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320

BLACK backlit keyboard for Dell XPS M1730

320 points posted to Accessories (Keyboards, etc.), XPS products by lorax1284 08/31/07

I know there are threads asking for Backlit keyboards: many of them merged into one.

Dell is introducing a backlit keyboard in the XPS M1730. Super.

But it's white-ish colour contrasts badly with the case.

Other comments about how "fugly" the XPS M1730 have been mitigated by the appearance of better photos (mostly with the screen / lid closed!) so maybe the outside of the M1730 case will be just fine... but that white backlit keyboard is a non-starter: opening the lid for the first time will be like seeing a beautiful stone along the forest trail, only when you pick it up, underneath is gross things crawling over other grosser things.

Consider this a backpedal from my "I'll wait for the XPS redesign" idea, cuz it's starting to look like I really only have to wait for Dell to source a black backlit keyboard.

kyliemanders
08/31/07		 i agree it looks horribly out of place.
but then so does the glowing xps logo on the touchpad.
but then I'm not 14 and maybe that is the target market/

Also, lets not make it a cheap silver painted plastic keyboard like the M1330.
kissarmy
09/04/07		 My job is pretty physical and dirty - Lighting technician touring with Rock bands - I use my laptop for work as well as gaming. A white keyboard will get very dirty very quickly. A backlit Black keyboard would be much more practical
lorax1284
09/17/07		 Here's a screencap from the "Beast" promo video... now tell me that the black backlit keyboard would not improve the looks of the M1730.

edit: pic host not accesible: slo mo through the video and about halfway through, is a shot of the keyboard and mouse pad, lit, but obviously the room is pitch black (no other areas of the machine are visible), and it looks pretty nice.

Of course, this is 'trick photography': there is no direct lighting on the notebook, so all you're seeing is the backlight in a pitch-dark room. SHENANIGANS!
lorax1284
09/25/07		 Now, Dell Admins, this is a bit irritating.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/presale_xpsnb_m1730?cs=19&...

The Flash on that page has a little "+" at the top right corner. Click it, and the Flash expands to show little thumbnails.

There are three panels in the 'brochure' that clearly show BLACK keys with WHITE characters on them: the "Logitech GamePanel" one, the "Illuminated Keyboard" one, and the Wireless networking one... the 6th, 8th, and 9th from the left, respectively.

That shows a BLACK keyboard with WHITE letters on the BLACK keys. I mean, it's the panel that is specifically pointing at the KEYBOARD, and it shows a BLACK keyboard!

Why does it show a black (attractive!) keyboard when there IS no BLACK keyboard available? What gives? Was it photoshopped? Or is it careful lighting that makes the otherwise white keys look dark gray?

Shenanigans.

edit: and here's one from the pre-release email:
denny1514
10/05/07		 This machine is absolutely beautiful and it can handle any game, from BioShock maxed out to COH opposing forces maxed out. When i first saw the 1730 online i didn't care for the design but when i opened it up i was totally amazed, the machine looks absolutely stunning, then at night the illumination is amazing. Please someone with this system please write back. Way to go Dell
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