for the T4x series.

[tom2517]

I forgot to add, how the Japanese came about the TP keyboard. The idea was latptop will be used on people's lap. Thus, the goal was to avoid the the rocking and tilting of the laptop on people's lap while typing. Hence a crisp and responsive keyboard was required, and that was the feel Yamato lab tries to acheive.

[verktyg]

My old TP755cx had a great feel. My T20 still feels like a trampoline. The 240x keyboards were nice and solid so is my x31.

[supergoat]

I hated my 701 keyboard. It felt like it was seconds away from breaking.

My 770 keyboard is better. It's close to a full size keyboard but it's just THAT much smaller that sometimes it gets tricky. Overall though I'mhappy with it. The keystrokes feel great.

The bubbling paint of the 770 keyboard is a pain though.

[duffy]

I've owned a T40, T41, T42, X30, X40, and now a X41T. While the tablet keyboard is not quite full size it has the best feel / feedback. It's a noisy critter...it reminds me of the IBM Wheelwriter typewriters in junior high. Those are a touch typist dream machine.

[Nolonemo]

My 560x keyboard was a gem, quiet, responsive and solid. The T22 keyboard has too much base spring in it (because the base is not as solid), so the keyboard feels mushier than the 560x.

[verktyg]

My 560x keyboard was a gem, quiet, responsive and solid. The T22 keyboard has too much base spring in it (because the base is not as solid), so the keyboard feels mushier than the 560x.

My T20 uses the same keyboard. I liken it to a trampoline! That problem could have been easily rectified with the addition of a few more support points molded into the plastic base under the keyboard.

[Boricua65]

I've had the 600E but don't remember how the keyboard feels. It's been about two years since I've had it. I recently go a T22, and the feel was "mushy" like someone said. I sold that one to a friend of mine and got an A30. Even though the sucker is heavy, I like the feel. There's plenty of palm rest and the keyboard is big enough to fit my fingers.