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Inspiron 11-3147 2-in-1 Can the keyboard be replaced on the palmrest and keyboard assembly unit of this specific model? It is a laptop/tablet with touch screen. The display can bend 180 degrees to fold back against the base for tablet mode. The Dell support website for the laptop lists a part for just the keyboard, but the Dell Owner’s manual does not detail the removal of the keyboard. I have a a replacement keyboard to install, but I hesitate to remove the keyboard from the “palmrest and keyboard assembly” unit if the manual does not list this procedure. The palmrest and keyboard assembly is a separate unit from the just the keyboard in the Dell parts listing. Both parts are available on eBay. The palmrest and keyboard assembly sometimes is sold with keyboard and touchpad, sometimes just the “frame” and touchpad without keyboard. Rarely just the frame itself - sans keyboard and touchpad. Working on this 2-in-1 laptop/tablet is a new experience for me. The guts of the computer - battery, drive, mainboard, speakers,etc., reside on the topside/keyboard side of the computer. That unit is named palmrest and keyboard assembly. The bottom of the computer is simply a shell, with no parts attached to the bottom side. Previously, I have torn this computer down and successfully replaced the Power Port Adapter. So I don’t hesitate in the tear-down, only in knowing for sure if the keyboard specifically can be replaced. Dell part listing 7W4K6 - ASSEMBLY, PALMREST, SILVER, 80, 3147 F4R5H - KEYBOARD, 80, UNITED STATES, ENGLAND/ENGLISH, T14S1 Inspiron 11-3147 2-in-1 Computer Model: Inspiron 11–3147 Regulatory Model: P20T Service Tag: C267712 Manual lists procedure for removing palmrest and keyboard assembly, but not for removing the keyboard from the assembly.
Hey Loren, Sorry I’m late. Just saw this after I replaced mine. Yes, it can be replaced, but it depends on how bad you want to replace it. Once you break it down, don’t forget to remove that black sticky cover. Then you will see a metal cover with a bunch of grey circles of sealant. Almost look like they sealed the top of a screw head, but it is just sealant. You have to use a putty knife and carefully remove all of the grey sealant circles on the metal cover. Once that is done, you can remove the metal cover. Then you will see the back of the keyboard itself. The keyboard has another 25 little grey sealants, but these you can pretty much just “twang” off with the edge of your putty knife. Then carefully remove the rubbery keyboard. I used super glue “gel” to install the new one. I had five minute epoxy but that lasted five minutes and hardened. (Who’d of thought?). Good luck. I only did it because I was upset that I bought a $20 keyboard from China and waited 3 weeks to receive it. I wasn’t going to buy a $100 palmrest/keyboard combo after I spent $20 and waited 3 weeks.
Hi, Here is a link which details the removal of the palmrest keyboard for your laptop. I suspect that it is not what you are after as it does not show the keyboard being separated from the palmrest. With the assembly removed from the laptop perhaps you will be able to ascertain how to separate the two components. Hopefully it still will be of some use to you. http://blog.parts-people.com/2014/12/01/…
