Thinkpad Helix Pro Keyboard compatibility (Gen1 vs Gen2)

[Boxxer]

Hey guys,

I recently bought a 1st generation Helix with a Pro keyboard, but not in my language. I was wondering if the replacement keyboard (not the whole base with battery and such, but just the "key board") is interchangeable between both generations of Pro keyboards. As in... could I get the part from the 2nd gen pro keyboard and stick into the 1st gen one?

[Boxxer]

C'mon, guys... anyone? Over 3000 reads and nothin'?
I'd really like to sort out this issue.

[RealBlackStuff]

The answer is NO.
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X ... -p/2182781
The most affordable alternative would probably be something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/230506503439
This one is even local for you: http://www.ebay.com/itm/282352030189

[Boxxer]

Thanks for the reply.

I know the pro keyboards are not interchangeable, but what I was wondering was if the inner "tray" with the keys is. You know, just the circuit board with all the keys on it.

As for the stickers, I already have precisely the ones from your second link. It's a good temporary fix, but...

[RealBlackStuff]

I'm sure you must realize by now, that most of our forum members are basically only interested in Classic ThinkPads.
Exotic machines such as a Helix or a Yoga have very little to no interest here.
Just look at their number of posts and compare those to "classic" numbers.
That's why it's hard to get any info for machines such as yours.
Personally I have never even seen a Helix.
But see if this helps: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd014444

[Boxxer]

I'm aware of that. I have a T61 and an X220 as well, and I've had loads of useful information collected from here, as well as shared. The Helix, though, that's a whole different ball game. Doesn't even have it's own topic (which made it harder still to find the right place to post this).

Thanks for the info, it'll have to do for now

[mcintyrerj]

I'm aware of that. I have a T61 and an X220 as well, and I've had loads of useful information collected from here, as well as shared. The Helix, though, that's a whole different ball game. Doesn't even have it's own topic (which made it harder still to find the right place to post this).

Thanks for the info, it'll have to do for now

Death to your Helix!! j/k I'm still mourning the death of my R61. And am presently fighting with a 3679 Tablet 2 and a Twist s230u. I have taken the keyboard completely apart on the twist. If you would like a close up pic to see if the circuits are similar I would be happy to do so for you. My daughter spilled CHICKEN SOUP in it. If yours is a 12-13" or so, might help you out. I'd also compare the drivers from your gen vs whichever you're looking at now. Just for kicks, I plugged in the keyboard from an ideapad G510S (died 3 months after daughter got it - refurb with half the screws missing inside, not her fault this time); the ribbons were the same-ish. The G510S is a 15" with no red nurple but included seperate 10-key. It worked for the most part, just incorrect keys here and there. With correct driver, I bet it would have been compatible.

Hope this helps!
Jess