Any opinion on new keyboard of Thinkpad?

I prepare to buy a new thinkpad, since my T61 could not work anymore.

The new model, T430s might fit me generally, however, the new keyboard does not make me feel good. I have sticked to the old style keyboard for more than four years.

The chiclet keyboard is not an issue but the new format of keyboard bothers me and it take time to make an adaptation...

Maybe, I should turn to T420s with a cheaper price...since the CPU and intel HD 3000 should be enough for me...

Hope I could get more suggestions here...

BTW, is there any different quality between the new keyboard and its backlit light version?

 

Do you actually use the shortcuts? Or ever want to be able to use them?

If the answer is no, then get the T430s, no questions asked. Any modifications that might allow the old keyboard to be installed will be of no consequence to your investment.


If the answer is yes, you have two options:

-Buy a T420s now

Though you will suffer in battery life and features (i.e. USB 3.0 ports), this will get you the old keyboard. Right now, it's the only absolutely 100% guaranteed to get a working old-style keyboard.

Unfortunately the biggest compromise you make here is in battery life. Ivy Bridge (the processor in the T430s) will use less power than a comparable Sandy Bridge (T420s) processor. Since the T4x0s chassis has a low-capacity battery, every minute you can get out of it is a minute you can probably use. You could just grab a bay battery, though, but if you want a DVD drive you'll have to pack it around, plus the battery costs extra on top.

-Wait until someone tries a keyboard swap on a T430s

If you've read the other thread, or at least the recent replies, you'd notice that the keyboard footprints ON THE X SERIES ONLY are identical, so much so that you can plug an old keyboard in and it will work, partially (anything outside of letters does weird stuff).

As of yet, however, we don't know if the same is true on the T/W series, specifically, the chassis on the 's' models.

I consider it highly likely that someone will produce a modded BIOS within the next few months that will render complete compatibility with the old keyboards. It might turn out that it's actually NOT possible, but you'll have to wait for news of that which will likely break about 2-4 months after the first T430s units find their way into the hands of those who wish to mod.

As for your final question... I don't think so. Same keyboard design.

 

In my opinion typing at least on the X230 is quite good. The keyboard is firm and depth is perfect. If you're unhappy about the moving around of keys I don't know what you can do about. The sooner you learn it, the sooner it'll cease to be a problem.

 

I usded old IBM type of keyboard, which mean, old stuff and what i can say, the new chicklet is the same way good, for me even better, everything is a personal feeling, the only thing i do not like i the new style is a design, its fits x1 or that type of thinkpad very well, but when i looking for old good t or w series is something wrong for me, but it is again a matter of time. I really like backlit its a feature which i want very bad in thinkpad.

 

Thank you for your suggestions, very detailed!

I have already canceled my order of T420s, hope they will cancel that completely (I heard that sometimes you canceled the order, it would still be delivered....)

I will wait to see more reviews about the new machines.

And does anyone have any idea when T430u will come out? I just hear X1 carbon.

And which one has full loaded CPU but not a low voltage version?

 

I think T430u will have normal CPU and nvidia rumored 620m.

 

No, I think they mentioned that it will have a LV processor.

 

^^
Sounds like all ultrabooks will be equipped with Intel LV processor which is part of the reason it is called an ultrabook.

 

Come on T430u is not superb thin... And i read about normal CPU in this unit.

 

It should be a ULV version...I think I will not wait for 430u...

I do not understand why it has both ULV CPU and discrete display card...If it have full CPU, it will overlap with T420s...but for the ultrabook... X1 carbon might be enough...T430u stands at a weird position in the Thinkpad series...

Check this: http://www.notteb.com/html/pds_updat..._t_series.pptx

 

i have used the X230 that my cousin got, i think the X230 keyboard key tactility is very good. But the function key layout takes a lot to get used to, if you use the Function key a lot in your traditional thinkpad keyboard.

But these new keyboards are easy to keep clean, which is great.

 

How does the X230 Precision keyboard compare to your X1 Stradivarius?

 

The only thing stradivarius about the X1 is the chassis design. The keyboard on the X1 is never its strong suit.

X230 keyboard is far superior to the X1 in feel, and the trackpoint is great too. X1's trackpoint is really bad.

The X230 starting price is also very good, i got this machine for around 740 dollars AUD for an i3 with IPS+9 cells battery. When the X220 was first released in Australia, the price for a i3 was around 1300 dollars or something.

The only nagging point on the X230 is the battery authentication chip.

 

I found that it is ridiculous that...:
T430 do not charge for Backlit keyboard...but 430s ask for $40 more...
And same with the SD card...430s ask for $10...

 

My wife loves the kybd on her x120e. It is ok I guess. I use real mech keyboards when possible, all laptop kybds suck.

Anything is better than Apple, Sony or Asus laptop kybds.

 

Amen, I love my model m keyboard