Thinkpads Forum

Folks, so what do you make of this new "AccuType" Chicket Keys for T430?

I have the T410 (2522-RE3) and will stick with it, until there is consensus on these Chicket Keys, is it at least as good as the famed traditional Thinkpad keyboard?

I'm a touch-typist, so typing speed, key travel (when pressed on) really matter to me.
Guess by now you've figured out that I would much prefer the traditional Thinkpad keyboards.

Chicket Keys for *all* Thinkpads going forward, anyone?

Let the debate begin!

Let the debate begin? You're a bit late.

The debate has been going on for a while. For starts look at my poll and the threads referenced therein:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=103398

oops, sorry, please close this thread!

(I did try to go through the various forums to find such a thread before posting this one. Obviously i missed it!)

I think it is premature to say whether the T430 will have chicklets, but I think unlikely given the history of the Thinkpad keyboard. If you look at the 6th picture in the following link, what looks like the T430 shows a similar keyboard to the current one...

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/15/30213 ... es#3361867

t20user wrote:I think it is premature to say whether the T430 will have chicklets

It's not premature, it's a fact...

At first I was disheartened to see that Lenovo did away with the traditional style keyboard, but once I started reading reviews of the X1 and how good Lenovo did their chiclet keyboard, I felt neutral to the change, until I heard that there would be a backlight. I'm tired of using the little Thinklight at the top and because of that I welcome the change to chiclets. I'm also pretty sure Lenovo would not release a keyboard if they weren't confident it would be as good or better than the old version.

CanadianDude wrote:I'm also pretty sure Lenovo would not release a keyboard if they weren't confident it would be as good or better than the old version.

I'm sure of it as well. It's just that the definition of "better" is not always clear. Usually something is better in one way, worse in another. Time will tell.

HELP PLEASE !!!!!

Are the T420 keys the same as the T60 (not total layout, but the type of keys and key stroke)?

Other than backlighting, are the T430 chicklet keys the same as the chicklet keys on the E420 ?

Has anyone actually received their T430 yet to try it out?


I'm trying to decide quickly on new system, between T430 and T420.

I have many many typing miles on the T60, just can't say enough about how great I think it is (maybe just a tad noisy).

I can't find a T420 or T430 to look at, but I'm assuming the T420 keys are similar to the T60.

Today I had a chance to try out an E420 at a store (E420 has chicklets). Can I assume the T430 keys feel similar? I realize I didn't give the E420 much time to grow on me, but I really didn't like it very well at all. I think the basic shape of the key makes for poorer accuracy and I didn't like the feel. Although the the E420 was a bit quieter which I like.

I hate to buy the older model (T420) when the T430 is already available. Right now the keyboard is the only think holding me back from the T430. And I realize the keyboard is a personal preference kind of thing, but I would appreciate the opinions of others.

Uh... it's kinda hard to answer this succinctly...

The short answer is that every keyboard is different. The switch assemblies vary from FRU to FRU, so even within a single "model" of keyboard there will be differences in feel.

Switches: All three styles (T6x/T400, T410/T420, T430) use scissor switches, so all three are pretty similar in terms of internal design. The T60 uses both capped and uncapped rubber domes. AFAIK the T4x0 only uses uncapped rubber domes. This can affect the overall feel of "stability", as well as the consistency of key strokes.

Keycaps: The keycaps are very different on all three. Take a look at some pictures to see what I mean.

Stroke/activation energy: Stroke depth is the same on all three (2.5 mm). Activation energy and activation point are... well they differ. The activation energy should be more or less the same across keyboard styles, but Lenovo's keyboards are sourced from multiple manufacturers so there *will* be differences across FRUs (and, for that matter, between individual units with the same FRU number.) The activation point will vary as well, and -- like the activation energy -- will change as the keyboard wears.

So yes, there are differences, and no, one is not inherently better than another. I hate to say this, but really the best idea here is to go try them yourself and figure out which you like best. I know that may not be much of a help, but this is not something that you can easily get just from a review.

Thanks for the info !!!

There are no T420 or T430 at local stores. Do you happen to know if the E420 and T430 are similar in this respect? (from your post, I assume the answer is no)

cantthinkpad wrote: There are no T420 or T430 at local stores. Do you happen to know if the E420 and T430 are similar in this respect? (from your post, I assume the answer is no)

I believe that there is no overlap in FRUs, but you'd have to check the HMMs to be sure.

Hi Guys, my new T530 with illuminated keys arrived yesterday, and having used it to set up the various bits and pieces I am well satisfied with it.

I am satisfied with the keyboard on my T430s. Much better quality than Apple keyboards, for example. But I still prefer the T420s traditional ThinkPad keyboard. Oh well.