Physical swap of keyboard layout

[Cydoimos]

Hi,

I have been thinking of buying a refurbished macbook with a US keyboard layout, but would prefer to have a french layout. Is it possible to swap the keys, and if thats possible how expensive would that be? Are there any other differences between a mac bought in the US and in Europe?

 

[Fishrrman]

Something tells me this is NOT a job you would want to try, and would be too expensive to have done for you.

You didn't tell us WHICH refurbished MacBook you are considering.
If it has a butterfly keyboard, forget it, these do not interchange by themselves (entire top case has to be replaced).

To sum up... this is a bad idea.
If you want a French keyboard layout, BUY one with that layout.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

The entire top case would have to be replaced. Not only are the keycaps imprints different - there are physically different keys. USA uses ANSI and Europe uses ISO. Layout differences described here: https://support.apple.com/102743

 

[Cydoimos]

Something tells me this is NOT a job you would want to try, and would be too expensive to have done for you.

You didn't tell us WHICH refurbished MacBook you are considering.
If it has a butterfly keyboard, forget it, these do not interchange by themselves (entire top case has to be replaced).

To sum up... this is a bad idea.
If you want a French keyboard layout, BUY one with that layout.

Im looking at m2/m3 macbook airs in 13’’/15’’

 

[Cydoimos]

The entire top case would have to be replaced. Not only are the keycaps imprints different - there are physically different keys. USA uses ANSI and Europe uses ISO. Layout differences described here: https://support.apple.com/102743

How much would be a replacement of the top case? And if I get an ISO keyboard in another language (like UK english), can I swap the keys or do I have to change the top case too if I want to get a french keyboard?

 

[Fishrrman]

"How much would be a replacement of the top case?"

I'll guess from $500-700 (US).
Are you willing to pay that much? (even if it's possible).

Again, my advice is:
Do not attempt this. The results aren't going to be what you want.

 

[Cydoimos]

"How much would be a replacement of the top case?"

I'll guess from $500-700 (US).
Are you willing to pay that much? (even if it's possible).

Again, my advice is:
Do not attempt this. The results aren't going to be what you want.

Ok, thanks

 

[FreakinEurekan]

“Theoretically” if you get a different ISO layout, yes - you could swap the keycaps. Keycaps are either Apple original, which means buying them “grey market” (Apple won’t sell them directly to you; probably need to buy from an agreeable Apple service center) or they’re 3rd party replacement which might not match the finish or build quality of OEM. So research that first - Where are you going to get the French keycaps to swap with? How long will it take to get them? Even if a service center is “willing” to sell you the parts, they’re likely not kept on hand. What are they going to cost?

Other potential issues:

• Removing keycaps is not a simple process. This post mentions that it’s possible, but to “be careful because they are easy to damage.” If a key gets damaged, then you are stuck with the (expensive) top-case replacement on top of the sunk cost of the caps.
• You’re looking at “new” Macs for M2/M3 MacBook Air. Warranty service will be potentially affected if you do this. It won’t “void the warranty” but (a) if the service involves the topcase - trackpad or keyboard for example - you might have coverage issues or they might switch you back to the original language and (b) if anything is potentially caused by damage done during the swap, that would not be a covered repair.

I’m with @Fishrrman on this scheme - buy the Mac with the keyboard you want.

 

[Sumleilmus]

An option not mentioned in the thoughtful posts above is to use your Apple Silicon MacBook Air with an older external Apple wired or wireless keyboard. I had one from circa 2001 from which I had easily, reversibly pried off the key caps and rearranged them to the Dvorak keyboard layout. Of course, the English key caps do not exactly correspond to the French ones, but with an indelible marker and some clear cellophane tape (to prevent skin oils from dissolving the so-called indelible ink), you could make your own for a very low cost, both in effort and money. Older used Apple keyboards are available from various online sources and at some recycled computer parts stores. (I live in a city with a couple of these, but you might not). Ebay and Craigslist are places I would look. I'm not able to estimate the relative resale potential of used Apple notebook computers with different keyboard layouts, but I suspect, intending no slight to French culture, that the English keyboard layout might have a higher resale value. Also, notebook computers come with a compact keyboard, and some enjoy the additional numeric keypad and other features available on an external "extended" keyboard.