The exact error message is half German and half English and doesn't really make sense: However, I get a strange error message that the chosen configuration is not compatible. Changing the model number to bnx4313 allows me to change the keyboard layout to 'English US'. Apple, on the other hand, despite not targeting business users has even made additional keyboard layouts available (previously they offered US and English International layouts additionally to the respective domestic layout) which can be directly ordered from Germany, ranging from the standard German layout through French, Italian, International English, UK and most developer's beloved US keyboard layout.īut I really don't want to buy a Macbook and ThinkPads aren't holding up to their name anymore with their cheap plastic and lousy manufacturing quality, so there isn't really any laptop on the market for me right now which means I have to continue using my venerable IBM ThinkPad T60 :(. It actually bothers me that I cannot buy the XPS 13 Developer Edition right now because it's available with a German keyboard layout only here in Germany. I actually talked to a German Dell representative using the chat window and they told me that choosing a different keyboard layout is limited to the Precision and Latitude models only, thus I would be forced to buy a German layout in Germany if I wanted to buy the XPS 13 Developer Edition. Pity, would have almost ordered that gorgeous XPS 13 Developer Edition today.

Apple has been doing this for years now, so I am a bit puzzled that Dell, who primarily target businesses, can't offer the same. So, if anyone at Dell actually cares about a laptop sold with the 'Developer Edition' tag, Dell should also provide this laptop with a US keyboard layout outside the US. However, upon closer inspection of the item's listing, I found that these laptops are sold with domestic keyboard layouts only which for me means, a German keyboard layout.ĭell might not be aware of this, but a large group of developers actually prefer US keyboard layouts - even outside the US - simply because many international keyboard layouts like the German or French one are less comfortable to use when writing code (e.g., the braces are harder to access and so on). I'm a Debian Developer and recently stumbled across the Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition and was about to buy the laptop today as both the price tag and the specs convinced me to get it as a replacement for my old IBM ThinkPad T60.

German layout of apple mac keyboard