Almost a month ago, Lenovo was asking everyone who visits their blog to vote on how they wanted the Fn & Ctrl keys laid out. The results were pretty clear, but now it appears they are even closer to a win-win solution.
If you’ve ever switched between a ThinkPad keyboard and literally any other keyboard for some even light typing, you’ve likely noticed a big difference in layout. ThinkPads have placed the evil-but-necessar-on-notebooks Function (Fn) key on the very bottom left corner of the keyboard since the beginning of ThinkPad-time.
One of the main reasons for this positioning was to allow for activation of the handy ThinkLight keyboard light by pressing two keys on opposite corners of the keyboard: Fn and PgUp. The author of this blog post over at Yamato Thinking also points out that if you have smaller hands, the Ctrl key being closer to center makes using long-reach key combinations like Ctrl-F4 a bit easier.
While Lenovo’s poll over at Design Matters showed over a 1.5x greater preference for the current layout, the usability and design guru’s at Lenovo aren’t blind to the fact that many users would prefer the option to change the layout to their preference. As I noted in my previous post on this subject, the most efficient way to implement this would be a BIOS switch for reduced cost and enhanced compatibility, which is what the Yamato bloggers are indicating is being considered. If you’re interested in Lenovo putting a BIOS option on ThinkPads to allow this compatibility, head over and speak yer piece.
Source: [Yamato Thinking]
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
I still believe that the Fn keys should be activated through the use of a middle mouse button + F keys (both are blue on my keyboard). If Lenovo can do this while keeping the middle scroll’s original function while adding the “Fn” function, that would be great. So when you hit the middle scroll, it does what it is supposed to do, but hitting the combination of middle scroll plus F4, for example, enables sleep.
This way most functions can be achieved with only one hand, unlike the corner combinations since the “Fn” is now in the middle and is still easily located.
PROS -
No confusion whatsoever
One less key to worry about
One handed function activation
Two handed activation with minimal movement (no need to “go” for that corner)
One hand always on home row
Faster Activation since thumbs are always near the middle mouse button.
No “Fn” key, so more Ctrl space
CONS -
“Fn” labeling on the middle scroll button may be ugly
Don’t know whether it can be done!
The BIOS option only sounds good because it is one of those “at least it is better than nothing” type of deals. If this idea made it through, both Fn and Ctrl keys would have to be of the same size (reasons are obvious). Lenovo (or any other manufactor) will never ship two sets of Fn and Crtl keys for a user swap (more costly, kind of confusing for new users, and an annoyance for those that want their laptops good to go from the start).
Another big con for the BIOS option is that most people will probably not even know about and therefore wouldn’t even buy a Thinkpad because of the keyboard issue. Only the ‘die-hards’ who like the current format would probably know about it.
Sorry, I think turning this into a bios option simply punts the problem to the customer, that should be solved by the vendor who is getting paid to solve such problems. It is also problematic for OS’s that don’t use the bios to read the keyboard. And of course, switching the keys in the bios doesn’t swap the physical keycaps around, which is impossible anyway since they’re not the same shape. Finally, it screws people who use more than one computer (I own about ten thinkpads of which 3 get regular use and a couple more still get occasional use) and expect the keyboard to be the same on all of them.
Lenovo, please stop messing with the keyboard layout. Stick with one layout. Not continuous changes. Not bios options. One layout. Not two. One.
@none:
Why does it bother you that I would be able to use a machine the way I want to, while it wouldn’t affect you at all?
By the way, your understanding of how an OS interacts with the hardware is rather lacking…
what the heck u talking about, they giving you the option to switch between the two, so you don’t have to change anything if you like it the way it is now. I prefer the ctrl key being at the very corner, who cares about the key lights when people use cut and paste way more!
While they’re at it, could they give us an option to move the Control and Caps Lock back to their original locations?
Really none? It would bother you that you’d have the OPTION to change something? It’s not like Lenovo is making you change or use this switch (or even upgrade your bios for this, anyway).
It’s just a pain for people (like me) who are new to ThinkPads and even those who aren’t but use desktops often too; sure adapting from one keyboard layout to another is manageable, but there is literally no threat at all posed by this change, especially since you’ve made it clear that you’re not going to use it…
PLease DO. make BIOS option available.
Please make the BIOS option available before I write my review on this machine. What kind of user wants to switch where they type ctrl everytime he switches between a desktop computer and notebook?
IBM should have changed this ridiculous fn to a ctrl key back in the 90′s. Even Apple, in all its arrogance, kept its custom key in a custom place – that mosh pit between the control and space keys. That’s the area where vendors should play, and it has been lame of IBM to put the fn key as a first-class keyboard citizen.
Now what Lenovo can do to at least address the issue is a software util that lets you remap the fn key. That would be EASY, so why haven’t they provided it?
No, BIOS option is BAD. Software remap utility is GOOD. Why? Because IBM/Lenovo is also pumping out external USB keyboards with the ridiculous FN CTRL layout.
And, it would be a LOT easier, and backwards compatible, to just provide a remap utility that grabs ALL keys. This would also allow those silly Web Nav keys to be remapped to something useful. THINK(tm) about a real solution, something that solves LOTS of complaints without getting all trivial and specific. Real all-keys remapper utility would be the real winner.
OK – if the FN key can’t be remapped because it’s a proprietary in-keyboard mechanism, then Lenovo should look to Kinesis, makers of fully customizable keyboards. The keyboard itself has a remapping mechanism, obviating the need for any deeper hardware/OS integration. If the FN key cannot be made visible to generic (non-Thinkpad) hardware, then either
1) Drop FN CTRL, it’s wrong. Make it CTRL FN because that’s the way it should be
2) Allow the keyboard to be customizable from the keyboard itself. Add $5 to the cost and all of this anguish goes away, and you will also have the hottest keyboard around. Even gamers would want it.
Please make the BIOS option available!
I mostly use my Thinkpad for work but every now and then I also play a game. Especially when playing games in which you need to use the CTRL key to crouch the current layout is really annoying.
Thanks a lot!
Thanks for the article, I thought I was a lone voice crying out in the wilderness. I just got my brand new Lenovo laptop for work. High end, blazing, awesome, great key action on the keyboard…. and I just can’t adjust to use CTRL in this non-standard location for the life of me. Please help us to petition to make layout adjustment possible. This is driving me absolutely nuts and I don’t want to have to put money into an external keyboard just to make sure I’ve copied and pasted everything correctly.
i just can’t believe it took IBM/Lenovo so long to start thinking about this option. Isn’t it just like an if-then statement in BIOS? I can’t imagine any reason to not to implement it when this option won’t need the fans of current layout to do a thing.
YES! BIOS switch would be great. I could also live with a software add-on as long as I can have the ctrl key where it belongs! The reasons why I buy Lenovo is because they still have the Insert/Home/PageUp/Delete/End/PageDown keys at the right place. If they can fix the ctrl problem too I will stay a customer for years to come.
I am seriously considering buying an Idea Pad; but my previous experience with T61 tell me that although you do get used to the FN-CTRL placement eventually; it is a painful process. And the ugliest part is that you have problems with regular keyboards.
I would happily pay $5 for lenovo to switch the keys. I think they really need to learn a lesson from DELL about mass customization; and just offer the choice to the customer.
In the mean time; it is likely that I will skip the Ideapad for this purchase.
I am a linux user so Ctrl key location is important for me. It used more often than Shift or Alt. BIOS option that swaps important Ctrl and useless Fn will be helpful.
I also have an option to swap something in OS. I usually disable annoying keys like Power, Sleep, Slash and PrintScreen in unexpected places (like near Backspace). But Fn key can not be mapped to Ctrl because it does not send its own keycode when pressed (only when released).
The right solution of this problem is to make Fn an ordinary key that always generates press/release events.
I believe that sooner or later Lenovo will make the BIOS option. But what about existing notebooks? Will it provide BIOS update for them?
Today I saw new Lenovo S10 IdeaPads with redesigned keyboard and they have one issue solved: you can access numeric keypad with Fn+key (on previous models you have to press Fn+Numlock, key, Fn+Numlock). By the way, one thing is worse: now they don’t have nice block of Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn; yet it’s minor issue.
But the main issue, Fn key in left corner, is still here. I didn’t check if it has BIOS option, can anybody check this?
Please DO implement the BIOS switch option and offer it to reflash also existing laptops!
Currently this positioning is the number one killer argument not to buy a Lenovo or any other laptop with this positioning. If you often switch between a normal desktop keyboard and the Lenovo, the latter simply isn’t usable, you always get the wrong keys, lose copied texts, accidentally reconfigure things etc..
The problem is discussed in numerous forums as you can see by googling, and several people think as I do.
Lenovo should consider who participated in its poll, and how many people who avoid Lenovo for this reason never heard about it.
Please, DO it!
PLEASE, DO IT!
My company has committed to switching from Dell to Lenovo computers and I am holding on to my existing Dell laptop for dear life. The #1 reason? I do not want to have that CTRL key in the wrong place. When the time comes that I need to retire my Dell, I will more likely go out and buy any other laptop that won’t cause confusion for me in terms of the CTRL key. What a stupid design.
I was just “upgraded” at work to a Thinkpad R500. I am required for my job to build content in a system in which the html editor does not recognize the right click copy and paste. It also has no undo function. However, CTRL-Z, CTRL-X, CTRL-C and CTRL-V work just fine. At work I use a second keyboard with a numberpad and the CTRL key where it belongs. But when I am not in the office I have to use the Thinkpad keypad. Of course the option to fix this SNAFU is a MUST. Those who like the crazy Thinkpad layout will be unaffected — what are they worried about? Maybe they should channel their energy into a campaign for every keyboard/keypad manufacturer to switch their “Windows” and the CTRL key. Good luck with that one! How do I contact the right people at Lenovo who have the authority to approve the work around?
definitely preffer same size for both keys and easy option to swap the function, from the users point of view no matter how, in bios or SW key remaping – it has to be easy.
I use CTRL + something incomparable more often than Fn + something and pressing Ctrl on the corner is in my blood, not in my mind.
I am able to find Fn key next to Ctrl even in absolute dark when I need it, I know where it is and I exactly know what I am doing when I need to use Fn key.
I can’t understand why IBM/Lenovo does not provide the option to chose and therefore I am user of Dell and HP/Compaq (together with Lenovo they have the most similar keyboards to the standalone keyboards) and will never buy Lenovo, untill/unless the easy option to swap will be provided.
Try search Google for “Ctrl Fn”. You will see the answer. People/Users want to have the option.
Why is IBM/Lenovo refusing to provide it?
Lenovo: face the facts, almost half your customers want to swap the location of the ctrl/fn keys. Why are you prolonging this anguish and deliberation? Just implement the swap option in the BIOS. It is trivial: it would take one of your programmers at most an hour or so. I don’t understand why you are making such a big deal out of this, JUST DO IT and get this over with!!!
Does anybody know if this (BIOS setting for CtrlFn) IS or is NOT happening?
I recently made a mistake and got an X200 (the very first LENOVO in years) without first
checking the keyboard layout (the reason why I avoided ASUS in the past) and it is
such a pain!!! I use Windows machines just to connect to various LINUX/UNIX machines
and Ctrl key matters a lot!
Fn key on the left makes blood shoot out of my eyes!
Recently purchased a y450. Overall, I am very pleased. My #1 issue is the Fn Ctrl. Please provide us with the option to switch them.
Hello. I have an Acer Aspire 5534 and I reinstalled the windows 7 home premium. But, after this, when i use the Fn + it works, but it doesn’t display the action on desktop. What i have to do to activate the displaying ?
Got a T400. Please provide an option to swap! For whatever reason people would like this design – don’t leave all the others hanging with this comparably simple problem. Never you could have made so many people happy by just swapping two keys! Take the chance, Lenovo, and show your customers that they made the right choice buying Thinkpads!
I’m sure Lenovo would sell many more Thinkpads, if they just swapped the Fn and Ctrl keys. I’m one of those who would immediately buy a Thinkpad if this happened! BTW, a BIOS option without making the two keys at least the same size (and maybe physically interchangable!) would be disappointing.
A year ago I returned a thinkpad just for this reason, shame but not everything is perfect, not even a thinkpad
OK, this issue has been going on the blog since last August! Does anyone know if IBM is actually PLANNING on a fix, or are all our frustrations just that – talk with never any action on IBM’s part??? I do not see anyone from IBM piping in here at all! Is there a way to DIRECTLY get someone in the know to ask? If you know, please post.
Guys I love Lenovo notebooks, but never buy one untill they chenge Ctrl to very left-bottom corner
Agreed. Completely. I am actually considering paying a %15 restocking fee, because I don’t know if I can take this!
I would get that T410s for my next work notebook in a second, but that Fn Ctrl experience what I had +3 yrs ago on my previous x60 or was it w60 laptop was so hideous that I went to Fujitsu on last leasing swap. Now as my Fujitsu is due to change.. I’d really get that T410s with ssd hd and WXGA+ display and nvidia graphics (several displays supported!!).
But the only but is IF I find that Fn-Ctrl swap bios file for this type of computer.. I’d buy it and be happy with dymo labeling on keys
I would not mind at the moment on dis-sized keys, I need a new laptop in 2 months on my hands!
I hate that stupid little things like key positions, thinklight vs backlit keyboard, and multimedia keys are the deciding factors in my decision to buy a thinkpad. I mean seriously, Lenovo, just include everything and then we don’t have to agonize about it. Give people the option of which keyboard configuration they want. It’s an interchangeable part with a standard connector, FFS.
You must log in to post a comment.