Backlit keyboards

How do you feel about this feature? I decided it was a deal-breaker after I had begun working in dark locations. But honestly I feel the backlit keyboards are only marginally effective. It would be great if the lettering itself could sort of glow.

 

What do you mean? The letters do glow on my Envy. I can see all the keys perfectly no matter how dark it is.

 

I'm underwhelmed, but I still would rather have it than not.

 

After using my Logitech G15 since it came out, I dont think I could ever have a non backlit anymore. I use it in the dark too much.

 

I'd prefer less light leakage around the edges of the button, but it does the job fine for me. Not having it would be a deal breaker for me.

 

if you're good at typing (you don't have to look at your hands) its a bit of an unnecessary feature. it looks nice though.

 

It just depends on the location you use your laptop. If it sits on a desk all day or in a classroom that's brightly lit you don;t need it. But if you lay down and watch movies/listen to music surf the web and IM or need to type things it'sa PITA without a backlit keyboard.

It's become a deal breaker for me for my next laptop purchase...unfortunately for me all the features are require aren't available in a laptop yet...The envy 14 is the closest fit, only deal breaker is the craptastic GPU, my 3 year old laptop is 50% faster....

 

I prefer the backlit keyboard because I sometimes edit in dark places. It is a help, albeit an underwhelming one.

 

In the absence of backlighting, I find that high contrast keys such as large/thick black lettering on silver or white keys, or large/thick white lettering on black keys with screen brightness of 40%-50% is enough to see the keys in dim to total dark rooms. Though, the screen angle tilt will have to be close to 90 degrees (+/- 10 degrees) is required for full benefit.

 

It looks great on the Envy 14. I'm very happy with it 'cos it's so easy to use/switch on and off. Handy feature, and looks pretty.

The letters do glow pretty well, so I agree with hahncholo on that one, and if I was being really critical I'd go along with MikeWarner's comments about light creeping out around the sides of the keys, which is no big deal, but there's room for improvement. Some people have mentioned about the evenness of the light across the keyboard; I think it's fine as it is. 9/10

I'm not sure it's a deal breaker, but it's definitely a very nice feature to have.