Associate
- Joined
- 17 May 2025
- Posts
- 98
- Location
- United Kingdom
I have a HP laptop which I got cheap a few years ago because some of the keys on the keyboard don't work - I've been using it and plugging in an external keyboard anytime I need to use one of the faulty keys - I decided a couple of weeks ago that it's time to fix it.
I ordered a new keyboard from AliExpress for £12 - but when I took the laptop apart and removed the motherboard, I realised that the plate which secures the keyboard in place is held in by around 40 plastic rivets... I don't fancy faffing around melting plastic rivets and then having to re mould them.
Having done some research, HP apparently did this to make them more serviceable and you can just replace the whole palmrest.
A new palmrest with a UK qwerty keyboard is £40.
A new palmrest with a Swiss qwertz keyboard is £15.
My plan is to buy the Swiss palmrest, fit it and unclip the keys that are different and replace them with the keys from my old UK keyboard.
For example the Swiss keyboard number 2 has an @ symbol - so I could unclip it and fit the number 2 from my old UK keyboard. (I think there's around 10 keys I would need to change)
But then I'm thinking... if it was as simple as that, why isn't everyone doing it? £12 for a non-OEM keyboard (which seem to sell well) and lots of work VS £15 for a new genuine keyboard plus the added bonus of a new palmrest which can be fitted within an hour - and all you need to do is unclip the keys from the old keyboard.
Is there a flaw in my plan?
I ordered a new keyboard from AliExpress for £12 - but when I took the laptop apart and removed the motherboard, I realised that the plate which secures the keyboard in place is held in by around 40 plastic rivets... I don't fancy faffing around melting plastic rivets and then having to re mould them.
Having done some research, HP apparently did this to make them more serviceable and you can just replace the whole palmrest.
A new palmrest with a UK qwerty keyboard is £40.
A new palmrest with a Swiss qwertz keyboard is £15.
My plan is to buy the Swiss palmrest, fit it and unclip the keys that are different and replace them with the keys from my old UK keyboard.
For example the Swiss keyboard number 2 has an @ symbol - so I could unclip it and fit the number 2 from my old UK keyboard. (I think there's around 10 keys I would need to change)
But then I'm thinking... if it was as simple as that, why isn't everyone doing it? £12 for a non-OEM keyboard (which seem to sell well) and lots of work VS £15 for a new genuine keyboard plus the added bonus of a new palmrest which can be fitted within an hour - and all you need to do is unclip the keys from the old keyboard.
Is there a flaw in my plan?