Convert 14” Keyboard to 15”?

[Plunkyy]

Looking at replacement keyboards since my newest 15” T42 came with an awfully mushy chicony keyboard. Seems quite a bit cheaper to buy 14” Keyboards than any listing that specifically sells 15” ones. Wondering if anyone has ever just dremeled off the 4th standoff to make it a DIY 15” model? Would this damage the keyboard some how? Would love to hear any thoughts on this.

[Gonzaleitor]

I did it, You have to cut one of the stand offs (I don't remember wich one right now), it's pretty simple. If You do it carefully there shouldn't be any damage, just check wich one is the one in the way and cut it.

[Plunkyy]

I did it, You have to cut one of the stand offs (I don't remember wich one right now), it's pretty simple. If You do it carefully there shouldn't be any damage, just check wich one is the one in the way and cut it.

Oh ok awesome, I figured it should be fine I've just never heard of anyone doing it so I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Thanks

[Gonzaleitor]

No problemo. I had the same problem as you and thought "what the hell?" and cut It. It worked.

[Glaurung-quena]

OK, I am confused. I have both a 14" and a 15" keyboard. Held them up side by side and none of the posts under the mouse buttons at the bottom line up. You'd have to remove at least two posts at the bottom and not have it secured at the bottom at all to fit a 14" KB into a 15" case.

It's hard to tell but I think the post near the centre of the keyboard is also not in the same place. The only post I am sure is the same between the two is the one in the upper corner.

[Gonzaleitor]

OK, I am confused. I have both a 14" and a 15" keyboard. Held them up side by side and none of the posts under the mouse buttons at the bottom line up. You'd have to remove at least two posts at the bottom and not have it secured at the bottom at all to fit a 14" KB into a 15" case.

It's hard to tell but I think the post near the centre of the keyboard is also not in the same place. The only post I am sure is the same between the two is the one in the upper corner.

Yeah, it's something like that.

[Plunkyy]

OK, I am confused. I have both a 14" and a 15" keyboard. Held them up side by side and none of the posts under the mouse buttons at the bottom line up. You'd have to remove at least two posts at the bottom and not have it secured at the bottom at all to fit a 14" KB into a 15" case.

It's hard to tell but I think the post near the centre of the keyboard is also not in the same place. The only post I am sure is the same between the two is the one in the upper corner.

Just logged on to update after I attempted it and now I see your post lol… I dremmeled off the extra screwpost on a 14” ALPS keyboard and tried to install it. EVERY screwpost is offset to the left compared to the 15” NMB I have. So this mod just isn’t possible if I want to have even one screwpost holding the keyboard in

Maybe it’s different in 14” chicony/nmb, not sure as I don’t have any.

[Glaurung-quena]

Just logged on to update after I attempted it and now I see your post lol… I dremmeled off the extra screwpost on a 14” ALPS keyboard and tried to install it. EVERY screwpost is offset to the left compared to the 15” NMB I have. So this mod just isn’t possible if I want to have even one screwpost holding the keyboard in

Maybe it’s different in 14” chicony/nmb, not sure as I don’t have any.

It will be the same on every type, since all the keyboards for each screen size are interchangable.

I have a a spare 15" T4x keyboard, but sadly two keycaps have come off (page up and delete, IIRC) and my attempts to install new ones went poorly (all thumbs, aging eyes, and tiny little plastic parts don't mix). DM me if you want me to mail it to you.

[Plunkyy]

Yea I guess you’re right about all 3 keyboards being the same… oh well. Thanks for the offer but I do have a decent 15” NMB already, I just wanted to switch it out for the 14” ALPS keyboard I have since I think I actually prefer those better on T4x. They’ve got kinda NMB-style platform switches and are nice and clicky. I’ve got a friend with a 15” ALPS as well that I think I will trade him my 15” NMB for, win-win