[EU] Where to find decent replacement keyboards?

[RoamingAndy]

Where can you get decent replacement keyboards? A few years back it was easy to pick up cheap OEM keyboards for X220's and X230's. Recently i've bought 3 overpriced replicas recently and they are all hot garbage i don't want to type anything on. Is there a list anywhere of quality replacements or OEM refurbishers?

[dr_st]

In the past, I wasn't aware of the existence of compatible/replica industry for Thinkpad keyboards, but this is not the first time I hear about this specifically about this generation of laptops.

Who makes these replicas and how do you identify one versus a genuine Lenovo keyboard?

[TheForgottenKing]

In the past, I wasn't aware of the existence of compatible/replica industry for Thinkpad keyboards, but this is not the first time I hear about this specifically about this generation of laptops.

Who makes these replicas and how do you identify one versus a genuine Lenovo keyboard?

It's a bit of a bump, but I had one for an X220 sent to me. Usually you can tell using the standard "genuine vs knockoff" methods:

-Much lower quality on the text (the ThinkVantage written on the knockoff had the wrong font, bad spacing, and was too cramped)
-Much worse tactility
-Missing various labels
-Differences in backplate/mechanism

It's easiest to tell if you have a genuine keyboard with you. Generally they can be avoided by buying from larger sellers or individuals selling single-unit used keyboards (not bulk listings).