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RANT: Inspiron 8600 keyboard is horrendous!

post #1 of 50
12/23/04 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 
I bought my Inspiron 8600 roughly 2 months ago and words cannot express the joy I've experienced in using it.

Originally I expressed three problems in my original review:

1.) Wrist-rest over HD gets HOT (solved itself?)
2.) GPU stutters (fixed with GPU mod?)
3.) Keyboard sucks (performed keyboard flex mod and still sucks)


I have little to no other complaints about this computer, but the keyboard is one of (if not the most) important component of the computer.

Whenever I start typing at 90+ WPM speeds, my fingers start pricking the keys. The best explanation of how it feels: put your finger on the "g" button, press down all the way, and try to lightly prick the "t" key above.
I did the keyboard flex mod and that didn't help at all.

My question: Are there any alternative (aftermarket?) keyboards available for the Inspiron 8600?
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post #2 of 50
12/25/04 at 4:47am
I thought I read somehwere that the newer 8600 keyboards were better. But as I re-read your post, yours is only 2 months old! What about checking into one from a Latitude D800? Maybe that one is a little better. I feel the same way as you about fingers pricking the underside of surrounding keys. Fortunately I don't type at 90+ wpm! (more like 40ish) Try typing slower :-)
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post #3 of 50
12/25/04 at 5:10am
D800 and M60 use the same keyboard as the i8600. You may have some sucess using one of the keyboards out of an older model such as the i8200. Other than that you can just use a USB one, which has the advantage of being full-size.

Stu
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post #4 of 50
12/25/04 at 12:15pm
Sorry the mod didn't work out for you... I used gauze in place of mounting tape (removability and thinness) and it works like a charm.

As far as the pricking goes, I've had a few instances of it, but I guess I let my hands glide over the keys rather than pick them up entirely. (So they they never have the chance to pull up on the keys.)
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post #5 of 50
12/28/04 at 5:08am
it does suck, but you almost get used to it. i can type at a comfortable speed (80+wpm) after adjusting to it a little bit.
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post #6 of 50
12/28/04 at 6:27am
Thread Starter 
Finally, ProdigalSon, someone who confirms this ****ing problem.

I swear, I'm going absolutely ape-shit.

There must be some solution.
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post #7 of 50
12/28/04 at 9:06pm
Thread Starter 
The two biggest gripes I have on my i8600c:

1.) Butt-ugly once you open up the laptop (the top silver is ok though)
2.) The keyboard, keyboard, keyboard.
3.) The keyboard.

Read my thread about it here:
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=55900
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post #8 of 50
12/28/04 at 9:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by STi Sev
The two biggest gripes I have on my i8600c:

1.) Butt-ugly once you open up the laptop (the top silver is ok though)
2.) The keyboard, keyboard, keyboard.
3.) The keyboard.

Read my thread about it here:
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=55900
you think the inside is butt-ugly? why?
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post #9 of 50
12/29/04 at 3:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
you think the inside is butt-ugly? why?
Why? Dark silver and blue accents just look ugly.

On the other hand, the 700m and 9200 are beautiful
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post #10 of 50
12/30/04 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by STi Sev
Why? Dark silver and blue accents just look ugly.

On the other hand, the 700m and 9200 are beautiful
i disagree.. unrelated, but when i think of your car (if you infact drive an STi), i think of the same silver/blue color combo.
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post #11 of 50
12/30/04 at 10:28pm
Thread Starter 
I don't drive an STi, but I own a 1999 Subaru Impreza Rally Blue Pearl and while its colors are similar, it's hard to compare its color with that of a computer.
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post #12 of 50
12/30/04 at 10:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by STi Sev
I don't drive an STi, but I own a 1999 Subaru Impreza Rally Blue Pearl and while its colors are similar, it's hard to compare its color with that of a computer.
My roommate has a 2004 silver STi and the design of the inside of my Inspiron reminds me of the color scheme inside his car.
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post #13 of 50
12/30/04 at 10:41pm
Easy fix, type using two fingers like the rest of us!
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post #14 of 50
12/30/04 at 11:06pm
I've got a 10 month old 8600a. I have yet to have any real problems with the keyboard after I got it replaced after one of the keys stopped working. The keyboard does not flex at all. The only problem with it is that occasionally the x or one of the keys in the upper right hand corner doesn't recognize right away but after you push it down once it's fine for a week or so. I type at a minimum of 50 words per minute normally and maybe slightly less with the laptop keyboard. Maybe try getting a replacement keyboard. Even if you can't find some excuse for getting it replaced, they're only $20 through dell.
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post #15 of 50
12/31/04 at 1:42am

D800 Chassis mod improved things for me

I did the D800 chassis mod and also replaced the keyboard while I was at it so that I have the ability to use the D800 trackpoint & its buttons.

The D800 keyboard is an improvement on the i8600 keyboard. It still isn't as nice as the keys on the 700m or those on my Compaq 2199US notebook. But it is better than the i8600 keyboard. I don't know if it is because of the D800 palmrest or the D800 keyboard, or a combination. I picked up the keyboard for $19 from Dell Spare Parts & the palmrest for $30 from parts-people.com.
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post #16 of 50
12/31/04 at 12:57pm
The keyboard itself is the same (I take it you bought a D800 keyboard as well); the chassis mod does help rid the keyboard flex. However, I'm not sure STi Sev's problem will be entirely solved by a chassis swap.
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post #17 of 50
12/31/04 at 8:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmnstrunr37
The keyboard itself is the same (I take it you bought a D800 keyboard as well);
Not exactly - the D800 has a trackpoint (eraserhead pointing device). But I agree that the keyboards aren't different otherwise, so the problems unrelated to the flex would remain.


Quote:
the chassis mod does help rid the keyboard flex. However, I'm not sure STi Sev's problem will be entirely solved by a chassis swap.
Agreed. The D800 palmrest seems to support the keyboard better and thus eliminates most of the flex. You also get a trackpoint & buttons with the D800 keyboard and these improvements were enough for me to warrant ordering the D800 keyboard.
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post #18 of 50
12/31/04 at 9:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skifiend
Not exactly - the D800 has a trackpoint (eraserhead pointing device). But I agree that the keyboards aren't different otherwise, so the problems unrelated to the flex would remain.
Oh yeah, duh. :smacks forehead: Miss the obvious...
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post #19 of 50
1/16/05 at 2:30pm
Got my I8600 in Oct durning the $750 off deal. My 1st laptop. The keyboard did suck very much (flex). Even with my Columbus meathod typing (find something and land on it)
After about 40 days the "X" key fell off and would not stay on very well after that. Dell sent a replacement keyboard and it was much better. Upon inspection of the 2 keyboards I noticed that the bottom of the replacement keyboard was manufactured with about half as many holes or perforations, hence much more rigid. The flex is all but gone now.
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post #20 of 50
1/16/05 at 7:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Odarby
Got my I8600 in Oct durning the $750 off deal. My 1st laptop. The keyboard did suck very much (flex). Even with my Columbus meathod typing (find something and land on it)
After about 40 days the "X" key fell off and would not stay on very well after that. Dell sent a replacement keyboard and it was much better. Upon inspection of the 2 keyboards I noticed that the bottom of the replacement keyboard was manufactured with about half as many holes or perforations, hence much more rigid. The flex is all but gone now.
Thank you for your post.

I am actually going that same route. I did Spiike's mod, but the problem is not with the flexing, in as much as key "clipping" that I'm experiencing.
I'm requesting a replacement unit from Dell as soon as my Dell 2001fp unit is processed.
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