DV5000 Keyboard--How worried should I be?

Okay, I have my heart set on the DV5000, but the number of negative posts about the keyboards is making me wonder. There are negative posts about every brand of laptop in this forum, but they vary. However, This keyboard problem seems to be the standard complaint.

So What's up with it?

 

Really, the keyboard issue is kinda worrysome, but from experience and also making sure my cousin's dv5000 is set, she hasnt had a problem since march(shes on it right now). To make sure, and if your willing to, you could try to see the contacts for the keyboard(kinda technical though).

 

The keyboard issue is very problematic. Very.

But as I said in the other thread, it's not just that you should worry about. The actions of HP's CS team so far are far more worrysome than any keyboard issue. What happens if your HDD dies and you're outside of the store return policy and under the HP warranty? How difficult will it be to get them to replace it? Or what happens if a hinge breaks? In all likelyhood, they'll blame you! Or what happens if your keyboard starts to have problems AFTER the return period? What kind of hell will you have to deal with to get them to fix it?

With the experience I'm having right now with my USB 2.0 speed issues, I'm afraid to see what would happen if it were anything else and how they would treat me then. I would just go to the store where I have an extended warranty and get them to replace it. Fry's actually honors their warranties, unlike Best Buy. HOwever, the store is so far away and they said I would have to complain of it multiple times... I can't afford that much gas or time driving 120 miles multiple times to get the system replaced.

I just hope I'm not stuck with this lemon. If I do get stuck with it, I will never ever buy a Windows PC ever again. This is the final draw for Windows PC customer support. Because I know if this were Apple, they would have sent me the box to ship it back to them for a replacement WEEKS or even MONTHS ago. Or I could have walked into the Apple Store and got it replaced on the spot, even had all my data transferred over without a hitch. But not with HP. If I have to ship this back to them I know I'll have to backup my data ahead of time because they're not kind enough to image the HDD or transfer anything over.

 

I had my heart set on the dv8000t, and after reading about the issues with the keyboard, I decided to go ahead with the purchase anyway. I didn't think it would happen to me, because I figured it was only a small amount of people who had the issues, but sure enough I noticed issues with my keyboard after the second day. I would really take the issue into consideration before you make your purchase! Try looking at the dv6000--it might have a better keyboard...

 

Stay away from HP...keyboard problems are an ongoing problem with HP. They refuse to acknowledge the problem and don't seem to have a fix.

A laptop without a fully functional keyboard is nothing more than a very expensive paper weight.

 

If you ordered the laptop from HPShopping, you will have 21 days from the day you receive the laptop to decide to keep it or get something else. In any case if the issue pops up on your dv5000 you can just return it and they will refund the full price and cover shipping. So, I suggest checking it out yourself and if the problem exists in your laptop then just return it.

I have a HP. I dont have any issues my keyboard. So please stop generalizing it as a problem with every HP. From the threads in the forums, it seems to be isolated to the dv5000 and the dv8000 series only.

 

miner, it really seems that the keyboard issue is a major issue for many many people. Including a particular person in the specific dv8000 keyboard thread that had to file a complaint with the BBB.

And as I said in the other thread, no contact from my case manager.

 

I have 3 dv8000t laptops all with no issues...

 

BeachesAndMusic. Hi. Everytime I start a new thread about HP computers you are there! Now, I have read your entire story and I know you hate HP with a passion. I get it. Just wondering if you can maybe chill just a little.

Now, to the rest of you, Can you suggest a good alternative HP that I can consider as well? One that is very similar to the DV5000 in appearance? I saw it in Circuit City and fell in love with it in every way.

 

I have a sticky right shift key (dv5000). The keyboard is pretty much usable. It's mostly an annoyance that comes up every once in a while.

 

I don't hate HP with a passion. I'm sure they make some decent computers. Maybe. ANd they do make great printers. And I would love the Quickplay 1.0 (not 2.0) feature, if DVD playback was smoother. What I hate is their customer support! It's the worst I've ever encountered. This is why I warn people to stay away. Not because they might buy a defective product. But what might happen if they do end up a defective product and have to deal with HP. After spending so much money on a system, nobody should have to go through what me, laptop student, and countless people in the dv8000 keyboard thread have gone through when trying to get support. It's terrible. That's why I warn people against HP. HOw they'll be treated after the money has already left their hands. HP will treat you great before the sale and do everything they can to make you feel like you're going to make the right choice. But after the cash has left your pocket and is in theres, they basically give you the finger and tell you that you're SOL.

 

I really do understand. I think we've all been in that place where we have received awful customer service and want to warn everyone.

But....I'm willing to take that chance.

My beef is, everytime I start a thread to get some real information, your comments throw the thread in a different direction and I can't get an answer.
You and laptop student actually got one of my threads closed down!

It's all good though, and I do sympathize.

 

I have had my dv5000 for 3 months and no keyboard problems what so ever.

 

Cyndi, just get a DV5000 if you like it that much. Just a few suggestions:

1) You seem concerned about Core Duo vs. Core 2 Duo. Core Duo is already
outperforming AMDs answer to it in both speed and battery efficiency
according to PC World magazine, so I don't see why you have to wait.

2) Get the NVidia go 7400 (only $48 more) option which is much better than the next-to-worthless ATI Xpress 200M found in the DV5000Z.

3) Get it from Costco. I can't stress enough the huge advantage of having
6 months to test out your new laptop especially with the issues that
seem to surround it. You won't get hassled when you return it. If you
end up not having any problems with it you still have your Costco
membership to buy that 10-gallon drum of Shampoo any girl would love!

 

Well, I have a dv5000t and haven't had or experienced any issues with the keyboard... frankly, I've no complaints about this notebook (except all that extra junk they factory install... but reformatting cures that.)

Frankly, I'd even recommend this model to a friend... I find it heavy, but I did order it with the 12-cell battery..

anyway- i find it to be a nice unit... worth the money i spent.

 

I received my 5000t from Costco 3 weeks ago and there are no problems with the keyboard.

 

STILL have not heard from my case manager. Even though I was told by "Paul" on Friday, another case manager, that he would personally tell Roy (my case manager) to call me Monday after 1PM Pacific. Guess what? Still no call. THis is what? A week now? Worst customer service ever.

 

Most laptops use the same design of keyboard as the dv5000 (indeed, many brands even buy from the same supplier). This is really a non-issue. If you're having trouble with it and getting no help from HP, buy a replacement keyboard. They're literally a $30-item on dozens of websites.

-LG

 

eheh, I bought a Pavilion dv5000 1.5 years ago, and now my keyboard just self-destroyied. Since the beggining I had problems with that keyboard, but I never stressed too much about that, it was just a bad feature.

Now, some keys started to crash and I am typing with a half keyboard half raw hardware

From my user experience, Pavilion 5000 suffer a bad design in terms of keyboard. I will not generalize, perhaps the other models of HP are great. But this one is a tendinitis experience

 

yeah the old hp laptops had many problems with keyboards in my experience

 

I know someone that has a dv8000, just over a year old. No keyboard problems (yet), but he had some trouble with his wireless card for a while. It just turned out to be some software problems.

Also, from what I've been hearing, the keyboard problems have been mainly affecting the pre-imprint Pavilions (especially the dv5000 and dv8000 models), but all their other models, including all their business models and the dv2000, dv6000, and dv9000 series models, don't seem to be affected by keyboard issues.

After just over a year with my nw8440, the only thing I've noticed with my keyboard is that the textured finish on some of the keycaps is starting to wear away, which is purely cosmetic.