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The backlight on my macbook is one of the top features, and I would not ever want a laptop without it, so I don't really see why it is so bad to want backlit fo

The backlight on my macbook is one of the top features, and I would not ever want a laptop without it, so I don't really see why it is so bad to want backlit for the desktop either. I'd imagine the colors would be nice for indicating layers, especially the ten keys and arrow keys, when they are active, but I don't know if that is a feature out of the box, or something you have to hack yourself.

mrtranscendence 5y ago
I've always heard this about MacBooks but I've never understood it. One of the first things I do when I start using a new MacBook is turn off the backlight. I can touch type, after all; my fingers know where everything is.
DrBoring 5y ago
For me, backlit keys on a laptop is nice because I'll use a laptop in a dark environment and they layout isn't the same as my desktop keyboard so my touch typing isn't always 100%. When I'm at my desktop, the room is always brightly lit. My rant was directed at desktop keyboards that have customizable LEDs. They come with custom software that let you specify the colors on each individual key. And yes, the colors can change based on your current layer. I was lamenting the cost associated with engineering the LEDs into the keyboard's circuit, and the cost of writing the custom software UI and embedded software on the keyboard to control the LEDs. I read a bit more about the company Dygma. It appears they started as a gaming keyboard company, and are now entering the ergonomics market. It makes more sense now why they included the LEDs. They have already written the software UI and have the engineering experience. My personal keyboard is a Kinesis Freestyle Pro. It's a huge improvement from my Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard, but it doesn't completely cure my RSI. The only total cure I've found for that is to not type for a living :( . I've tried a lot ... although I haven't tried diet adjustment yet.

mrtranscendence 5y ago

I've always heard this about MacBooks but I've never understood it. One of the first things I do when I start using a new MacBook is turn off the backlight. I can touch type, after all; my fingers know where everything is.

DrBoring 5y ago

For me, backlit keys on a laptop is nice because I'll use a laptop in a dark environment and they layout isn't the same as my desktop keyboard so my touch typing isn't always 100%. When I'm at my desktop, the room is always brightly lit. My rant was directed at desktop keyboards that have customizable LEDs. They come with custom software that let you specify the colors on each individual key. And yes, the colors can change based on your current layer. I was lamenting the cost associated with engineering the LEDs into the keyboard's circuit, and the cost of writing the custom software UI and embedded software on the keyboard to control the LEDs. I read a bit more about the company Dygma. It appears they started as a gaming keyboard company, and are now entering the ergonomics market. It makes more sense now why they included the LEDs. They have already written the software UI and have the engineering experience. My personal keyboard is a Kinesis Freestyle Pro. It's a huge improvement from my Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard, but it doesn't completely cure my RSI. The only total cure I've found for that is to not type for a living :( . I've tried a lot ... although I haven't tried diet adjustment yet.