Backlit keyboard for P-series?

I just did a search, but didnt really come up with much useful information on the subject. Have anyone changed a backlit keyboard into the P-series laptop, or figured out another way of getting a backlit keyboard?

I would love my lappy so much more if that was possible

 

This feature alone is what ALMOST made me buy a Dell Studio lappy instead.

 

About the only thing you can do would be to get a few back lit keyboards and try to swap them out.

I havent had any luck finding the specs of the keyboard that fits the 6860 that i have (well except the base model) and i cant find a referance chart that tells me what back lit keyboard would be compatible.

The one that comes on the alienware "looks" compatible, but that really doesnt say much.

I would love to know who our Case's ODM was (i think arima) so we could find more specific information about some of the componets.

You could always do it yourself with a dremel and some LED's

 

I'm not so interested in something backlit, something with the function key in a less obtrusive place however would be of interest

 

I just had eggs for breakfast.

 

Buy an external keyboard... I have the Saitek Eclipse II.... that's backlit, and you can choose from 3 different colors

But yeah, unless Gateway puts out a laptop with a backlit keyboard that's compatible, I doubt you'll be able to find one that will fit.

 

And even if they did put one out that fit our models good luck on ordering it cause i have found no way at all to order spare parts from gateway . Theres a few third party people that sell parts but there usually for older models and prices that are just stupid.

 

This is where Gateway directed me for my keyboard when the spacebar fell off: http://www.mundocorp.com

Although I can't connect to them right now. And I wouldn't suggest buying something there unless you absolutely have to... I paid $80 for this flimsy keyboard + shipping

 

ya i have seen them before and there prices are outrageous as well and they have very limited items . its to bad gateway does not have the equivalent of dell parts store.

 

having a backlit keyboard would be great. i'm sure someone with skill could mod a keyboard so it was backlit, but who has these skills and is willing to try it out?

 

That would take so much work, etching each key out... I for one don't think I would have the patience, especially when a separate keyboard is so cheap and easy

This laptop is basically a desktop replacement anyways, IMHO, so a USB keyboard doesn't seem like a bad option to me.

 

I've considered it before. I have all the mega high speed rotary tools to do the job and the hair thin bits to do it with. (i used to work on miniatures and sometimes you have to carve out eyelashes on a 28mm model)

The problem is the keyboard is pretty weak and there isnt any space under the keys to put diodes or anything (its just a solid piece of plastic/rubber)

Plus i cant figure out how to remove the keys. They dont seem the kind that just pop on and off with out breaking very ofter (as quite a few threads on this board have noted)

If i ever just get a spare keyboard or someone has a broken one that they want to part with i'll give it a go. It should be a pretty easy thing to do, its just i want something i could work a rough draft on before trying it on the keyboard in my system.

 

I have an extra keyboard, minus the space bar... but I don't want to pay for shipping from Mexico to the states

Plus it's a nice "just in case" a key in the future falls off... $80 bucks for these **** keyboards you know??? I'm a little scared it may actually happen too... every once in a while when I'm typing a finger catches a button just slightly... I think this keyboard is a little more fragile than it should be. It's one of the few strikes I have against this laptop.

 

anywhere around Del Carmen? I'm actually working out of Mexico right now lol

No keep your keyboard, i'd feel worse carving up a keyboard that someone paid 80 dollars for than carving up mine lol

 

lol. Del Carmen eh??? Nope, nowhere near, I'm in Vallarta

 

I, too, would KILL for a backlit keyboard on this thing. I was thinking about the reflective key decals that use the same material roadisgns use and reflect the light from the screen, but I'm not too sure how well they work.

 

Well i wont end a life (well most lives in any case) for a back lit keyboard, but i know how you feel.

About the best solution i found was to get a USB flex light and replace the diode with a Black light diode so your white keys "glow" But you still have the funky snake light sticking out of the side of your rig...so not the most attractive of options (came from the cosmetic mod subforum)

if the replacement keyboards werent 80 freaking dollars i would buy a few to test some ways to do it... but 80+time is not a very good investment for something that might not work (due to the keyboard construction)

I wish laptop parts were sold at store like desktop parts, then we could just find a replacement backlit keyboads and be donw with it.

Thats why the OCZ whitebook/Nagamaki/Force notebooks look so appealing to me 14000+ 3dmark06 score and a nice backlit keyboard with the ATI vid cards in crossfire.

Surely though there is a replacement keyboard for these bloody things though that doesnt cost 80 dollars

 

even if it was just under the keys and not going through each key letter/number it would be cool

 

Thats actually pretty easy to do, i've just never thought it looked very good

http://www.macmod.com/content/view/50/194/

If you just want light coming out from your keys this is the quick and simple way to do it.

 

your right it doesn't. i would look better with the black tho cause it would come through the keys. but if you placed some leds in there and placed a rubber mat, like the material of those roll up keyboards, that was a cloudy white it might not look so bad. as long as light was distributed evenly through out the keyboard.

 

EDIT: double post, NBR was laggin on me.