I need to make a light for the keyboard of my laptop. I want it to be powered with two AA batteries (because I have piles of NiMh's) and I think I want a blue light. Other than that I have no idea what do to. Any thoughts? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Making a light for my laptop keyboard
- Thread starter zmoz
- Start date
AllenInHouston
Newly Enlightened
Why use batteries? Just use the USB port (it's a perfect 5V supply). I made a light for my desktop keyboard with a diode, resistor and 3 white LEDs that I plug into my USB hub. The LEDs draw minimal current, so if you used it on a laptop, you wouldn't have to worry about it affecting battery life.
The hard part would be mounting it to something.
Allen
The hard part would be mounting it to something.
Allen
Darell
Flashaholic
I'll second the USB idea. Use the NiMH's for something else!
LEDagent
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yeah...i say you go with the USB idea too. They can be found at your local Best Buy and Walmart (if you're in the U.S.).
Check it out here: BestBuy - Notebook LED
Here's a picture. It's made by Kensington.
Pretty much this is what they look like. There others out there that offer up to 3 LEDs.
Check it out here: BestBuy - Notebook LED
Here's a picture. It's made by Kensington.
Pretty much this is what they look like. There others out there that offer up to 3 LEDs.
Sigman
* The Arctic Moderator *
I would use a USB powered light, but the problem is my laptop only has 1 USB port. (way to go Dell) And on 2 AA batteries with very light use (I don't use it in the dark often) I probably will need to change the laptop before the batteries. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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tylerdurden
Flashlight Enthusiast
AllenInHouston
Newly Enlightened
You can also use the PS-2 keyboard or mouse port. Pin 3 is ground and pin 4 is +5V. The same applies here - low current so everything should be fine. Here's the pinout of the connector.
I purchased that same Targus light (because of the rebate), but it's too bright for what I wanted. I have 3 LEDs on a chintzy stand that are spread out to cover the entire keyboard with enough light to see but not enough to light up the whole room.
I purchased that same Targus light (because of the rebate), but it's too bright for what I wanted. I have 3 LEDs on a chintzy stand that are spread out to cover the entire keyboard with enough light to see but not enough to light up the whole room.
radellaf
Flashlight Enthusiast
Just out of curiousity, why light a laptop keyboard? Apple did it with their new powerbooks, but it seems to me the light off the LCD is more than enough to see the keys by. Not criticizing, just curious!
ufokillerz
Enlightened
be [H] and do some el lighting under the keyboard =)
I think that might void my warranty. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif The light from the LCD is not enough...in complete darkness the keys are completely dark. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think IBM is putting lights on their keyboards now too, but, I don't have an IBM...(and I wouldn't use an apple if you paid me!)
star882
Enlightened
radellaf
Flashlight Enthusiast
maybe it helps that the apple kbd is white keys with black marks...
[ QUOTE ]
zmoz said:
I think IBM is putting lights on their keyboards now too, but, I don't have an IBM...(and I wouldn't use an apple if you paid me!)
[/ QUOTE ]
Actually they've been doing it for some time now for their ThinkPads. There's a white LED (looks like a SMT) placed in the cover above the screen. A keyboard combo turns it off and on. Pretty useful for people on the road I guess.
I wouldn't say its very bright, but its enough to view the keyboard by in the dark. Having a screen all white isin't enough to do that.
zmoz said:
I think IBM is putting lights on their keyboards now too, but, I don't have an IBM...(and I wouldn't use an apple if you paid me!)
[/ QUOTE ]
Actually they've been doing it for some time now for their ThinkPads. There's a white LED (looks like a SMT) placed in the cover above the screen. A keyboard combo turns it off and on. Pretty useful for people on the road I guess.
I wouldn't say its very bright, but its enough to view the keyboard by in the dark. Having a screen all white isin't enough to do that.
radellaf
Flashlight Enthusiast
Don't worry, zmoz, I'd rather buy myself another apple than pay you.
The boss has a thinkpad. I'll have to see this for myself in the dark. But, if apple is putting lights in the new ibook, there must be demand for it. 'course theirs have to be auto on/off based on ambient light just to be cool /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I'd like to see it but, well, CompUSA and the Apple Store are both not what you'd call dimly lit.
The boss has a thinkpad. I'll have to see this for myself in the dark. But, if apple is putting lights in the new ibook, there must be demand for it. 'course theirs have to be auto on/off based on ambient light just to be cool /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I'd like to see it but, well, CompUSA and the Apple Store are both not what you'd call dimly lit.
James S
Flashlight Enthusiast
In a dark room you're basically blinded by the light from the screen and not enough reflects off the keys to light them up. I definitely see this when using mine in the dark. I almost picked up that clip on USB light the other day too, but I opted to blow considerably more money on a kensington wireless mouse (not bluetooth, I'd have to buy a bluetooth adaptor for even more money then as it's not built in to my power book)
If you can still see the keys then your room isn't dark enough or your not sitting close enough to the screen /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Course, without the light it will force you to learn to touch type. Which is fun, but can be a real pain on password fields where you can't see what your typing!
At some point in my future there will be a new power book with the backlit keyboard. Right now thats only available in the 17" model, which I don't really need. When they can do that with the 12" model I may bite. Right now I really love their 15" wide screen titanium model which is what I use currently.
If you can still see the keys then your room isn't dark enough or your not sitting close enough to the screen /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Course, without the light it will force you to learn to touch type. Which is fun, but can be a real pain on password fields where you can't see what your typing!
At some point in my future there will be a new power book with the backlit keyboard. Right now thats only available in the 17" model, which I don't really need. When they can do that with the 12" model I may bite. Right now I really love their 15" wide screen titanium model which is what I use currently.
radellaf
Flashlight Enthusiast
12" iBook is what I'm using now, and in the dark, I run the screen at the absolute minimum, one notch up from off, brightness. I like that case design best, just wish mine had newer "guts". OTOH, it runs Safari over Airport just fine, which is all I ever ask of it.
