Black keyboard with a M1330 ??

Has anyone ever thought of putting in a black keyboard (That of a Vostro 1400 since its essentially the same keyboard; can get one for around $30 from eBay)?

This is a simple photo editing attempt to illustrate how it might look like. Just applied a color invert filter to the keyboard area, gaps between the keys should be black in a real keyboard, but this is the best I can do with a simple invert filter in 5 mins.

Hope Andrew won't mind me messing with photos from his M1330 review.





UPDATE

Here is how it looks in reality,thanks to sc32valve 's effort (see post #29 of this thread for his reply, and more photos)

 

Dang, that looks sleek. Looks good!

 

Yeah, that is stunning. Looks very good to me.

 

Is the Vostro 1400 keyboard interchangeable with the M1330?

I was always afraid of the silver paint wearing off, so having a black keyboard solves that problem!

 

Yes. M1330 keyboard (part # NK750) is also compatible with following notebooks : Inspiron 1420,Inspiron 1520,Inspiron 1521,Inspiron 1525 and Inspiron 1526 (according to DELL site, refer the link of the part number).
Since Vostro 1400 is essentially same as Inspiron 1420 (and Vostro 1500 with inspiron 1520) except for the color, Vostro 1400/ Vostro 1500 keyboard (part # JM629) should work with a M1330.

Following images are of original inspiron/XPS (silver) and Vostro (black) keyboards:

 

i like the look of silver keyboard on my M1330. i thought it was a big upgrade when they switched from black on inspiron to silver on XPS M1710.

 

I like black, would have liked if everything was black... For me, silver adds a cheap look.

 

yeah it would be cool if everything was black but just don't like the contrast between black keyboard and silver palm rest. i hope they come out with a revision like the Sony SZ premium all black which looks sweet.

 

i like silver... just too much contrast for me :S

 

silver makes it look more like MacBook AIR

 

If I ever have to replace my keyboard due to the silver paint coming off, I'm getting black!

 

I think it would look great. I have been thinking about doing it to my Inspiron 1520. The only thing keeping me from it is I use the laptop as a desktop and always use an external keyboard.

 

You might be in luck. Check this out:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=265803

 

Is there a quality difference in the 2 keyboards? Or are both real crap.

I expected a way better keyboard.

 

Thanks for this thread!! Ordered a NEW Black keyboard for my M1330 from trianglelaptops.com.

 

I like it. How hard is it to swap out the keyboard on an m1330?

 

It should be quite simple. Unscrew the keyboard lift it out then discounnect the cable carefully so you do not break the cable. (incase the keyboard has to be used again) Then replace it with the new keyboard doing the previous steps in reverse.

There are also manuals on Dells website explaining this so please take a glance

 

Nice... thanks!

 

Instructions on how to remove the keyboard. (pictures are taken from the Dell Certified Systems Expert Field Service Information manual)

1. Remove the central control cover



2. Remove the keyboard

 

Did this mod on my 1330 and it looks absolutely awesome. The Vostro keyboard has a better click to it, better texture (not smooth like the silver version), and the spacebar works much better. Also, no buldge. All around very happy with the keyboard and the info on this thread!!

 

Cool, can you post some pics ?

 

Can this be done on an m1530 as well?

 

Can you post a pic of your m1330 now?

 

i like the silver better actually.

 

Now that wouldn't be good...

 

Take it back!

 

I'm planning on doing this with both my 1420. I bought two keyboards for $26 (shipped) on ebay so as soon as I get them, I'm doing this to the 1420.

 

probably yes, since m1330 keyboard == m1530 keyboard

though i still want the Studio LED backlit keyboard

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=274842&page=16

 

Here's pics of what it looks like. I love the new keyboard and it definitely seems to respond to a softer touch than the silver. This is most noticed by the spacebar where I had to really slam the silver one to get it to respond while typing quickly. Great mod!! Well worth it.

 

very nice results sc32valve.

i've been wantin to change out the keyboard on my m1530 too. i might have to pull the trigger after seein yur finished product.

 

I'm glad I ordered the keyboard now. It looks really nice w/ a black keyboard

 

This looks great - Dell should offer a black keyboard with the next revision of the 1330 and possibly the 1530 - it is far more professional looking and I'm sure it will wear better.

--Tom

 

That looks top! Nice mod, I prefer it that way.

 

Black Vostro keyboard on M1530 pics. Took about 10 minutes.

 

I've been reading these boards for the past couple weeks before finally ordering my m1330 (thanks for all the great info!).

I've been having some problems with the spacebar not being very responsive, especially when I'm typing quickly. Some of the other keys aren't reponsive all the time either, but not nearly as often as the space bar. There's also a slight keyboard bulge under the j and k keys. I was going to call Dell to see if they could send someone out to fix it, but I'm scared they will mess it up (I've heard horror stories of the Dell techs).

Do you think these problems would be fixed if I got the black vostro keyboard and installed it? Do you think they'd send me a replacement keyboard in the black?

I have to either have them come out or do it myself because I'm moving to Spain in two weeks and have to get all this sorted out before then!

Suggestions? Thanks so much!!

 

For the bulge, I'd take the keyboard out, bend it so it's perfectly straight, (keyboards are flexible) and then put the keyboard back in. With the screws, don't screw them too tight, as they can cause parts of the keyboard to sink in and others to bulge up. Hope it helps.

 

oh awesome! i took the keyboard out and it wasn't bent at all, but i rearranged some of the wires and put it back together and it seems to be working perfectly! i'm going to see if it lasts though, haha.

also, i was able to bend the base of the computer to get rid of the wobble. pretty ridiculous that i can bend it that much, but i'm glad it worked!

thanks for the help!

 

Id love a silver keyboard for my vostro1700 Ill have to check into whether the xps 1730 is inter-changable.

 

Personally... it's Silver for me. The black keyboard somehow makes it look tacky. But if it was a Studio keyboard.... that's a different ball game altogether.

 

i like stroking my keyboard

 

awesome

 

as long as it's not a sticky keyboard