700m keyboard - Do you really get used to it?

Just got a new 700m, and while the screen is is nice as advertised, the keyboard is going to take serious getting used to. The , . / keys are just terrible, and the lack of a Pg Up & Dn without hitting the function key is crippling. These may be deal-breakers.

 

People will say they do, but as a former 700m user then i don't believe them. Too many people make excuses about how its a small notebook and therefore couldnt hold a bigger keyboard. But if you look at the wasted inch on each side of the keyboard then its obvious the 700m couldve easily been designed with a more comfortable keyboard but instead dumped it in favor of that ugly white trim. I had the thing for 3 weeks and it was a nightmare of typing then backspacing to correct my mistakes. The mini-keyboard i believe you can get used to, but those half-sized "?" and "/" keys are just insane.

That being said, i returned my700m and got several notebooks with fullsized keyboards. While the KB's were good, the size doesnt compare to the 700m so i just returned my Dell 6000 and am actually going to rebuy a 700m again and just hope a solid 2 months of use will get me to relearn how to type. Its just such a good notebook.

 

I've been on a tiny computer for years, smaller even than the 700m. I don't have any problems with it, after a while you get used to the FN key, etc.

 

It's not like your left hand is doing anything, I think having the page up/down buttons next to the up/down arrows isn't such a bad idea.

 

Yeah, those laptops with the 10.6 inch screen have a tiny keyboard, I got used to mine in two days. Most people should be able to adjust to these smaller keyboards given some time.

 

anonymouse, what makes you so sure that they "dumped" a more comfortable keyboard just so they could add some white trim on the sides?
i'd be willing to bet that there's a valid engineering reason they made the keyboard that size.

 

I'm still struggling with those keys a bit, after 3 weeks. Still hope to get used to them eventually, and wouldn't trade this machine with anything else at this point.

I just wished they could have moved the arrow keys down like Sony did with the VAIO S series, so that those keys could be full size. That half inch of wasted space next to the up arrow bugs me.

 

This is what i mean about not believing people. Owners tend to be way more defensive than necessary. I'm not saying they made a proper keyboard and threw it out the window. I'm saying that given the extra inch margin on each side then it could easily handle a full size keyboard IF they worried more about function than aesthetics.

Ive seen several systems by other companies with a fullsize keyboard in the same amount of space. In fact, dells X1 is smaller than the 700m but it has a bigger keyboard. So i'd love to hear a "valid engineering reason" for a 92% keyboard, halfsized "." and "?" and lack of media buttons on a media system.

 

I had a 700m, but i sold it for serveral reasons.
The screen was nice, but it was too small. Viewing dvds and movies weren't as enjoyable as they were on my desktop. My eyes were hurting after long periods of time.
Secondly, the keyboard was small. I guess i got used to it, but i hated it. I would always hit the slash("/") key when trying to get a period.
Battery life wasn't the best 2 hours. I got an extended battery, but it sticks out and i didn't like that.
Some people like the 700m a lot. It is great for portability, but i don't see it as a main work station or computer.

 

Didn't you see IBM keyboard of X series, the laptop is smaller (wide wise) and still has a bigger and waaaaaaaay nicer keyboard (there no such thing as 1" worth of beautyfool trim though). What's the point of having a laptop and not be able to use it with pleasure (or without stragle at least:?(

 

All the laptops with nicer keyboards that you guys mentioned cost more than the 700m . You get what you pay for.

 

Not realy, the only thing that makes Dlle "cheaper" is their coupon, otherwise it is actually more spendy and still lucks what others have - pleasure to work on.

 

I'm surprised Dell doesn't have a 14" Inspiron. I like my 6000 but I would have considered a 14" Inspiron also.

I had a chance to play with the 700m since we purchased a few of them for my job, it was nice but the keyboard was just too small for me. If I traveled more I would have considered it; I can see where it would be nice for someone that travels a good bit.

 

i suspect that when the 600m gets retired, they'll introduce a 14" w/s with the new styling cues (silver/white)

 

Not neccessarily. The price may be what keeps selling these things, but in no way is a random coupon a justification for poor design. Dont forget that there are many less bargain-savvy people who do in fact spend $1500+ for the 700m. So its a shame that dell loved that "cute" white trim over keys that didnt force you to relearn how to type.

 

Shame it is.

 

My point was, that it would make no sense for Dell to shrink the 700m keyboard simply so they could add white trim for aesthetic reasons like a previous poster said. That would be a stupid reason to shrink a keyboard.
Yes, I've seen other small laptops that have wider keyboards.
Maybe a wider keyboard on the 700m interferes with placement of internal components. Maybe underneath that "ugly" white trim are metal structural supports that increase the strength of the notebook chassis. Maybe that keyboard somehow made the notebook cheaper to produce. See the rubber feet in the middle of the sides of the display, those rest on the white trim and possibly decrease the flex in the display when the cover is closed and objects are placed on top of the notebook and maybe help the keyboard keys from rubbing on the display and leaving marks on the display (like I've seen on other notebooks).
I don't know I'm just making wild guesses here but I seriously doubt the keyboard was shrunk just so they could add more trim.

 

Or maybe they just assumed people would be more impressed by its visual appeal they wouldnt mind sacrificing functionality. C'mon, youre trying awful hard to justify an explanation for a problem with an obvious solution. And unless the odd location of the period key is keeping the flex capacitor running at a sustained 1.21 jiggawatts then there really is no justification for creating a half-sized misplaced key that is used to punctuate 95% of all sentences.

I had an averatic notebook a few years ago that had similar half-sized ? and . keys. At the time i was told the keyboard was made by japanese designers who arent that familiar with our keyboards. Its possible the same thing is going on, but its really not an excuse for a company as big as Dell and in the end its a huge flaw for such a good computer.

 

The battery on the 700m is on the back of the notebook. Therefore all connectors have been moved to the sides and front. Note the location of the modem and ethernet connectors on the right side, and the USB and video on the left side. Looks like the locations of those connectors do not allow enough space for a wider keyboard. Unless they made the 700m taller which I would not like.

To be honest I just got my 700m a couple days ago and I'm still trying to get used to the small keyboard. But I think I'll get used to it.

 

Thats not true at all. Neither the battery nor port locations would determine what size keyboard would fit on the top. And considering the thickness of this unit (1.5") then it could easily handle a keyboard that uses the full width of the system without interfering at all with ports. I think its a safe bet to say that under that cute white trim is solid plastic or empty space.

Take a look at the IBM X series or Dell X1. Both smaller notebooks with more comfortable and efficient keyboards. Especially the IBM.

IBM X1 Series <--Click for Review

Yup, those ports go all the way up. Its 1.06" at its highest yet it still sports a keyboard that runs to the edges.

No borders.

Dell Latitude X1 <--Click for Review

Look! PgUp and PgDn keys!!!!

Dell Inspiron 700m <--Click for Review

Thats a lot of wasted space on the sides. And look at those half sized punctuation marks...



So they easily could have put a bigger keyboard if they wanted to and eliminated that white trim.. But they didnt so at least the price makes it easier to accept. But still, perfection would be nice.