Tell me about international keyboard layouts.

[cksubs]

Hi, I just saw a Japanese (I think?) ThinkPad keyboard.



It's awesome. I really want to try out that tiny spacebar and extra hotkeys. As a typing nerd I'm always looking for ways to increase inefficiency... I'll probably throw 'backspace' on my right thumb. I only hit 'space' with my left thumb anyway, so it will be perfect. The only thing I don't like is the undersized 'enter' key, but I guess I'll work around it.

Would I be able to buy a keyboard like this and install it in a USA ThinkPad? Know of any good sources? (I don't have a ThinkPad yet, so just generally as opposed to any particular model).

Are there any other international keyboards with similar differences from the standard USA keyboard? (differences other than the printed letters, obviously)

Anyone else tried these from an 'extra hotkeys' perspective?

Thanks!

[RealBlackStuff]

That looks very much like the keyboard from the S30/S31 model, which was only ever sold in Japan.
There are some of those available on eBay occasionally, but parts are only available in Japan (eBay Japan?)
These are their part numbers:
KEYBOARD 02K5916
KEYBOARD (i-Series) 02K5923
KEYBOARD US (for s31) 02K5917

These won't fit into any other Thinkpad models.

Good luck.

[rkawakami]

Depending on what type of Thinkpad system the OP settles on, it could be possible to source a Japanese keyboard for it. Almost two years ago I got one with a T23. The FRU was 02K5730. There's two listings on eBay for that keyboard at the moment; different eBay seller names but based upon the pictures of the keyboards, they could be the same person/company.

@cksubs: My suggestion would be to grab a copy of the Hardware Maintenance Manual for whatever Thinkpad strikes your interest. The main index is here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 39298.html

Look toward the back of the manual for the Parts list, subheading, "Keyboard" and you will find a listing for the different languages that were/are available. Armed with the FRU(s), start searching eBay. However, I don't know if you would be able to re-map the "extra" keys to do what you want. My understanding is that those special keys essentially perform "shift" functions on some of the regular keys. I did not have the opportunity to play with that 630 keyboard to see what it could do.

ref: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=69055 (a 630 keyboard on a T23)

[GomJabbar]

You might find this link useful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout