Backlit keyboard for desktops???

[kuyu]

Sorry, but I don't have any info about backlit keyboards for the desktop.

But, would anyone out there like to have one. I think a good price point could be ~$100. Not wireless, but fiberoptic lit nonetheless.

Personally, I'd love to have one. Especially if they made each keyboard support red, green, and blue. This way you could have the letters/numbers light up in almost any color you choose. Also, the colors could sweep from one end of the keyboard to the other (or in any pattern you could dream of).

Just want to get thoughts on the matter...

[TimDaddy]

I think it would be cool as hell. "Hey, come in here and check out my new computer!" Good for showing off. I don't see a need, though. I use my computer a lot at 4:00 in a room that has heavy curtains and dark-green walls. I get enough light off my monitor to see the keys when I need to see them. I usually don't need to see them, I just fell the bumps on the F and J keys and I'm ready to type. If there were one, I would want a way to turn the lighted keys off. We occasionally watch a movie on the iMac, and when my 20"er arrives this week, we'll probably be watching a lot more on it. I think a lighted keyboard will get in the way.

[kuyu]

I agree, there would have to be a way to turn the keyboard lights off, as many people don't want the distraction. But, while a screen saver was running it sure would look cool if the keyboard was glowing in all the colors of the rainbow.

[Grimace]

sounds like a solution to a problem that never existed. The light up feature on the powerbooks isn't all that great; it just drives up cost.

[junior]

Originally posted by carletonmusic
sounds like a solution to a problem that never existed. The light up feature on the powerbooks isn't all that great; it just drives up cost.

On the contrary, I find the backlight on my Powerbook to be incredibly useful.
You may not have a use for it, but I certainly do.

[Kingsnapped]

I think you actually need to use the feature before you pass judgement. I never thought I would need a backlit keyboard before I got my PB, now I see how useful it really is. I'm sure the same is true for many other tecnologies floating around. One might say "Why would I need 10,000 songs in my pocket." Or back in the day, someone might have said "Bah, GUIs are worthless."

[cubist]

I would buy one. When I'm working at a computer for long hours, the brightness of the screen causes eyestrain (like looking into a lamp for hours). So I like to have the room dark and turn the brightness way down. The problem then is that I can't see the keys on the keyboard.

Touch-typing's not the answer because we have to use keys like backslash and others which are in different places on different keyboards. Maybe a little "art-light" which would work?

[Numbski]

Certainly you don't mean this?

http://www.coolerguys.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1016

[Numbski]

Sorry, for a desktop, you want this one:

http://www.coolerguys.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1074

[aswitcher]

I would also buy one. Even better if it was bluetooth wireless with 4-8 rechargable batteries with inbuilt charger that usb docks with machine when not in use. I think more batteries would be needed for the light. But of course I am dreaming and this will never be made as its to expensive, too small a market etc

[Rod Rod]

I'd buy one, especially if it didn't have a "Windows Start" button on it.

This sort of thing shouldn't be too expensive to manufacture. Think of the current Apple Keyboard. Imagine the keys were translucent like the black Apple Pro Keyboards and the TiBooks. Then picture the surface under the keys (where the key actuators are) is illuminated by some fiber optics.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Numbski
Certainly you don't mean this?

http://www.coolerguys.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1016

I saw one of those in person the other day it was very cool. I even played with it a bit. It has scissor action keys so it types very nice. Unfortunately it was too bright to see the backlight besides it wasn't hooked to a computer.

[rdowns]

Check out this one, saw it in the new MacAddict.

http://www.eluminx.com/products.asp

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by rdowns
Check out this one, saw it in the new MacAddict.

http://www.eluminx.com/products.asp

Yup that's the one I was talking about and was already linked to twice above. It's the same product just a different rebranding. :p:D

[Nermal]

Yeah, that ones been floating round for quite a while now - it first appeared shortly after the illuminated PowerBook. Coincedence? I think not!

[virividox]

i think one for the desktop would be a great idea, i love using mine on the plane, and this way i dont distrub people having my overhead light on.