Laptops with backlit keyboards

By Michelle Thatcher on 19 November 2008

I recently received this in an email from a CNET reader: "I check CNET for all types of information but I can't find specifics on laptops with backlit keyboards... any suggestions on where I can go to research laptops that have this feature?"

It's an excellent question. Keyboard backlighting has long been available on the MacBook Pro and on such flashy gaming systems as the Dell XPS M1730. But as people grow accustomed to using their laptops in the living room, bedroom, and other low-light environments, backlit keyboards are beginning to show up on more mainstream laptops.

In Australia, as far as we've seen it's still limited to some of Dell's and Apple's lines, but expect it to be picked up more rapidly in other brands. When US retailer Best Buy surveyed customers to develop its Blue Label initiative, keyboard backlighting was near the top of the feature wish list.

If it's also at the top of your feature wish list, take a gander at the laptops below, all of which incorporate backlit keyboards.

Apple MacBook 2.4GHz

The 2008 Apple MacBook is a perfect amalgam of design and usability, and is able to beat many Windows PCs at their own game.

Topics: backlit, keyboard, illuminated, laptop, apple, dell, macbook, latitude, studio, xps

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Comments (5)

  • DaveG1 commented on 29/06/2009 17:54 Report abuse

    Recently had to part with my well-loved but underutilized (from a performance standpoint) MacBook Pro 15" (which had kb backlit) and switch to a cheap Dell with an ENORMOUS 17" screen, but no backlighting available, even as an option. So, here's a question - has any clever aftermarketer come up with a replacement keyboard OR a kb overlay that uses a USB connection for power, and either fibre-optics, or some other form of light conducting material to spread the light around some & make it more efficient & less power-hungry? Even when I'm NOT insomniacal, I'm a vampire, and I wish you could see me right now (in fact, those of you reading this on my Facebook wall will see the next posting is a photo of my laptop in "night-time" mode) - with three ridiculous USB gooseneck lights lighting up the keys so I can actually use the computer in an otherwise-darkened room. I see this is something of a stale thread on cnet.com.au, but if anyone knows about the availability of something that would work as well or better than my current lightshow, I'd appreciate a hook-up. Peace & blessings, DG

  • Grammer Nartsi commented on 22/06/2009 16:30 Report abuse

    Amalgam is a word used to describe metal alloy, normally Mercury and Silver - used in dentistry. CHECK IT. Home computers have nothing to do with dentistry. Methinks they didn't want to use the word "Blend". Ke-ke-ke.

  • stacey commented on 21/04/2009 19:52 Report abuse

    hp pavilion dv3t laptop has the optional backlit keyboard

  • rane commented on 29/12/2008 12:37 Report abuse

    YEA! THANKS!! I've searched literally for days for this info. I already found Dell studio 15 & 17. Alienware also has (an expensive gaming) model. Sure wish There was place where I could select the features I want (ie backlit keyboard, and screen Resolution as opposed to physical dimension) and have the results filtered as such. Even on manufacturers sites, it's almost impossible to find what we're looking for. Like I'm familiar with their product lines enough to know which to pick as a starting point!

  • Shane40 commented on 23/11/2008 22:32 Report abuse

    ABOUT TIME that you can now see the keys on your keyboard in the dark

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