English/French Samsung R580 Keyboard Question....

Hey guys 1 simple questions. I am in Canada at the moment so everything electronic over here is cheaper than at home(Ireland) and I've been looking at the Samsung R580 15'6 laptop i3 and have decided to buy.
But in their wisdom the Canadian authorities have decided that every keyboard issued in Canada must be bilingual so now the keyboard is cramped with both English and French on each key. So the End key doesn't just say 'End' it says 'Fin' too and etc etc!
Now maybe its just me but I think it takes away from the whole look of the machine making all of the keys look cramped and hard to read plus I don't speak French so serves no purpose for me!
So I have 2 options:
1. Do i buy as is and then get a replacement keyboard with English only?? If so WHERE would I get one and HOW difficult would it be to replace. I work in IT support so would be able to manage it ok. I've been looking on line and don't seem to be able to get one at all, not Samsung site not anywhere.
Or 2. Do i purchase from the states and get it delivered to my Canadian address with an English keyboard and NO French!! At the moment Best Buy and Future Shop have it for $849 so don't know with currency exchange whether US price would beat that.
Sorry this is so bloody crappy and kinda non-important but any help would be great guys!

 

I would first look at getting one from south of the 49th parallel (check shipping cost and whether you would be liable for any import taxes or duties). If that option isn't attractive then you can get a replacement keyboard off ebay. Here, for example.

John

 

Hey thanks for that. I know it's a ty little thing and I don't know if you have seen this bilingual keyboard, but it really takes away from the aesthetics of how the machine looks. Like under the bonnet it's a great machine for the price, but it just annoys me that the keyboard looks cramped and completely full with both French and English on every key!
I managed to find a retailer selling the keyboard as new for $135 so I'll see how it goes on EBay. How difficult do you think it'd be to replace the keyboard?? Thanks for your help.

 

I would expect that the R580's keyboard fixing is the same as the other Samsung notebooks that I have encountered. There are usually about 3 screws on the bottom marked "KBD". Remove these then look for some small latches holding down the edges of the of the keyboard. They are probably at the front edge and sides if the photo on that ebay link is correct. You need to gently push the latches away from the centre of the keyboard while lifting the adjacent part of the keyboard slightly so that it is above the latch. Work round the edges until all the latches are released. Then lift the front edge sufficient to clear the palm rest so you can slide the keyboard sufficiently to release the tabs along the back edge. Then flip the keyboard over so you can access the ribbon cable. This cable is secured to the socket on the main board by a latch which you need to release with a small screwdriver.

John

 

Hey that is brilliant John, like I said its a silly kinda thing but don't want to keyboard looking so cramped. I'm sure I'll have no problem getting the keyboards switched out. But thanks for all the help! Or 'Merci' if I was typing on my old keyboard!!!!!!! Thank you!