Backlit Keyboards

I am thinking of purchasing a VAIO unit and am wondering if all or only select models have a backlit keyboard. Its probably a stupid question but this feature is important to me.

 

If you use your laptop in the dark reasonably often, then it is. I do at night, and I find it very useful. The mitigation is that you could always have a bed side lamp.

 

this still doesn't answer my question.

 

The Z and F series has it.

 

As far as I know, all new Z11 and Z12 (similarly, F11 and F12) series have backlit keyboards by default. You may be able to get a non-backlit keyboard if you go out of your way, but I think this option may only be available to Japanese CTOs or something.

tl;dr: US and Canadian Z and F series come with backlit keyboards standard.

 

i believe it should come as a standard, unless you opt for a CTO

personally i don't like the back-lit option. i work a lot in the dark, and the back-lit distract me a lot...

i can type more comfortably with either a low light / or total darkness, since i can touch-type in the dark without any issue

 

Not all Vaio series have backlit keyboards; not all models within a Vaio series have backlit keyboards. You'll need to be careful when choosing a model to ensure it has one (check the Sony website in your country). Sometimes even the choice of colour of a model will determine whether or not it gets one. Sometimes different countries present the same model with and without the backlit option.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. Back-lit seems to detract my eyes from the screen a little and doesn't help with accuracy as I type looking at the screen, not the keys.

 

hmm, cant you turn down/off the backlight if it distracts you?

 

my canadian f series didnt come with a keyboard..wouldve gotten a back lit one but it was the only one available and i didnt have time to wait for one to come up with a back lit anway

anyway ca f series dont come standard with backlit keyboards

 

Typing in the dark isn't a problem when you can touch type, but pressing some rarely used keys can be.

Say you need to press F5, or Alt, or Tab, Page Up, Arrow Keys, etc., then IMO having a backlight could be helpful. Right? I've never had a laptop w/ a backlit keyboard, but I want one. I hope I won't find it disappointing.

 

True that! On the other hand, rarely used keys are rarely used so finding them in the dark should be a problem only rarely. The backlit keyboards look seriously cool though, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

I'm sat in the dark right now (there are stars) and I'd be unable to type without the backlit keyboard. These things are extremely helpful. The design on this S series effort is very good.

 

When I ordered my z1290 I asked it the keys were back lit and the rep said no. I could take it or leave it. Seeing keys when typing in the dark is rarely a problem for me as the screen provide enough light. But if the keys were lit I'd take it.

 

Backlit keys still remain a very premium feature for premium models and I really dont understand why. It's just lights behind the keyboard.
Many mid to low end laptops are FILLED with lights, why not add backlit keys. Strange.

 

Bells and whistles. Marketing strategy to increase the benefits of the premium models over the budget ones, and perhaps tip the consumer that doesn't NEED the premium one to spend that extra money and get it. The same reason they make budget models ugly and premium models attractive - materials and thickness aside, the actually shape of budget models is usually a less attractive one.