In short: a Lenovo laptop "case" is actually several different parts: the palmrest (top part around the keyboard and touchpad), the bottom cover, the LCD back cover (rear of the screen) and the LCD bezel (front frame around the screen).

Each is matched by model and FRU number. Below we explain the differences and what to watch out for when buying.

Types of ThinkPad case parts - what is what?

• Palmrest - top case part around the keyboard, with the touchpad; comes with or without a fingerprint reader.
• Palmrest with keyboard - palmrest complete with a fitted keyboard (convenient "whole unit" replacement).
• Bottom cover - the underside of the laptop (service/bottom cover).
• LCD back cover - the rear cover of the screen.
• LCD bezel - the front frame around the screen.
• Hinges - connect the screen cover to the body.

What to watch out for when choosing?

• Fingerprint reader - the palmrest comes with or without a reader; it must match your laptop's configuration.
• Screen variant - for the bezel and back cover the panel resolution / touch matters.
• FRU number - the most reliable match; the same case part is often shared by several models (e.g. T460s and T470s).

Keyboard in the palmrest - screwed or riveted (heat-staked)?

This is a very important structural difference that decides whether you replace just the keyboard or need the whole palmrest with keyboard:

• Screwed keyboard (separately replaceable) - found in ThinkPad X1 Carbon, T490s, T14s and some ThinkPads. The keyboard can be unscrewed and replaced on its own, without changing the palmrest.
• Riveted / heat-staked keyboard (permanent) - this is the case in most IdeaPads and Legions, as well as ThinkPad E15/E16 and many other models. The keyboard is riveted to the top case, so as standard the whole palmrest with keyboard is replaced. Replacing just the keyboard is possible, but clearly harder and riskier - it requires cutting/melting the rivets and experience to avoid damaging the palmrest.

So if you have an IdeaPad or Legion with a damaged keyboard, the right part is usually a palmrest with keyboard rather than the keyboard alone.

Palmrests also differ in keyboard layout (e.g. island-style) and the key cut-outs, so they're matched precisely to the model and version.

If in doubt - using the Lenovo service manual (Hardware Maintenance Manual) we'll check how the keyboard is mounted in your model and point you to the right part.

Keyboard language layout and the palmrest - can I change e.g. German to English?

This depends on whether the palmrest is island-style or standard:

• Island-style palmrest - has a separate opening for each key, cut for a specific language layout. A keyboard in a different layout usually won't fit the openings, so changing the layout requires replacing the keyboard together with the palmrest. Replacing with the same layout can be done with the keyboard alone (held by tiny screws). Island palmrests are used e.g. by X1 Carbon (all generations) and the "s" models: T14s, T490s, T480s, T470s.
• Standard palmrest - has one large opening for the whole keyboard, so it accepts any language layout. You can fit a keyboard with a different layout (e.g. German → English) without changing the palmrest. This is the case e.g. in T470 / T480 / T490 (without "s"), T450 / T460, the E and L series and many IdeaPads.

Note: different language layouts are different keyboard FRU numbers (e.g. English-US, German, Nordic - these are separate, non-interchangeable layouts). If you bought a laptop abroad and want a different layout, give us the model - we'll check whether the keyboard alone is enough or a palmrest is also needed.

Frequently asked questions about cases and palmrests

How is a palmrest different from a bottom cover?

The palmrest is the top case part - it surrounds the keyboard and has the touchpad and often a fingerprint reader. The bottom cover is the underside of the laptop. They are two different parts; when replacing, check exactly which one you need.

How do I choose a palmrest for a ThinkPad?

A palmrest is matched by model and FRU number, taking the configuration into account: with or without a fingerprint reader. Check whether your laptop had a reader and pick the matching version. The same case part is often shared by related models.

Palmrest with keyboard or without - what to choose?

A palmrest with a fitted keyboard is replaced "as a whole", which is convenient when the keyboard also needs replacing. Choose the palmrest alone when the keyboard is fine. We stock both in separate categories.

What is the LCD bezel and what is the LCD back cover?

The LCD bezel is the front frame around the screen, and the back (LCD) cover is the rear part that closes the screen from behind. These are two different parts of the display assembly - when buying, make sure which one you need.

How do I check which case part to choose for my model?

Most reliably by the part's FRU number or by the laptop serial number, from which we can read the original parts of your unit. If in doubt, send us the model or serial number - we'll pick the right case part.

Can I replace just the keyboard in an IdeaPad or Legion?

Yes, though it's harder. In most IdeaPads and Legions the keyboard is riveted (heat-staked) to the palmrest, so as standard the whole palmrest with keyboard is replaced.

Replacing just the keyboard is possible but requires cutting/melting the rivets and experience to avoid damaging the palmrest - which is why the whole palmrest is usually chosen.

In ThinkPads such as X1 Carbon, T490s or T14s the keyboard is screwed in and replaced easily.

How do I know whether my keyboard is screwed in or riveted?

It depends on the model. As a rule, higher-end ThinkPads (e.g. X1 Carbon, T14s) have a screwed keyboard, while most IdeaPads, Legions and ThinkPad E15/E16 have it riveted.

Give us your laptop model - based on the Lenovo service manual (HMM) we'll check the mounting and tell you whether you need just the keyboard or the whole palmrest with keyboard.

Can I change the keyboard layout from German (or another) to English?

In most cases yes. If the laptop has a palmrest with one large keyboard opening (e.g. T470/T480/T490 without "s", the E, L series, many IdeaPads), the keyboard alone in the desired layout is enough.

If it has an island-style palmrest (X1 Carbon, "s" models such as T14s or T470s), the openings are cut for a specific layout, so changing to another requires replacing the keyboard together with the palmrest.

Give us the model and we'll check what's needed.

Will a keyboard in a different language layout physically fit my laptop?

With an island-style palmrest (a separate opening per key) a keyboard in a different layout often won't fit the openings - then a palmrest is also needed. With a one-large-opening palmrest any language layout fits.

Different layouts are different FRU numbers, so when ordering it's worth giving the laptop model and the desired keyboard language.

We'll help you choose the case part by model or FRU. Shop: abcdeal.eu · Allegro: allegro.pl/uzytkownik/abcdeal.