I have a laptop keyboard left and wanted to ask if there's a way to convert the resulting ribbon cable into a standard plug like USB?
I think that it is much cheaper to get a simple PC keyboard than to start a handicraft.
If you have little space available, there are also narrow keyboards without a numeric keypad.
https://www.amazon.de/..._ss_i_3_16
There you will also find individual number blocks, which could only be connected if necessary.
Or normal keyboards:
https://www.amazon.de/..._sb_noss_1
Finding a suitable keyboard is actually a very personal matter. Often, just trying it out helps.
At least if you want to work on it properly or if you want to use it intensively as a gamer.
These are almost completely different requirements.