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15" Powerbook Keyboard.

If I'm right in the fact that the 17" Powerbook has a backlit laser-etched keyboard, I was wondering if anyone thinks Apple will release a similar keyboard that would fit the 15" PBs.
And if so do you think a keyboard swap would be possible?
Thanks,
Dan
[282 byte] By [BuzzardsBay] at [2007-11-15 7:18:16]
«« Any one show this?
»» 970 at WWDC accoding to macbidouille
# 1 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
I wish. That would be great but it presents two problems:
1: Getting a keyboard from a 17" Powerbook without dishing out $3300.
2: Getting the power supply and ambient light sensors into the TiBook to actually light the keyboard.

Here's hopin though...and something to hold you over...
<a href="http://www.mikegyver.com/ickeys/desc.html" target="_blank">http://www.mikegyver.com/ickeys/desc.html</a>

[ 03-10-2003: Message edited by: filmmaker2002 ]</p>
filmmaker2002 at 2007-11-17 10:08:42 >
# 2 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
dont forget the fact that the 15"ers use a flip up keyboard... the 12" and 17" ers both use a new stationary keyboard THAT WILL NOT FIT INTO THE 15" keyboard spot without heavy modification to the keyboards
Paul at 2007-11-17 10:09:41 >
# 3 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
If we're lucky, there might just be enough room in the new 15" PowerBook to fit the backlighting. Rumors say this is a definite feature.
clonenode at 2007-11-17 10:10:40 >
# 4 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
Don't forget that there are light sensors involved.
These are not on a keyboard itself...

Some time ago i was seriously researching this topic, i even contacted a manufacturer of EL backlight sheets, and it looks like it's a posibility, as these things dont draw much power, and can be punch cut to any shape you want.

2 things though:
1. Power, Where to get it from (5V)
2. How do you controll it? Is is always on, not too good, software integration seems hard if not imposible.

In my opinion EL backilght would look awsome on existing TiBooks, as keys are translucent. And it comes with soo many different colours.
piwozniak at 2007-11-17 10:11:39 >
# 5 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
Does anyone else think that it's likely for Apple to integrate this feature into the whole PowerBook G4 lineup with the next revision of the 12" and 15"? I'm thinking that the only reason that it's not in the original 12" is because they didn't want to create such a huge gap of features between the 12" and TiBook considering the 12" is less expensive.
wolfeye155 at 2007-11-17 10:12:38 >
# 6 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
Space is VERY tight inside the 12" PowerBook. The backlighting probably won't fit easily.

As for backlighting the current translucent keys on the 15" TiBooks: There would be an awful lot of light coming up from the keyboard. In a low light setting, this might be distracting and it would compete with the glow of the display.

Think about how most car controls have just the little icons on the front glowing... not the entire button. This is on purpose and it's exactly why the keyboards on the new Aluminum PowerBooks look the way they do.

[ 03-10-2003: Message edited by: clonenode ]</p>
clonenode at 2007-11-17 10:13:47 >
# 7 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
[quote]Originally posted by filmmaker2002:
<strong>
Here's hopin though...and something to hold you over...
<a href="http://www.mikegyver.com/ickeys/desc.html" target="_blank">http://www.mikegyver.com/ickeys/desc.html</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

That's the lamest thing I've ever seen
strobe at 2007-11-17 10:14:40 >
# 8 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
[quote]Originally posted by strobe:
<strong>

That's the lamest thing I've ever seen</strong><hr></blockquote>

I never suggested it was as cool as a fiber optic lighting system. But it serves its own purpose. sheesh.
filmmaker2002 at 2007-11-17 10:15:43 >
# 9 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
[quote]Originally posted by strobe:
<strong>

That's the lamest thing I've ever seen</strong><hr></blockquote>

also the cheapest bunch of people... $15 for a freaking manual?! you should at least show how you are powering it so people can decide if they want to buy your product <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[oyvey]" /> no thanks... i was considering, but i wanted to see how it was done first... now they get nothing...
Paul at 2007-11-17 10:16:51 >
# 10 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
Does anyone know where the ambient light sensors are located on the 17" Powerbook?
os10geek at 2007-11-17 10:17:52 >
# 11 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
clonenode, i don't think you are right.
There are EL sheets emiting very 'dim' light, soft, i have one of these things in my receiver and it;s great!
piwozniak at 2007-11-17 10:18:50 >
# 12 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
Yeah, the pictures looked pretty impressive. I mean hey! I want two bright glowing dots of light shining from beneath my keyboard.

They look like jackass signals.

<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
Bancho at 2007-11-17 10:19:48 >
# 13 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
Aren't there bumps on the keyboard that let you locate home row, instead of the lights?
chych at 2007-11-17 10:20:55 >
# 14 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
[quote]Originally posted by Bancho:
<strong>They look like jackass signals.

<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

That is frickin hilarious. Where are my "lasers" so I can control my "death star" ah...Powerbook..... with ease!

<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

Kudos!
Rhumgod at 2007-11-17 10:21:54 >
# 15 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
[quote]Originally posted by chych:
<strong>Aren't there bumps on the keyboard that let you locate home row, instead of the lights?</strong><hr></blockquote>

not if you rearrange the keys...
Paul at 2007-11-17 10:22:58 >
# 16 Re: 15" Powerbook Keyboard.
That brings up a pretty important question...can you use Dvorak on the new keyboards? I mean, can you rearrange the Backlit keys without ruining the lighting feature?
os10geek at 2007-11-17 10:23:51 >
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