HP HDX 16 - Poor Keyboard Visibility / Letters on Keyboard are Hard to See and Almost Invisible

[adrenaline_nyc]

I just purchased the HP HDX laptop.  Love the system so far, but the keyboard visibility is terrible.  It is impossible to see the white/clear letters against the silver keys.  Even the backlit option does not help when using the computer in the daytime.  Too bad that HP does not offer different keyboard configurations.  I have an older HP Pavilion with white letters against black keys that works great - very visible.  I wish HP had offered this configuration on the HDX 16.  Does anyone know of an easy after-market solution that will not affect my HP warranty?  I've read in other forums that you can buy after-market replacement keys.  Any thoughts on finding the right replacment keys?  Any common issues encountered with installing or using replacement keys?

Thanks.

[Kalt]

---

@adrenaline_nyc wrote:

I just purchased the HP HDX laptop.  Love the system so far, but the keyboard visibility is terrible.  It is impossible to see the white/clear letters against the silver keys.  Even the backlit option does not help when using the computer in the daytime.  Too bad that HP does not offer different keyboard configurations.  I have an older HP Pavilion with white letters against black keys that works great - very visible.  I wish HP had offered this configuration on the HDX 16.  Does anyone know of an easy after-market solution that will not affect my HP warranty?  I've read in other forums that you can buy after-market replacement keys.  Any thoughts on finding the right replacment keys?  Any common issues encountered with installing or using replacement keys?

Thanks.

---

No one sells replacement keys....you would have to purchase a new keyboard and install it.  Installing a new keyboard yourself would void your HP warranty because it's not a user-replaceable part.

[adrenaline_nyc]

bummer to hear no replacement keys and that replacing keyboard would void warranty.  but thanks much for the feedback.

[GY58]

I just ordered an HDX and was lamenting on whether i should have gotten the backlit keyboard for the very reason you spoke of. There is no contrast between the keys and the character on the key. So the backlit keyboard makes no difference in normal lighting?  

[Gangles]

I know with other models that the brown on brown finish is being replaced with a black on white letter finish on a per call basis if you are under warrenty and have difficulty seeing the keys. Contact HDX support(they have their own special dept) to see if they have the same type of service for the HDX model.

[GY58]

Thanks. I special built it on there web sight 3 days ago and called to day to express my concern. They connected my with a heightened department but they said there was nothing they could do to alter the order now. I have built 4 laptops and they will never alter an order (in my expierience) once you order it.  That is interesting that they are replacing with higher contrast keyboards. 

[Gangles]

after you get the notebook call HDX support with your concern. hpshopping cannot alter any order after it has been submitted

[SRF]

I see in this thread that HP will swap the brown keyboards out if you call. I tried that already for my HP DV3Z - can you post what number to call to see if I can get them to swap my keyboard? It is still under warranty and the person at HP warranty said since it works  and I just have the problem that I cannot read the keys, there is nothing they can do about it.

[Gangles]

1-800-474-6836

[GY58]

So I called HP support and they said that there is nothing they can do. The rep I talked to did say the future design (1 year or so) has a black keyboard again. I used a marker on my new $1300 keyboard and marked some of the keys so i could see them better! Nice!