Backlit keyboards?

Will / Has anyone started to MFG them yet?
(I mean swaps)

I've seen the Dells / Apples with them.
I was just wondering if there are any websites out there who have gone the next step and modded a traditional laptop keyboard to work as such.

And I don't mean that retarded light which is bored into the top of the screen, I mean actual illuminated letters.

I would think that people would make them, if anything for really commonplace laptops that use the same keyboard hardware...such as Thinkpads.

The Ideapad seems to have the same keyboard for their lines as well.

 

I feel and share your pain. Was thining of trying a mod myself with some small leds but it would be tough. Good luck and let us know if you find some.

 

There is glow in the dark paint. Paint your letters? think there was a thread similar to this.

 

Nah I'm looking for fully lit keys.
Like the MBP or Dell XPS.

It's too bad there isn't a bigger market for this.

 

I know the Dell Studio, Studio XPS, Latitude, and Precision series laptops all offer backlit keyboards, as do their Alienware lineup.

 

Gimmicks IMO. If you gotta look down at your keys, you need more practice.

A good looking backlit keyboard will take a good amount of work.

 

The problem is the BIOS has to support it--I bought a backlit keyboard for my Qosmio and am typing on it, there was a ribbon cable connector where it should have been for the backlighting but it doesn't work. There are no Qosmios with backlit keyboards so no BIOS support.

 

Well I DON'T have to look down, unless it's particularly dark. It just gives a reference point. I understand the J and F keys have the notches...but that also means you have to find those.

Plus it would help when having to do shortcuts you don't use often...but seem to often use. You know what I mean?

 

Thinklight>backlit keys imho. To be honest I dont see an aftermarket company doing this as there are just too many keyboards to handle. Just my $.02.

 

I think it's a gimmick as well. I believe a lot of people who want this (not necessarily the OP) just like the look of it and how 'cool' it is.

Just learn to type properly, and for those times you can't remember what key is what, tilt the screen down over the keyboard.

There is no need for another power consuming gimmick IMHO.

 

Good point. The screen is so bright, it illuminates the keyboard anyways.

People will always find excuses to legitimize their gimmicks.

 

Whose screen? My screen is definitely not bright enough to illuminate even half my keys unless I turn brightness all the way up - something I do not want to do in the pitch dark unless I want to burn my retinas.

I find a backlit keyboard particularly useful when using various key combinations.

How about a backlight that you can completely dim or turn off? I know you can do this with MacBook Pros. Nothing wrong with options...

 

Did you try and connect the cable for lighting to a USB source via a home brew link up?

 

I have a Studio 1555 with a backlit keyboard and I love it. It's a huge help when I'm giving presentations in a room with the lights off.

 

Too bad your pupils don't contract to constrict the light coming in.

Oh wait.....


Backlights have as much purpose as ScrollLock.

 

Yeah, too bad that merely mitigates the problem rather than eliminate, genius. Not to mention, as I said, even then it's only enough to light up half the keyboard.

Also, again, what's wrong with a backlight you can disable? Just because you find a particular feature useless, doesn't mean everyone else does or should.

 

I have a Dell M2400 and I really like it. And it not for "cool" because if I was looking for a good looking and cool laptop, I will not have got this one ...

 

IMHO:
My backlit keyboard was worth the $50 I paid for it. Even though I have a 17" notebook, the keyboard doesn't feel the same as a full-size keyboard. So the full-size KB at work that I have memorized by touch, does me no good while typing on my notebook in the dark. YMMV

 

It's a good thing I read through all the post before replying because I was about to say the same thing. To continue: not all keyboards have the same feel, and laptop keyboards are dramatically different from the desktop variety. Therefore, it is understandable and common to have to look down in order to reference the home position before beginning. And yes, having a backlit keyboard is also a "cool" thing too. Then again, so is the logo on the Apple, Hp, AW (and graphics) etc.

 

I'm not ashamed to admit I also enjoy the "cool" factor

 

backlit keyboards makes people even lazier to remember key positions...thats a painful story of technology......makes life easier(and dumber)

 

I got one but it's turned off most of the time, but it definitely has it's uses.

Maybe not if I'm touch typing in the dark, but say if I'm doing something that only requires the mouse most of the time and pressing the occasional key like:
* Skipping, pausing, playing video etc.
* Surfing the net and just occasionally typing something
* Even just dragging files around but I want to press windows + E or something

 

This ^^

Actually technology is suppose to make people more efficient--so they can finish their work and get to relaxing more quickly. It's too bad that philosophy doesn't work in reality. Instead our efficiency just give us more time to do more work

 

I've typed in the dark many times and have never needed a backlit keyboard. People have been doing it for years with great proficiency. If we want a real performance boost, we should adopt something like DVORAK, which has been proven time and time again to increase typing efficiency.

On another note, it isn't so much our efficiency allows us to get more work done. It is we who choose to take on more work. Those on a salary have to take on more work, because that the cost of taking a salary. If you are on commission, well, you can call it a day. Or make more money and buy another summer home.

 

Try finding the right keys in the dark, drunk cuz you got to let your ex know how you feel.

cell phones have backlit keyboards.... think about it.

 

Arguably you're not supposed to be looking at a bright screen in a completely dark environment(it's bad for your eyes). Unlike cell phones, lots of people look at a laptop screen for extended periods of time and backlit keyboards promote viewing those screens in the dark(arguably the iPhone and other such multi-function phones promote prolonged exposure as well).

To me it's more of a gimmick than anything else IMO. The laptop's screen normally provides enough lighting for me to see half my keys and the other half I learn by memory typing.

 

I'm not sure how accurate the belief that looking at a bright screen in a dark environment is bad for your eyes. People have been reading by candlelight for centuries.

But I'm with ya on the backlit keyboards though. They provide as much functionality as keeping icons on the desktop.

 

You're not looking at the candle though, you're looking at the book. And even then, people got plenty of cataracts and other nice eye malfunctions back then didn't they? Nonetheless, let's leave the popular belief part out if it bothers you lol

I'm not exactly sure backlighting the keyboard helps productivity since those who are most productive on a keyboard(speed typers) aren't the types to look at their keyboard too often anyhow.

 

Yeah, none of us are doctors so.....

I'm learning DVORAK atm. It's been a pain, but from everyone I've talked to, this is a surefire way to increase productivity.

 

there are about 20 main keyboard layouts. it's a shame that some manufacturers don't offer more options.

 

I just bought them little stickers for $3.

 

Why do movie theaters turn off the lights when the movie starts?

 

To mess up our vision!!!!!!

 

Well let's forget the whole argument about screens in the dark; it has nothing to do with backlit keyboards anyhow lol

Mind you, I'm pretty certain that movie theaters and glasses companies have this secret dark pact with each other... O_O I has proof! (glasses companies offer free movie tickets with each new pair of frames bought here)

 

I think you're talking about something totally different here?

Incorrect. Efficiency is express term that defines that purpose: less effort it the production of the same amount of--or more--work!

 

I think we are talking about the same thing: the discrete functionality of a backlit keyboard. It provides little if any substantial performance gain. I offered a solution that does offers substantial performance gains as a counter example: DVORAK.

You are right! I was thinking of one thing and typing something else!

On another note, it isn't so much our efficiency <s>allows us to get</s> causes us to do more work done. It is we who choose to take on more work. Those on a salary have to take on more work, because that the cost of taking a salary. If you are on commission, well, you can call it a day. Or make more money and buy another summer home.

 

it would be a nice feature to have however the laptop i have does not have it. for those of us that may need the feature once in a great while there is an external USB keyboard lamp sold in computer places or office supply places. it plugs into the usb port and you can adjust it as you need. when you are done with it you can put it away . i know this is not as good as it being built in and lighted up the keys themselves like a cell phone but for those of us who dont want to try and fashion backlit keys this may be an option. the glow in the dark paint option sounded good but i would only make a big mess with it.

 

quick and cheap solution maybe? i hav in front of me a powerwave gaming keyboard ( http://www.powerwave.com.au/) which is baklit and was 10 bucks from the bargain bin. the whole thing is really slim, like a centimeter. so you can maybe buy one, take it apart for the backlit keys and lose a USB port permanently. the keys look the same size as my Asus F5 laptop's and i can see myself removing the keyboard key frame, cutting off the numpad section and just shoving the whole lot in place of the asus keyboard...

edit: i think they stopped making them, thts why it was in the bargain bin...

 

Well..

Take off all notebook keys, have frosted acrylic ones made. Get stickable Letters and paste them on the acrylic keys.. Spray keys black and remove the stickable letters.

Now, get slim LEDs and set them up so they sit directly under the keys. After that, wire up them up to a switched source and your keyboard will light up whenever your computer is on.

Its a PITA, if you need backlight keys, buy a laptop with it already.

My XPS has them, and they are useful

 

Some people work mostly away from laptops.

*occasionally* they get to use a laptop away from the desk, so it is not their usual keyboard.

Now, on an unfamiliar keyboard, working remotely on a server, would you rather hit the right key combination or poke and hope for the best?

Sometimes, no matter how good your muscle memory is, you just *need* to confirm that the right key(s) are being used.

Somehow, backspace just doesn't cut it after the return key.

 

Look for the studies from USAF, NASA and IBM.

The research was done decades ago.

Almost the first thing they note is that white screens are not white paper.

Screens transmit light, paper reflects light. Completely different effects.

Green type on black backgrounds are the best. Data entry clerks could work hours and hours on these without any eyestrain or headaches at all.

 

the only thing that most likely change are size of symbols' keycap , the shape of ENTER , backspace , nothing else
you'll never find A in L key position or vise versa

i still think thats an excuse on who people dont even recognize position of alphabets in a QWERTY aside from WSAD

 

hmm i plan on getting an hp envy soon... a plug and play swappable keyboard would be a +

 

Well my typin' skills totally SUCK! I'm not talkin' bout WPM, It's more like WPH:yes:
But in school I was more interested in autoshop than becoming a secretary, but that was before these damn computers became common/affordable

 

so all you lot that say backlit boards = waste of time... I take it you all have keyboards without any letters or markings marks on them???

Touch typing is a good skill, but not everyone can do it, plus laptop manufacturors have a tendancy of playing fast and loose with where they put keys... I currently use 4 laptops, 3 are back lit.... now, lets play a game... where do you find this key, and it is a common key

\

Ok.... did you look at the keyboard? or did you get it in one?? here is where it is on my laptops...

Panasonic Toughbook - above the enter key, which also happens to only be 1 1/2 keys wide and not an L shape...

Sony UX1-XN - FN+ / but / is not to the side of > but below it, in place of the windows key

Apple Powerbook G4 1.6 - next to the enter key, which is an inverted L

HP NX7400 - to the left of Z

4 different laptops, 4 totally different positions...
dont even get me started on Pgup, Home, End and Del keys!!

as for backlights and power?? the usage is negligable, Id burn more batttery fumbling about finding keys!

I use my laptops on planes, in taxis, trains, in dim hotel rooms, during presentations, many places where the light is less than ideal and as for the 'the screen lights the keyboard anyway' yes, it does, but only if the thing is tilted so you cant see it! plus the backlight on the display eats more battery than a hundred keyboards!!!

but in answer to the OP, aftermarket would be good, but the number of boards and cabling issues would make it a non starter... you wouldnt need any interaction with the bios, all the dimming can be handled by th board, but you will need a power feed, while chnging the board is easy, the modification for that would be well beyond the typical end user

 

That's not something that HAS To be bios controlled. a physical switch would do just as well. or a light-level sensor, or a solenoid to detect when it's plugged in , depending on when and how you want it to turn on.

Personally I would like it to ONLY work in dark environments, and I would like it to go on automatically, so i'd copy a light-sensor like the screw-in day/night sensors for regular house bulbs.

With a manual override for power conservation

 

color screens are a waste of time. unless you want to get normal people who like pretty things to like computers.

does somebody just want to run some dim fiber optics around in a clear keyboard skin? i dont have the money for it. come on...

 

Backlit keyboards are deff not a waste of time and plus its preference, i own three machines with backlit keyboards they are very important wherever your located, especially when your typing and the teacher turns the light out when presenting etc...

 

i think backlit keyboards are purely cosmetic.. gives it a cool cosmic starry night kind of feel.. same reason why i buy keyboards with leds in them for my PC... not.. purely just for the looks and feel.... i find that most of the time i dont even look at the keyboard so.. probably wont even notice the lights after a while..

 

Well more and more manufacturers are adding in backlit keyboards so there must be a demand for them(as it doesn't exactly cut prices to add them in). I own a few and they are useful, although I most likely could live without them too.