Replacing new keyboard with old

Now that the new series of Thinkpads have been out for quite some time, I was wondering whether anyone has tried to replace the new thinkpad keyboard with keyboards from the *10 and *20 series of thinkpads.

I understand that the keyboards are physically compatible, but that the BIOS would have to somehow reprogrammed to accept the key inputs of the older keyboard. Has anyone made efforts towards this, or does anyone know what would need to be done to produce a modified BIOS? It sounds like a risky procedure to me, but how much work would it require?

As I think about one day replacing my current computer, I cannot help but be disappointed by the keyboard switch.

 

The keyboards are indeed compatible, but swapping them produces some odd results because of the BIOS mapping. For example the page up on the old keyboard becomes delete on the new one.

If you have to ask, I would guess it's beyond your ability. You'd have to be some sort of programmer I would presume. I am not one, so I can't of much help here, but I've not heard of anyone attempting it.

I would ask, have you tried one? I've used both the X230 and T430. The keyboard from a typing perspective is quite good. It's firm and the pitch is excellent. If you're a long time ThinkPadder with the layout grooved into your brain, the new keyboard will never make you happy, but this is the new reality. I don't know there's much that can be done about it.

 

The new keyboard is actually a very good keyboard, the depth and resistance on the keys is good. Like ZaZ mentioned, it comes down to if your brain is simply programmed to the layout of the old keyboard, if that is the case it will take awhile to try and make that transition and some people may never be happy with the new layout. It however, does not mean the new keyboard is worse.

 

My impressions of the new Thinkpad keyboard vs. the old layout:

Lenovo ThinkPad W530 Review

 

I figured that with the BIOS being so low-level, reprogramming it could render the computer unbootable, so I guess it is a dangerous procedure. I suppose it would take a

I have tried the newer keyboard on an E530. There's no flex unless you press down hard (beyond the pressure of normal typing), but that's the same as with the previous generation of keyboards. It's not as if it were a macbook, where the aluminum between the keys is absolutely solid. It's merely keys built onto a tray, just with a plastic framework in between the keys for the "clean" look. The feel was just different, not better. I imagine that I could get used to typing on it. After all, I believe keyboard feel isn't so important. The limit to input is not typing speed or keyboard feel but rather one's own thinking process.

The disadvantages were more disappointing. They intentionally lowered the height of the trackpoint on the newer models so it doesn't make a mark on the screen. Unfortunately, now its usability felt similar to that of Dell trackpoints, i.e. not so great. And of course the layout; I just can't imagine myself getting used to that. What annoys me the most out of all the changes is the complete removal of the context menu key. Even cheap Acer and Asus notebooks at least still have that key. And I can mention the other layout changes, although I won't. jarhead describes them well.

 

Also, has anyone noticed and wondered why the X1 carbon keyboard has spacing between the function keys, whereas the other new generation keyboards don't?

 

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I have put the T430s precision keyboard into my T420, and it operates it fine. But as ZaZ mentioned, the key mapping is wrong, so even though the qwerty keyboard part functions normally, functions button, etc are mapped differently.

 

You could always use key remapping software at the OS level to help with the incorrectly mapped keys. I haven't tried it but there is programs out there that will let you map just about any function to any key, so if the old keyboard still connects and works on the new laptops, I see no reason why you can't remap whatever the incorrect function is to the correct function that you want.

 

I currently use a free program called KeyTweak to remap Alt to CTRL and vice-versa. This is for the X230T in Win8, but I have been using this program for many years.

Keytweak allows you to map specific keys to another specific key. Would a program like that work for remapping the old keyboard to the correct functions?

 

I see no reason why such a program wouldn't work to help restore the old mapping, it's just some programs will let you map more functions than others so I guess that is something to lookout for. I know some programs even let you map macros to any key you want. I imagine its just a matter of finding one that works best for you.

 

It won't work; check out this thread for detailed explanation: forum.thinkpads.com • Installed X220 keyboard on X230, reasonably working

Basically, it is only possible to make all old keyboard keys to work in a new laptop by hacking the BIOS. Otherwise, the extra keys won't even reach the OS, so there is nothing to remap at the OS level.