New Keyboards on 8560w

I'm seriously considering a purchase of the 8560w, and am trying to get a fix on the keyboards currently supplied on this model, both the backlit and the non-backlit boards.

My understanding from a number of reviews of the 8540w/p models was that their keyboards were considered by some as "mushy", especially on the backlit versions. I'm used to Thinkpad keyboards and am wondering if the change to the new "island/chicklet" type board will be a big learning curve, especially on the backlit types, which are reported to have a "bouncy softness" to them.

Can anybody comment? Thank you.

 

That problem was with last gen Elitebooks, the newer gen has completely new keyboards.

 

The 8540w keyboard didn't feel as good as my previous Vaio machine (island style) with less direct feedback and being somewhat mushy. Don't get me wrong, the keyboard was still very good and I have used it to enter a lot of text
The 8560w keyboard (at least the non backlit version) gives better feedback and feels very sturdy making it my current favorite among notebook keyboards.

I had no problem adapting to my first island type keyboard and nowadays prefer it to traditional keyboard. However keyboards are IMHO something very dependent on individual taste, YMMV.

 

How would you describe them?? Compared to a Thinkpad keyboard.

 

Are you using the 8560w regularly, ie, is it your "main machine" now??

Why do you now prefer the island style to traditional styled boards??

 

Had a chance to play with an 8560p (not "w") again today at a shop here in Seoul. Salesman said the w board is the same. It was non-backlit. Seems solid enough. Still different from what I'm used to, but I'm sure I could adjust over time. (Maybe.)

I'd really like to know how the backlit boards are, though. I know they are a completely different animal, by the way they are designed and constructed.

Anybody who has the 8560w with the back-lit board, PLEASE say a few words about it, if you would. I'd appreciate it very much.

 

I have the backlit keyboard and I really like it. However, I don't have much experience with different keyboards.

I use MS comfort curve keyboards at work and home office and I like those quite a bit. The backlit keyboard on my 8560w is probably the closest performer to the ComfortCurve that I've seen in a laptop.

Granted, they are very different, but I'm talking about key travel and feel for the most part.

The little upturned corners on the 8560w backlit keyboard make a surprising difference. I can't specifically feel them, but the feel is quite different than my mini 210HD. Granted, the mini keyboard has horrible spacing for someone with fat fingers like myself, but it sure seems like there's more to it than that.

I have an EliteBook 6930p for work and there is no comparison keyboard wise between that and the 8560w. I'll take the 8560w over the 6930p anytime.

Like someone else said, keyboard feel is very much a user specific thing. I really like the backlit keyboard on the 8560w, but to be certain, you really need to try and find one to try it out if you are extremely concerned about it.