E6510 vs E6520 keyboard feed back/feel??

Hey guys, I had a general question. Being a thinkpad user for years I got to use an E6410 and E6510, and let me say... I was impressed with the keyboard to say the least. I would go as far as to say that they have one-upped the Thinkpad series in keyboard feedback/tactile feeling.


Having said that, I was sad to see that starting with the E6x20 series and beyond, Dell changed the keyboard(I see that this keyboard is also on the Precision series.

Does the updated keyboard live up to the previous keyboard in feedback/tactility/overall feel?

Was just curious if someone had used both.

Thanks.

 

It feels pretty good, certainly no worse than the E6410/E6510 (comparing backlit to backlit, the non-backlit keyboards are totally different), but I don't like the layout at all. Since I use docking stations with external peripherals, consistency is important (specially, Home/End/Page Up/Page Down). Also, there is no spacing between groups of keys on the upper row (ie. between Esc and F1, F4 and F5, etc.). Unfortunately, the layout (along with the 16:9 screen) was a deal-breaker for me, so the E6220 is not my primary PC.

Since you're comparing the E6510 to the E6520 and both use 16:9 screens, I would leave it up to how often you use the upper row of keys.

 

The non-backlit are different? As in worse? Could you elaborate?

That's a bummer about the top row, I can imagine so when I see pictures of the keyboard. Luckily for me I haven't gotten too accustomed to either keyboard's setup so I'll just try to readjust once I get it(if I do get it). To be honest I'm very used to the thinkpad's setup, but they changed keyboards too so I'm thinking about doing a switch altogether, no biggie.

Also wanted to note, I realize that the keyboard used in the E6520 and beyond, is also used in their other laptops (such as the Precision)...in all actuality I'll probably end up with a Precision series notebook, but I wanted to know how the current keyboard compared to the E6510's keyboard... it's just a joy to type on that thing..haha..and I say this typing from my thinkpad.


Thanks for the reply Robin24k.

 

Is your E6510's keyboard backlit? The non-backlit E6410/E6510 keyboard is noisy, and the keys are taller and curved. I haven't tried the new series non-backlit keyboard, but if you are coming from an E6510 with a backlit keyboard, the new series backlit keyboard will feel the same, or better.

 

That's good to hear, wow, I guess I've been missing out but haven't even noticed. I have been using the non-backlit keyboard the whole time.