Building the Perfect ThinkPad X230 Part 2: Keyboard Swap

Part 2 of 3: Building the perfect ThinkPad X230.

The ThinkPad X230 gets a classic 7-row keyboard from the ThinkPad X220 installed. This includes a keyboard modification and EC firmware flash in order to make every key work properly.
In the next video, I will replace the TN-panel with an ips-panel. Stay tuned!

Full Guide - Install Classic Keyboard on xx30 Series ThinkPads:

Click the time stamp to jump to different parts of the video.
0:00 - Introduction
1:39 - Summary
2:18 - Keyboard modification
3:41 - Disassembly
4:21 - Palmrest install
5:38 - Keyboard install
6:14 - EC BIOS modification
7:46 - EC flash

Enjoy the video, leave thumbs up and/or subscribe if you like my work :)
This video is for entertainment only, please do not use it as a tutorial for your beloved tech!

[fusobotic]

Thanks for the cardboard backing tip, I had the trackpoint button problem too and that fixed it! Someone should definitely add that to the official wiki page when they get the chance.

[grenbird_]

I wish this video was available when I did my keyboard swap. Good job :P

[cesarterrones]

You are right on the layout of the classic Thinkpad keyboard is fantastic and is the closest to a desktop keyboard, however after using this new X230 keyboard, and I rather not go back.

[Heidegaff]

About to attempt this on my X230T once the shipping from China arrives.
Pro-tip: You could've used a JIS japanese layout keyboard. Not only it's pretty much the same (save for the missing key between left Shift and Z) and cheap at about 30€, it also looks cool and, most important, it has 4 keys that are unused in a normal european layout, that can be remapped on any OS that supports remap features, like Linux or Windows.

[tushar]

Actually, I'm doing a keyboard change in my X230 Type 2325 and this just randomly popped up in my recommended XD. I'm getting a backlit keyboard installed into it. Hope the installation goes well! old laptop parts are pretty hard to get in India. I'd love to get some hardware tips for my thinkpad
Edit: Well, it turn out I got a normal keyboard! atleast two of my broken keys have been replaced

[kapslaczek]

The classic dome is the best but the rarest dome! Many people do not know about its existence.
PS Good job with keyboard.

[eugenevorster]

Great video, subscribed! I have a x220 with classic keyboard, but would prefer backlit keyboard, is this possible? Thanks

[codegustavo]

Hello from Brazil.

Thank you for this satisfactory video, I followed the procedures following the video and documentation and everything went well.

My BIOS is version 2.74 G2ETB4WW and EC 1.14 G2HT35WW, I did not update to version 2.75. And everything went well.

In my case I enabled the battery patch, very simple, just run this command (make patch_enable_keyboard clean) before (make patched.x230.img) after that you will have an image of the EC with the keyboard and battery patch active.

Thanks.

[baggadap]

Great videos!
Where did you get the Danish layout keyboard? I have trouble finding just that locale for cheap..

[bryantchang]

Great video. I think I have the similar issue with you (video 3:00). You mentioned the problem with the mouse buttons. Could you show me the step-by-step guideline to solve the issue? I don't quite understand what you said. (I am stuck with the issue and don't exactly know how to solve it)
Thank you.

[hieuvu]

I really like your video, but I want to ask that if I buy an x220's palm rest with a fingerprint option so that I can still use fingerprint without any problem?

[adm_]

Great job, I've decided not to get an ips monitor for mine because of what I heard about extra battery consumption. I'd still love to hear turns out for you. Also, have you looked into any speaker modification?

[entremontanas]

May I know which keyboard did you installed and if you have the link? I dont want to get the Alps by mistake

[lagendacpbelalangkunyit]

Can you custom the keybord with a back light for this model

[Abbasable]

What Linux distros you are using?? And also any recommendations for X230 having 4 gb of ram .

[rezmed]

eh.. what application of piano is that ? love it so much

[williamperrymelevo]

Hello Classic Dome, can i ask about how did you do the BIOS configuration? Do you have a step by step tutorial for that?

[nicolasmagnussen]

Hi, where did you find the German keyboard, I can't find it anywhere. Really nice video!

[naheelazawy]

What software are you using for the virtual piano?

[Mr.WhiteBeard]

Hi got x230 from my brother. But vga port on x230 rusted. How to clean it? Any ideas