Is it possible to get Dvorak layout on a MBA?

[akm3]

I don't believe you can order it from Apple...(But I can get Spanish! Hooray!)

But is it possible to...swap the keys or something to turn it into a Dvorak layout keyboard? (Obviously I'd need to change it in the OS as well, but it'd be very helpful to learn it to have the keys match what I'm trying to learn)

-Allen

 

[akm3]

I just realized how much this would completely destroy almost all keyboard shortcuts Maybe I"ll rethink this experiment.

But I'm still curious if it can be done

 

[chv400]

I'm sure there's a file somewhere in OS X that has the keyboard profile. All you'd need to do is find that file and reassign the keys. Also might want to rearrange the keyboard, but that might be bad for your warranty.

I used to be able to change the keyboard layout in OS 9 with ResEdit but I'm not sure what you'd use in OS X

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

Go to System Preferences —> International —> Input Menu

Select Dvorak.

BAM! You can type in Dvorak, even if you don't rearrange the physical keys. This is what I do on my MacBook.

 

[dahcheet]

I'm sure there's a file somewhere in OS X that has the keyboard profile. All you'd need to do is find that file and reassign the keys. Also might want to rearrange the keyboard, but that might be bad for your warranty.

I used to be able to change the keyboard layout in OS 9 with ResEdit but I'm not sure what you'd use in OS X

Go to System Preferences —> International —> Input Menu

Select Dvorak.

BAM! You can type in Dvorak, even if you don't rearrange the physical keys. This is what I do on my MacBook.

While this does change the keyboard layout in the OS to Dvorak, I think s/he is looking to physically change the keys on the keyboard to match the Dvorak keyboard. As far as I know you might be out of luck.

My suggestion would be to put down pieces of masking tape on the keys. They're easy to remove and won't leave any residue but it will look a little unprofessional. It'll be good until you learn the layout, then you can take off of tape and confuse anyone else trying to use your computer. "Why is the 'f' key typing an 'e' instead?!" (I think that's right, I haven't used Dvorak in a little...)

 

[Zefster]

Here's my suggestion: Learn to touch-type using Dvorak, and then think about switching the physical layout later...

I have been on Dvorak for about 2 months, I think it's definitely worth it. You will soon become accustomed to the new shortcuts, though it sucks and is really hard for a while.

I would guess that you can physically rearrange them, you can on the macbook and the macbook pro... just make sure to do your research, do some searches, there are pictures and walkthroughs available somewhere of rearranging the keys on MB and MBP, so try to find those and go from there.

Learning without having the keys there is well worth it. Do that first.