Upgrading and Repairing Laptops, Second Edition

Chapter 13. Keyboards and Pointing Devices

The keyboard, pointing device, and display are in many ways the most important parts of a computer because they represent the human interface to the system. Unlike desktop systems, portables have keyboards integrated into the one-piece unit. This makes them much more difficult to repair or replace, and you can’t switch keyboard models or types; you are stuck with the model that comes with the system. Because you can’t switch the built-in keyboard, the keyboard should be an important element of your system-purchasing decision when selecting a new laptop. Because manufacturers are forced to modify the standard 101-key desktop keyboard layout to fit in a smaller case, you’ll find a variety of different layouts ...