Modding backlit keyboards on laptops???

[jhl1989]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows how to mod a laptop keyboard to change the lights, on a backlit keyboard, to another color. Please teach me!

[Tsunade_Hime]

Unless your laptop came with a model with backlit keys, you can't mod it as most backlit keyboards have a special ZIF connector on the motherboard. The LEDs you can change out, I don't know of any guide that shows you how to. Usually backlit keyboards have a mushy feeling, so you may not want to consider one....the Alienware keyboards are the worst.

[tijo]

Actually you can mod some of them, for example, you can remove and disassemble the G73 keyboard to add a layer of colored transparent film to get the backlight to show in another color.

[jhl1989]

Originally Posted by Tsunade_Hime

Unless your laptop came with a model with backlit keys, you can't mod it as most backlit keyboards have a special ZIF connector on the motherboard. The LEDs you can change out, I don't know of any guide that shows you how to. Usually backlit keyboards have a mushy feeling, so you may not want to consider one....the Alienware keyboards are the worst.

Originally Posted by tijo

Actually you can mod some of them, for example, you can remove and disassemble the G73 keyboard to add a layer of colored transparent film to get the backlight to show in another color.

Very interesting. And why Alienware keyboards the worst?

[tijo]

Here's a link to a thread on how to mod: Asus G73/G53/G51 Backlit Keyboard Mod - Credits to Ken Lee (GenTechPC).

Apparently, AW keyboards are very mushy, i won't say it as a certainty as i don't own an AW so this is just what i've heard.

[Nemix77]

I agree with Tsunade_Hime. Unless your laptop has a baclkit keyboard option it's would pretty hard to get one that fits perfectly on the laptop (dimensions and connector).

A backlit keyboard requires an extra connector for the LED power which has to be taken from either USB, speakers or mini PCIe slot (if you have an extra one).

Personally, I find that having a better keyboard (good keys feedback, spacing and size) always beats the fancy backlit option which is more of a luxury option.

I have a Aspire 7750G which uses the same keyboard as the TimelineX 5820TG in which has a backlit keyboard option and can be purchased off eBay and my laptop has an extra mini PCIe slot (no need soldering from USB or speakers for power).

However, I do not really like the keyboard (feel and feedback) on my laptop which is the same on the backlit and will be swapping in for a TravelMate keyboard instead (no backlit option but keys look good).

My original plan was just to swap out my Canadian keyboard layout to a US layout but after using the keyboard on my laptop for several weeks I'm just not liking the feel too much.

I now have two reasons for swapping the kayboard on my Aspire 7750G good thing there's no mod involved and bad thing is there's no backlit option for the keyboard I'm getting (TravelMate US layout).

[ViciousXUSMC]

the g73 mod is pretty specific not sure if it will work on other laptops, but it takes advantage of the already present white led lighting.

steelseries did a pretty nice keyboard on the MSI laptop. Despite having a backlite keyboard for serious typing I'd get an eternal one like the kbc race.

[Gearsguy]

I dont know if he was asking whether or not he thinks backlit keyboards are good or not (we had a thread on that didn't we?), but just if it's possible to add them

[Nemix77]

I'm just saying it's not worth the trouble for a luxury option.

If your laptop has a crappy keyboard and you love every thing else than it maybe worth going through the trouble to mod for a better keyboard.

[Gearsguy]

I never saw him say his keyboard was crap, maybe he actually wants backlighting? But I still understand youre saying its always best to see whats available