[N81] Petitoin to get Asus to swap that unwieldy keyboard

I'm kinda irritated to no end by the Fn key at the lower left;
there's a way to get around by using AutoHotKey (last ditch solution),
but my first inclination is to find out which other model's keyboard might fit.

the new K40's might... I'll find out after I have more time next week.

Meanwhile - the dimensions for the N81's keyboard is 300mm x 108mm approximately. If anyone could kindly indicate if they have something that might fit, please pm - much appreciated!

Meanwhile, if we could all send Asus a line and convey our thoughts...

here's the login page
http://member.asus.com/login.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

Cheers and Thanks.

 

i was about to get this laptop then i decided to wait for the new one. im hoping for an illuminated keyboard!

 

Not a chance

btw, just configured Dell and Lenovo to something comparable... price-wise, the Asus can't be beaten...

 

Yeah its the one thing that annoyes the hell out of me about Asus laptops. That damn FN key in the place the Ctrl key should be!

I'll work with the Asus W3J and Dell XPS next to each other, and sometimes the IBM X20 as well. Always gets me going from keyboard to keyboard, always push the wrong ctrl/FN button. Annoying.

Its almost a deal beaker for me on purchasing another Asus laptop in the near future. That is just me though, im sure most people wouldn't care too much. Other than that though, the Asus machines can't be beat for price/spec's/warranty.

 

looking at the u series?

 

N81Vp-D1 is coming out soon.

 

Even if the keyboard is the same size it will usually not fit due to different keyboard connector layout (the connector that is underneath the keyboard plate and goes to the motherboard).

This Fn key to the left is after all just a minor inconvenience. I have used ASUS laptops with the Fn to the left, and with the Ctrl to the left, and I just got used to it in a few hours. The brain does it automatically, you just need to give it a bit of time.

 

Thanks EBE, and you're exactly right with regards to the ribbon cable's compatibility. Well... have to try at least.

Although the Fn key is a minor convenience - it's a persistent inconvenience.

I've got 4 laptops all around the house and 2 desktops;
having a standard kb layout appeals to me.

Another thing that I don't understand - why do some models have Fn/Ctrl, while others get Ctrl/Fn.
It can't be a regional "feature", as some here that have bought the North American versions, don't have that Fn/Ctrl problem.

 

Switching to/from a desktop keyboard is usually not a problem, because that one is bigger so the brain is building a different "map" for it -- I can't explain it better than that, but that's what happens. This was observed by a member earlier on, I don't remember who know, ClearSkies or coriolis or somebody

On the other hand, the brain uses the same "map" for all small (laptop) keyboards, so switching between laptops with different layouts on a frequent basis can be annoying. This is because each switch requires some period of adjustment.

As to why the different layouts -- it's for historical reasons. Early on all ASUS models had Fn to the lower-left corner of the keyboard. Then, a few years ago, they started introducing models with the Ctrl to the lower-left. But they weren't very consistent, and some new models still had Fn to the left. Hence the current state of affairs is inconsistent and sometimes confusing.

As to the ribbon cable compatibility I know that it can happen from experience. The W7 keyboard is precisely the same size and layout as the F6 keyboard -- but the connectors are different so the keyboards can't be exchanged.

 

Thanks for the clarification, EBE~

I've got enough pressure from work/studies - and when I want to play CS to "depressurize", hopefully I don't have to think about cramping that left pinky to find the Ctrl button!

Clearly I have no idea about the history of the Fn key!
Been with Dell for at least a decade before finding their stuff to be overpriced and underperform.

The ribbon cable - will be calling the notebook tech tomorrow and then get in touch with Asus parts to order one...

 

You can't exchange ribbon cables AFAIK.

 

the new N81vp-D1 model still has the old keyboard, i jsut got my D1

 

When I bought my Prostar 8814 (Clevo D800p)... the FN key was on the lower left. But eventually, there came a BIOS that swapped the CTRL and FN keys (of course you had to physically swap the keys too).

Maybe that's all ASUS needs to do.