Precision 7710 Owner's Thread

I want to upgrade my keyboard to the backlit version.

Is this walkthrough accurate? Is there anything special in removing the frame - ie it isn't glued on or anything?
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19637960

Will this keyboard work for my purpose?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Genuine...op-Keyboard-Backlit-US-No-Frame-/351912015287

 

Just check the ENTER key, if both keyboards have the same layout (same ENTER key dimensions) then you are safe to go.
Otherwise you will need to get a frame compatible with the keyboard layout you want to install.

Enviado desde mi SM-N920G mediante Tapatalk

 

The frame is only snapped in. There are detailed directions for replacing all of the parts in the manual which is available from support.dell.com. (Looks like that's where the pictures in the post that you linked came from.) But for the keyboard, it is really just remove the frame, remove the keyboard (a few screws), unplug the cable, and then follow the steps backwards to install your new one.

That keyboard looks fine as long as the layout matches your old one. (i.e. not a different international keyboard)

 

There are frames for sale too.

 

@spurst You'll need to remove the underside and take out the battery and the 2.5" drive cradle to access where the four keyboard ribbon cable connectors attach underneath the mobo. Keyboard swap is easy in 7710, but not quite as easy as precisions in the past that had only one hard connector where the keyboard sat.

 

keyboard swapped. that was actually easier than i was hoping it would be. a little concerning with the prying off the frame, but it came off without breaking.

certainly a worthy upgrade for $25.

 

yeah, the plastic lattice frame had me nervouse when removing the first day I got the laptop (had to take it apart to see the insides ya know). But I've not heard of anyone snapping or breaking theirs accidentally, so they are pretty durable.

 

Okay, so revisiting the graphics piece... what are the options for running the 7710 with a pascal card and are there any external graphics boxes that will work with the 7710? I currently have the M4000M in the machine.

 

I haven't seen any posts on this forum regarding actual attempts of Pascal graphics upgrades *or* external GPUs for the 7710.

It's possible, perhaps even likely, that you could install a GeForce 1060 in the 7710 and get it to work. It would probably require modifying the driver INF. No way to know except to try (or wait for someone else to try).

GeForce 1070 cards have not yet appeared in the standard MXM form factor, they are all a bit larger, so that could only possibly work if there is some extra space around the GPU inside the laptop. GeForce 1080 requires an extra power connector so there is no way that it will work.

The Pascal mobile Quadros will soon be available, so an upgrade to the Quadro P3000, P4000, or P5000 may be an option in a month or two.

For external, check out this thread for some ideas. Again, haven't seen anyone actually try it in the 7710, but there has been success in the XPS 15 (similar to 5510).

 

Durable can many many things to different people so the best advice would be to take it gently until you're sure you know what you're doing. Like the term simple which is not the same as easy, which comes with practice.