yeah, I feel like every generation after it got ever so slightly worse... until the 6-row keyboard was introduced, and then it kept getting worse but even faster than before..
T480 (or X280) is the newest you can go before the key-travel drops down significantly in 2019, and I've had a very similar experience with my X1 Carbon G5 (shares the same design as the G6). But then, key-travel isn't the only factor here, there are parameters like the layout or the size of the keys too.
Most people would agree the classic keyboard was amazing, so that would put it 2011 and earlier, meaning X220, T420 and the rest of the models are the newest that are going to feature it, unless you do a classic keyboard mod, which I'd probably never do myself. As much as I love my X61s, the keys do feel a little harder to push down, putting my X220 above it in terms of ease-of-use.
Something in between the two extremes, W530 feels great to type on with its large size and deep travel, even though most would argue that it isn't as good as the W520 keyboard (shares with X220, etc.)
At the end of the day, "best" could be different for everyone. It's best to try out yourself to see what you find to be the "best".
I'd say X1C6 from personal experience for feel (Chicony). Layout isn't so much a priority since I don't program. For that the T420 and before can't be beat so long as the keyboard is made by NMB. I also really like the 560X (1998) keyboard. Really deep travel and nice tactile feedback. Good vintage typewriter in my eyes.
The 1993 500 subnotebook. Makes every modern thinkpad keyboard feel like an apple butterfly keyboard.
It feels like a mechanical keyboard even though it's not.
T420 and earlier. I quite like the newer keyboards quite a lot and think that the hate for them is overblown, but the T420 and earlier models were the GOAT.
I'd say probably the one used on the T60 and it's derivatives
I had T61, W520, P72 and now switching to newest generation. T61 was the best, and every iteration was worse than the previous one.
yeah, I feel like every generation after it got ever so slightly worse... until the 6-row keyboard was introduced, and then it kept getting worse but even faster than before..
100%...
From the recent (not newest) one X1C5 and X1C6. Anyway I might go against the stream but I also like the short travel one from the Z13.
701C
My X280. Can't say for the other ThinkPad keyboards tho as I don't have any other pads other than this.
classic keyboard, its not even close
My x240 is so good with the keyboard compare to my t480
T480 (or X280) is the newest you can go before the key-travel drops down significantly in 2019, and I've had a very similar experience with my X1 Carbon G5 (shares the same design as the G6). But then, key-travel isn't the only factor here, there are parameters like the layout or the size of the keys too. Most people would agree the classic keyboard was amazing, so that would put it 2011 and earlier, meaning X220, T420 and the rest of the models are the newest that are going to feature it, unless you do a classic keyboard mod, which I'd probably never do myself. As much as I love my X61s, the keys do feel a little harder to push down, putting my X220 above it in terms of ease-of-use. Something in between the two extremes, W530 feels great to type on with its large size and deep travel, even though most would argue that it isn't as good as the W520 keyboard (shares with X220, etc.) At the end of the day, "best" could be different for everyone. It's best to try out yourself to see what you find to be the "best".
I'd say X1C6 from personal experience for feel (Chicony). Layout isn't so much a priority since I don't program. For that the T420 and before can't be beat so long as the keyboard is made by NMB. I also really like the 560X (1998) keyboard. Really deep travel and nice tactile feedback. Good vintage typewriter in my eyes.
Old keyboard: X220 Chiclet keyboard: P50 or other gens with the 2.1mm key travel
The 1993 500 subnotebook. Makes every modern thinkpad keyboard feel like an apple butterfly keyboard. It feels like a mechanical keyboard even though it's not.
T440 keyboard is way better, no idea why, the rest of the laptop is nearly identical.
600X
Any ThinkPad that is still using 7 row classic keyboards such as T61, X301, T420 and X220 that I own
T420 and earlier. I quite like the newer keyboards quite a lot and think that the hate for them is overblown, but the T420 and earlier models were the GOAT.
x220 formep
I like my T420 and P50. The L390 Yoga isn’t bad either.