Inspiron/Vostro keyboard swap?

I was wondering today, will a black keyboard from a Vostro 1700 fit in and work with my Inspiron 1721? I was thinking it would look pretty good, give some contrast to the vast sea of silver inside my 1721, and also go along with the black shell on the outside. Besides, I've always liked black keyboards better than light colored ones.

Assuming it will work, what would I have to do to go about getting one?

 

uh, trade with osmeone on ebay?

 

No luck on ebay, does anyone know if it's possible to call Dell and get one from them directly?

 

sure you could order one from dell spare parts...im not sure if the motherboard layouts would be different seeing as you have the cheaper amd laptop rather than the c2d one.

 

It could work, because the Vostro and Inspiron are very similiar notebooks.
Try calling Dell technical support first, and ask their opinion on the matter. They'll know whether it'll work or not. And if it does, ask how you might go about purchasing the Vostro keyboard.

 

i just checked the service manual... http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins1721/en/sm/keyboard.htm#wp1179979
and they are the same. you should be able to buy one from ebay if not dell spare parts.

 

Awesome, thanks for the help guys! I think I'm definitely going to do it. I'm a gearhead, so modifying everything I own kind of becomes a sickness.

 

It will work!

 

I just ordered the vostro 1500 keyboard for my 1520 today so I'll let you know when it arrives how it works out. I think it will look sweet. I also ordered the Spring Green back cover (for two times the price of ordering it customized that way, ugh) to replace my jet black one. My lappy is gonna be bad (as in good).

 

1400, 1500 have the same size keyboard that I am sure, because I am using a keyboard protective cover, just a plastic sheet that is shaped to the keyboard so it fits.

 

Both Vostro and Inspiron are identical. Just different colors.

The AMD version is the exact same as well, although the processor placement on the mobo, is about 3" or so more to the right side.

Just call Dell and order a 'replacement' keyboard for a Vostro and you're good to go.

Advantages you'll get to do this, is apparently the Vostro keyboard is apparently, water proof or something so I've read.

Take some pictures when you get it all done, curious to see how it looks

 

inspirons have sealed keyboards too...all it is is a sheet of plastic glued to the bottom of the keyboard so if you do spill it wont leak through the keyboard.

 

There are no real differences. It is just what you like better!

 

Well, I ordered the Vostro keyboard and I have to say I rather like it. I wasn't a big fan of the sea of gray, so I prefer the contrast of the black keys. Installation was a breeze as well, two screws and one of those flat wire things (whatever they're called) and that was it. I took a couple of photos to show it off, though I forgot to take a before shot.

 

Thanks for the PM.

I can't decide which I prefer - they're both pretty nice. I'm just trying to picture how a Vostro would look with an Inspiron keyboard!

 

If Dell included that as a configuration option, I would probably be looking at an Inspiron instead of a Vostro notebook.

Something about the light keyboard looks really dull and ugly to me.
Nice job switching them