Alternative to backlit keyboards?

Sadly I was informed that I would need a new MOBO and (obviously) keyboard for around $400 to bring my notebook up to the 16F3 that has the option for a backlit keyboard. Instead, I'm trying to find other options and came across this:
http://kikuyumoja.com/2010/12/09/glowing-keyboard-stickers/
I don't want to mess with external USB lights, but the reflective stickers *seem* like a decent idea. Does anybody have experience with these or come up with any other alternatives? Thanks in advance!

 

Best alternative is to learn to type without looking

Stickers never seem to work too well in from what I gather from those who have tried them and posted there feedback here on the forum.

 

Those stickers suck. I've tried augmenting my netbook with three different kinds of those; blue, orange, and the green/yellow like the ones you linked. Still had to have a light directly on them to see, and by then I could see the unstickered keys anyway.

 

I can definitely type without looking, it's for gaming. I like the portability of getting used to playing with the keyboard on my notebook (regardless of the inconvenient Ctrl key access) and just needing a mouse to take with me to game. I guess I'll have to learn to live with this until my next notebook.

 

I didn't get it. you want to find some backlit mod because your mobo doesn't work? is the keyboard soldered to the mobo? or it just doesn't work?

 

+1. After few months of having the PC table where keyboard was resting beneath it i actually learnt to type without looking, since getting it out wasnt comfortable

 

I have it in this old laptop - a really useless feature, IMO, as I can type without looking at the keyboard and I don't look at the keyboard while gaming.

Plus, I seldom play in the dark. And when I start playing, the hours pass and darkness falls, the lit keyboard after every keystroke usually distracts and annoys me instead of help me.

I guess it's good enough for people who can't type blindly, but I fail to see the appeal.

 

I know you said no lights but how bad can it be? Simple, cheap and to the point. I'd say this is probably the next best thing to backlit keyboards. I'd probably want a dimmer or a darkening film on that thing though as it looks too bright and annoying for a pitch-black room.

Amazon.com: Goal0 14101 Luna Light: Automotive





$8.59 w/ Prime

 

Alternative to backlit keyboards = lights.

Like a notepad light or a keypad light or a flashlight or your room's lights etc.

Or the sun.

 

Could create two cutouts in your LCD bezel and mount a HP nightlight. One cutout is for the nightlight to pop out and the other is the button that needs to be pressed to pop it out. Would need to wire it up to source of power.