6625WD keyboard--flimsy, damp feeling?

Some official reviews here and there suggested that the keyboard of the 6625WD is "a shame" with a "flimsy and damp feeling". Other than that, they were very enthusiastic concerning the general specs of the machine.

Since Zepto seems to be a bit overflowed by the demand, maybe these reviewer had a missassembled laptop as seen in few of the threads around about the 6625 or 6624 ??

It would be nice, if the new owner of 6625WD could comment on the keyboard issue and the general built quality a little bit more. And why not with few pics !!

 

Take a look at the posts that are already up...

 

I'll have a go at some pics tomorrow if I get time. As for the keyboard - I quite like it but I can see why people have commented - it doesn't have much travel and feels a bit flimsy - but as I said I like the way it works and feels. (Got my 6625WD yesterday)

 

thanks Doobiedo. What do you mean by the keyboard does not have much travel? Is there any flex to it? Does the plastic is that thin as mentionned in the reviews? does it touch the screen when the laptop lid is closed as mentionned in a thread concerning the 6624?

Cjur, there's no pictures yet for the 6625WD and no specific comment on the keyboard issue that have been triggered by the two aforementionned reviews. Sorry for your 6625WD that did not come today!

 

Ahh, you caught me, yeah im in a bad mood...

 

Tadaaa: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=138675

 

Herv, got mine yesterday. Not much travel = the keys dont travel deep when pressing them. Coming from mostly using a keytronic standard keyboard with quite alot of key travel I too felt it was too little travel... but now that I've had it a day and gotten used to the keyboard, I quite like it. The keys are a bit thin, and you can move them a bit sideways by shaking your fingers sideways a little... maybe that's why they say it's flimsy...

Anyways, after typing on it for a while I like it and would definitely not call it a "shame"...

The thing that feels a bit cheap to me on anotherwise great build is the panel which covers the speeakers and has the power and some extra buttons on it. It bulbs up a little where the speakers are and is a bit inset where the buttons are. When you run your finger along the edge you can feel that it is not even with the rest of the surface of the computer. You don't notice it while working with it, and it doesn't look that bad... but it just feels a bit cheap.

From the little experience I have with it so far I'm loving this laptop. The screen is fantasic, when I put it beside my old laptop I can't understand that I could work on that old machine....

 

yeah! I'm typing this reply on my ~6 years old presario 2800 with a dedicated 32Mb mobility radeon 7500, screen 1024x768! The travel and the flimsiness of my current keyboard is probably unbearable! I've measured it respectively being about 3 and at most 1 mm on certain keys...This 6625WD keyboard is probably way better than that...

I've just read a comment on the keyboard that says also that the 6625 keyboard feels fragile.

It's so difficult to make up my mind! Thanks all for your comment and CLB-NL for the pictures that look terrific. That helps!

 

Compared to my Acer TM 3002 the keyboard doesn't feel fragile to me. But my 12 inch acer's keyboard feels very fragile, so it probably depends on what you compare it with. Even so the acer keyboard has put up with quite a lot of typing over the past two years without problem. I think this keyboard should endure alot more than my acer's...

I too was very hesitant due to these bad keyboard reviews... but finally decided to order anyways. Now that I have it I have no problem with the kbd. I think it would look abit better with a black keyboard, but I'm working quite alot in the dark of night, and the gray/white keyboard makes it easier to see those seldom used f-keys . So I'm actually happy it's not a black kbd.

I was deciding between this and the asus G1S. The gamers' look of the asus put me off... that, and the fact that I could configure the zepto made me choose zepto. Sofar I'm happy .

 

Thinking of getting 6265WD. Any views on 6 v 12 cell battries ?

 

Right Aramaz, I had the same concerns with the G1 and the gemstone.

I've considered the compal IFL90 but I was not convince by the 9 cell batteries sticking out of the back of the chassis when it comes with a wsxga. By the way Tiny mouse, it's a very personal appreciation but your laptop is going to look weird with a 12 cells battery stuck in its back.

Now, my decision is all about the subjectivity of the feeling of the plastic keyboard !!

Just to have a more precise idea of what to expect and if you can measure it, what is the amplitude of the sideway (flimsiness) movement of your keys?

 

The 12 cell, according to the Zepto site, will get you 4 1/2 hours of light usage, while heavy usage will give 2 hours. That's pretty good, but as Herv said the battery will probably stick out.

 

Not probably! It will stick out!

 

Just to have a more objective criteria and if you can measure it, how much is the amplitude of the sideway movement (flimsiness) and the travel of your keys?

 

Sorry guys, there's no KeyboardMark for that!

 

the keys travel down quite nicely when pressed, and the sidewards movement is 1-2mm tops on my unit. I'm missing the "click" from my desktop keyboard and i'm definitely having to type slower on the laptop due to the keyboard but IMO it's not as bad as some people make it sound.

The only thing i really hate about it is the color, grey doesn't fit at all with the rest of the computer

 

Hmm, I just played some intensive games... and it will take awhile getting used to gaming on this. For typing I think it's good, but for gaming it felt much worse than my desktop keyboard... really missed the clicking there...

 

Ok, there's no keyboardMark and you're going to think that I insist but 1 to 2 mm on a keyboard seems to me a bit extravagant!

On my very old Compaq presario 2800...the flimsiness (lateral movement of the key) is inferior to 1 mm when compared visually with the thickness of the print of the letter on the key that is slightly less than a 1 mm (Gif below).

 

<quote>Some official reviews here and there suggested that the keyboard of the 6625WD is "a shame" with a "flimsy and damp feeling". Other than that, they were very enthusiastic concerning the general specs of the machine.</quote>

Reviewers have been on the crack again imo. I have a 6625WD it is fine nothing like that at all.

 

While it is nice to type on there are things that makes it feel abit cheap. For example (on my machine) the rightmost part of the keyboard is not fastened thightly enough to the case so pressing here you can make it flex downwards (not something you notice while typing though). Especially the 'end' key gives a very unsatisfying rattling sound when pressed. Seems to be because the right side of the case where the dvd unit sits is not tightly held together. For some reason I don't get the same sound from other keys on that end rightmost row (pgup, pgdn, home, right arrow).

On general the sound when typing on the keyboard is a bit plasticky and rattling which is a bit unsatisfying. There are other keyboards with a lot more satisfying soft 'thud' sound or a nice 'click' sound.

It's not too bad though, I'm just trying to give as detailed information as I can. I think that the other merits of this computer makes it easy to live with an average keyboard...

 

hey dudes and dudettes, just got my 6625 today.

my keyboard is fine, i really like the softtouch feel. in fact at normal typing i can say its pretty much exactly how its shown/sounds on the about zepto video...there like a few seconds when the employee is typing on the keyboard up close.

i did spot one of the tabs that secure the keyboard not in properly..but i put that in no hassles...it wasnt sticking out as much as that other customers with the pics had shown.

my only little gripe is when wehn i tap on the touchpad to use as a 'click' one of the bottom row of keys kind of rattle abit. not very noticiable but it is there

 

Thanks,

I'm starting to be confident with the built quality and specially with the feeling of the keyboard.

Isn't 1680x1050 on a 15'' a bit too much to work with (read/type)?

 

Herv, 1680x1050 on 15" is amazing! I think it's the best screen I've had sofar... think the resolution is perfect

 

Weeeee!! Got my 6625ed today. And i love all about it except the keyboard. It is flimsy. The left half of it is allright, but the right half is very loose and it feels and sounds like you're bouncing a springer when just touching a key on that side of the board. It's just the only thing that doens't echoes quality, and it did ruin my first impression. It's just such an annoyingly small thing to send it to rep for, but the clingy sound does bother me a lot. Is there anything i can do myself?

 

Damn, I feel sorry for you!

I think that I would react exactly the same way!
Do you think that you are another victim of keyboard misassembling as seen on this thread on the 6224 keyboard?

I don't have a beginning of a clue to do it but maybe a quick disassembling-reassembling of the keyboard would (not) help a lot!

Does anybody else encountered the same symptoms or it's just on Cjur unit??

 

Im not very technical, so i can't be sure what went wrong. It just feels like the buttons on the right side aren't mounted "tight" enough. I hate it, its been spiraling in my mind since last night... Especially frustating when the left side is good, so I know it all ought to be better. Going on holiday for a fortnight, but if anyone has any advice please leave it here and Ill check up when I get back.

 

I may be wrong, but don't Zepto offer a 14-day return policy for dissatisfied customers? If it's that bad, maybe return it?
Is the keyboard a fault of manufacture or just they way it's intended to be?
(Either way, you could probably justify using the return policy. After all, you're basically not happy with the product. If it's a manufacturing fault, then they can fix it for you. If it's just how the laptops are built, then you can get a refund and buy a different laptop?)

 

Im sure it's not how they are built. The left side of the keyboard is perfect.

 

Is there anything you can see that seems not in place?
DDDDDD mentionned above some sort of "tabs that secure the keyboard not in properly"??

Let us know how all of that will end, whether you'll fix the problem or use the 14-day return policy.


Does anybody else encountered the same symptoms or it's just on Cjur and DDDDD units??

 

the tab i was talking about was 'in its slot' just not completely push in securely.

i dont think the keyboards flimsy, its flat like all notebook keyboards but im comfortable with it...not too picky as long as it works all you gotta do is get used to it.

as for the rattling key, i dont think you can do anything about is aside from pulling out the keyboard and putting something under the key that is rattling very slightly. there is only 1, and i havent identified it yet..its either the 'n', 'm'or ',' key.

on the topic of keyboards i'd like to say that i really dont mind the parts on the keyboard with slightly wider spaces between the keys. its helping airflow within then lappy, cos when i turn my nc-1000 cooler pad up i can actually feel a slight breeze coming up from under the keyboard hehee...helps with sweaty hands!

 

Herv, my right side is not fastened tight enough either. But I only notice the "spring" sound of pressing the 'end' key. Sounds like Cjur has a bit worse problem than me though.

After about a week of using this laptop I'm not really bothered by the keyboard... I've gotten used to it, and can type fast enough on it...

 

Hmm, I'm starting to be bothered by the keyboard. It's not nice that it is loose on the right side, pressing down on the space on the keyboard above the right arrow key and then typing feels much better. I was thinking maybe slipping some thin thing under the tabs holding the keyboard in place might press it down, so it is not loose. But with the keys in the way I can't do it. I tried gently pulling on the keys to see if I can remove them, but didn't succeed (don't want to break it).

Is there any information on how to mount these keyboards... or removing the keys available? Do you think it is possible to fasten it by slipping something under the edge?

This with the keyboard is starting to bug me... apart from this I love the computer. The screen is amazing, playing games on it is great. It's fast and responsive with everything... but I'm planning to stick with it for a long time, and beeing annoyed with a loose keyboard isn't a good start. Any help with fastening the keyboard properly would be appreceiated... I'm nearing 14 days now, and starting to doubt whether to keep it because of the keyboard. If I can get it fastened properly then I will love this computer...

 

Difficult choice Aramaz!

In addition of your experience and others, the result of the poll is also a bit disturbing: Among the 4 voters to date (thanks to them!) only 1 said that there was nothing wrong with his keyboard.

I'm slowly leaning toward the IFL90 from xoticpc.com with a WXGA+ (1440x900) Display: Slightly less expensive (1,687.00 vs 1,730.64 USD for the zepto) for a slightly better specs (better HDD and 1 more year warranty),same size and perhaps the 1440x900 resolution is more comfortable for reading than the 1680x1050 of the 6625WD...

 

I cut of a sliver of an old credit card and managed to slip it under the tab that is supposed to fasten the keyboard, that did the trick . Now the right side is also fixed and it sounds better when typing on the keys on the right side .

I think that this loose right side is not a general problem for the model, but rather my machine and (maybe some others) that have not been assembled correctly...

 

Just got delivery of my 6625WD this afternoon....

This is my first notebook, and I have to admit I was nervous after reading all the "flimsy, damp" posts, but....

I can't see what the problem is? My keyboard feels perfect. No loose keys, no bending, no funny noises... it seems perfectly fine..

Have to admit, I am very happy with it...

 

Haaa, very good Cibo. It's a pleasure to read ! Don't forget the poll and don't hesitate to come back to comment after a longer usage of your 6625! To continue with the subjectivity of this post, may I ask you how you like your 1680x1050 resolution for reading, typing?

Seems to be a good trick you got here Aramaz. Are you sure that the keyboard is not going to chock on the credit card chip if this splint gets out of its place.

 

Herv,

I will post an update on your screen question after a few days of usage

 

Herv, after typing for awhile and moving the computer around the vibrations made the small splinter came loose, and is not holding the keyboard down properly anymore . Anyways, it should be possible to fix this, it's just this one tab not doing it's job. I'm quite convinced it's just a misassembly on my laptop and should not be a general fault on the model (Cibo doesn't seem to have the same problem...).

I've been using it for 2 wks now, and still think the screen is fantastic for reading on and doing any kind of work on. (but then you've heard me say it before). I've noticed a slight flickering when on minimum brightness, which is disturbing if you want to read at this level. On all other brightness levels I don't see this flickering though. It doesn't bother me as I never go below 2nd level of brightness...

 

OK, had a while to play with it now, and....

Have to say I am very impressed. I have no keyboard problems, I have tried hammering my "end" key but it feels the same as all the others. Don't know if I am lucky or normal, you will have to judge...

I have used a colleagues Toshiba recently too, so the Zepto keyboard does feels different to that, but then so do many desktop keyboards too. Maybe some people don't like the softer feel to the Zepto keyboard but for me it's not an issue.

The screen is great! This is the main reason why I went for the 6625WD, I am into photography as a hoppy (more enthusiasm then talent, but hey ho...!), so I wanted the larger screen and higher resolution.

Text on the screen can be small, but is pin sharp and looks great. If you have eyesight problems maybe it might be to small, but for me it looks super and ticks all the boxes.

Overall, very impressed by my Zepto, have not come accross any negatives yet other than some bluetooth software glitches - but this may be from my reluctance to actually read how to work anything....

 

I've just got the 6024W and I consider the keyboard to be good overall (more travel than the Samsung notebooks I have been using). There is that looseness and bounce on the right side because the optical drive prevents any fixing screws.

However, there is a solution which I have seen on the Fujitsu S6120. It is a couple of pads of double-sided sticky tape. It is enough to hold the keyboard down during normal use while not preventing removal. I will have to test this out.

John