Looking for US keyboard for ThinkPad X220

[Waldo000000]

Hi,

I bought a ThinkPad X220 with a Swiss keyboard, but I'd like to replace it with a "standard" US keyboard.

Can anyone help me confirm the part number, and perhaps suggest where to get one? I presume it's easy enough to replace, according to the instructions in the User Guide...

I did look on the Lenovo site under "Accessories" but of course they only list USB keyboards there. 

Thanks in advance!

Roy

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=MIGR-73690

the part number is:

U.K. English 45N2240 45N2100 45N2170
U.S. English 45N2211 45N2071 45N2141
U.S. English (International, with a Euro symbol)
45N2241 45N2101 45N2171

you can get them over at ebay.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=MIGR-77194   <--- that is the correct link (Thanks Erik for picking the mistake up).

edit: updated with the correct link. 

[Waldo000000]

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lead_org wrote:
U.S. English 45N2211 45N2071 45N2141 

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Thanks! Do you know what the difference is between these 3 part numbers?

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

i think there are the different manufacturers.

[Waldo000000]

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lead_org wrote:
i think there are the different manufacturers.

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Oh really? Do you know of any difference in the keyboard, or have any advice as to which one might be the "best" choice?

[lead_org Microsoft MVP Contributor]

i haven't really used all the different manufacturer of these keyboards, so i can't really say what the major differences are in terms of key response and tactility.

[erik Community SuperMod · Accepted solution]

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Waldo000000 wrote:
Oh really? Do you know of any difference in the keyboard, or have any advice as to which one might be the "best" choice?

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i've used all three on various models (T400s, T410s, W510, X220, external USB trackpoint keyboard, etc.) and personally prefer 45N2211.   it's the quietest of all three and feels the closest to older thinkpads.   if you prefer a more "clicky" keyboard then look for 45N2071.   of the one 45N2141 i tried, i didn't like the click of the mouse buttons as much.   however, this could have been a sample variation.

there is no best choice here though since everyone's preferences are different.   i've heard and read about an equal amount of praise and complaints surrounding each of the three manufacturers (NMB, chicony, and alps) and cannot say which you would like the most.

if you like what you have now in terms of feel, find out what FRU number you have and find the corresponding number in a US keyboard.   the chart you want can be found here: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=MIGR-77194   lead_org's link above goes to a driver page rather than this one.

instructions on removing and replacing your keyboard can be found here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-77504

[Waldo000000]

Thanks!! I'll go ahead and order one

[Waldo000000]

So I ordered on ebay (USD 40), just installed it tonight and am typing this message on it now. Happy camper over here Thanks for your help everyone.

[jaakkos]

Hi,

I previously owned 45N2211. It felt pretty much a toy compared to my X60 keyboard from the very beginning. It had a plastic, rattling feel. Especially if I used the computer on a table, other keys would make a rattling sound when I typed another key.

After a couple of weeks of using my X220, the |+\ key (over the Enter key - I need the |+\ key very often) suddenly pops out. **bleep**? I try to put it back but no matter what I do, it doesn't stay in place any more if I type with it! Great...

I used some superglue so it would hang around in the socket, even if it wasn't attached properly.

Today I got 45N2141, and I think this one resembles more the keyboards of my older ThinkPads. The build quality seems quite good. Unfortunately the |+\ key still feels quite fragile on this keyboard too, I hope it doesn't come off again. I bought my X220 from the US and I live in Finland, I don' t have much chance for sensible service. Sometimes I may type quite aggressively in a hurry, which may contribute to this. But I _never_ had _any_ problems like this with any keyboard I've used, and I've used many. It really seems the quality of the keyboards has gone down.

The mouse buttons on the new 45N2141 feel  "heavier", or a bit sticky, compared to 45N2211. This may change when I use them a bit, but I consider this a good thing.

BR,

Jaakko