Dell company executives announced the re-design of keyboards for the new Latitude notebook. The new keyboards offer backlit keys, enhanced tactile feel, new key spacing and other features. The new Latitude project began two years ago with the engineers and designers first focused on developing a world-class keyboard. All aspects were considered and improved to offer better feel and usability.

The elements re-designed for just the key caps included spacing, size, shape of the key face, side skirt depth, forward/backward tilt, and orientation between rows. The mechanism underneath the key was engineered for a specific feedback, length of travel, and path of movement. Many users will appreciate the backlit key feature for typing in low light conditions. Dell may have added the lit keys to compete with the MacBook Air.