m1330 keyboard flex fixes?

I just got mine. Here is my 5 minute review:

Toshiba screen. This is not as vibrant as a Sony SZ screen in terms of the colors, although it is quite even and I am perfectly content with the brightness level.
Keyboard flex--the entire right half. It is nowhere near what the Vostro 1400 is. I was expecting a Vostro 1400-level keyboard, and this one is just ridiculously bad.

Not as light as I had thought. Someone measured 4.4 lbs with the six cell battery, and I must say that they are likely right.

I've already got an RMA number. There is no way that I'm paying close to $2000 for this with a keyboard that is worse than a $700 vostro's.

If someone can show me how to fix the keyboard, please let me know.

 

Just call XPS support and they'll have someone out to replace the keyboard ASAP.

 

Dude, the m1330 is unbearable with this keyboard flex. I think it's horrific and reeks of an el cheapo job. I can't even continue on with it, it's that bad. Other stuff, though, seems to be pretty good. FYI, the LED screen is not as thin as Sony's LED screen. I still think that the Toshiba screen, while plenty bright, doesn't seem to have the same color pizazz as the Sony SZ screens.

 

oh, jeez, fine, return it, buy Sony. No one else has a problem with the keyboard flex, so quit whining about it. Oh, and no one cares about ur problems with 1330.

 

Um, where have you been? There are tons of problems with the 1330, and keyboard flex is one of them. I'd trade you my m1330 for yours straight up. Let me know if you're willing to do it. I just got it today. I'm sure that there are many happy owners and forums can have a bipolar distribution, but count me at definitely at the unsatisfied end. But I will return it if they can't make the keyboard work well.

 

Actually, that's what this forum is for.

 

call them about the problem... they should send you a new one and if the problems persist just return it and get something else?

 

Wrong, zetto, the keyboard flex indeed is bad. Either you got a better system, or you simply don't care.

 

I agree. I've experienced this same type of keyboard flex on my 1330 as well. I'd expect it from a 600 dollar machine from Circuit City but not from Dell's XPS line. Just my 2 cents.

 

Umm.. keyboard flex is not a widespread problem. You must have gotten a bad apple. My keyboard has absolutely no flex anywhere, so I just can't believe any M1330 has a keyboard with flex. My M1330's keyboard is VERY solid.

 

Mine flexes on the right side, only if I press hard on the keys. Normal use of the keyboard shows no flex at all.

 

Call dell and they will fix it for you

 

Ahh yes... the oversimplistic "Call Dell and they'll fix it!" remedy.

Certainly something to do, but I don't get it. Unlike replacing a crappy screen, for example, with another make with better quality, does Dell really have multiple suppliers for it keyboards too??

I mean, are they really gonna replace it with a different keyboard of better quality or just one from the same manufacturer. If that's the case, there's NO reason to believe the flex issue would be improved. When you call Dell, ask them (if the Rep even knows) whether they have multiple keyboards (mfr) for the M1330 to get a sense whether it would be worthwhile or just a frustrating waste of time.

 

even if they are using the same manufacturer, if you consider the fact that the keyboard flex isn't a widespread problem, what are the chances that a new keyboard (or a new laptop maybe if there are other problems?) would have the same issue that VERY FEW people are having? He just got a lemon.

 

damn another thing i gotta worry about

 

My m1330 has absolutely no keyboard flex at all, I couldn't move it if I wanted to. With that in mind, have you perhaps considered that it's just a teething installation problem and that you do have the right parts and they are of high quality, just that they weren't installed correctly?
Either call xps support and have them send a tech to fix the problem or if you're bold enough, just open up the laptop and fix it yourself. It's probably just a tab or something that wasn't installed correctly and will be obvious and easy to fix once you see it.

The m1330 is still a very new thing and yes it does cost a lot of money but with any bleeding edge technology product it can still have minor technical issues to work out. It's called bleeding edge for a reason, the blood of early-adopters like us.

 

When you speak of this keyboard flex, how much are you talking about? Are you saying that they whole keyboard shifts down or do you mean that they keys surrounding the pressed key move oh so slightly?

My 1330 demonstrates the later, but I would not have noticed it if this flex issue was not brought up. Now, my old HP laptop has an issue with the ESC key where the whole corner clicks down. That's my fault. I think I missed a tab on the keyboard when replacing it after a RAM upgrade.

 

How much pressure do you apply to determine if there is flex?

 

I am really hoping that the keyboard flex issue is a rare occurrence. But on the right half of the keyboard to the right of the letter h or j, there is a mound that looks like it is pooching up. Then the keys feel totally different when you press on them, like they are loose or somethingm not to mention the lack of a satisfying click.

I do not need to look at the keyboard in order to know that there is flex. By contrast, I am on a Toshiba laptop at work and there is flex when you look at it while typing, but you can't feel it, so I really have no issues with that. By contrast, the Vostro 1400 keyboard that I got is Rocky Balboa solid. The left side of my 1330 feels like my Vostro 1400--nice and solid and pleasing. If I can get that fixed, I'd be more willing to keep this bad boy.

This ain't the end of the world as there are bigger issues in life, but part of it is the fact that the machine was upwards of $2000, and the fact that I have a $700 Vostro's keyboard to compare with also irks me.

 

Ok, with that clarification on how it's flexing, I'd be much more optimistic this is something Dell can fix or that you may even be able to do on your own. There are some threads around here somewhere showing how to remove the keyboard and reinstall (when adding memory which in in part under the keyboard). Just try the keyboard part and see if it snaps in and seats better.

Good luck- definitely sounding like something that can be fixed now..

 

Mine flexes too on the right side......ordered a replacement !! Anybody else having this flexing problem ?

 

Don't even waste space posting if you're not going to give a proper answer. I've been through about five M1330's through various replacements/returns. Among their other problems, every single one has had keyboard flex. Just in case we're not referring to the same thing, I mean when you press the "L" key down firmly the area around it depresses like cardboard.

 

Well, I've had 2 1330's and both of them didn't have any type of flex. BTW, Dell does have 2 different manufacturers for their laptop keyboards....

 

Same here. At first, the keyboard flex and the fact that you have to hit the spacebar right in the middle was very annoying to me, but in the end it was just a matter of getting used to the keyboard. Now I can type as fast on my M1330 as on my Inspiron 6000.

To anyone complaining about the keyboard: Give it a week of regular typing and you will get used to flexing and whatever other problems you're noticing (seriously, reading these forums will make you realize that something is a problem although you would have been perfectly fine with it or not noticed it if you hadn't read the forums)

 

Possible keyboard flex fix. I had a dell technician replace my motherboard for an unrelated issue, but while he was reassembling it, the first time he tried to put the keyboard in, the antenna wires which run right under the keyboard were not seated in their designated channel, and the keyboard would not sit right. Once the antenna wires were properly seated though, the keyboard went in solidly and there is no bump, no flex, and all the keys feel solid and responsive.

Look in the manual for how to replace the keyboard, take it out, and see if your antenna wires are seated correctly. If they' aren't, adjust them yourself and then reassemble to see if that fixed the problem.

(BTW, keyboard is one of the easiest components to replace, no where near as complicated as motherboard replacement so don't worry.)