Fn Ctrl switch

Ok, so I'm a purist and I don't consier the Fn-Ctrl switch in the BIOS to be enough for me, because it's still labeled the other way, and the Fn key is way narrower than enough for the Ctrl. I'm a fast blind-typist, so yes the spacing matters for those keys.

So can I physically buy a keyboard that fits the T410 that has the keys in the PROPER order, Ctrl, Fn, Windows, Alt? Can i use a keyboard from the T400 or even the T61?

Lenovo, switching your keyboard layout was a bonehead move.

 

Since the ThinkPad keyboard layout has had the Fn key on the outside since the first ThinkPads in the mid-90's, I'm not sure why you think anyone switched anything.

No, switching to a T400 or T61 keyboard, even if they fit, wouldn't make any difference since they are laid out the same way.

 

Lenovo has always had the Fn and Ctrl keys the way they are now - I actually prefer it that way, since I've gotten used to it, between my old Averatec, my external keyboard, and the Thinkpads I've used.

No, the Tx10 generation uses a different keyboard from the older Tx00, T61, and T60 generations.

 

I don't know why anyone would think the "correct" order would be the other way. Before keyboards had Fn keys, this was the order, so it makes sense that when you add an Fn key you add it to the end. It makes sense because it makes the keyboard symmetrical. And finally, it makes sense because you are far more likely to find utility in one-handed use of the ctrl functions than in one handed use of the Fn functions.

 

If you are real purists, then would follow the IBM way, after all the are the leader in laptop industry in the heydays.

Just because the rest of the computer does something doesn't mean Lenovo has to follow them for Thinkpads.

I mean just because most of the car industry puts the engine in the front or in the middle, doesn't Porsche really have to put the engine in the same location for the Porsche 911.

Lot of thinkpad purists are actually quite happy with the current keyboard layout. I for one likes everything the way it is.

 

Where did you pull that from? Seriously, it's the other way around. Take a look at the 104 keys keyboard, then you will see that before there is Fn key on the keyboard, Windows & menu keys get added in between spacebar and Ctrl key, not the end. So, it's only usual that Fn supposed to be added in between spacebar and Ctrl key also. So, in effect, the Lenovo way of putting Fn key in the far end is actually against the tradition and the norm, so it's actually "incorrect" order.

 

You'll note that there used to be a blank space between alt and ctrl, and they put the windows and menu keys in those blank spaces. There was no blankspace for Fn.

 

Lenovo is following the IBM way... and no one can really say that IBM way is wrong with their placements.

 

OK, minor mistake, but the point is that the added keys should have been on those empty spaces, not push the ctrl over and put Fn key inplace of ctrl key. The Ctrl key have always been on the bottom far left & right back when it was 101 keys keyboard which there are empty space between alt & ctrl keys on both sides.

 

BUt it was far left and right, but 1) equally far and 2) not that far. If you put the left control on the outside, you lose symmetry in the keyboard and you limit the number of combinations that you can do with one hand.

 

It is all about getting used to it. When i first used the Thinkpads many years ago, i would often touching the page forward and page backward key on near the directions key. Now i never touch them by accidents.

Personally i prefer the location of the Fn key on the far lower left corner, as it makes it easy for me to switch on the thinklight in the dark.

 

Judging from the following you shouldn't need to, as there should be a Switch Mode for Fn/Ctrl Keys in the BIOS for the T410 and a few other current/new models:

Yamato Thinking Blog Archive Switch Mode for Fn/Ctrl Keys: Start up

Yamato Thinking Blog Archive Switch Mode for Fn/Ctrl Keys: Follow-up

Yamato Thinking Blog Archive Switch Mode for Fn/Ctrl Keys


Otherwise, for those who are out of luck, look here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/474396-fn-ctrl-swap-all-lenovo-laptops-solved.html

Proceed at your own risk.


Having said all of this, I prefer the Fn key to be exactly where it is today, as it makes it easy to carry out shortcuts like turning on ThinkLight (like others have mentioned) and other useful shortcuts. I have long ago become used to the Ctrl key being the second key from the left.