Laptops with Backlit Keyboards
Bluetooth, DVD drives, web cameras, you name it, today's laptops have it. A new feature, however, is a backlit keyboard. A must-have for travelers, students, corporates and for those who work in dim light conditions, backlit keyboards are keyboards whose keys illuminate in the dark. It is a very popular option for gamers, most of whom play in the dark. Even people with poor eyesight, prefer such keyboards, as a well-lit keyboard helps avoid eye strain. But only a few laptop brands equip their machines with such keyboards.
Best Laptops with Backlit Keyboard
Laptops equipped with a backlit keyboard are listed below, divided on the basis of brand or manufacturer.
Apple
Apple is known for its sleek, stylish and beautiful but powerful machines.
Apple MacBook Pro Series
- Quad-core i7 and i5 processors with 2.4 or 2.2 GHz
- 4 GB RAM
- 500GB or 750GB HDD
- AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor
- OS X Lion; equipped with ThunderBolt ports
- Pricing starts at $1199
- Core i5 and i7 processors with 1.6-1.8 GHz speeds
- 2 GB/4 GB RAM
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor
- 64/128/256 GB HDD
- OS X Lion; equipped with ThunderBolt ports
- Pricing starts at $999
Dell
Amongst the multimedia-friendly powerhouse laptops of Dell, two laptops have backlit keyboards. They are:
Dell XPS 14z
- Intel i5 or i7 processor with 2.40/2.80 GHz
- Windows 7 OS, 64 bit
- 6/8 GB RAM
- Equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M 1GB graphics
- 750 GB HDD
- Pricing starts at $999
- Intel Core i3
- Windows 7 Professional 64 bit OS
- 3 GB RAM
- Intel HD Graphics 3000
- 320 GB HDD
- Price: $499/$499/$549
Alienware
The subsidiary brand of Dell, Alienware, specializes in gaming laptops, and the M17x, M11x and M15x are three laptops with backlit keyboards. Of the trio, the M17x is the most powerful and expensive.
Alienware M17x
- 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 with 6 MB cache
- 500 GB hard disk
- 6 GB RAM
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card with 1 GB of dedicated video memory
- 8x multi-format DVD drive
- Price: $1,900
Toshiba
Toshiba has a wide choice of laptops equipped with backlit keyboards in all its laptop series, from the efficient and simple Satellite Series to the powerful Qosmio series. Below are three laptops from each series, which feature a backlit keyboard.
Toshiba Satellite P755-S5269
- Intel Core i7 processor
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M
- 6 GB RAM
- 750 GB HDD
- Price: $979
- Intel Core i7 processor
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M
- 6 GB RAM
- 1 TB HDD
- Price: $1449
- Intel Core i3 processor
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
- Mobile Intel HD Graphics
- 4 GB RAM
- 128 GB SSD
- Price: $929
Sony
Sony promises top-notch hardware features with ease of use and quality. The graphics and sound system on a Sony laptop is top-notch. The Vaio Z series and the Vaio C series come with an impressive amount of bundled software. The price of these laptops is a bit steep, so this is a good option for those with deep pockets and high luxury standards.
Sony Vaio Z Series (Z135)
- 2.53 GHz Intel Core i5
- 4 GB RAM
- 256 GB hard disk
- NVIDIA GeForce GT card
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
- Price: $2,250
- Intel Core i5 Dual-Core processor with 2.40 GHz
- 4 GB RAM
- 640 GB HDD
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 system
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
- Price: $799
HP
HP is best known for its winning combination of durable laptops with multi function capabilities. Suitable for all users, home or office, media or school. With an HP Envy, people tend to get envious!
HP ENVY 14-2160SE
- Intel Core i5 processor 2.40 GHz
- 6 GB RAM
- 830 GB HDD
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
- Radeon HD 6630
- Price: $1149
Note: All prices mentioned are approximate and depend on various factors like location and offers available.
Laptops with backlit keyboards are usually more expensive than laptops with ordinary keyboards. Hopefully, laptop manufacturers will soon provide backlit keyboards with simpler and cheaper laptop models too. For those who like working in the dark or those who travel, a backlit keyboard makes it easier to find all the keys!
