Keyboard Flex on new R3's?

are the R3's having issues with keyboard flex? i know most alienware seem to have it slightly my m15x has it very slightly by the right shift key if i really push.

I am really wanting an R3 but im ocd and the keyboard flex issue will bug me. I know that it can be replaced and if it is only a fluke issue i am fine long as it does not plague all of them. Thanks guys i try searching but since the R3s were just re released most of the results show for R1's and R2's. Any info is appreciated.

 

I upgraded from the 15x to the 17x R3. I am having no issues with my keyboard. Now, granted, I don't lean all my body weight onto the keyboard...but I don't type/use it that way either. You will find some video where folks are applying a ridiculous amount of pressure then claiming keyboard flex. I submit that I can apply enough pressure to anything and make it flex.

Bottom line...keyboard flex isn't an issue on the M17x R3 I received.

 

Thank you!yea i know if i push hard enough mine will flex to but i have seen vids of people appearing to type normal and you can see it flexes under little pressure. i have experienced this on a friends R1.

But im glad to see it is not a design flaw. Thank you!

 

The other thing about the R3 keyboard flex issue is for some reason there's been a few of them that don't have the plate under the keyboard that goes over the top sticks of ram, if it doesn't have that plate the flex is going to be real bad in the lower left of the keyboard. It's fine as long as you don't put a ton of pressure on it and have that plate.

 

i assume i could have dell just send me a plate if it were missing and install myself? or id have to have a tech do it?

Thanks for the quick replies guys really helping put my mind at ease. Probably be ordering once my refund comes through from the macbook pro i returned.

 

We want to see a video from someone here with R3 that film when they are pressing normally on their keyboard. The same amount of pressure as when you are writing something etc. I couldn`t care less about all those videos when they are pressing hard and forcing it to flex

do it do it do it do it

 

+1 this would be appreciated!

 

Here's a link, sorry for the horrible quality I just shot it real quick with my DroidX.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swTKtWXh1qQ&hd=1

 

Thanks Dane

Seems like it is some small flex there, but it is probably very little because you filmed it close up

 

I also made a vid a while ago-
YouTube - M17x R3 Keyboard / Media Key Flex

 

Looks good. Is that you pressing hard or normal?

 

I'd say I'm pressing pretty hard. Typing "normally" has no flex if that gives you an idea of pressure.

 

Thats a lot better than the flex Mandrake was getting.. The metal plate over the RAM makes all the difference.

 

thanks so much guys!!!!!!

 

My new R3 has minimal keyboard flex on the bottom even when I apply pressure. The ASDFW keys do have flex when I push down with force but for normal typing, it's not an issue and is quite comfortable to use. In fact I don't notice any keyboard lag either which is something that plagues other notebook manufacturers *cough Asus G73*.

 

@the both of you: That's ALOT of flex. Doesn't even look like you're pressing hard. Is there any space underneath to fit in some pieces of double-sided tape or cardboard/cardstock or something to reinforce the kb? Really disappointing that their "premium line" (and my first dell purchase) is that bad

 

Not sure on any space being left under as I don't want to disassemble this anymore.. I'll check when replacement comes.

Also I don't even use it outside of when I am "mobile" (in which case I'm not doing any keyboard intensive task, like gaming anyway) so it doesn't really bother me.

I always carry a backpack and the case with my laptop in it (hence not wanting another backpack for laptop earlier).. Keyboard fits fine in the backpack with everything else

 

It really isn't bad, if you're looking for a notebook with absolutely no flex you may want to look at something else. It really isn't bad at all, I don't even notice it on day to day typing I actually have to look at it or think about it to know that any flex is happening at all.

 

The whole flex thing is overstated. It's not bad and noticeable at all. If it were, I'd gladly point it out.

 

That's quite the challenge . The only 'modern' laptop that I've found which has no flex is a macbook, and that's cuz the keys are on a tray behind the actual metal exterior, which doesnt count as a keyboard lolz (I hope you know what I mean). Even the G73 has flex. It's sad really, how all these OEMs have crappy kb's nowadays

I should reiterate though: kb flex aint gonna make me return the R3, nor any other lappy. It's jsut something to discuss when considering that we all bought dell's so-called "premium" line of lappies

 

Well then you should be good The flex really isn't as bad as it looks as long as the RAM plate is there.

 

No flex on mine.

 

Can someone post a pic of that "plate" you're talking about? Are they ALL supposed to come with it?

 

I am using the m17x r-3 keyboard now to type this message.
If you consider this keyboard unacceptable, I would say you are asking for too much.

I cant even notice it, I have been on computers since the early 90's.
I would not let this stop me from buying one, I am totally happy with the M 17x r-3, keyboard and all.

 

No keyboard flex noticeable unless you have some serious obsessive compulsive issues )
Obviously its no Macbook pro with an alluminum body , but I have not niticed a pint of flex when typing

 

I've begun to accept keyboard "flex". Cuz I have yet to find a computer company that makes one without it (excluding Mapples, of course, which don't really count cuz they're more like calculators in that their buttons are underneath a frame thingy...). I am a bit OCD though, so I'm pretty sure when I receive it that's all I'll be thinking about until like the 2nd week or so LOLZ. It better be sufficient for taking notes in class though.

 

+1
unless some of you have kind of "defective" flex keyboard

Comparing with R2's keyboard, i feel the flex one is a bit more comfortable to use. Definitely not like Mandrake's video. He must be a weight lifting athlete..

 

My 6 years old Sony Vaio (which is not Mapple with aluminium unibody) never had sings of keyboard flex, independent from pressure strength. My R2 keyboard flexes a bit, it was noticeable and was a bit annoying in the beginning, but now I got used to it

 

I believe Mandrake was missing a plate over the ram which allowed the crazy flex.

 

UNIBODY! That's the word!! I went to Frys today, and the Sonys (and/or Mapples) there, that had the chiclet kb still exhibit no flex. Everything else there did, sadly