Alienkey Customizations

So hey I was reading through the m18x speculations and looking at the pics and someone mentioned replacing keys on the keyboard with the alienware letters. I thought this would be a wonderful customization to make the laptop even more unique. Now, I know not everyone can type with their eyes closed but I'm sure most of the people who buy an alienware would have the keyboard memorized to a T. literally.

Anyways even if they never decide to have that option as a customization in the future, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how one would go about changing their existing alienware keyboard keys with these symbols? Here's the list of symbols from the nameplate customization step off the dell site.

Just for a little extra info, who would actually like to have this alienkey customization on their keyboard. Vote on the poll.





Edit: Just realized this might be in the wrong section as this affects all alienwares not just the m17x, my bad, just used to hanging round the m17x forums cause that's what i'm getting.

 

This should also match.

This can be found here -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-read-before-posting-updated.html#post6709393 (bottom of post)

Personally I wouldn't use a full AW glyph keyboard. Just my 2 cents. Everyone has their own 'level' of customizing though.

 

Hell, I'd put those letters even if I wouldnt have an AW.

 

I'd use the full set of keys if only to confuse and irritate my friends.

 

no, I wouldn't use it... but some backlight system which allows both would be nice.

I mean to be able to switch between the regular and weird letters, or maybe make it change every few seconds, as part of an AlienFX theme.

 

It was my idea..

I was hoping someone would look into more then I.. lol

I would so do it! Have someone come up to you and then them looking at the keyboard and going "wow!" haha

Kind of ultra nerdy... but then again... I am fine with that! My nerdyness helps me make the big bucks!

 

It would be neat, but I wish the letters looked a little more "realist" so when I forget were the letter H is, I can look at the keyboard and figure it out...

 

I would do it, I've basically memorized the AW alphabet anyways, I use it to type things I don't want others reading lol. Plus it would prevent other people from using my laptop, siblings, parents, friends, and I suppose robbers too, though they would probably take it anyways.

 

Haha yea I think it was in one of those m18x threads that keep getting deleted/moved. Considering it'll be on an alienware laptop, I think it's already quite nerdy so it'd just be like icing on the cake really.

Well i've memorized keys on the current keyboard off by heart and so I'd be able to use the AW keyboard based on position instead of actually reading the letters, but I think it would just look cool when people see you typing on this strange alien keyboard.

 

Those use keyboard for a year shld haf memorise like typing sms on mobile phones.

So voted for it. Keep it alienised keys. Switch would be too troublesome.
But i think dell wont be offering. Customising it ownself might haf warranty issues.

 

if i own m18x , then I'm surely gonna use it!

 

Well i'd be happy if dell were to just offer it as an extra customization for 20$ or something, that way people who want it can opt for it during customization, just like custom nameplate.

 

i like the idea and i think it would be really cool to do but i wish alienware and other gaming brands would recreate/use the same LED graphical keypad that the upcoming razer swithchblade has... i could explain it my self but here is a video for those who dont know

YouTube - Razer Switchblade Trailer

never mind all of the touch screen stuff but i think it would be just 100000% awesome to have the m18x or any alienware laptop with this led feature and that way you could program this machine to open any appication/game like using a fn button but without the fn button lol and completely programable for anything! and then you could change to any font on the fly and back when youve had enough of glyphs lol... anyone ever had the same thought


btw i typed this whole comment without looking once just to see how well i know my keyboard and i know it pretty well apparently.

 

Yea most of us don't realize how used to the keyboard you've become over time. Only time you really start to notice that you know where the letters are, is when you're typing in the dark and can't see the keyboard.

That keyboard does look pretty cool.

 

The Switchblade's keyboard is just an Optimus Maximus put in a laptop:
Optimus Maximus keyboard

 

But according the the site the Maximus costs approx. $2000 which I think is wrong but I'm just going by the site because that is beyond stupid expensive and the switchblade is only soposed to retail for under $500 I believe. I think that Dell could make and manufacture and offer screened buttons for cheaper then about a $250-$350 upgrade from a standard keyboard which is still a lot extra but I would definataly pay for it. Even if only the number pad and a few other buttons had it and the rest were standard keys it would be cool

 

I think what i'm gonna try to do is take the current alienware keyboard and somehow create these custom keys on that.

 

That is the coolest thing I've seen in years.

 

Does that really say $2000+!?

LOL eff that noise!

 

Yeah I know I thought the same thing stupid expensive!

@neogohan I think you could do it using some small screens but unless you have crazy good electrical wiring and programing skills that would be extremely hard to do. Especially due to the fact that you have to re program and wire the entire keyboard and somehow make space for new wires, computerboard, and screens so that means modifying the keys as well. But that's just my opinion try if you have the skills and I will respect you for at least trying but it will be hard and expensive.

 

I meant like....spray paint the symbols over the existing keyboard or something, not like go all optimus maximus on the keyboard xD. That's too epic.

 

ohhhhhhhh lol i thought you were going all optimus on us lol... yeah you could do that mod easy just a lot of taping and prep thats all, you almo might lose any texture the keyboard had on it and they would probably all end up glossy smooth, it would be cool though!