Thinkpads Forum

I just purchased an X230 laptop off eBay (with IPS screen)...it's basically in excellent condition but one minor thing I noticed it the top row of keys (Esc, Function, etc.) seem to be slightly higher than the rest of the keys. The ESC key is especially bad, almost looks like its pushed up? The right side (Delete) key also looks slightly pushed up.

I did some searching and found a few other users (not here) posted similar issues when they were brand new a few years ago.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen this issue? The keys seem to work fine and are attached and nothing is bent or anything like that.

Debating if I just want to replace the keyboard or all they all like that?

Thanks!

http://i67.tinypic.com/n6ylp0.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/2dkybrl.jpg

I have one used & one new x230 KB and the back row on both is slightly higher than the number row.

Yeah it looks normal.
Here's mine. You can see the top row are very slightly taller.
http://i.imgur.com/kjsBVeq.jpg

MOD Warning: picture WAY too big! Please read the Forum Rules, especially Section 5. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14339

I don't really have an issue with the entire row being higher than the rest of the keyboard. My biggest gripe is that the Esc key isn't level (left side of the key is higher than the right). Any way to level that out? Do the keys pop off easily?

Actually I think I have it fixed...I just sort of monkeyed around with the key and suddenly it seemed to pop back into a level position and still working great.

Sometimes the keyboard can be a little warped if its been in and out a few times. Just takes a little light bending to get it back into shape. They often curl up at the bottom right and make a horrible racket when using the arrow keys.

(Apologies for the huge pics above, It's hard to tell on mobile.)

Your X230 is normal (noted you have poped your [Esc] key back into better resting position).

Our own X230 is same as yours, with the top row of keys (Esc, Function, etc.) is also slightly higher than the rest of the keys.
Our [Esc] and [Delete] keys are of the same height as the rest of the Function Key row at the back.
This never bothered us!

We have on hand an old (broken) disassembled X230 keyboard as we speak, and this keyboard part had
the [Esc]/[Delete]/Function_Key_Row slightly elevated on the keyboard.

Hope this helps!

Note to Forum Moderators: perhaps this posting regarding X230 should be relocated to "ThinkPad X230 and later Series" Forum ?
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewforum.php?f=69