Possible to fit a backlit X1 keyboard on a T420s or other model?

I'm sure this is wishful thinking, but I had to ask. I love that they finally used a backlit keyboard on the X1, but I want a 1600x900 screen. Any idea if the part could be connected to a T420s? Seems like it might need to connect for extra power or something and that the T420s motherboard wouldn't have a connector for it.

Any insight much appreciated.

EDIT: Whoops, looks like the X1 and T420s keyboards are different shapes. Yeah, I'm thinking this is a no-go.

 

Please don't take this question wrong, but why would anyone want a back lit keyboard? I keep seeing this complaint show up, and can't see a need for it, the think light is more than enough to look up those odd function key features in the dark from time to time, plus it lets you see other things.

 

Many people never learned to type.

To the OP: no, the FRUs are not interchangeable.

 

Exactly, ThinkLight is more than enough. In complete darkness, it's too strong, produces a lot of reflections and is generally obtrusive. I imagine that backlit keyboard would be much more comfortable.

 

I've used machines with backlit keyboards and it's a nice feature. Definitely something I would have gotten with the T420 if it were available. Yeah, the ThinkLight works but in most situations it's actually too bright. I'd much rather have the keycaps light up instead.

I don't end up using the laptop keyboard on a regular basis. At the desks I have docks for it, with their own keyboard and trackball. It's only when traveling or on the boat that I use it. So I'm not going to be as familiar with the key placements.

And on the subject of keyboards, WTH ever happened to white ones? Black ones are a lot harder to see. It's next to impossible to find the same variety of white ones anymore.

 

Black ones don't show dirt as much, same for computers and monitors.

Ike

 

Black ones show dust more, though.

Now, my opinion on backlit keyboards is that they are completely distracting. I've used my friend's laptop in near total darkness, and I ended up turning off the backlight after 2 minutes because there was too much light bleeding out of the keyboard. Sure, I can't see the keys as easily, but I'm a pretty good touch typist (or at least I'd like to think I am) so I am familiar with where all the keys are. In my opinion, the ThinkLight is actually better than a backlit keyboard because it is not as distracting; if I NEED to see the keys for some reason, which rarely happens because the ThinkPad's keyboard is very logically laid out, the light sources are all located in roughly one place (the screen area). To be quite honest, I haven't used the ThinkLight at all besides testing it out in the dark.

So, yeah, if you find the need to see the keyboard in order to use the laptop in the dark and the ThinkLight isn't enough, I'd recommend you to start practicing proper typing.

 

For monitors I can understand. The heat of a display wreaks havoc on light colored plastics. And for keyboards, yeah, black does tend to hide the gunk better.

You make a great point about light leakage. I'd hope the backlit keyboards would be able to toggle it off, as can the ThinkLight. Being forced to leave it on all the time would indeed be annoying. What make/model was the one you used?

As for proper typing, clearly you missed the point that I don't make use of the laptop keyboard as much as a regular one. Were I using the laptop's keyboard all the time then, sure. Save the judgmental bit, how 'bout?

 

some people never learn not to be s either.

To the OP: Yeah, it's not going to work. If you're bold, you could wire plastic fiber optics under the keys yourself: iBook ?? ?

 

Thanks for making a bunch of terrible, uninformed replies (warmonked excepted). That was really helpful.

I'm a skilled touch-typist that does 110 wpm. Backlit keyboards are incredibly handy for function keys, multi-key combinations, key sequences, etc. There's a reason they come standard on all the MacBook Pros and are picking up popularity all over the market -- including Lenovo, finally (via the X1), who has been notoriously rigid about adding modern features to their machines.

I lived with a ThinkPad T61 for two years. Anyone who thinks the ThinkLight is anywhere near as useful as a backlit keyboard either (a) doesn't extensively use keyboard shortcuts in the dark, or (b) doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

The T61 series and especially the NMB keyboard of that era are extremely different from the X1 backlit keyboard in mechanics. Most likely you'll prefer the gold standard.

That said, the X1 is earning pretty high marks in most reviews for the keyboard.

See Design Matters ThinkPad X1: Designing the Ultimate Keyboard if you haven't already.

 

Seen it, good post. I liked the T61 keyboard, but I actually prefer separated chiclet-style MBP/Vaio keys. Less travel. Above all else, I prefer a keyboard that lights up in the dark.

It's just really frustrating that Lenovo isn't offering the X1's keyboard on a machine with 1600x900 or greater. 1366 is a crime against humanity.

 

and 13.3 inch with WXGA is better?

 

Backlit keyboard provide too much contrast. They tend to be really harsh on the eyes if they're very sharply lit (no bleed). On the other hand, making it bleed light outwards to light up the surrounding areas is a overly complicated way of achieving what the ThinkLight does.

How are multi-key combinations any different from pressing the keys individually? It's not like the keys decide to magically rearrange themselves.

My keyboard protector (microfiber cloth) is completely opaque. I do ~100WPM, and have zero trouble with shortcuts.

 

Yeah weird, it's as if I'm not completely satisfied with my current machine and am evaluating alternatives.

If Fruit had put a higher-res panel under the glass during the '11 MBP13 refresh, my decision would have been easy. Instead, I'm looking at Vaio SA (great size but suspect display quality and a higher price), ThinkPad T420s (nearly ideal except for missing backlit keyboard), and Latitude E6420 (larger and heavier, but cheap via Dell Outlet and not missing any features I want).

I'm not sure if you've tried some crappy backlit keyboards or what the story is here. My girlfriend can't sleep with a lamp on, so when I'm up later than her I'm working in the dark using the dimmest screen setting and the dimmest keyboard backlight setting. I don't have any difficulty with contrast, but I suppose I could fathom it being an issue on a lesser laptop that's only got a sloppy "LIGHT ON/LIGHT OFF" switch.

I use a different keyboard at work, at my desk at home, and on my laptop. This isn't a unique situation. I can touch-type perfectly on all of them, but my muscle memory just isn't flawless for things like CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+S or even really basic things like CTRL+T (I'll occasionally hit CTRL+R by mistake, for instance if I'm not looking at the keys). Ask any MacBook owner if they've ever hit Cmd+Q when they meant to hit Cmd+W. The issue is especially compounded for things like vol+/vol- keys, brightness keys, play/pause keys, and other random junk.

None of this should really be a difficult concept. The alphabet keys are in pretty much the same place on any laptop, but the other keys are often arranged in creative places, buried under a Function key, arranged vertically/horizontally, or weirdly-sized. The merit of a backlit keyboard isn't an issue that you need to argue about because you can touch-type in the dark -- it's a premium feature that has tangible value for a lot of people and can't cost more than a few bucks for laptop manufactures to provide.

Backlit keys obviously aren't some indispensable asset that you can't use a laptop without. I, too, once owned a 2005 Dell Inspiron, and it didn't occur to me that its keys should light up. Then I spent a few weeks with a MacBook Pro and said "oh hey, it turns out that even for touch-typists this is a pretty handy feature to have around. All laptops should have this." When was the last time you used a mobile phone where the keypad didn't light up? How would you like it if your iPhone or Android phone turned off the backlight for the bottom half of the screen when you had the keyboard up? The keys haven't been re-arranged, you lazy typists!!! Just deal with it!

Threads like this make me sympathize with the folks who complain about how few high-resolution displays are available. Someone makes a thread asking for a high-res 13-inch laptop because 1366x768 is embarrassing, and instead of a single useful response they get twenty contrarians whining about how it's impossible to read "such small text" that basically vindicate laptop manufacturers who consistently fail to offer premium features because mediocrity is "all you need" and they can even count on a cheerleading section on the internet to reinforce the point for them.

It's fine not to need certain features, but it's frustrating as hell to have to sit here explaining what should have been implicit. The question was "can you put x keyboard into y chassis," not "tell me why you don't think backlit keyboards are necessary."

 

If low light screen contrast and quiet performance is an issue for you the T420s is a great choice, my wife is asleep next to me as a type this, the keyboard is reasonably quiet, track pad buttons are silent, and the screen has the best low brightness setting I have ever seen on a notebook.

Ike

 

It's also frustrating as hell when someone goes on some rant, especially when they claim to be a skilled touch typist but key combinations are somewhat hard...

Yes, blacklit keys would be a nice option. Personally, I'd shut them off. I don't even really like how bright the volume indicators and power button is. Hell, I can see the stupid whites on the keys because of the screen even at its lowest brightness setting (X220T owner, I don't even have a thinklight) and that annoys me. Does Lenovo make it somewhat reflective?

X1 keyboard looks nice, I'd like to try it, but I really hate chiclet/island key keyboards. Maybe Thinkpad did it right.

Who knows, maybe they'll refresh the lines with backlit Island keyboards at some point and then you can pop it in your laptop.

 

I totally agree. The screen on the X1 was a strategic blunder.

 

On the backlit keyboards I have used (Dell Latitude series), the user can control the backlight brightness. Half brightness is usually enough to enhance keyboard legibility without the light leakage problem.

IMO the thinkLight is better than nothing but can't compete with a backlit keyboard in terms of usability.

John