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    XPS 15 with chiclet-styled keyboard?!

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by y3kesprit, Jan 5, 2011.

  1. y3kesprit

    y3kesprit Notebook Consultant

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    y3kesprit, Jan 5, 2011
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  2. sprtnbsblplya

    sprtnbsblplya Notebook Deity

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    Glad I bought mine when I did. Hate chiclet keyboards.
     
    sprtnbsblplya, Jan 5, 2011
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  3. alienware-dell

    alienware-dell Notebook Geek

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    Same here well i don't really hate it, just don't like the design.
     
    alienware-dell, Jan 5, 2011
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  4. y3kesprit

    y3kesprit Notebook Consultant

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    Actually it doesn't matter if you got it earlier or later. The island-styled keyboard will be available as an option. Which means it would appeal now to both you and me, fans or anti-fans of the keyboard :p
     
    y3kesprit, Jan 5, 2011
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  5. Lakshya

    Lakshya Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread, but it also says sandy bridge processors.
     
    Lakshya, Jan 5, 2011
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  6. Lakshya

    Lakshya Notebook Consultant

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    oh, and I'm surprised to know that my idea which I gave to dell has been implemented ( IdeaStorm |) and now they might give off chiclet keyboard. Also, the inspiron duo has got a chiclet keyboard now.
     
    Lakshya, Jan 5, 2011
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  7. y3kesprit

    y3kesprit Notebook Consultant

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    Yeap, sandy bridge processors in l502x is rather expected.
    On the other hand, the chiclet-styled keyboard is a nice little bonus ;)
     
    y3kesprit, Jan 5, 2011
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  8. TheFirst&Last

    TheFirst&Last Notebook Guru

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    Interesting, I cant wait to see how it looks, hopefully it doesn't make my 1501x green with envy
     
    TheFirst&Last, Jan 5, 2011
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  9. overvu

    overvu Notebook Consultant

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    Ya, sounds pretty cool.

    I'm wishing for a mechanical keyboard next! haha
     
    overvu, Jan 5, 2011
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  10. tvdang7

    tvdang7 Notebook Evangelist

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    i hate getting stuff stuck in between my keys so i do want that keyboard.
     
    tvdang7, Jan 5, 2011
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  11. spawn782

    spawn782 Notebook Consultant

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    I prefer the chiclet style keyboards, but the current one Dell has is also great. I just wish they would make the HDD more accessible and not have to remove the front of the pc to access it.
     
    spawn782, Jan 5, 2011
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  12. knaadhan

    knaadhan Notebook Geek

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    Ah! The never ending cycle of innovation. Still, I am glad that I got mine with a simple core i5-560M processor and the now so rare 1080p screen. The screen draws huge attention on campus from Macbook fanatics who just drool at the screen and sound quality. :D

    It does things I want it to do fast and reliably i.e Browsing, Youtube, Occasional gaming, Movie watching, Document work, Lab work etc. So whatever improvements come along, I am satisfied I got a good mix in the bag.

    Intel? Why no USB 3.0 support still?
     
    knaadhan, Jan 5, 2011
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  13. Darkstone

    Darkstone Notebook Consultant

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    because intel is pushing its own standard: lightpeak...
     
    Darkstone, Jan 5, 2011
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  14. knaadhan

    knaadhan Notebook Geek

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    Just read up on it. Sounds promising. But wasn't Intel the one that invented USB in the first place? Kinda funny they don't want to support USB 3.0 for now. Lightpeak doesn't seem like its debuting anytime soon.
     
    knaadhan, Jan 5, 2011
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  15. dog_pig

    dog_pig Notebook Enthusiast

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    I wonder what the pricing will be like for the new XPSs with Sandy Bridge. Will the still offer the current i3/i5/i7s even when Sandy Bridge is out?

    My speakers are faulty so I'm considering returning my XPS and waiting for the new ones to come out.
     
    dog_pig, Jan 5, 2011
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  16. ZippoMan

    ZippoMan Notebook Evangelist

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    Intel has already released MSRP processor pricing. They aren't much different from the previous generation. I think the laptops will cost basically the same, but you might have to wait a few weeks before Dell gives any discounts.
     
    ZippoMan, Jan 5, 2011
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  17. slappy_gus

    slappy_gus Newbie

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    I have the XPS 14 without the chiclet keyboard. I'm not sure how many people realise this, but a chiclet keyboard is a cheaper product: Costs less to produce, and rated for far fewer keystrokes before their lifespan is over. There's a reason that most laptops come with them now, and it has nothing to do with it being "better" in any way, other than, perhaps, the way it looks, which is likely why they're being marketed as "island-style": makes people focus on the aesthetics (which are a matter of opinion anyway) and assume that it is an upgrade of some kind. I was happy that Dell had avoided adopting them for as long as they did. Bottom line: Though marketing departments will surely convince most people otherwise, the chiclet keyboards are a downgrade, and, in time, they will probably be the only option available to consumers.
     
    slappy_gus, Feb 28, 2011
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  18. sujinge9

    sujinge9 Notebook Evangelist

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    Do you have a source for the rated for few keystrokes part? I'm kinda curious about that.
     
    sujinge9, Mar 1, 2011
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  19. blingers

    blingers Notebook Consultant

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    the island keyboard on the dell support site. is this the "standard keyboard" (on invoice) for the dell xps l502? in australia the backlight keyboard is not available so is this keyboard standard? cheers

    [​IMG]
     
    blingers, Mar 1, 2011
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  20. dkwhite

    dkwhite Notebook Deity

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    You do realize that if you want the new keyboard for your LX501, i'm sure you'll be able to swap them out.
     
    dkwhite, Mar 1, 2011
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  21. blingers

    blingers Notebook Consultant

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    Australia has the backlit keyboard for the XPS 15 now :)
     
    blingers, Mar 1, 2011
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  22. Razor2

    Razor2 Notebook Deity

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    Which keyboard layout do you use down under? British or US?
     
    Razor2, Mar 2, 2011
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  23. blingers

    blingers Notebook Consultant

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    in the quote it says (english) no mention of British or US. Is there a difference?
     
    blingers, Mar 2, 2011
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  24. Razor2

    Razor2 Notebook Deity

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    Yes there are 2 main differences:
    - the enter key is different
    - additional you have an extra button next to the left shift, which is in turn smaller on the UK keyboard

    The easiest way to distinguish between US and UK keyboards is the size of the enter key. The US has a normal one line enter key, its the same size as a shift key. The UK one (and all EU) keyboards have a 2 row big enter key.
     
    Razor2, Mar 2, 2011
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  25. blingers

    blingers Notebook Consultant

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    oh ok i think Australia uses the US style... i had a look at all the notebooks (no dells though) around the office including my asus notebook and they have a single row enter key.
     
    blingers, Mar 2, 2011
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  26. three_pineapples

    three_pineapples Notebook Enthusiast

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    Also down under, and yes we use the US keyboard.

    I tried talking to a sales rep today to find out if we had the chiclet keyboard on the L502. He said no, it's the standard keyboard. He said we can call to get backlit keyboard.

    However, the pics on the website of the keyboard show it being chiclet, so I don't think he knows what he is talking about. I am concerned however that the backlit keyboard might be the old, non-chiclet one.

    I want backlit + chiclet. If anyone else manages to get a straight answer out of dell, let me know!
     
    three_pineapples, Mar 3, 2011
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  27. blingers

    blingers Notebook Consultant

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    i ask the sales rep the same question and she also said it was a standard keyboard so I then showed the picture of the chiclet keyboard in the service manuals and she confirmed it is chiclet after she spoke to the "backend team" (strange name lol)
     
    blingers, Mar 3, 2011
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  28. three_pineapples

    three_pineapples Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've discovered the chiclet keyboard you can see in the picture under features (JBL speakers pic) for the XPS15 is actually one from the XPS17 (notice no speakers on the side).

    So yeah, I don't really know :p

    I think I'll just order, not worry about backlight, and assume I get the chiclet. If not, I'll complain until they produce a chiclet keyboard for me to install :p
     
    three_pineapples, Mar 3, 2011
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  29. three_pineapples

    three_pineapples Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, so the DELL Aus site now has the chiclet keyboard shown everywhere, which is good news.

    I just confirmed with a sales rep that it is a chiclet keyboard (they forwarded me a picture to confirm).

    It DOES come in a backlit configuration, which they will add manually to the order for an extra $21AUD.

    There is a 20 day lead time (not sure if this is for backlit keyboard, or for systems in general).

    If anyone wants the email address of the ANZ rep I talked to, send me a private message!
     
    three_pineapples, Mar 7, 2011
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  30. FPetersonIII

    FPetersonIII Notebook Geek

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    Looking at the pictures I'm pretty sure that the L502x is going to come standard with the chiclet keyboard. Only question is if ordering the backlit keyboard will get you the original keyboard. But I think based on the fact that the backlit keyboard is now a $40 upgrade instead of $20 like it use to be on the L501x, I bet that all the keyboards no matter what will be the chiclet style.
     
    FPetersonIII, Mar 7, 2011
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  31. three_pineapples

    three_pineapples Notebook Enthusiast

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    You are probably right!

    However, in Australia, we don't have the option to configure the L502x with the backlit keyboard ourselves. We have to get it added manually by a rep (for some reason)
     
    three_pineapples, Mar 7, 2011
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  32. HamStar50

    HamStar50 Notebook Geek

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    A more obvious way of identifying a UK keyboard...look for our currency over the number '3' key. Should be a pound sign :)
     
    HamStar50, Mar 7, 2011
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  33. craigallen

    craigallen Notebook Enthusiast

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    I chatted w/ a rep today in US who said the chiclet style keyboard comes by default on all XPS models now and it's not possible to order the older style.
     
    craigallen, Mar 8, 2011
    #33