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rated///m

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 20, 2008
5
0
I recently purchased a white 2.4 ghz mac book. Now Im kicking myself for not waiting. Is it possible to retrofit the new backlit keyboard into my current macbook? The distentions and layout look about the same.

Thoughts?
 
i really don't think you'd be able to. i recall that they made a point in the keynote about the chassis/unibody keyboard being sturdier or something, makes me think that you won't be able to switch out the keyboards

have you looked at the ifixit guides and compared the inside structures?
 
what about buying the new keyboard?

If i bought the new keyboard they are using wont it already have the LEDs there? The keys look identical otherwise to the current macbook. Just not sure if it has the same connector. However my guess is it would.

What else would be needed? Is there an additional driver needed to adjust backlight? Does the previous macbook have the same sensor for light?

I think one of us should buy the new keyboard in the 2.4 aluminum macbook and try this. ANyone know where I can order the new keyboard?
 
If i bought the new keyboard they are using wont it already have the LEDs there? The keys look identical otherwise to the current macbook. Just not sure if it has the same connector. However my guess is it would.

What else would be needed? Is there an additional driver needed to adjust backlight? Does the previous macbook have the same sensor for light?

I think one of us should buy the new keyboard in the 2.4 aluminum macbook and try this. ANyone know where I can order the new keyboard?


dude relax. the thing just came out. parts are probably not even in the system at Apple yet, let alone 3rd party vendors. search ebay.

and why are you so bent on voiding your warranty??
 
I do have a 2.4 - but not aluminum/.

I was referring to the possibility of retrofitting the backlit keyboard into the previous 2.4 white macbook.
 
Sure you can mod it. It won't cost more then $10 :D



usb-flexlight.jpg
 
dude relax. the thing just came out. parts are probably not even in the system at Apple yet, let alone 3rd party vendors. search ebay.

and why are you so bent on voiding your warranty??

It's the same or similar keyboard as the MB Air. I would try looking at that option. Since it's been out for almost a year you might be able to find some parts.
 
BUMP.

I would like to know the same also!!! I have a black 2.2.. so if i can get a lighted keyboard....it would def. light up my day.

get it? "light up" my day? get it? do yah?
 
If i bought the new keyboard they are using wont it already have the LEDs there? The keys look identical otherwise to the current macbook. Just not sure if it has the same connector. However my guess is it would.

What else would be needed? Is there an additional driver needed to adjust backlight? Does the previous macbook have the same sensor for light?

I think one of us should buy the new keyboard in the 2.4 aluminum macbook and try this. ANyone know where I can order the new keyboard?
Return it/exchange it for the model you want. The re-stocking fee may be cheaper than all the stuff you are talking about doing.
 
get it? "light up" my day? get it? do yah?

The Pun Police are coming for you. Their jurisdiction is infinite, their punishments fatal.

On a lighter note... Boo hoo. I have a BlackBook and I just want to point this out to other BlackBook users; the backlights are bluish-white, and the BlackBook has a CCFL display that is yellowish-white. Even if it were possible it just wouldn't look right.

Plus, you'd have to drill a hole in the body of your BlackBook for the ambient light sensor. Ouch.
 
bump

bump

so there is no light sensor in the plastic macbooks? Wonder if you could just have it lit all the time?
 
I'm not sure about transplanting the keyboard from the Aluminum MacBooks, but I've previously wondered if it were possible to take the keyboard from the MacBook Air-- unfortunately, you can only get it with the top case, which is available for $190 or so (I've seen it as low as $180, that's it).

I haven't seen any documentation on whether the internal connector for the keyboards is identical, or how possible it is to remove the keyboard from the top case.

The ambient light sensor sits on the display, next to the iSight; I'm not sure if it's possible to acquire that separately or if you have to get it with the LCD assembly (like the keyboard-and-top-case); if so, that'll set you back a lot, assuming there's even a place to connect the sensor on the MacBook.
 
Why would it be fitted with a light sensor ?

I cannot imagine how ugly a white MacBook with an aluminium keyboard and black keys would look.

There is no way that the new keyboard will fit your machine - if you want a backlit keyboard buy the top end 2.4GHz glassbook......
 
my guess is the macbook alum keyboard wont be expensive

Im guessing you can just buy the new keyboard when they become available. probably less than $80.

Cant hurt to try and get one and plug it in....see if it works.
 
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