Vaio FW White Keyboard Replacement

I contacted Sony support about the keyboard color; I was going to change the color of my system to white so I could have the white keyboard (and I really started liking the color). Unfortunately, it was too far along in the process (even though it was backordered and not shipping til the end of April) to modify the order. It isn't really worth the trouble, in my opinion, to wait for the notebook, return it, and wait another two or three weeks for the white one.

Instead, I would like to replace the keyboard with a white one. Does anyone know where to find one? I've been searching for a while and have only come across the black version. It has really gotten me bummed out.

If you know of a place to get the white FW series keyboard (English), I'd appreciate a heads up. It won't be horrible to have to use the black, but the white just looks nicer.

 

Why don't you just order a second one now and refuse shipment on the first one when it comes.

 

I think they put a hold on my credit card and I don't think I have enough of a credit line to put another one on it. I may have to look into that option though. I'm not too enthused about the return process but if it is relatively painless, it may be exactly what I have to do. That is what the tech support suggested as well (not refusing shipment, but returning it). It was hard to understand him because he had a thick accent but I could decode that part.

I'm going to look at some pictures of the white FW and consider if it's really worth it.

 

hey i know this is an old old thread, but i did find white replacement keyboards on ebay. i'm getting a fw465j/B and they don't have it in white anymore, so i'm just going to replace the keyboard like you, and these things are $20 shipped.

my question is, (1) would that look weird? a white keyboard/black cover combo, and (2) how do you remove the vaio fw keyboard?

 

that's not a genuine OEM part on ebay - just some chinese grey market junk.

 

ah, shoot. for real? it says 'genuine', haha as if that really counts for anything. i see in your sig that you retail the real stuff, but i'm just curious how DO you know these aren't legit?

 

Anything that is not Sony Authorized is not legit ;-)

cheers ...

 

okay, that makes sense hahahaha
but i'm still curious, would the quality of this ebay item be really bad? they have an 180-day warrantee and also i've read some of the seller reviews, other buyers seemed happy with their keyboards even if they weren't the real thing. any thoughts?

 

180-days warranty is (very) good to me, personally ;-)

cheers ...

 

i agree.

i think i'll go for it, but i just contacted sony support and asked about what pricing should really be for a keyboard. thanks for your input!

 

because I've seen them - crap - the characters wear off... A few other things, 1. they are not legit Sony part numbers. 2.the OEM parts for the FW are NOT made in China but Malaysia. 3. The OEM part from Sony includes the plastic that covers the space between the keys. 4. installing this will void whatever warranty is remaining on your system. 5. good luck returning this when it fails - what good is 180 day warranty when it fails in 10 days and you've gotta foot the bill to return it to China.

I don't care either way but hate to see someone screw up a nice laptop with garbage parts...
Cheers!

 

itparts, i definitely want to recheck whether or not i want to spend 20 bucks on something like that. great hearing from someone who's a direct source. thanks!

 

oh... one more thing, that just occurred to me. on your third point you mentioned the plastic cover, and i was curious about that before. since i haven't opened up my fw i don't know; is that cover seperate from the actual keyboard? so if i replaced it with the crappy non-OEM keyboard would the cover come off the original and on top of the new one?