The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Thinkpad T430 non-illuminated keyboard replace with illuminated keyboard possible?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Sieghart, Dec 9, 2012.

  1. Sieghart

    Sieghart Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,

    I recently bought a Thinkpad T430 from a reseller in Vietnam. However, when i purchased the system, i didn't notice that this model doesn't offer the backlit keyboard option. I really want to replace my current keyboard with an illuminated one, but I don't know whether its possible.

    This is the only product that i found on the internet: New Orig IBM Lenovo T430 X230 T530 Backlit Illuminated Keyboard 04W2369 04W3063 | eBay

    However, I'm not sure if its fully compatible with my system, since i've noticed a few minor differences (for example, the Fn shortcuts I have on my number keys doesn't have anything on my F2 button, like this one http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAxWDE2MDA=/$(KGrHqF,!rcE+rmghkkpBQJ89WOID!~~60_35.JPG)

    But on the illuminated ones like this, http://www.lenovo.com/shop/WW/produ...ptop-PC-Close-up-Keyboard-View-5L-940x475.jpg

    There is one addition shortcut to the F3 button, and the shortcut (lock function) on my system F3 button moves to the F2 button on the illuminated keyboard)

    If anyone has every tried to replace a keyboard like my case. Please let me know if it is possible to replace (espcially if its possible to do it by myself).

    Thank you.
     
    Sieghart, Dec 9, 2012
    #1
  2. sungman

    sungman Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    12
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Might be just a different layout, the one you got from Vietnam. But I don't see why that keyboard shouldn't work.
     
    sungman, Dec 9, 2012
    #2
  3. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

    Reputations:
    6,668
    Messages:
    8,224
    Likes Received:
    231
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Yep, some of the Fn shortcuts are different between the backlit v. nonbacklit keyboards in the Thinkpad xx30 generation. The keyboards are fully swap-in compatible, though.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 9, 2012
    #3
  4. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    the non-illuminated and illuminated ThinkPad 'Precision' Keyboards are interchangeable.
     
    lead_org, Dec 9, 2012
    #4
  5. spartan11

    spartan11 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Has anybody actually tried replacing a non-illuminated keyboard with an illuminated keyboard?

    I am considering doing this with a T530 and called Lenovo support and was told that the keyboards are not interchangeable because of different connectors.

    I would not be surprised if Lenovo support is wrong but would like to know from someone who has tried it before I buy an illuminated keyboard.
     
    spartan11, Feb 2, 2013
    #5
  6. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    You going to believe support or Lead_Org?

    Lead is usually right about all things ThinkPads.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Feb 2, 2013
    #6
  7. PRAGUEGUY

    PRAGUEGUY Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Lead org please help...
    I have just purchased a backlit keyboard. After I damaged my own one.
    I have a feeling it is flmisier and harder on haptic feedback..more of a wooden feel, with absence of rubbery damping feel at end of pressing the key. I do not know if the seller will take it back, it was much more expensive than non illuminated...Am I imagining things, or did the manufacturer have to cut corners on the feel side to accomodate the led lights? If so, I want the normal keyboard...this one is annoying... :(

    http://lenovoshop.cz/lenovo-cz-pods...t430s-t530-w530-x230-fru-04x1248_d558441.html
    I have bought this . FRU-04x1248
     
    PRAGUEGUY, Apr 28, 2015
    #7