Different keyboard options for 11' macbook air

I just got one off craigslist for pretty cheap (Cheaper than any I have seen so far)... It wasn't stolen (Came with box and I am 100% sure due to other reason) but from what I can tell, it seems that the keyboard is not the standard US keyboard.

Tomorrow I am going to include a pic, but at this point I am trying to see if anyone on here is familiar with any different keyboards for these machines. Its a pain for me to get used to, but I am planning on using it for a week or so and if at that point, I am not used to it... Its going back for sale. If there is a spanish keyboard, I am pretty sure thats the one it is... but either way... just throwing it out there.

Also what would be considered a good deal for very lightly used 11' with the 128 flash drive? (2g ram and 1.4)

 

I just looked at the instructions that were in the box... There was a book that said Hello and one that said "Hola"... aka spanish for hello. Hmmmm

 

Yup,

That's a Spanish Keyboard alright.

Have you set Language and Input Source System Preference to English/US?

If so, you will see some of the characters you type on the top row, and second to bottom row keys not appear as what you see on your key caps.

You might try leaving your input preference as Spanish.
I'd sell it.

 

I did switch it to english and like you said, some keys dont match up... but having typed my whole life, its not like I really have to look at the keys. So people in mexico would have possibly ordered this model?

I do like it though and its time for me to retire my old plastic macbook. I think I will get used to the keyboard, the only issues I am having is with the shift key and the enter key... the odd shapes make it weird.

 

I think so, but I don't really know the extent to which the Spanish keyboard is used (central, south America, Cuba, Spain, etc..).

The key that might "throw ya" is the <> key right next to the left SHFT key. That is an extra key not on the English/US keyboards, having those characters mapped instead to keys more to the right.

 

Is it possible to make that key(<>) work as a "shift"... I often find myself hitting that for shift and also hitting the "C with a beard" key instead of enter.

 

Yes, it's possible. I've seen postings on boards wherein users have actually done modifications to the keyboard mapping files, but it's not for the timid, that's for sure. Whether there is any software that you can use is unknown to me. Perhaps another user here has some suggestions.

 

Off to the internet in search of a possible how to. Thanks for the tip Forsythe

 

This might work for you...

Download Ukelele for Mac - Unicode keyboard layout editor. MacUpdate.com

 

I am going to try that when I get home. Thanks again! Looks like its going to work.

 

Hmm, it might work, but I didn't want to fool with it. The program is not too user friendly and its default layout was for the american/english keyboard anyway, so I would have had to switch it to the spanish one and then change everything over to the english keys when all I really wanted was 2 small-ish changes.

For me its becoming a little easier to just learn the keys and reprogram my brain, lol.

Now I am not saying that I want to commit fraud or anything along those lines, but if I were to take the computer in for applecare warranty work for something such as a fried board, would they most likely give me an american one as a replacement? Even though its not quite as functional as I would have liked, I kinda like the uniqueness of the keyboard. The first few people I showed it to were impressed. I would also have an easy tell tale sign that this one is mine, lol.

 

I don't think they will... the keyboard structure is a bit different isn't it... even the holes cut for the keys are slightly different on the right hand side... they cannot just pop a keyboard replacement without replacing the whole aluminum shell.

 

Right. If it was as easy as replacing the keyboard, I would have actually looked into that. In some cases though, don't they replace the whole customers laptop? I have not had a unibody mac, so I really have no idea.

After thinking about it though, I figure they would give me a loaner, send mine in for repairs, then when it comes in, have me re-exchange it...

 

grats on your new air. its a fun quick machine. your kinda lucky that it has the 128gb drive. i have one with the 64 gb drive and i cant really put much of anything on there. I dont regret though that its a 1.4. it seems speedy really. gotto love ssds.

the scary part is i formatted the drive and put just windows 7 professional on there running as a ultra portable windows machine. i play startcraft on it on the go. it boots in like 15 seconds and shuts down in about 3. I dont know if it will stay like that, but for right now theres nothing wrong with it being strictly a windows machine. im loving the trackpad.its funny to show people because they get all bent out of shape. oh well its not like i cant at any time pop the thumb drive in and put it back so.