Is the backlit keyboard worth it?

What are peoples thoughts on the backlit keyboard?

I've never seen one and wondered how useful it would be as I rarely use my pc without reasonable lighting and I touch type a lot of the time.

Does the light actually shine though the keys?

 

I wish I had it, I sometimes type in low light.

Yes the one I saw it shines through the keys

heres a pic

 

Personally I can do without. It's useful if you can't touch type, but seeing that I very very very rarely look down at the keyboard even in broad daylight, it's worthless to me except as 'bling'.

 

I think it's a worthwhile upgrade. As mentioned, it's not that helpful if you're a good touch typist (I'm not) and just doing flat out typing, but when you're hunting for a keyboard shortcut or trying to page up and page down in the dark, then it can be quite useful.

 

It looks cool. In terms of practical use, it doesn't really help me find keys...I know the keyboard too well. Half the time, I don't even bother to turn it on when dark.

 

I want one. It's only every now and again that I could make use of it -- but when those times come along I really want one.

 

Being an on call IT/IS guy ... sometimes I get paged at night ... having the lighted keyboard would help with those function keys or other keys that I may have to search for in the dark ...

Edit:

Right now, I have to tilt the screen down to light the keyboard ... hit the key and then tilt the screen back up. It works, but a pain ...

 

Thanks for the replies and your answers tally mostly tally with what I thought that the keyboard is not a necessity for my kind of use but it's a nice shiny gadget to have and useful if you use your laptop in the dark.

 

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: yes.

 

Only the Sith deal in absolutes.

 

I have the typing skills of a Pharmacists so yeah a back lit keyboard would do wonders for my typing skillz in low light.

 

It isn't so much that I can't touch type, because I can, but when the keyboard is completely dark and I go to put my hands on it, it helps to get my bearings. For some reason I just find it so cool to have the backlit keyboard.

 

Not AS useful, I have sure used mine before, but I wouldn't make some major decision changes based on it. Plus, you can always get a USB light.

 

The thing is, you shouldn't be using your notebook in poor lighting conditions anyway if it can be helped. Bad for your eyes.

 

Exactly what I do. Hate it.

 

It looks cool but like other guys say, if you can type, you don't need the lights. I would get one of this not because It will help me find my keys, because it looks cool

 

I personally think that I can type on my keyboard under any condition (light or dark). The point is, I dont even look at my keyboard when I type, that means I dont need to see it and that leads to me not needing the blacklit. Such a hypocrite for saying such thing, but I ordered blacklit on my studio xps 1640 anywayz LOL. Not that it is useful but it looks very nice in the dark. Sometimes I turn it on and leave it like that for no reason....weird....

 

i have my backlit keyboard on all the time - i'm a touch typist but useful for seeing the function keys @~ etc. and also illuminates those damn media panel buttons which is helpful for volume . also, helps me see all the crumbs and fluff under my keys

 

Exactly...I can touch type very well (my desktop uses a keyboard with completely unlabeled key caps - good way to force yourself to learn ), but I love the backlit keyboard. The ooh's and ahh's it gets when I turn it on in a dark lecture hell are worth it, I think.

 

Personal opinion that it is a waste of money if you're buying an Inspiron. Backlit keyboards should be default included in the price of XPS Studios if one is willing to pay a premium above a Studio/Inspiron class.

 

The backlit keyboard isn't an option on the Inspirons, so it's a moot point.

 

The back lit keyboard was only $25 upgrade. I never look at the keys when typing, but in the dark its hard to find home row sometimes.

 

Personally, I can touch type in 2 difference languages w/o any problem. And also I have tried the USB gaming keyboard before which have the back lit, to me the backlit actually distracting me from the game and I opted for the one without. But I have not seen how distracting the one in the Dell is, so I can't tell for sure. Seriously if you have the option to tried it out first, or look on something similar, you should tried it first especially if you gonna game on it. Also if the back lit can be turn on/off, and your budget allow it, then I guess it wouldn't hurt.

 

I spent $45 on one from Fleabay...Totally worth it!

 

Does the Studio XPS 16 come with one by default? There is no option to add it ...

 

Yes, very useful.

 

Yes, all Studio XPS laptops include the backlit keyboard; there is no unlit option.

 

Love mine. Had an Inspiron for four years that didn't have a back lit keyboard and often wished that it did have when using it in low light and on gloomy days... I don't actually touch type, but use the two-finger method, but I've been doing it for so long that I don't often look at the keyboard, but I still find the backlighting very useful, especially for finding all the other stuff besides alpha-numerics. Also like it that there are two brightness settings. Oh, and it does look a bit trick, but that's not the reason I got it, honest

I guess it's one of those luxury extras that you'll know if you'd appreciate it or not through past experience; do you find yourself searching for the right key in the encroaching gloom of dusk? I always used to, but now those days are a thing of the past! ha haha!

Post #100, woohoo!

 

Well I decided to order an XPS 16 with an i7 cpu in the end so if it ever turns up, which is debatable judging by the other thread, then I should have a backlit keyboard.

 

I use my Notebook very often and can type with 10 fingers. I don´t need it but it looks nice and you have a effect.