Laptop keyboards, can they be changed?

TheSwede · 24 Oct 2009 at 12:42

I am thinking about buying a laptop, but since I will be moving back to Sweden in a year or so, I am wondering if I bought a laptop here, could I then later change the keyboard to one with a Swedish layout?

English

Swedish

Its not that they are that much differently, mostly its because we have 3 letters in Swedish that don't exists in a English layout. Now, if they can be changed.. would be be expensive to do so? And would I have to buy it from the manufacturer or could I use one from a dead laptop, as long as it is the same size?

Thank you for taking the time to read and for any and all suggestions/advice!

beermonster · 24 Oct 2009 at 13:32

It will have to be from the same model laptop, you can usually pick them up on bay sometimes. Or if you cant find one, i believe you can get stickers to place over and then just change the keyboard map to swedish.

TheSwede · 24 Oct 2009 at 13:34

Ahhh didn't think about just getting stickers to change it over with.. not a bad idea! Well, as long as the stickers stick and don't come off after extensive usage of course!

Thanks for your input beermonster!

millsy888 · 24 Oct 2009 at 13:45

Maybe get in touch with the laptop manufacturer and ask about a replacement keyboard with a swedish layout if you dont have any luck on the bay.

matt100 · 24 Oct 2009 at 16:18

if there's a swedish model of your laptop then it'll be a doddle, I changed the keyboard on my last pc 3 times, took about 20 minutes each time.

whitecrook · 24 Oct 2009 at 20:53

matt100 said:
if there's a swedish model of your laptop then it'll be a doddle, I changed the keyboard on my last pc 3 times, took about 20 minutes each time.

what pc was that? To change a keyboard on my thinkpad takes about 1 minute.

Snapshot · 25 Oct 2009 at 21:49

I used to look after the IT for the Swedish School in London and we bought a load of Dell laptops (and PCs) with Swedish keyboards. You should be able to order one here with a Swedish keyboard and save any hassle later.

TheSwede · 25 Oct 2009 at 22:22

Snapshot said:
I used to look after the IT for the Swedish School in London and we bought a load of Dell laptops (and PCs) with Swedish keyboards. You should be able to order one here with a Swedish keyboard and save any hassle later.

You mean if I contact the manufacturer directly then I can get it with a Swedish keyboard? You don't happen to know if thats for all manufactures or just for Dell?

Snapshot · 26 Oct 2009 at 06:42

Dell is direct sales, of course, so it's easier but I also remember ordering a Thinkpad with a French keyboard when I was working for a VAR. A decent retailer should be able to do it for you. Obviously, PC World <> decent....
A manufacturer's laptops will all be built in the same factory so it should just be a bit of extra hassle to order one with a different keyboard.

TheSwede · 26 Oct 2009 at 14:14

Thanks for all your replies guys (and gals!)!

Just to confirm though, if for example I would want to order an Acer laptop from OcUK, then before placing my order I send them a webnote to ask if they could ask the manufacturer for the same Acer laptop they sell here but with a Swedish keyboard instead? And even if it might take a bit longer time for me to get the laptop, I might receive a yes to that question?

beermonster · 26 Oct 2009 at 15:10

I would suspect you would have to contact the repair agent of the particular laptop in question an specify a Swedish keyboard, they aren't generally kept as on optional choice from most high street retailers. You probably have more chance getting one in Sweden.