Canadian Vaios - "Bilingual" Keyboard?

I just came across a disturbing photo in the big Z series thread of a so-called "Canadian" keyboard littered with far too many labels and colors, all in the name of being bilingual.

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq245/torontoguyyy/DSCN0086.jpg

My question is, is this really what Sony Canada is sending out on any notebook listed with a bilingual keyboard? It's horrible! Not only is it far more confusing to figure out what's where, but it has the European L-shaped Enter key and repositioned backslash which I simply cannot live with (20 years using keyboards the "other way" have pretty much conditioned me).

I guess they got tired of making a custom model for 23% of the population, and would rather annoy the other 77%.

My Canadian SZ160P I bought 3 years ago came with a "normal" keyboard, I was completely surprised to find this out now. And just after I had talked myself out of the Dell Studio XPS 13.

Is there ANY WAY to get a English keyboard in Canada? CTO maybe?

Or am I simply going to have to buy from the US and deal with having no warranty, because there is no sale with that keyboard...

 

I agree, the bilingual keyboard would be a deal-breaker for me. CTO on the Z gets you an English keyboard.

Alternatively, the Canadian model of the TT comes with an english keyboard out of the box.

 

Some stores may carry both the bilingual and the US keyboard models. I remember seeing US keyboard and bilingual keyboard versions of the same laptop (i forgot which) on BestBuy.ca. Try configuring the laptop on Sony's website to see if they allow you to choose between different keyboards. I remember Lenovo, Toshiba and HP(?) gave you a choice.

 

I checked Best Buy... there are a couple of models not listed as bilingual, but they don't sell anything smaller than 14.1". Ditto for Future Shop.

Guess I'll have to wait for the Z690 CTO to go live before I can make up my mind.

 

sooooooooooooo, ive noticed a bunch of canadians are on this thread, what do you guys think of the price increase? such as the extended battery.. formerly 100$, now 130$.. the only difference i see is price .. and bluetooth, but you can just update the Z5xx bluetooth for 10$ (and it can probably be hacked for free) so really, the only difference is price.. what do you guys think?

 

I think it totally blows...wait...what price increase? I dunno anything about it, lol.

 

If you purchase a Canadian Vaio with a bilingual keyboard, you may be able to swap out the keyboard for an American one. The process may not be easy however.

 

On the Z I don't see it being at all easy, as the physical key layout is different and the entire palmrest/under keyboard area is one solid piece with cutouts for each key.

 

I think Rahul meant that you could try to order the english keyboard from the sony parts dept and replace the whole thing, with the cutouts etc (not key by key!).

 

I wasn't thinking that way; I just assume that the keyboard and aluminum panel are separate items, and since the keyboard is physically different I'd have to buy and replace both. Which would most likely not be that easy, and likely rather expensive (knowing the insane prices Sony Parts charges for simple little things).

Can anyone confirm that CTO models come with the US keyboard?

 

\The keyboard is annoying but you get used to it. \It hardly bothers me at all now.\

\Typical Canadian subsidiary laziness -- force everyone to deal with this mess rather than stock two items. \London drugs also has only the bilingual kybds for those out west. \I believe that best buy actually owns future shop now so I wouldn't expect any difference in the future.\

\The keyboard and top cover are one assembly and to get at the innards come off as one piece. \

\If you go through the configuration process on the internet the canadian Z5 series showed the US keyboard.\

Doug

 

The best way to ensure English (or US) keyboard is to order a CTO through a sonystyle sales person. That way, you will not be hooked if it came wrong. Having said that, the Assistant Manager in a Sonystyle store told me he checked and cto on z comes with US keyboard.

 

I guess the US doesn't want to be bothered stocking the bilingual keyboard for Canadian CTOs. Which would work very well in my advantage.

But really, this is quite disturbing... do they really sell so few here that bringing up an English model isn't even an option? Physically it already EXISTS as the US version, and it's not like they'd even have to re-pack it with French documentation or stickers (that's what the bilingual version would be for).

 

I just purchased the Vaio AW120D laptop with the bilingual keyboard - no choice! I'm not sure I can get used to it as I still work heavily with my main system that has a standard English keyboard. My main source of frustration is the small left shift key which is right under a large Caps Lock key - the reverse of a standard keyboard.

I'm going to see if Sony can retrofit a standard keyboard and if not then I may return the unit. I use the laptop for business and frankly don't have the time or inclination to "learn" a new layout - I'm bad enough with the standard layout!

I've noticed that many manufacturers have opted to just stock bilingual systems; this is a very disturbing turn of events.

If I can't find what I want here I may just purchase a laptop in the States.

 

I don't quite get what the problem is with bilingual keyboards. So, they have a few extra signs on some buttons, so?

 

maybe some of those people (who dislike bilingual keyboards) are new to typing and the extra signs confuse them. another issue, perhaps, is key placement / size that's different from what they are familiar.

 

CTO FW models come with a US keyboard. Can't confirm other models, but since the CTO's all come from the US I would imagine that they only come with English keyboards.

 

HI Guys,

I'm going to buy the Sony Vaio VGNNW150DS - but like you i'm not happy about the bilingual keyboard! i found a few US keyboards on sale on EBAY that should would seem to fix the problem by taking the old one out and putting in the US verison... has anyone done this? i'm buying this from bestbuy in canada and woudl love some help ASAP!

Thanks guy

 

you will likely void the warranty of your notebook. if you make the change, Sony will not be liable for any damage and/or malfunction. the safest approach is simply to adapt to the bilingual keyboard; it's not difficult.

 

even if i get it done by a authorized Sony dealer? ... I'm just going to buy this from the US... i can't stand the stupid French stuff on the keyboard...

 

I am a Sony repair tech, and dont really see a problem with changing the keyboard, as long as you keep the other one for troubleshooting and get it upgraded by a Sony Authorized Tech. The way I see it its kinda like Ram, you can change it, but keep the original for warranty work.

Ive just purchased a Z620, and am thinking about swapping the keyboard for the US one. Only downside is the price on the Keyboard, which Sony lists at almost $350CA. Its not too bad considering it looks like its the whole top assembly.

 

will changing the keyboard void my warrente

 

The FW billingual keyboards really aren't bad compared to some. The keys are the same layout and size; they just have that extra symbol(s) on them.

 

I wish we were able to order the CF layout on laptops down here in the US since I actually use that layout. Kinda stupid how mexico and canada can get theirs or the us layout but we only get us lol.

 

I don't see why it would if you get a Sony Authorized tech to do it. If you do it yourself, yes. Note that there would be no warranty on that part and if it ever has to be shipped back to sony you would have to pay for the keyboard to be swapped back

 

Yipes, that's why it was nice the way keyboards were before when you could pop it off and put on a new one without having to tear apart the laptop.

 

The keyboard is a deal breaker for me.

Has anyone seen the new Z in Canada without the bilingual keyboard. I've heard some Sony Stores carry both?

CTO option on Sony.ca makes no mention of keyboard options.

 

So far i've only seen the Z with the bilingual keyboard at the sony store's I went to. The CTO models come with US keyboards which is a good thing cause I hate the oddly shaped enter key and extra small shift keys on the bilingual keyboards...

 

Ah, someone dug up my old thread.

Pre-built (in-store) VAIOs: bilingual keyboard unless specifically mentioned English-only (and there are a couple).

CTO VAIOs: US English keyboard.