MSI SteelSeries Keyboard in P170EM

I tried out an Xoticpc MSI laptop with the SteelSeries keyboard and I liked it a lot. It is the most tactile laptop keyboard I have used. You can use a macro program to remap the fn keys if you want. I believe Autohotkey was mentioned previously, there may be others. I researched Autohotkey a bit and it would be somewhat time consuming. I don't use function keys a whole lot so it shouldn't be too hard to memorize the ones I do use. The remapping could be achieved by a BIOS update but I believe the resellers have stated that was unlikely and would have to come from Clevo.

 

From xotic pc

"The Steel series keyboard uses its own drivers, so the function keys will map however you set them up in the software for Steel, but that is not out yet (later 2012, im told, from Steel)
The brightness functions are on the Arrow keys, and not the Fn row."

I hope the above is the case and not the stock sager layout without the correct keys being on the keys.

 

Sounds reasonable. If that's what they're saying, then I'd trust it to be true.

 

I hope so! It's the main reason I sent back my np9130 for a np9150 was for this keyboard!! I couldn't stand the stock np9130.


I lowered my screen gamut to stock matte and upgraded my wifi card to the 6300 in the process but otherwise I have the exact same computer and only going to end up costing me 200 more or so. I did like the plastic on the np9130 be interesting to see how the rubber is.

 

Heres a video which compares the SS vs stock
SAGER SteelSeries Keyboard Upgrade by XOTIC PC - YouTube

 

Great stuff!!! +rep

 

Nice video

 

Great video. The music sounded like it was from Pirates of the Caribbean or something, though.

 

Actually they are not the same size.

 

Yea
I figured that out and ended up return the np9130 for the np9150 with steel series keyboard.

 

I just reconfirmed everything with xoticpc and then found out about the steelseries keyboard! Intrigued, I read through this whole thread and if it was worth it, I would just call up and do a last minute adjustment. But to be honest, after looking at the two, I think I'm just going to stick with the stock keyboard.

For one I like looking at the keyboard knowing which FN buttons do what without having to memorize them. I know that there might be some kind of software update to remap the keys correctly, but I'd rather have everything set day 1.

Secondly, the keyboards are pretty much identical in layout. The stock keyboard isn't island-style, but it is rather close to it as the keys are spread and is sort of a half-and-half between regular and chiclet. The keyboard is still responsive and types well.

I just can't see myself spending $90 and another delay in build time just for chiclet keys that don't match the actual function buttons, but it's certainly a good option for chiclet enthusiasts. I myself am not married to the chiclet setup. GPU, CPU, SSD, and even Screen upgrades are more valuable in my opinion because they are straight upgrades. This seems more like a preference side-grade so I think I'll be passing on it.

 

the correct keys are going to be put on, therefore there wont be a need to memorize anything a little addition by the resellers now

 

Well now... after doing some more research the consensus seems to be that the steelseries keyboard is pretty much the best there is on the market. So I became more interested. I decided to give Xotic PC a bit of a live chat to clear this up. This is what happened.

Me: Ah, I was really worried about volume up and down function not corresponding to the keys because they're different keyboards. Something that I saw on the forums but I'm glad this is not the case
Xotic Sales Rep.: Being we are offering it, there is no way that machine wouldn't be workable with that upgrade.
Me: Sorry if I'm a bit skeptical, I just want to be absolutely 100% sure that what it says on the keys matches the actual functions before I do this. For instance, volume on the steelseries is left and right arrow instead of F5 and F6 on the stock. I don't want to get the steelseries keyboard and find out F5 and F6 are still volume even though the keyboard itself says differently

-5 minute break where I'm sure he went to go ask someone-

Xotic Sales Rep.: I can assure you, this keyboard has been tested and matches this unit


Well, it seems Xotic has remapped the FN keys to make sure they fit the Steelseries keyboard. Consider myself a convert, adding to my order now.

 

I was told something very similar to this by xotic. I'm banking on it functioning as described.

 

the manufacturer of the Clevo P150EM/P170EM stock backlit keyboard is also the manufacturer of the Steelseries keyboards that you opt'ed for glad to help

glad to hear, even thought made by the same company, they are very different

good luck with the purchase

 

Does anyone have a picture of both so we on the forums can see? I am currently condidering ordering one from xotic pc to install myself as it is not available for me.

 

Pg 6 of this thread has the keyboard photos for comparison, pg 16 of this thread has the video posted by Xotic with both keyboards to compare.

 

Sorry, I was on my phone, must have missed it, trying to read and not bump people while i'm walking in the city is quite difficult

Anyways, i'm set to buy this keyboard now, i love chiclet style keyboards, the video really shows off the backlighting on these things, really nice colours and also very bright even through the translucent keys.

Anyone know how I can order this separately?

 

Some resellers are willing to sell the SteelSeries keyboard separately.

Check with yours to see if they are willing to sell just the keyboard if they carry something other than Sager/Clevo.

 

Is this the same keyboard as the one for P150EM/P170EM?

I see it is missing the ALT-GR?

 

Doesn't matter. It should work, and if the ALT on the left doesn't work as a ALT-GR use the CTRL + ALT which equals exactly the same as pressing the ALT-GR button.

good luck on your purchase

 

I'm afraid I acted in haste. While price is a luxury I can afford, time is one that I cannot. Literally I can't wait for the extra week the installation will take. So I will have to stick to the stock keyboard, though I'm not really worried since it's the same manufacturer.

To everyone else, if you can afford the extra price and time, and you prefer the chiclet-style keyboard, it's worth it. IMO, of course.

 

GAH, reseller quoted me 4 weeks... from now, oh well looks like no steelseries keyboard for me until Mid-july.

Can anyone confirm if, an end user replaces the stock keyboard with the steelseries, we can update the drivers so the fn keys/backlighting options work properly?

 

I'd like to know this as well;

Alternatively, is it possible to completely re-map the keys (Fn keys etc.) from the stock Sager unit to the Steelseries unit using third-party software mentioned in this thread?

 

Please check out the guide in my sig.

 

have they come out with the fn key remaping software from steelseries yet?

 

I will let you know next week when I get my np9150. I was assured in writing that the fn keys work as labeled for the steelseries from xotic. If they don't I'll ship this one back to them as well and order an MSI GE 60.

 

K thank you, i might consider upgrading the keyboard but only if the hotkeys are changeable

 

I am sorry if I missed the previous posts in this thread and the confusion on the mappings. As I posted earlier in this thread the Clevo mappings do not match the SS icons. From reading above it appears one of our sales reps must have been confused on mappings matching up to the icons on the keyboards. I am sorry for the confusion on this.

 

I just got my laptop today with the chiclet keyboard. Absolutely love it! I haven't had a chance to use any remapping software yet. The fn keys are exactly like my W110ER. Any questions?

 

This might be a good place to start. It's a blog posting about a guy that reverse engineered Linux support for that Logitech keyboard with the solar panels.

I also found this:
"Unfortunately we do not have any plans to develop proprietary Linux drivers anytime soon for the WoW Mouse, but we would happily assist any community-driven efforts to develop an open-source solution for Linux."

If they're willing to support an open source project for their WoW mouse, I don't see why they wouldn't do the same for their keyboard.

 

so anyone install steelseries and want to sell original US keyboard? I want replace my german keyboard.

 

So is there software from steelseries or Clevo that will remap these keys to what is printed on them? This is the only reason I upgraded!!!! I can't stand the Clevo layout and will return it if it doesn't work as it was told me it would.

 

I might be doing that. I'm waiting on a replacement stock keyboard; my Ctrl key was way out of wack and wouldn't respond unless you hit it at the right angle plus a section of keys were WAY less responsive than all the other keys (HJKNM). If the replacement isn't perfect (all keys with the same responsiveness) I'll probably give the steelseries a try and if so I'd certainly like to recoup some of the cost by selling the stock keyboard.

 

Would it be possible to route power to the orange ribbon from somewhere aside the port, and still get full functionality? I want to "hack" the MSI steelseries backlit into another model (like the GE60) which doesn't have the power connector on the mobo. If I just feed the keyboard power somehow, should everything work? Here's an example of what I'm talking about http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod.html

 

Well, I just got my SS in and switched it with my vanilla Clevo keyboard and LOVE IT!!
The wrong Fn mappings are a bit of a pain though...
Besides waiting on any drivers from Steel I might try to dabble with some remapping software, but then I had a brainwave...

Isn't the keyboard layout determined by the EC? I actually need (want) to flash my Bios/EC to the latest version anyway and thought: "What if I flash the EC not to a Clevo EC, but to an EC of a reseller that has the correct mappings for the SS already working?"

The only thing that puzzles me now is if *any* reseller has correct Fn mappings on their SS keyboard upgrade or if they expect customers to accept the symbols making no sense?

For example; I bought my SS from Mythlogic, does the Mythlogic Nyx1712 with SS then have the correct Fn mappings??
Anyone?

 

Hey,

Because you can't just flash the EC from another laptop into these (It'll brick) we are still working on getting the right keyboard matrix setup. However, we don't expect our customers to just deal with it We let them know and also we provide them documentation which shows which key is which, and its something you get used to after a while.

 

I'm sure it is. Still, if it eventually will be solved by either Clevo, Steel or anyone creating proper drivers/software or even a working profile for some remapping software... I'll gladly say 'thank you!" for it...

By the way, thanks again for the service. I suppose you could've denied selling me one since I don't have a Nyx and kept it more of a Mythlogic thing, I appreciate you didn't.

 

That's not how mythlogic rolls, they do it for the gamers man, they do it for the gamers....

 

So...
... This isn't going to get fixed anytime soon, right?