What is a keyboard “without frame”?

Question

I keep hearing "without frame" when trying to find a notebook replacement keyboard. Is it dysfunctional, or does it only mean it doesn't come with the common cover of a desktop keyboard and it's safe to use in a laptop as a replacement as-is?

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EDIT:

e.g. this: http://www.amazon.com/HQRP-Keyboard-compatible-DV7T-4100-Replacement/dp/B005G2QY4S

I start suspecting it means only a black cover over the keys (between the key gaps) that comes with the laptop. But not sure.

Answer 1

Without frame is another name for just the keyboard, and only the keyboard.

In most laptops, a keyboard is simply just a keyboard that you can remove in one go and replace with another unit.

Typically, the majority of keyboards are like this.

I have never heard of this name before, however, from replacing keyboards, it makes perfect sense to me. There are an increasing amount of keyboards where the keys are "sunk"/separated and these sometimes have a cover over the top that pops out, and again, sometimes it is an all in one unit.

So, to me, without frame simply means that if your laptop's keyboard contains an optional part such as a frame that goes over it, you will not get this part included with the keyboard.