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Whether you like it or not, you are one of their dedicated fans or, on the contrary, one of their passionate opponents, you have to accept the reality and admit that ultrabooks have hit the computer market with a bang and are here to stay.
With cool designs, solid performances and long-lasting battery life, ultrabooks are clearly not just a passing whim. However, while most ultrabooks are more or less the same when it comes to basic features, there are some aspects that set them apart, with the backlit keyboard being one of them.
Now, I’m not really a big fan of backlit, or also called illuminated keyboards, mainly because I never type in the dark. But I do agree that they can come in handy when having to use the laptop in dim light and perhaps once you get used to this feature, you’ll want it on all your laptops.
With ultrabooks, a backlit keyboard is not a given, but there are several devices that feature one, as you’ll find out from the rows below. I’ll also add some rows on how good the keyboard actually is, as I do find this more important than anything else.
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Update: Pretty much all the new ultrabooks offer backlit keyboards as standard these days, with the exception of some of the most affordable versions. That’s why you should choose your device based on other criteria, so I advise you to check out my lists of the best ultrabooks on the market, best gaming ultra-portables, best budget options or best convertibles.
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The pros and cons of backlit keyboards
If you ever tried to play a video game in the dark, with just the display lighting the keys, or if you have tried to write that oh-so-important essay (or blog post) with someone sleeping near you and with no possibility of turning on a light, you must already know how frustrating something like that might be.
A laptop with a backlit keyboard is not exactly something you can see every day
Therefore, it’s pretty clear why you would want a backlit keyboard on an ultrabook or any other kind of laptop and I’m not going to insist on such a keyboard’s advantages, or rather advantage. Cause yes, there’s only one: you can type in the dark and easily distinguish between keys, that’s pretty much it!
As far as weak points go, I wouldn’t necessarily say that a backlit keyboard has disadvantages, per se, but rather that some illuminated keyboards have a couple of glitches.
First of all, some of the backlit keyboards found on today’s market (including on ultrabooks) are just not bright enough. I myself played on a friend’s laptop a while back, which featured a so-called illuminated keyboard, but this was anything but bright and could only be considered functional in dim-light, not in complete darkness.
Another issue you might encounter on some backlit keyboard is the lack of adjustments. There are keyboards that don’t offer the possibility to turn off the back-lightning when you don’t need it and there are also the ones where you can turn off the backlighting, but that don’t allow you to choose between different illumination intensity levels.
Finally, some backlit keyboards (we will have an example a bit later) are not very well designed, with tall keys and too much space between them and the laptop’s body, which leads to annoying light bleeding from beneath the keys, visible when looking at the laptop from an angle, even when standing at the desk, in front of it.
Those are just some of the issues you might encounter with backlit keyboard and to be frank, it’s complicated to get a regular keyboard right and it’s even more complicated to make a proper backlit one.
Ultrabooks with illuminated keyboards
As I already mentioned, there are a couple of ultrabooks featuring a backlit keyboard nowadays, with more to come in the near future for sure (in fact, I expect nearly all the ultrabooks launched post the Summer of 2012 to feature an illuminated keyboard).
Update: With very few exceptions, all the ultrabooks launched after Mid 2013 offer backlit keyboards. That’s why this feature is no longer a differentiating factor when choosing such an ultraportable computer. Thus, I advise you to pick your device based on other criteria and have a look at my lists of the best ultrabooks on the market, best gaming ultra-portables, best budget options or best convertibles.
First generation Ultrabooks with a backlit keyboard
With first generation Ultrabooks, backlit keyboards were mostly missing. The Toshiba Z835, Dell XPS 13 or the HP Folio 13 were among the few to feature one.
On the Toshiba Portege Z835, a laptop that we reviewed a while back, things are looking quite good. The keyboard is decently good, although better key travel would have been nice, and the back-lightning system does its job. The laptop comes with a light-sensor as well, automatically adjusting the keyboard’s brightness based on the surrounding conditions and even turning the illumination OFF when needed.
The HP Folio 13 features perhaps the best backlit keyboard you can get on an ultrabook today
The HP Folio 13 packs an overall better keyboard, less shallow than what we get on most other ultrabooks. The back-lightning works fine as well and there’s not that much bleeding from beneath the keys. On the other hand, you can only turn it ON and OF, as there’s no light-sensor or a way to manually adjust the intensity.
The Dell XPS 13 also packs a very good keyboard, with slightly concave keys, but once again they fell a bit shallow. But the back-lightning system works flawlessly and there’s an illumination sensor to take care of all the needed adjustments.
Devices like the Asus Zenbook UX31, Lenovo IdeaPad U300S or the Acer Aspire S3, also popular first generation ultrabook, are all missing a backlit keyboard.
How about the newer generation
Customers want backlit keyboards on their ultrabooks, based on their feedback, thus producers had to comply. So, with the new 2nd gen machines hitting the stores, most of them will have this feature, except for some of the budget versions, like the Lenovo IdeaPad U310, Sony Vaio T13 or the Samsung Series 5 Ultra.
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Update: As of early-mid 2013, pretty much all the new ultrabooks offer backlit keyboards as standard, with the exception of some of the more affordable versions. That’s why you should choose your device based on other criteria, so I advise you to check out my lists of the best ultrabooks on the market, best gaming ultra-portables, best budget options or best convertibles.
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Devices like the
- Samsung Series 5, 7 and 9 Ultra (including Ultra Touch),
- Asus Zenbook UX31A, Zenbook UX51VZ, Zennbook UX32VD,
- Toshiba Portege Z930,U945, Satellite U925T,
- Sony Vaio Duo 11, Sony Vaio T15,
- HP Envy Spectre XT , HP Spectre XT TouchSmart, HP Folio 13, HP Envy 4 and 6 TouchSmart,
- Dell XPS 14 and 15, 13, 12,
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2014,
- or the Acer S5 and S7
feature the much desired illuminated keyboards. I haven’t got to test all of them yet, so I’ll only add impressions on those that I managed to spend some time with till now, with updates to come in the future, as I get my hands on more of these or as other important ultrabooks get in shops.
Basically though, most of the top ultrabooks you’ll find in stores these days already feature a backlit keyboard, while most, not all, of the cheaper units that go for $800 or less left it on the side.
Anyway, my favorite keyboards out of all of these are the ones on the HPs and the Dell’s, with good feedback, nice travel and adjustable illumination. The Lenovos and Toshibas come next, and then are the Samsungs and the Asuses. But of course, it’s difficult to make a general rule here, as the keyboards differ from model to model.
With the Zenbook UX31A, Asus really stepped up their game, greatly improving the keyboard on their first gen Zenbook. While not perfect, as the keys are still a bit spongy, the overall impression is good, the backlighning works and you can easily adjust the brightness with the according Fn combinations, or you can let the light-sensor take care of it. As a downside, the light bleeding around these keys is quite annoying, especially when using the computer in a completely dark room.
A greatly improved keyboard on the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A
With the Samsung Series 9 Ultra, there’s very little travel on those keys and rather noisy clicks when pressing them, which leads to poor typing feedback. The illumination however works fine, but that alone isn’t enough to make this keyboard more appealing in my eyes.
Last, but surely not least, we should also mention Apple’s MacBook Air, which features one of the best backlit keyboards you’ll find on such a slim computer. There’s practically nothing I can find wrong with the Air’s keyboard, except for the rather shallow travel characteristic for all these thin laptops.
The Mac Air features the best illuminated keyboard you could get on a portable laptop these days
Wrap-up
In the end, while not all the available ultrabooks feature a backlit keyboard these days, you do have plenty of options to choose from if you really need such a feature.
Besides that, I’m pretty sure we’ll see illuminated keyboards on most of the good ultrabooks we’ll get in stores in the near future, with only the cheaper versions passing on them.
Those being said, I for one would rather pick a keyboard based on how comfortable and accurate it feels, based on the feedback I get while typing on it. If I can get all those and backlit keys, then sure, why not. But for me, a heavy typist for whom a proper keyboard is one of my main selection criteria when choosing a laptop, that option is not really that important.
Also, it has to be said that there’s more to a laptop than just a keyboard, or just a light, and before deciding to buy or pass on an ultrabook today, you should consider all the details and features that make a notebook good, great, the greatest. And you should also check out this article listing your top choices at the moment!
Mike
August 6, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Mike,
Awesome article. Very well written.
However I would like to address one point.
There is a common misconception about the term ” light bleed” from under the keys.
It is actually called framing. All OEMS can eliminate the framing if desired by simply
masking the light guide under the circuit board of the key set. Black lines are silk screened on the light guide itself to absorb the light, thus preventing the light from framing the key. Most OEMS have adopted this method due to the fact they like their keys framed for asthetical purposes, and gives a warm glow to the keyboard.
Mike
August 6, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Hedy Mike, thanks for the input.
Still, I find this “bleeding” annoying. I mean yeah, the keys look good when looked from straight on top, with their light frame, as you call it. However, one never actually looks at them that way, but from a 30 degrees angle or something like this, when having the laptop in front of them, on their lap or on a desk. In which case, I see no point for the light poring from beneath the keys…
George
August 7, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I agree.
In addition to preventing the light bleed, they should also make sure every control button is lighted and the touch pad is at least framed in light.
The purpose of the light is to assist detection of these things in low or no light conditions, not pretty up on a magazine.
Form must follow and obey Function the demands of function and that function must be more than a pretty picture in a magazine.
Lisa
September 8, 2012 at 11:53 pm
Hello Mike,
I’m looking for a new ultra book after Windows 8 comes out this Fall, in the 13-14 inch range.
I’m wondering if you know of any ultra books that offer the a NON “CHIKLET” ~and~ back-lit keyboard ?
I REALLY hate the new “chiket” keyboard design. (But I think I’m stuck with getting one :-(
Thanks, Mike !
Mike
September 10, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Hmmm, i don’t think there is any… The only good non-chiclet keyboard is packed by the Lenovo ThinkPads, but they are not backlit. and even the thinkpads droped the classical design for a chiclet layout on their latest products.
On the other hand, I’ve trid the Acutype layout on the Lenovo x230 and the other new lenovo machines and after a day or two, I was able to type a bit faster and more accurate on those keyboards than I do on my Lenovo X220. So I’m pretty sure getting used to a GOOD chiclet keyboard is not really that difficult. You’ll just have to find a GOOD one, as most of them are… mediocre, on ultrabooks (i for one only like the one on the lenovos and on the hp folio 13)
Luke
September 12, 2013 at 4:48 pm
I think Laptops or Ultrabooks with illuminated keyboards are a must have specially if you are typing during the nigh. I have a Vivobook and it doesn’t have a backlit keyboard. I’m really having a hard time typing during the night.
George
September 14, 2013 at 12:51 am
Another feature needed, especially in ultrabooks, is for the computer to reside in the display portion of the fold. Then the keyboard could be thin and light and function more as a cover. The display would then function better as a touch screen when the keyboard is detached or folded away.
I have a fantastic Samsung Chronos 7 laptop, but the computer is beneath the keyboard.
What do you think?
Steph
January 22, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Then you’re looking at convertibles – Microsoft Surface Pro 3 fits the bill. At a price.
George
January 22, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Yeah, the surface has got the concept right. However, their problem is that their screen is too small. I don’t know which industry expert is deciding that a 10.1″ screen is all that is needed. You also need powered USB, HDMI, RJ45, and audio ports, to name a few. As I said, the Chronos with the screen and keyboard swapped then the keyboard made detachable and the screen made touchable. The current Chronos would be a bit heavy as a handheld, but the screen size would make it worthwhile.
John
February 25, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Hello all! Thanks for the article, and also for all the precise replies.
My question and I would really be glad for you to answer, is if the Asus A551LB-XX134H has a backlit keyboard or not. I have a huge dilemma between that and HP Envy 15-j100sv which has Full HD screen AND BACKLIT KEYBOARD (huge detail and must have for me), but doesnt have a dvd drive and also doesnt have that “glassy” feeling on its trackpad that the Asus has. What would you do? Thanks in advance for your replies.
John
Andrei Girbea
February 25, 2014 at 4:07 pm
John, I’m not really familiar with the A551, but it looks a lot like the V551 I tested a while ago here: https://www.ultrabookreview.com/3084-asus-vivobook-s551-review/. That one did not come with a backlit keyboard.
Betty
March 2, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Hello!!!! :)
I am a student and I would like your opinion before I buy anything .
I would like to get an ultra book for a simple use for assignments.
Can I find a 13.3-14 inches – white colour ( preferable :p)
Not heavy (around 1.5kg)AND the most important an illuminated/ backlight keyboard!!!
Thank you !
Looking forward for kind reply!!!
Betty
Andrei Girbea
March 3, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Hey Betty. If you want it white, you should look at the Acer Aspire S7 392 (the 2013 model,not the older 2012 version) or the Asus Zenbook UX301LA (however, that one might not be available in white where you live). Both are nice options, with illuminated keyboard, touchscreens, slim and light metallic bodies, etc.
Both are rather expensive though, with list prices starting at around $1300-$1400, but you might find them cheaper these days
Allie
April 28, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Hello,
Thanks for the great article!
I wonder if you could help me choose a laptop with the following specs:
-Back-lit and comfortable keyboard (top priority)
-14-15 inch
-Up to $700
Any recommendations would be highly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Allie
Andrei Girbea
April 29, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Hey Allie. have a look at the Lenovo IdeaPads, the Asus Vivobooks and the Acers above. Your budget is a bit tight, but you should find something alright for that kind of money
R Bruce
February 15, 2015 at 10:02 am
I was just trying to find some info on back lit keyboards, and I noticed you left out a growing consumer population that often needs back lit keyboards… actually 2 groups. The 1st is the aging population. I have actually seen the positive reaction several times of a variety of people with progressive eye problems like the elderly, who say that the it makes more clear the individual keys, and actually makes the letters on the keys more clear to them. And the second is the people of all ages that have a wide variety of eye problems especially after surgery’s or after just putting medicine in their eyes, which can cause blurring and light sensitivity for minutes to hours. I personally believe such an option made free to handicapped and elderly people would do a great deal to increase the use, and thus the market of computers to these potential consumers. Thanks for listening R Bruce
Rob Lanfredi
March 30, 2015 at 1:54 am
There is a way to change the asus s46 keyboard to a backlight keyboard ?
Andrei Girbea
April 1, 2015 at 5:37 am
Probably not, but you can get in touch with a few Asus resellers and see what they have to say about this
John
June 29, 2015 at 8:33 pm
I want a detachable pc with 4gb ram and a reasonable storage space but must have a keyboard backlit thank you for your recommendation
Sona
November 28, 2016 at 7:59 am
Hi. So I recently bought an Asus TP301UJ laptop with a backlit feature (the description said so). But when I started using it until now, the keyboard doesn't show any backlit feature like it's said. I tried to check the description of the same model again and yes, it comes with a backlit feature. So why does mine don't have that? Do I HAVE TO activate it somewhere? I hope someone could help me to sort this out because sometimes I make assignments in the dark. Thank you.
Andrei Girbea
November 28, 2016 at 8:42 am
You can activate it by pressing FN + one of the Function keys at the same time, but I can't recall exactly which one. I think it's Fn + F3 or Fn + F4. Give it a try.