Bilingual Keyboard Swap

Turns out, that if I want to order a T520 or W520 here in Canada, I'd have to wait "More than 4 weeks" if I want the US english keyboard. But - if I choose the bilingual keyboard it says "Ships within 10 days"

I have no problem buying the US english keyboard after and installing it myself. I just want the laptop ASAP. My question is would the new US keyboard work without issues?

 

It will work fine with a direct swap. Not sure why the US English keyboard would cause a delay though...

I can see hard drives delaying the shipment.

 

COlonel - I sees you have the FHD screen. How is it?

That screen is $200 more than the 1600x900 resolution screen. I'm just not sure if I should get it or not. The cost isn't the issue - it's whether I can use it or not.

I'll be doing a lot of reading on it / office work related stuff mostly...

 

It's really nice. With the higher resolution you can either opt to:
a) Fit more text vertically.
b) Fit the same amount of text but at higher resolution and sharpness.

I went for putting on NoSquint at 115% zoom.

I think the lid structure is slightly different with the FHD screen too. It's thicker by a millimetre or two.

 

Have you compared the 1600 vs the 1920 screens? I understand that it has 95% Color gamut, better contrast etc etc. But the 1600 screen can't be THAT bad...can it?

 

Well - I went ahead and ordered my T520

The basics...
i7 2760QM, 8GB, NVS4200, 1600x900, 9 cell, BT, Centrino 6300.

I got the midrange screen because I can always have an external monitor for high resolution workspace. For normal tasks I think I'd be more comfortable with the 1600 resolution screen.

Now...where on earth can I buy a US english T520 keyboard??? I've been checking ebay but no go, various other sites only have T510 keyboards...

 

If possible order the keyboard through Lenovo's website? Maybe you can cancel your order and find a similar one on Ebay?

 

No - getting the i7 2760QM was an absolute requirement and ebay had none. They only had the i7 2720QM, which I didn't want.

I would call Lenovo - the reason I got the bilingual was because the US english option pushed back my ship date to more than 4 weeks, which was unacceptable. So I'm assuming they don't have any. I may just make do with the bilingual keyboard until they have stock...

I know for a fact that if I were to start using the bilingual keyboard I would get used to it real fast, but I just hate the look of it.

 

Curious... How much did you pay for it?

I never could get used to the bilingual keyboard; the small Shift key was frustrating.

 

With taxes and all it was $1317 CAD. Not too bad considering the specs of the machine, and the fact that I'm in Canada where computer prices are generally higher than the US. I used the visa perks promotion - although I'm sure there will better deals during boxing day sales etc. I just can't afford to wait that long.

 

Fair enough. I used CAPREDFLAGSDEAL for a major 25% off early in the game. Scored my W520 at $1650 after everything.

 

Hey I'm in the same situation as you, I just bought a thinkpad with the French keyboard to swap later. I was just wondering if your item shipped or if that status is different than "Submitted" by now? You are a few days ahead of me on placing the order, so I'm wondering about the general time frame for a similar order.


EDIT - I just realised you posted this/submitted your order yesterday, for some reason I thought you posted this last week!

 

It still says processing. BUT - on lenovo canada's website there is no longer a 4 week delay for the US english keyboard. I'll be calling them tomorrow to make the change. Hopefully it works out...but we'll wait and see.

 

Hey so how did it go, were they able to change kb for you?

I wonder if we'll get our thinkpads before xmas, whats your order status now?