About to pull the trigger on Sager NP8150. Does it have backlit keyboard?

Topic says it all. I need the answer to this question and I cannot find it anywhere. Honestly, if the keyboard isn't backlit I may have to pass on it. I can't imagine it wouldn't be, because for a company making next gen performance systems that's like going backwards.

So I'm right, right? It has a backlit keyboard? (Please).

 

No it does not.

 

That's completely ridiculous.

Well, there goes the Sager I always wanted because I absolutely need a laptop with a backlit keyboard. I do a lot of work and play in low light conditions.

Meh.

Guess I'll have to settle for the Asus G53SW although it looks cheesy.

 

nope it does not have a backlit keyboard and sadly unlikely to ever have one (at least not in the short term)

 

I am not trying to convince you otherwise, since the lack of backlit keyboard option is, indeed, ridiculous - just a side note, that the letters / symbols seem to be very bright on Sager keyboards, it partially compensates for the drawback, allowing to make the keyboard out in the light generated by the screen only... At least I feel so.

 

That's quite a bit of settling. The G53SW only has the 460m doesn't it? You'll get half the performance to have that backlit keyboard. I still don't understand why you need backlit keyboards on laptops. The giant screen attached to the keyboard tends to light it up quite well, enough that if you touch type and use it for those few keys you don't remember, you're fine...

 

Sums it up perfectly! That is exactly the situation, I even may add that the Sager keyboard is very, very poor in my opinion - lack of backlighting being the least of its flaws - yet it is nowhere near a deal breaker, considering how exceptional the laptop itself is.

 

I don't see why people hate the keyboard on this laptop. Although it's definitely not a very good keyboard (it feels sort of cheap) it doesn't hinder typing in any way. It's very similar to the apple keyboard except it "rattles" a bit more.

 

Well, fair enough... I would just change accents a bit: the keyboard IS sort of EXTREMELY cheap. And it rattles WAY more.

It does not hinder typing, that is correct... I just fail to understand the whole concept of implementing such a poor keyboard with such an outstanding custom piece of equipment.

 

I don't get it either. If a reseller/builder could figure out some alternative keyboards (especially one with backlit keys!), they could rule the Sager market

 

they would never fit or work correctly

Aside from that would you rather pay £100 for a better keyboard or sacrafice some quality in something that really counts for the sake of a different keyboard?

 

It was purely hypothetical

What would be sacrificed by paying more for a better keyboard though?

 

I'm sure I could manage without the backlit keyboard. However it's definitely part psychological on my part as every laptop I've owned in the past 3 years (I've gone through a LOT, from Alienware to Asus) has had backlighting.

I've always wanted a Sager because I've heard nothing but praise for the exceptional quality. Hearing the keyboard is also kind of subpar is a bit disconcerting.

I don't know what I'm going to do. Is the Asus significantly behind the Sager in quality? I haven't owned the Asus G series.

 

How is battery life on the NP8150?

 

If you want backlit and you want performance, why are you not considering the M17X R3? Equal performance, seemingly slightly lower build quality, and super blinged out keyboard. Also, better battery life than the Sagers, because it supports switchable graphics while the Sagers do not.

And I think the Asus look and feel like garbage.

 

I'll chime in about the Sager keyboard too. Remarkably they do show up well with light reflected off the screen. I would like a lit keyboard too, but alas, everything else about this machine is awesome I wouldn't want to sacrifice it because of a backlit keyboard. Sager did say they were working on one, just whether or not it will be backwards compatible is yet to be seen.

 

Certainly.

Moreover, would one even notice paying extra $100 if we're talking 2,5K - 3,5K here?

 

not to be a jerk, but i'm not sure how you couldn't have found the answer to that question anywhere. i don't think i've read a single write up, thread, or review about the 81xx line without at least a mention of the type of keyboard and lack of backlighting. it matters to some more than others. i guess i'm just surprised you've always wanted a sager, and knew about this model, but hadn't found the answer to your question prior to now.

 

This:

ThinkGeek :: Glowing Keyboard Stickers

 

Those look nice...Do you have experience with them? Unless they are the nice vinyl type material stickers, I would see them eventually wearing away and getting sticky and annoying.

 

This. I am very perturbed a lot of times with the questions that are asked that literally are one of the top five things being constantly discussed on this forum or one of the things readily available in literally every review.

However in an attempt to not get banned for flaming, I will say that the keyboard is generally agreed upon as one of the worst things about the laptop besides the rubber coated touch pad. Additionally, the battery life is consistent with this class of laptop. Under normal load (browsing/watching flash) the laptop lasts about 1.5 hours. Under heavy load it is only a glorified UPS.

 

I might bite if it was $10 with free shipping and actually try it on my desktop keyboard first. But it looks a little cheap. Maybe after I've used my laptop for over a year and the keyboard is starting to show signs of considerable wear.

 

What's UPS?

 

It's uninterrupted power supply. Like a short life back up battery for when like a desktop pc or server loses power. It'll temporarily run off the UPS until power comes back on

 

well to be fair, any laptop with this kind of specs will be a glorified ups under heavy load.

 

What do you define as heavy load? I was using the M17x-R3 yesterday watching TV shows on hulu, gmail IM, background programs running, bt mouse and got over 3:40 mins of battery life on full brightness. Best part is, the keyboard is fully lit.

 

(I haven't read the whole thread)

There are some cheap usb led light that are quite effective for illuminating the keyboard

 

Picked one up on amazon not too long ago, but I decided it wasn't worth the effort. It created a bunch of glare on the glossy screen of my inspiron 1545, or it was obstructing my view. May give it another shot with the matte screen but still idk. I'm fairly good at touch-typing so I supposed I'll just work on getting better at that then worry about a backlit keyboard. While a backlite would be nice, all it would really do at this point is help kill the battery. Which already isn't super great due to no graphics switching

 

@Joker wasn't it you that was trying to make headway with putting the 485m in your R3? Makin any progress?

My cousin loves his R3, and I was super tempted to get one after I spent a little time with his. I say a little because he carries that thing around with him since he got it lol. It's like attached to him

 

That's with Intel graphics turned on. Turn off the keyboard and I bet you get another 20 minutes.

Unfortunately Sager chose not to offer any kind of switchable graphics. I would have preferred manual switch like the Alienware, but I digress.