The keyboard on my new XPS13 is very difficult to read in daylight. In the dark the backlight keys are OK but during the day the back lighting is not strong enough (even on the "high" setting) and the contrast between the light grey keys and the dark grey lettering is "poor". My old XPS had black keys with bright white lettering; much better!! I don't understand that a renowned company like Dell can produce such poor design. Don't they field test their products before hitting the market?
I had long conversations with Dell about this. They acknowledge the issue but can't offer an (acceptable) solution; - a wireless keyboard defeats the purpose of having a portable laptop, - they could send a technician to replace the keypads on-site but very expansive option! They say it is not a technical issue but a design issue. and as such not covered under warranty. Not sure if this argument <Non-public info removed. TOS73>
You have 30 days from shipment to return an unsatisfactory system for any reason -- do so, and purchase a different model with a more suitable keyboard design.
I thought it is 15 days. And also, I have set up the machine now and don't want to take it all off again! Still don't understand why Dell manufactures keyboards like this!? If they were sold via a normal shopfront (not on line) I would never have bought it!
I am wondering if there is some way to turn off the backlight on the keyboard during the day i.e. in bright light? The issue for me is that the letters on the keyboard automatically turn white in daylight and are unreadable?
The F5 function key on your keyboard (at least on my XPS 15) allows you to cycle between various levels of keyboard brightness, including completely off.
@AlfieTat and @StZill Thank you so much. I should have known that but I think that this does help greatly. It is also the F6 Key on my XPS13. Thanks for this!
