There were three suppliers of keyboards for the xx10-xx20 series of ThinkPads: NMB/LiteOn, Chicony, and ALPS. A list of FRUs by language and supplier can be found at: https://web.archive.org/web/20200807103606/https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd010629
Having used NMB, Chicony, and counterfeit keyboard, I'd like to share some of my thoughts for posterity, especially as it seemed that the subtle differences between NMB and Chicony were scarcely documented aside from the notion that "NMB is better". It fascinates me that there is a cottage industry for counterfeits of such a niche product as a laptop keyboard, and these counterfeits are also poorly documented.
ALPS: FRU NOs 45N20xx
Getting this out of the way first: I don't have any personal experience, but ALPS seems to have unanimously produced the least desirable, mushiest variant.
Chicony: FRU NOs 45N21xx
While not as sought-after as the NMB variant, it is still leagues ahead of any consumer-grade laptop keyboard. Tactile response is consistent between keys. I'm not sure how else to explain it, but it will satisfy you unless you decide to someday try the NMB variant. My only criticisms are the thin, high-pitched rattle noticeable when releasing the larger keys and the relatively mushy mouse buttons.
NMB/LiteOn: FRU NOs 45N22xx
This is the most sought-after model and is likely the subject when someone reminisces about the classic keyboard "feeling" better. Most of its advantages come down to tighter tolerances. The slack between keycaps and scissor mechanisms is minimal, virtually eliminating the rattling sound. Tactile response is consistently crisp, never mushy, and won't leave you guessing whether you made a key press. The gap between keycaps is also narrower. That said, the TrackPoint feels the same between Chicony and NMB. If photos are clear enough, the NMB variant can be identified as the circle around the Windows logo is merely smooth, but not indented.
Counterfeits
Counterfeit keyboards can have any combination of both real parts and the following, or only fake parts:
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Reprinting / resurfacing: This is the smallest offense as the underlying components could be genuine in this case. Signs include uniformly smooth keycaps, indentations of printed-over letters showing through, or an unusual layout for the language.
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Incorrect typeface: The correct font for ThinkPad keyboards is Helvetica, but counterfeits may use Arial. The difference is most evident on the the capital letter 'R', where the "leg" curves outward in Helvetica while it is a straight diagonal to the corner in knockoffs with Arial. The font for "ThinkVantage" should match the font of the ThinkPad logo. If not, the keyboard is certainly fake.
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Volume / Power button LEDs: Fakes sometimes use pure red LEDs under the mute buttons rather than orange LEDs. The clear window may be off-center. The genuine power button has a clear ring on the perimeter, but fakes may have a clear window near the center instead.
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Fake TrackPoint: may have poor sensitivity or be sunken in too far.
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Counterfeit keyswitch mechanism: poor or inconsistent tactile response or unreasonably loose keycaps.
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Metal backplate with large holes cut out, is very pliable, lacks paint around the edges, or lacks cutouts for drainage channels along the front edge.
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Caps Lock and Enter keys with a different texture from the rest of the keys
Out of sheer curiosity, I bought myself a clearly counterfeit keyboard to try out. While the listing pictured a keyboard with the wrong typeface, I was sent one with the correct typeface on the keycaps. However, the differences are still immediately apparent:
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Instead of the detailed FRU and barcode label, the back features only a quality control sticker and a label suggesting a 2025 manufacture date.
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The backplate has much larger holes under the keys and there are no cutouts where the drainge channels should have met the keyboard edge. The edges have no black paint and the shiny metal outline is visible after installing.
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The tabs at the front edge have poor tolerances and in order to slide the keyboard all the way in, I had grasp the edge (fingernails hooked into the lip, bearing against keys on the bottom row) and give it an extra tug.
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A healthy ThinkPad classic keyboard should be slightly concave to the user, but the backplate for this was completely flat so the middle bowed outward when installed. But with such pliable metal, I was able to just bend it into shape.
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The flex cable feels flimsy and I am afraid the connector will punch through the pull tab if I were to try removing the keyboard.
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The TrackPoint is recessed below keycap height. The cap is also nonstandard, combining full height with the narrow hole of a low-profile cap. It is stiff and awkward to use, barely remedied by setting the cursor sensitivity to max. I still can't tell if it's due to the mechanics of a recessed TrackPoint, or if the underlying component is just as bad.
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The volume rocker is uneven and only actuates with some force.
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Right and left mouse buttons feel different. The left button does not actuate when pressed next to the middle mouse button and feels as though it jams against something.
I'm also writing up this entire post on the counterfeit keyboard. The tactile response is not exactly mushy, but it is weak and slightly inconsistent, leading to an occasional missed keystroke. Overall, the keyboard feels on par with those in cheap keyboard folios for tablets - arguably better in the sense of key travel and tactile response, but it is evident what lengths they went to save costs. I could live with the keyboard, but the awful TrackPoint is a deal-breaker. That said, for $20, 12 of which probably went to warehousing, 3-day shipping, and packaging, I won't complain.
Are they factory seconds or new parts made on old molds?
I highly doubt it. At the very least, the metal backplate is fundamentally different.
I'm not sure what the thought process behind counterfeit classic keyboards is, but if it were up to me, I'd diversify my portfolio by making 7-row keyboards of a slightly higher grade for later models like the T480 as well, perhaps even one for the Framework laptop.
Strategies for obtaining a NMB keyboard
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Playing the lottery: Buying a used or for-parts ThinkPad on the cheap will almost always yield a genuine keyboard, but photos on listings will rarely give enough detail to determine which variant is installed. Avoid playing the lottery with listings for just the keyboard that say "compatible". Compatible can mean anything from the NMB variant (unlikely) to a counterfeit.
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If the listing shows a missing keycap and there is a red dome under where the keycap should be, it is a NMB keyboard. You may then choose to source a replacement keycap.
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Search for overlooked models compatible with the classic keyboard, like the T400s or W510.
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Search for keyboards in other languages with a similar enough overall layout. Also a good way to avoid counterfeits.
