Is it possible to take the new backlit keyboard from a 12 or 17 inch PowerBook and transplant it into a 15"? I doubt the 12" would work, but the 17" might. If this is possible, where could I find one?
-AT
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Backlit Keyboard
- Thread starter AphexThrice
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Re: Backlit Keyboard
The 12" doesn't have a backlit keyboard. And as for taking it from the 17", you'd have to find out if the backlight mechanism is part of the keyboard and if it needs a power connector.
i seriously doubt this would work. they keyboard on the 15" is designed to lift up so that you can install extra memory, airport card, hard drive, etc.
It would be way more plauseable to put a 17" keyboard on a 12" inch, because their the same new generation of keyboards, not deisgned to lift up to access components. Even if you could put the keyboard on a 12" it probably wouldn't light up because you're missing your light sensors and thigns of that nature.
It would be way more plauseable to put a 17" keyboard on a 12" inch, because their the same new generation of keyboards, not deisgned to lift up to access components. Even if you could put the keyboard on a 12" it probably wouldn't light up because you're missing your light sensors and thigns of that nature.
your best bet is to pray that the new 15" have the keyboard lighting when apple updates it, it's the only way you're going to get it to work, unless you're a hardware engineer-- then you might stand a chance.
pnw
pnw
Actually to retrofit a new backlit keyboard into an existing TiBook might still be an engineering job. It depends on the design elements of the keyboard and backlight system. A lot of which will be hidden from view when you just look at the Powerbooks in question. Connectors, sensors, etc....
Sure would be cool if that backlit keyboard showed up in all of Apple products. I for one cant tell you how many times i have had to turn on a light to see what i was typing.
kensington makes a usb light that will light your kekboard for you if this is a problem. $20 last i looked. i have one, but never use it.
you could also learn to touch type. free basically.
but i would mcu rather have alight built in... i just need $3000 for a 17".
why do you think they left out the back-lighting with the 12", perhaps they couldnt fit all the components in?
-medea
I think you hit the nail here.
There really isn't any spare room in this thing (looking at mine)
And to be perfectly honest, I really did want one, but hey, it's such a luxury - haven't needed one before! Shoot, Uncle Steve is most likely the only private citizen who owns one right now anyway!
It would be very difficult. The ambient light sensor is mounted under the speaker grill and the keyboard are likely different in their connection to the case. So you would have to take out that sensor and mount it under the speaker in the 15", assuming that there is even space in the 15". Apple has probably changed the way that the keyboard fits into the case as they did between the wallstreets and the lombards. The size of the keyboard may also be different in size and in height, meaning that it may not close properly or the keys may scratch the screen.
hmm, the odd things is that even though i typically don't stare at my keys when I type I like to know they are there and when the lgiths are compeltley off I always mistype something so I bought one of those kensington flylights and it works well especially when you only need a little light.
i saw a lighted keyboard mod...
someone did a fibre optic thing with fishing line, and ran the line under his keyboard and tapped into the display backlight, so it dimmed with the display.
I'll have to look for the link, the guy documented his mod and offered the instructions for free.
It looked good, he ran 3 lines left to right under the three main letter rows.
I'll be back with the link. I hope.
someone did a fibre optic thing with fishing line, and ran the line under his keyboard and tapped into the display backlight, so it dimmed with the display.
I'll have to look for the link, the guy documented his mod and offered the instructions for free.
It looked good, he ran 3 lines left to right under the three main letter rows.
I'll be back with the link. I hope.