ASUS - Right to Repair

[AfonsoJR]

So I tweeted this in order to get some coverage, but haven't been able to get much track on it...

Afonso Ramos on Twitter: "@GamersNexus @LinusTech So, apparently, @ASUS recommends that you buy a whole new keyboard if a keycap breaks. https://t.co/yy8zaCF1dJ" / Twitter

 

Quote

Unfortunately, ASUS does not sell keys separately.
In this case you have to buy a new keyboard if you want to solve the problem itself.
We apologize for the inconvenience.

What do you guys think of the situation? I mean, all I want is to be able to buy a single key... 

[Moonzy]

looks to be using cherry stem, many aftermarket caps, you might be able to find one that works?

[AfonsoJR]

2 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

looks to be using cherry stem, many aftermarket caps, you might be able to find one that works?

That's true, but at the same time I wanted to maintain keycap consistency, without a single key that differs from the rest

Edit: Additionally, it's not easy to find a single key replacement either

[Moonzy]

Just now, AfonsoJR said:

That's true, but at the same time I wanted to maintain keycap consistency, without a single key that differs from the rest

buy the whole keycap set?

i really don't see what's the issue here

[AfonsoJR]

Just now, Moonzy said:

buy the whole keycap set?

i really don't see what's the issue here

How is that a reasonable solution? One broken keycap -> Buy a whole keycap set??? In the end, this is plastic, it should not be consumed like that!!

[Energycore]

That's some especially low quality customer service lol

 

But like @Moonzy said, your best bet is aftermarket keys for cherry switches.

 

If you're just missing one key, make sure it's the right height and you can paint it the color of the rest of the keyboard.

 

This is an opportunity to look at full sets of aftermarket keycaps, they generally last you through multiple keebs if they're good ones.

 

I actually want aluminum keycaps for my keeb, they're just way too expensive lol

[Energycore]

Just now, AfonsoJR said:

How is that a reasonable solution? One broken keycap -> Buy a whole keycap set??? In the end, this is plastic, it should not be consumed like that!!

If you just want the one keycap, you'll probably find someone who sells it to you if you ask around in a PC Parts marketplace. There's gotta be that kind of thing in Portugal

[CerealExperimentsLain]

1 minute ago, Energycore said:

If you just want the one keycap, you'll probably find someone who sells it to you if you ask around in a PC Parts marketplace. There's gotta be that kind of thing in Portugal

Or find a broken unit for parts maybe,

[Guest]

This is why I always check how a company handles replacement parts before buying an item. Though calling this a right to repair issue is quite farfetched. There's nothing secret about them that they're keeping from you, they just don't produce any extras. It sucks, but that just means they are not as focused on peripherals as other companies and your next purchase should not support that behavior.

[Moonzy]

3 minutes ago, AfonsoJR said:

How is that a reasonable solution? One broken keycap -> Buy a whole keycap set??? In the end, this is plastic, it should not be consumed like that!!

-shrug-

i tend to not rely on stock keycaps, esp corsair ones, they're absolute horse crap, that's why i don't buy corsair kb

 

but yes i can see why you'd be against this

[svmlegacy]

Find someone with a 3D printer. Right to repair and forcing a manufacturer to sell individual parts is two separate issues.

[Energycore]

1 minute ago, Den-Fi said:

This is why I always check how a company handles replacement parts before buying an item. Though calling this a right to repair issue is quite farfetched. There's nothing secret about them that they're keeping from you, they just don't produce any extras. It sucks, but that just means they are not as focused on peripherals as other companies and your next purchase should not support that behavior.

What are some keeb companies that do have replacement keycaps?

[Energycore]

Just now, svmlegacy said:

Find someone with a 3D printer.

This is actually an excellent idea

[CerealExperimentsLain]

1 minute ago, Den-Fi said:

This is why I always check how a company handles replacement parts before buying an item. Though calling this a right to repair issue is quite farfetched. There's nothing secret about them that they're keeping from you, they just don't produce any extras. It sucks, but that just means they are not as focused on peripherals as other companies and your next purchase should not support that behavior.

NGL, I'm probs gonna kill myself when my Roccat Sova breaks since it uses fairly unique parts and was never sold in high numbers.

[Moonzy]

2 minutes ago, Energycore said:

What are some keeb companies that do have replacement keycaps?

corsair sells whole set keycaps, but only because their stock caps are horseshit in my (multiple) experiences

somehow their replacement caps are decent though

[Guest]

Just now, Energycore said:

What are some keeb companies that do have replacement keycaps?

Corsair seems to according to their FAQ, and Razer has full sets for some of their boards.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, CerealExperimentsLain said:

NGL, I'm probs gonna kill myself when my Roccat Sova breaks since it uses fairly unique parts and was never sold in high numbers.

Indeed. We really need to stop screaming for Youtubers to intervene for every little thing. It just drowns out actual right to repair problems.

[CerealExperimentsLain]

Just now, Den-Fi said:

Indeed. We really need to stop screaming for Youtubers to intervene for every little thing. It just drowns out actual right to repair problems.

Well, I'd just solve the problem myself.  You'd see me buying another Sova on eBay for spare parts and hiding it in the closet as I slowly cannibalize it into the 2030s.  It's hands down the best 'couch gaming' keyboard I've used between it's size and comfort, but it's also such a 'one of'.  But yeah you won't see me screaming at influencers if a key breaks on it.

[Helpful Tech Witch]

Asus, really? Right after people call you out on your thermal pad bs?

[AfonsoJR]

7 minutes ago, Den-Fi said:

This is why I always check how a company handles replacement parts before buying an item. Though calling this a right to repair issue is quite farfetched. There's nothing secret about them that they're keeping from you, they just don't produce any extras. It sucks, but that just means they are not as focused on peripherals as other companies and your next purchase should not support that behavior.

Indeed! I'll try to make better purchases and inform anyone that comes to me for recommendations to stay off ASUS for these kinds of purchases.

 

7 minutes ago, svmlegacy said:

Find someone with a 3D printer. Right to repair and forcing a manufacturer to sell individual parts is two separate issues.

I'll probably try this! Best way to get it as similar as possible!

 

5 minutes ago, Den-Fi said:

Corsair seems to according to their FAQ, and Razer has full sets for some of their boards.

I imagine that since they sell those they'd make exceptions for these cases, but I'd have to try to make sure.

 

5 minutes ago, Den-Fi said:

Indeed. We really need to stop screaming for Youtubers to intervene for every little thing. It just drowns out actual right to repair problems.

I think it just shows how deep it goes

[AfonsoJR]

1 minute ago, HelpfulTechWizard said:

Asus, really? Right after people call you out on your thermal pad bs?

I went for my country's support email, so that might affect how they handle things as well. I'll try to contact some other ASUS rep. 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, AfonsoJR said:

I think it just shows how deep it goes

But this is not a right to repair issue. This is a "we suck at gauging what our customers needs are" issue.

[IkeaGnome]

uhhhhhh

https://rog.asus.com/us/keyboards/accessories/rog-pbt-keycap-set-model/

[CerealExperimentsLain]

Just now, IkeaGnome said:

uhhhhhh

https://rog.asus.com/us/keyboards/accessories/rog-pbt-keycap-set-model/

Wait, that's only USD$29.99 on Amazon.

WTF is the OP even complaining about here?

[IkeaGnome]

Just now, CerealExperimentsLain said:

Wait, that's only USD$29.99 on Amazon.

WTF is the OP even complaining about here?

They even list them on the Portugal site..

https://rog.asus.com/pt/keyboards/accessories/rog-pbt-keycap-set-model/