Backlit Keyboard Laptop?

As an alternative you might consider getting a USB backlit keyboard, there are few out there that might suit your needs for anywhere from $60-130. One more thing to carry but cheaper than a whole new laptop.

I have had good results buying from Dell. Go through their small business (rather than home) section, and get to the outlet products (refurbished and returned). The business systems are usually built with higher capabilities, and the outlet items cut the price some. Warranties are the same as new. The business computers also don't migrate to the newest operating systems as quickly, because a lot of businesses are slower to adopt (or be forced to adopt). So they have Win7 available on most of their offerings.

For example, I just pulled up the Vostro 3560 series laptops (15.6" screen), and there are a range of prices from $450 to about $600. You'd have to check out their various models and series to know which gives the features you'd like. Here's a link to the page I was exploring:

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/SecondaryInventorySearch.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfb&cs=28&puid=fed3c8af

I think they are putting lighted keys in a lot of them - I believe my son's laptop (Dell Latitude?) has them. The backlighting these days tends to be blue, though, from what I've seen. You could do an online chat with one of their Customer Service reps to try to get more info, because the listings don't give a lot of info on those minor details.

Hope that helps.

You might be able to get a white backlit keyboard and put some orange acetate under the keys...

Maybe spray paint...or you could change the LED's...

", I just pulled up the keys and glued orange acetate on them where the light shines through. The hooks were in the way a little bit on the W and D keys so that's why the corners aren't orange too."

Looks like they were availabe in blue at one time. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175103

I'd think about changing the LEDs. I have a backlit Toshiba and I did upgrade to a BL keyboard.

In any event, won't the screen brightness kill the reason for blue?

Get a Mac... the keys are back lit in white and have a dimmer control.

Visit your local Apple store.. tell them its business, and you are away.... or if you don't want new.. depending where you are in the world, there are great second hand or even refurbished ones (from Apple) available. Good hunting!!

All good suggestions.

Ozzb - thanks for the link. That'd be the best solution for me - if I can work up the nerve to fiddle with the guts of it.

Hi Usbport, (Not wishing to miss an opportunity) I can offer you a Fujitsu-Siemens laptop, model P7120 for $395 + carriage which was over $2000 new! I bought it as a guaranteed back-up for the main computers and, it has sat in the cupboard ever since! It is as "new" with all the manuals, restore Cd's, doc's etc. complete, just as it came new. (I might even have the original box it came in some where.)

I have taken it out and charged the batts (there is a spare battery with it) every few months, but that's all. The main selling point (at the time) was it would run for about 10 hours without charging! (when all others failed after 2-3 hours) but it's hardly been on for more than a few hours since new.

re the keyboard. It does not have back lighting, and I used a plug in small LED light which plugs into the usb slot, to shine on the keyboard in the dark. This can be any colour you like (as far as I know) and they sell for about $2-3 dollars! So if you break one or it wears out it is easily and cheaply replaced, not like the keyboard!

Naturally it came with, and has, XP pro. plus all the other software e.g DVD writer etc. To have Windows 7 you would have to install it. The build quality is excellent, and it has everything needed on a laptop. DVD-RW, fingerprint password, multiple slots, wireless network, fax modem, etc all built in, with a 10 inch gloss screen for portability.

For the price $2,000+ a few years ago it was "cutting edge" then, now there are lots of laptops in a lower price bracket. But... this was "Rolls-Royce" grade at the time.

I leave it with you, if you would like it usbport just let me know, many thanks.

jt.

A little boy in class one day said to his teacher "My Daddy got burnt yesterday."
The teacher was surprised by the statement from the child and she questioned,

"Was he burnt very badly? The little boy answered boldly,
"Listen teacher, they don't muck about in the Crematorium!"