T400 : Dvorak keyboard?

[cluxter]

Hi

I would like to get a Dvorak keyboard for my ThinkPad T400 (2764CTO) instead of my original US keyboard.

I really doubt there is a way to get one, but do you have a tip to perform that? This link doesn't give me a lot of hopes : http://www.syzygytech.com/2007/04/19/dvorak-thinkpad/

Maybe a great and unknown company could do customized keyboards for ThinkPads?

Let me know!

Thanks

Cluxter

[erik Community SuperMod]

at this time only QWERTY keyboards are being offered.   there simply isn't enough demand to produce dvorak layouts.

my only suggestion would be to change your keyboard layout in your OS to dvorak and carefully remove and replace your keys in the correct order.   the keys will pop off with a little effort.   just don't force anything so they break.

[cluxter]

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erik wrote:

my only suggestion would be to change your keyboard layout in your OS to dvorak and carefully remove and replace your keys in the correct order.

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That's what I thought and tried but this is not possible because the mecanism under the keys is not always exactly the same for each key (sometimes it's inverted, or turned on its side).

I guess I will have to spend a lot of time to learn my Dvorak keyboard...

[france]

I tried to re-layout the keyboard of my T60 laptop.. most of the keys fitted to their original position. Had problem with keys D,U,F,G,H, J, T, X and I only. Most of these keys have their places empty in original QWERTY layout. So all the nine unfitting keys fit to the vacant positions. If I get my hand on dvorak, I may use stickers to change the face of these keys.

My current drovak-like keyboard layout is:

' , . P Y D U C R L / =

A O E F G H J T N S -

; Q X J K B I M W V Z

[bdpq]

I don't know if you have already found a solution for your keyboard but here is a recommendation for you.

You can consider going to a local sign shop that offers laser etching service and have them etch the Dvorak layout over your keyboard.  It is advisable to remove the keyboard befere doing so.  Having the entire laptop under the etching machine can be risky.

The shop I went to was a keyboard specialty shop in Japan, they even helped me removing the standard qwerty layout with a special chemical with no charge.  I paid for about $40 US dollars for their service to etch about 37 keys.  

You can even choose from several type faces.  very nice.

[johnv474]

(Not OP, but...)

Very cool.  I hadn't thought of that option.  Thanks.