Precision M6800 and HP EliteBook question: Can the (semi-)chiclet keyboard be replaced?

I am looking for a new computer, which will be a mobile workstation with a traditional keyboard, i.e. not a chiclet- or semi-chiclet keyboard.

I wonder if it is possible to replace the keyboard in Dell Precisions and HP Elitebooks. In particular, I have considered the Dell Precision M6800, as I have found that I need at least an 17 inch screen. This machine has a semi-chiclet keyboard, as opposed to M6500, which had a purely traditional Dell keyboard. I wonder if it is possible to replace the keyboard in M6800 with a M6500 keyboard.

I also wonder if this is possible for any HP Elitebooks, preferably with screensize above 17 inches, for instance to replace the chiclet keyboard in 8770w with the traditional keyboard in 8730w.

 

It is not(on the m6800) 2 completely different ways of attaching to the mobo.

 

Thank you for the answer.

Does anyone know about the EliteBooks? If it doesn't work with 8770w/8730w, I think I will go for Fujitsu Celsius H920, even if this seems to be a bit worse computer in most other aspects than subjective keyboard qualities, and it has been on the market for more than one year. (I have reason to believe that the next generation of this series (H930?) will have a chiclet keyboard, as I noted this transition in the 7xx 15.6 inch series between H720 and the already released H730.)

 

How is that any different from the m6xxx keyboards?

 

Fujitsu Celsius H920
Dell Precision M6800

 

So the keys have a 'opposite' rounded edges?

They both have the same flat top
same surface area
same overall size
etc.

 

IMHO, I don't see how the keyboard in M6700/M6800 qualifies as a chiclet keyboard? The keys just have somewhat different shape compared to the previous models (M6400/M6500). Have to add here that I much prefer the older keyboard looks and feel, but since I mostly use the laptop mounted on a stand with a separate keyboard, I don't use its keyboard much.

 

I have understood that the term semi-chiclet is the one being used for keyboards on notebooks such as M6800 and EliteBook 8740w. I often find myself placing my fingers in between the keys. A bad habit, perhaps, but it is useful not to have a semi-chiclet or chiclet keyboard when doing it. At any rate, I like agree with you about the look and feel comparison between the semi-chiclet and "traditional" keyboard types.