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[BIG-MAC-GUY]

Hello All, I am new to this forum and I am looking to find out some information.
I recently purchased a used macbook pro and it does not have a back lit keyboard so my question is what year and models have that and can I make this one back lit?

Thanks

 

[mohsy90]

I believe they started the backlit with the new unibody MacBook Pros (so essentially any model after 2008). As for adding back lit....not possible.

 

[Stetrain]

This is a pretty good guide for finding out what you have:

http://www.ifixit.com/Info/ID-your-Mac

The pre-unibody Macbook Pro did have a backlit keyboard.

If it's a 13", it's probably not actually a Macbook Pro but instead a 2008 Aluminum Macbook.

 

[ivoruest]

Backlit comes from 2007 or earlier, because my Macbook Pro non-unibody (early 2008 had, and my sisters 2007 also). What model is your MBP? There were some Macbooks that came out when Unibody started that came with no backlit keyboard.

 

[BIG-MAC-GUY]

MB466LL/A OCT. 2008 model

 

[Stetrain]

MB466LL/A OCT. 2008 model

Yep, that's the 13" Aluminum Macbook, technically not a Macbook Pro. It was rebranded as the 13" MBP in 2009.

At minimum adding a backlit keyboard would require changing the entire aluminum topcase with the one from the 2.4Ghz version (it had the backlit keyboard), even then the logic board might not have the right connections.

 

[BIG-MAC-GUY]

what about HDD-MB990LL/A 2009 release will that have a illuminating keyboard?

 

[Stetrain]

what about HDD-MB990LL/A 2009 release will that have a illuminating keyboard?

Yep.

 

[BIG-MAC-GUY]

guaranteed?

 

[pgiguere1]

Yes, all unibody MBPs have it.

The one you have is the Late-2008 Aluminium MacBook, only the high-end model with 2.4GHz processor had a backlit keyboard back then. Then it was rebranded as 13" MacBook Pro in 2009 and even the base model got the backlit keyboard.

Any MacBook Pro released in 2009 will have it.

 

[Queen6]

I believe they started the backlit with the new unibody MacBook Pros (so essentially any model after 2008). As for adding back lit....not possible.

13" was simply rebranded to "Pro" from Aluminium MackBook to rationalise the lineup, the keyboard backlight came later to the 13"

15" the MBP previous to the Unibody also has the keyboard backlight, I have a Early 2008 Classic (non Unibody) with this feature, in fact the keyboard backlight goes back to the PowerBook...

 

[Stetrain]

guaranteed?

Yes, all 13" MBPs from 2009 and on have backlit keyboards.

 

[BIG-MAC-GUY]

What about replacing the bottom and top shells how is that done?

 

[Stetrain]

What about replacing the bottom and top shells how is that done?

iFixit says that it's possible:
http://www.ifixit.com/blog/2009/03/25/macbook-unibody-backlit-keyboard-upgrade/

According to them you would need a topcase for a 2008 Aluminum Macbook with the backlit keyboard:

http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Unibody-Model-No-A1278-Upper-Case-Backlit/IF160-001

And here are the replacement instructions, which involve basically taking the whole computer apart:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Unibody-Model-A1278-Upper-Case/792/1

Honestly I would just sell the 2008 model and get a 2009 or newer model if it were me. Besides the backlit keyboard you also get a bit higher quality screen and better battery life IIRC.

 

[BIG-MAC-GUY]

Thanks guys I already got the 2009 coming.