GT60 0NE - Is it me or the keyboard?

Yes, another keyboard post. I need to decide if my issue is my laptop or me.

I bought a GT60 0NE-220US via Best Buy (easy return if need) and thus there were no customization options. My issue is with the keyboard, let me see if I can describe it and please tell me if this is normal. If not, I guess it's RMA or return to Best Buy.

The keyboard has a firm pressure needed as many have said and it seems to have some play below the firmness. If I am moving forward in a game pressing W and I roll my finger or just slightly lift my finger (less than 1mm), but not to the point of firmness, the key press loses contact. I played with this in Notepad and I'll get a string of W's but then just moving my finger a slight bit it lifts and breaks the string of keys. My Dell E5520 work laptop, my wife's new Gigabyte P2542G, and my Logitech G510 all seem to have an immediate firmness once the finger is lifted and it gives definite tactile feedback that you are no longer pressing the key as the resistance transmitted to my finger increases,

Is this normal of this keyboard? I read all kinds of weird issues with this keyboard, but none that seem to be this specifically.

 

I had 5 keyboards or even more. The best revision of keyboard i am now using is that which has only problem with spacebar at right side - the issue appears only at the right end of spacebar and i need to push harder spacebar. You can send on warranty maybe there is a new revision of keyboard.

 

But is it worth the hassle? I went with MSI vs Sager after having several motherboards due reputation and experience. I can return it at no loss and buy a Sager, but is one better than the other?

 

Sager=Clevo and users swaps keyboards for msi . You have to type stronger or just replace keyboard from new revision.

 

I have had many laptops before and never a problem with typing on the keyboard now i have the GT60 and i must say it's 1 of the terrible keyboards i ever used on this 1 i need to hammer on the keys it's really not normal and many many people have this issue so maybe MSI can have a look in this for the rest everything works like a rocket ,fast.

 

As it turns out it will be going back anyway. I had decided to give a week and see if I could learn to be mighty with my typing, but the damned thing won't turn on. Back to Best Buy it goes.

 

I have the exact same problem. If you lift the slightest amount it doesn't register. Not all the keys however, just certain ones.

 

I noticed it first on my W and A, but not S or D to the same degreee. I was playing GW2 and forward movement was stopping randomly. I played with most of the keys using Notepad and would press the key till it registered and then slowly release. Most keys seemed to have some slack between where it registers and where the tension starts. Not all were the same.

It's beside the point as it did not boot this morning without removing with the battery a couple times. Not good on a 5 day old system.

 

I'm thinking about doing an RMA on this thing because of these exact keyboard problems. I'm tired of having to correct typos due to missing keystrokes.

I only hope that the latest batches of SS keyboards are better in this regard.

 

I've tried to reproduce the issue on my GE60 (same keyboard) now that you mentioned it and I have it too, though I have to release the button almost to the 'clicking point' for it to stop registering and as such it's not an issue for me (I've never noticed it before). I guess yours might be worse than mine, but if not, it's not worth returning it as this is probably how the keyboard is constructed.

 

MSI Steel Series keyboard does required firmness on some of the keys.

 

I've used multiple GT60 and GT70 keyboards. I already replaced the original GT60 keyboard as multiple keys were missing. My replacement works fine with the exception of the space bar. This key is terrible. Unfortuantely I am using it in production now and can't be without the unit for the RMA process again.

I have also setup a GT70 for a high-end user. This keyboard works fine. There has to be a problem with the GT60 batch. I bought my equipment from Prostar, which was very helpful during the initial return window. Now that I am 60 days out my only option is working directly with MSI - which is a terrible process. No cross-shipping option available.

In hindsight I should have returned my MSI unit originally. I'd be happy to edit this statement if I could just get a working spacebar.

 

I just received my new GT60 0NE-249US and I'll note that the keyboard is far better than my previous 0NE-220US or the Clevo P150E I had, both which were returned due to an accumulation of minor issues.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the inconvenience it has caused you. That is typically the protocol, as per just about every manufacturer. The service turnaround time should be expedited as long as you are under warranty (warrantied units tend to take priority).

An alternative would be to see if MSI can send you a spacebar key (doubtfully) or check into getting a whole replacement keyboard (unlikely, but worth a shot to save you the RMA process and being without the unit).

I hope all goes well, and good luck!

 

I love the steelseries keyboard. I've had 20+ keyboards / laptops. I'm very picky when it comes to keyboards, especially since in my younger years I could type 130+ wpm.

I love the gt60 keyboard. I wouldn't change anything about it.

 

Contact MSI and insist on them sending you a new replacement keyboard. They have done it before and should do it as long as your keyboard is defective.

 

This gives me cause for hope. It means that the latest batches have likely resolved most of the reported problems, and when I finally get around to doing an RMA, the replacement I get will be golden.

 

My advice would be to request the replacement keyboard be shipped directly to you rather than waiting on the RMA process, my experiences with MSI RMA's have been woeful (2nd RMA and the repair company (not MSI as they farmed it out to a 3rd party) have now had the laptop in their workshop than I have in my office. Really not happy with that level of dis-service.

 

@SimonD. That is exactly my preferred route to have the keyboard shipped. I've called MSI support multiple days and been on hold until the point I had to leave a message. Still no call back after weeks. I can submit a RMA, but that is only for shipping the entire unit back. It would be easier for everyone involved if they would just cross-ship the part with a hold for the dollar amount on my credit card. Unfortunately I cannot get a callback. I had planned on ordering a number of these units for high-end users, but given this support I need to evaluate other options.

 

What I do have in my favour is the fact the MSI repair depot for Canada is a 10-15 minute drive from my house. So I have the ability to avoid shipping expense/delays altogether, and also to go directly to the facility for a little facetime if necessary.

 

I can confirm that even the newest models still have this issue.
I just received my GT60 403US
For me, it is the right side of the backspace, and the space bar is random.
What makes this annoying is that if the space bar messes up, I usually have to backspace to correct myself, but the backspace is also messed up.

Here is a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lECwk3u0InY

Watch in high quality so you can actually see the cursor.

 

Press spacebar in the middle I have the same issue but it is no problem when pressing in the middle of spacebar. I think I have an idea how to fix it. I will make photos with tutorial how to fix spacebar.

 

The issue with pressing the spacebar in the middle is that it is shifted to the left because the windows key and the "\" key are to the right of the spacebar, so when I type the way I regular do, I just happen to be pressing the very right of the spacebar which is very annoying.

If they just remove the extra "\" that I never use and extend the spacebar, I don't think there would be any issues.

 

There is new revision of keyboard. I have swapped my keyboard for new revision. It is free from this issue !!!!! Now spacebar and others keys works perfect.

 

Where did you get the new revision keyboard? I can't get a callback from MSI...

 

My new GT60 0NE-249US that I bought through Amazon has been great, no keyboard responsiveness issues.

 

Xoticpc has helped me set up an RMA with MSI to ship only the keyboard to them.
I'm hoping MSI has the same understanding, and also that they actually have a new revision...

 

Just got a new keyboard from MSI.
The backspace issue that I had in my other keyboard is gone, but the spacebar is just as bad, or actually even worse.

 

How so? Is the problem software related, or hardware related?

 

The issue is hardware related with the keyboard, since my backspace issue was fixed when I swapped keyboards. It is the same issue that everyone has been facing. When I press the spacebar on the right side (or left, but I use my right thumb), it does not register unless I slam on it. It works fine when I press the center of the key, but it is not practical to reach to the center of the spacebar to type. I constantly have to correct my sentences.

See my video from one of my previous posts.

Also, one minor complaint about this replacement keyboard is that the O key makes very squeaky noises. The other keys are fine though. It makes me want to spray wd40 on it.

 

I noticed similar issues with my first GT60 (0NE-220) that I returned due to keyboard problems. I noticed more issues with the larger keys (spacebar, enter, caps lock, ...). It seemed that if you pressed on the center it would respond more reliably than on the sides of the keys.

I can only say RMA it again and ask them to truly test the keyboard prior to sending it. Others have managed to get new computers (me) or replacement keyboards without the issues. It does seem a bit random though.

 

Yes I will take that advice and rma the entire laptop this time. Thanks