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Can you swap physical keys?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2025 1:17 pm
by replica9906
I'm looking to purchase a used X200 or X220 and wonder if it's possible to swap keys on the classic keyboard? The point is to use Colemak-DH instead of QWERTY. The seller online could not answer the question and it was too specific for internet search.
Re: Can you swap physical keys?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2025 3:08 pm
by dr_st
On all Thinkpad keyboards I've experienced, keys that have the same physical shape and size have always used the same underlying mechanism, so they are swappable. I believe this includes all the affected keys changed between the two layouts you mentioned.
You have to be careful in doing it correctly and gently. Prying the key from the right direction is usually easy, while doing it from the wrong direction is very likely to break the mechanism. Which way is right? Depends on the laptop and keyboard, unfortunately. Even within the same laptop there are different keyboard vendors with different mechanisms.
I've done it enough times, and on different keyboards, to know that it is generally not a big deal. However, I have done it wrong and broke keys at least once, when I didn't guess the correct direction and tried to force things too much. Don't force things, and you will probably be OK. And in the worst case scenario, individual replacement keys, complete with mechanisms, should be available to purchase for the keyboards of the laptops in question.
Good luck!
Re: Can you swap physical keys?
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:05 am
by replica9906
dr_st wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 3:08 pm
On all Thinkpad keyboards I've experienced, keys that have the same physical shape and size have always used the same underlying mechanism, so they are swappable. I believe this includes all the affected keys changed between the two layouts you mentioned.
Good luck!
Thanks for your insights.
Maybe it is a better idea to change the layout in software and keep the physical keys in place... I feel that the classic keyboard keys (because of their age) are becoming more scarce and would hate to break any. While awaiting an answer, I thought of either using software, or spraying the keys with black paint to make them blanks.
This is a bit pedantic and drops the value of the machine, since the classic keyboard is something that motivates people to buy the older models (including me).
Perhaps you can say to what extent thinkpad keyboards are programmable? I'm a big fan of QMK!
Re: Can you swap physical keys?
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2025 2:32 pm
by dr_st
replica9906 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:05 am
While awaiting an answer, I thought of either using software, or spraying the keys with black paint to make them blanks.
If you're considering this, I would suggest finding some keyboard stickers and using them instead. At least they can later be removed if you resell or just change your mind, and the glue residue can be cleaned off with patience.
Re: Can you swap physical keys?
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2025 5:34 am
by deickos
replica9906 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:05 am
Maybe it is a better idea to change the layout in software and keep the physical keys in place... I feel that the classic keyboard keys (because of their age) are becoming more scarce and would hate to break any. While awaiting an answer, I thought of either using software, or spraying the keys with black paint to make them blanks.
Perhaps you can say to what extent thinkpad keyboards are programmable? I'm a big fan of QMK!
use AHK to remap kb with simple commands