I think I just had the best customer service experience ever?

I've had my T400 for almost a year now, I bought it on September 25th last year. I've been very happy with it but recently I've set up my brothers new T400 that he bought on recommendation from me and the keyboard is miles better - I thought I had no flex, but I have quite a bit. He has zero, and it's extremely quiet whereas mine is very clacky and loud.

I researched online and found that they updated the keyboard and chassis design to improve keyboard feel, so I figured I'd try to get a new keyboard through warranty replacement. I filled out the online service call thing, and afterward got a message saying they'll call tomorrow since they're closed for the day. I got a call anyway about 10 minutes later, and after talking to the (American) rep for a few minutes he's sending me a new keyboard and it should be here in one to two business days.

He hadn't heard of the issue but I explained to him how they updated the T400 keyboard and how people used T61 keyboards to fix the keyboards at first. So I'm not exactly sure what I'm getting - T61 keyboard or new T400 keyboard, which is why I put the question mark at the end of the thread title. I'll update in a few days with what I get and how it works.

 

Well, either way, you just got a new keyboard - very nice.

 

The update is actually to the t400 itself to brace the keyboard in a better fashion. So if you are just getting a new t400 keyboard that isn't going to be any different.

Lenovo was giving out t61 keyboards before they updated the t400 chassis. Also the clacky sound might be a result of the specific keyboard you got (lenovo uses 3 manufactures). If it wasn't bottoming out and making noise as a result of that, then it was likely just because the keyboard you got was probably an ALPS or Chicony.

 

Each time I contact Lenovo, I have a smooth and satisfactory experience. I'm glad yours has worked out so far.

@jaredy,
Wasn't there a significant attribution of the flex to the keyboard itself specificaly the areas on the base that were void of metal in their efforts to reduce weight. Hopefully he sees some relief, if not a complete fix.

 

They are no longer sending out replacement t61-like keyboards.
You are getting another t400 keyboard.

I tried. (and the supervisor explicitly told me this.)

 

Well, my brother's T400 keyboard is great. I don't care about the flex as much as the much improved feel and quietness.

As I said, should be here soon so I'll post back here with what I get.

 

I tried both keyboards - the new less heavier one and the t61 one and found that I actualy prefer the new one.

 

Even if you had the original t400 before the updated bracing? That doesn't seem fair if so.

 

I received the keyboard today already, about 18 hours after the call.

Part number is 42T3177, which according to Google is a T60/T61 keyboard. Nice! It also came with instructions on how to install on either a Z60, T60, or R60. I'm going to install now and edit this post in a bit with how it feels.

edit: installed it, much better. Zero flex and nice quiet keys. I could really feel the weight difference between the two keyboards when I had them both in my hands, and yes the T400 one does have a ton of holes in the back where the T60 one doesn't.

So, depending on who the service rep you get, they will still send you a T60 keyboard!

 

Take a picture or two of the underside of each to satisfy my curiosity. TIA.

 

There are pictures around already that show this, just search.

 

I'd like to see pictures of the keyboards the OP has.

 

I'm not going to take it apart again just to take pictures when I have it together and working now. Maybe in a few weeks when I get my 4GB memory upgrade and have to take it all apart anyway. The front looks exactly like any T400/T60/T61 keyboard of course, and the back looks exactly like the one in this picture:

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2609/pic21qi.jpg

I'll take pictures of my old keyboard if you want though?

 

That's fine, what's your initial assessment now that she's assembled?

 

It's quite a bit more solid - still flexes a bit if I push down hard on it, due to the early chassis design I suppose. It's nowhere near like it was before though. My brother's T400 doesn't flex at all, and I assume it still has the swiss cheese keyboard - updated chassis is very solid though and enough to compensate.

The keys on my new keyboard are very quiet, tight and springy feeling, which is really what I wanted out of the replacement. The flex was never really an issue, my old keys made a ton of noise though and felt a bit loose. This one is much better.

It's well worth filling out the service request and trying to get a new keyboard if you have an old T400 and haven't replaced it already.