16F2 and 1761 keyboards

Hi,

I am about to get a 16F2 and I have a few questions about the keyboard. I thought they both had the same keyboard, but I recently read that the 16F2 keyboard has quite a bit of flex compared to the 1761 keyboard. Is this true? How bad is it, really? And what is steelseries, and is that only present in the 1761?

 

Both whitebook models use the same keyboard. The steelseries is backlit keyboard, to be used in the 1761 barebone it has to be modified.

 

I have a 16F2. The keyboard does flex, but it can be fixed if you're a DIYer.

I've been told that the upgraded Steelseries for the 1761 is MUCH better, but is only available as an upgrade, which would increase the cost.

The bigger deal is that you CAN'T get a backlit keyboard in the 16F2, so if that's a big deal for you then get the 1761 with Steelseries keyboard option (I almost paid more for the 1761 specifically for the keyboard, but the cost made me not able to make the plunge).

 

Thanks to both for your inputs. I would go for the 1761, but I'm worried about the size increase. Also, how much more does it cost to have this better keyboard installed? And why is it not possible to install it on the 16F2?

 

I think the 1761 is only 1.5-2 inches longer, but the same in every other dimension.

At xoticpc i think it's a $90 option, but also comes with a Steelseries mouse. If you don't want the mouse you can always sell it.

The motherboard on the 16-F2 doesn't support backlit keyboards. It doesn't even have the connections for it. And modifying it to accept it would be beyond my skills and desire to have it.

For me personally the price increase to get everything else that I wanted wasn't feasible, and I don't mind not having the backlit keyboard as much as I thought I would. That could be because the upgraded display is super bright and lights up the keys well enough, though.

 

Well, a keyboard with backlight would certainly be a nice addition, but when I come to think of it... I hardly ever look at the keyboard when I type, so I don't think it is a deal breaker. The 1761 does look sexy, though.

 

The only time it ever becomes an issue for me is looking for that one hotkey at night that I never use (but is a necessity at the moment). LOL.

 

I really dont notice and flex in my keyboard. It's pretty durable.

 

I can't find my other thread about the keyboards, so I figured I could resurrect this thread.

If I don't care about the backlight, but want the Steelseries keyboard in my 16-F2 could it be modded to fit? Or are the connectors not the same? I thought the backlight had a separate connector. I would just not connect that and use the keyboard without the backlight.

 

They keyboard should fit in the 16F2, there is a separate ribbon cable for the back lighting that the 16F2 lacks.

The other modification that would need to be done to it is to cut the 5 tabs off at the top (screw hole tabs).

Why do you want a back-lit keyboard without the back lighting functionality though? That is the whole purpose of getting one.

 

From what I've read it's more solid and has a better typing experience. And because I can.

 

Can anybody verify if the Steelseries keyboard fits (and is usable with) the 16F2? Having the same flexing problems with the stock keyboard.

 

No, the SteelSeries keyboard will not work fully in the 16F2 laptop. Even if it did, you may still experience keyboard flex.

Try using some double-sided tape on the bottom of the keyboard, it does help out with the flex a bit.
The right side tends to flex a bit more because the optical drive is located on that side.

 

To everybody still interested, I managed to get a hold of a steelseries keyboard (still rather new) to be installed on my 16f2 barebones. After shaving down the top tabs and thinning the bottom ones, the keyboard went in rather snugly. Typing on this is pure bliss compared to stock. No backlight of course.