how can I order a HP Spectre x360 with US keyboard layout?

[LorenzoLu]

Hello,

I'm very interested in buy a HP Spectre x360 15 (such as "HP Spectre x360 15-bl001na") with US Keyboard Layout, not the UK one.

Is there any chance to buy it? I live in Germany.

Alternatively, since I ALREADY have the same laptop BUT with UK layout, and since I see the difference between the two layout (UK and US) is about 6 keys, I would be very grateful to who can suggest me how to find those 6 US layout keyboard keys.

I'm definitely able to replace them, it is very easy with this kind of keyboard.

Thank you very much, hope you can help me,

Lorenzo

[Huffer]

The keys themselves are not exactly the same. The shape and size of keys in various locations is not the same. And on this model the keyboard is only provided as a spare part as a component of the whole top cover and replacement is extremely difficult. Do you maybe have a friend or relative in the US who could buy it for you. How about ebay DE or UK? There are some US sellers who also ship overseas and maybe even a German or UK reseller who has US units available. HP very strictly channels specific product into specific countries so HP only sells German units in Germany. 

[mdklassen]

There are several models of "Spectre X360".

See: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04679496

for the "Service Manual" for one model. 

On page 14 is the "Illustrated parts catalog".

On the next page are the part-numbers:

(3)  Keyboard (includes keyboard cable and keyboard backlight cable):

For use in Canada 801508-DB1
For use in Germany 801508-041
For use in the United Kingdom and Singapore 801508-031
For use in the United States 801508-001

See the "HP Part Surfer" web-site: http://partsurfer.hp.com/Search.aspx?searchText=801508-001

Backlit keyboard assembly - Full-size, with island-style layout - Includes keyboard, backlight, and pointing stick connector cables (United States)

Picture: http://partsurfer.hp.com/ShowPhoto.aspx?partnumber=801508-001

The "Shopping Cart" shows "in-stock", and priced at $102.31 (Canada).

I don't know if shipping is included.  Maybe, custom duties, too?

At that price, you might be wise to search eBay for a "not working -- for parts" listing, and "cannibalize" it.

Example: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-HP-Spectre-X360-13-4000-13-4101DX-13-4103DX-13-4116DX-US-Silver-Keyboard-...?

might be correct for your model.  Read the whole listing for very-similar keyboards from the same seller.

[LorenzoLu]

Hi @mdklassen, thank you for your quick and so useful reply!

I have already searched on ebay for not working items but no result: this laptop, I think, is very recent.

Also, your pdf maybe is related to an old model (2016?) because keyboard is white, instead of black... but I'll find out the right manual and part number. 

before that, my last question: if I found keyboard replacement (or just some keys to replace), how let the laptop know about the layout changing between UK to US layout? 

I've not found any BIOS Setting about that, and I'm not sure OS setting is enough, because any US keyboard layout set on ubuntu does not consider the "\|" key (that I have instead on right-CTRL) as a CTRL.

my current keyboard:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0JEtyp7tax9Y2FYTmpUZjlQZDg

and what I would have:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61BBgNmQgpL._SL1000_.jpg 

Thanks a lot for any further help,

Lorenzo

[LorenzoLu]

my model is:

HP Spectre x360 15-bl001na

do you have link to the specific service manual?

[Huffer]

It is very recent; its a Kaby Lke 7th gen system. Please let's look at the correct Manual and not go down some blind alleys here. As I said, the keyboard is only sold by HP with the entire top cover. 

See p. 16 of the manual here:

Manual

Page 53 of the Manual:

"The top cover/keyboard spare part remains after all other spare parts have been removed."

In other words you can only replace the keyboard as the last step in a total gut of the system. 

It is an island type keyboard which makes replacement of single keys very hard to do. 

[LorenzoLu]

Thank you Huffer for your answer and link to the maintenance manual.

Well, I would like, purchase the US version without any trick, of course.

Don't understand why HP has so strict policies, since it is not a matter of copyright or other law specific reason, but I understand so few people in Europe would use an US layout.

I simply don't like and don't want any country specific character, and I tried UK layout, with the very bad surprise of the right-CTRL missing (the other differences are not so important, but I cannot remap just one key, because I would miss some other...)

So... I will keep looking for an US seller who sells overseas at a reasonable price, or and europe seller who imports some US models... but I'm not so optimistic, also because I'm looking for a quite recente model (Convertible, 15", i7 7th gen., 16GB... the only thing that does not matter a lot is the SDD, 256, 512 or 1024 is even ok with me).

In case you have more suggestions... they are very welcomed.

Thanks a lot,

Lorenzo

[mdklassen]

> how let the laptop know about the layout changing between UK to US layout? 

I don't know about UBUNTU, nor any other variants of Linux.

Start Windows.

Open the "Control Panel".

Under Windows 7 (but Windows 10 is similar):

(Clock, Language, and Region --> Change keyboards)

> I've not found any BIOS Setting about that,

The BIOS does not "care" -- typically, the BIOS has "clickable" settings -- not "input-fields" where you type anything, other than a "password".

> and I'm not sure OS setting is enough, because any US keyboard layout set on ubuntu does not consider the "\|" key (that I have instead on right-CTRL) as a CTRL.

Left-to-right, the bottom-right of my 'US' keyboard ends with: (spacebar) | ALT | (Windows) | (Context Menu) | CTRL

i.e., no "special" ASCII character in that "corner" ?!

[mdklassen]

> do you have link to the specific service manual?

Start at:   http://support.hp.com

Enter the part-number.

One "hit" is the specifications: https://support.hp.com/si-en/document/c05385070

but that is not specific enough.

I have not looked at the other "hits", for "downloadable manuals", such as the "service" manual.

[LorenzoLu]

When you purchase a good, that good becomes yours. 

When you are aware that warranty becomes void, if you act on the good in not a proper way, and even you would have a modification on it, making it by yourself, and ask help to the factory (HP) to supply you a spare part that you would purchase... but it seems so hard, well, it is understandable that factories do not do their job. 

I know, not only HP is lacking and not responsible... unfortunately most of the brands. 

Bad.

Bye.