Laptop keyboard backlight modding?

[CadetSparklez]

Hey everyone, I'm getting a laptop with red backlighting, because the cheapest with rgb backlighting and the same specs is a whole 350 USD more. I'm sure I can find a way to take apart the keyboard, but I'm not sure how to add some rgb backlight (preferably per key). If any of you have any suggestions, please comment. here is a picture of the laptop below:

[Qwweb]

you likely will not be able to, the size of the LEDs are extremely small in laptops, not to mention you would void any warranties 

[Oshino Shinobu]

It's hard to add RGB (or any backlight change) to a full size keyboard, it will be even harder on a laptop. 

 

If you need to ask others how to do this, I would suggest you don't even try. 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

If the keyboard can be replaced as an entire unit, then it may be possible. Was thinking of upgrading my Lenovo P580 keyboard with a backlit model since it seems that the entire IdeaPad series share the general design for the keyboard assembly.

[CadetSparklez]

Well I was guessing id either use led strips or wires (tubes), but I was thinking, since its a laptop and there is little space, I could have small led behind each key

[CadetSparklez]

Is there any singular-light light strips? Which I could put in the same spot as the old LEDs 

[W-L]

4 minutes ago, CadetSparklez said:

Well I was guessing id either use led strips or wires (tubes), but I was thinking, since its a laptop and there is little space, I could have small led behind each key

LED strips or tubes would be way too big your looking at SMD LED chips <5mm wide for RGB chips, and unless the board has the circuity for RGB lights you won't be able to do it. The only option would be to get an RGB laptop or a replacement keyboard that has it built in. 

[The Flying Sloth]

6 minutes ago, CadetSparklez said:

Well I was guessing id either use led strips or wires (tubes), but I was thinking, since its a laptop and there is little space, I could have small led behind each key

Is it possible, 

In a word,
Yes,

In a sentance,
Yes, only if you have the knowledge and access to print your own circuit board, 

Logically,

No, unless there is a drop-in keyboard replacement with RGB

[CadetSparklez]

Thinking more simply- can you get a different colour of leds, and use the current circuits and such?

[Qwweb]

The level of complexity of this mod would be along the lines of something I would expect from a senior electrical engineering design project for college. Definitally not an easy or feasible mod. Not to mention that you would never be able to get control over each key's color unless you made a custom program which would need to interface with windows and other components of the computer (senior programming or comp-sci level). Strictly speaking, you would likely need to hire a small team of engineers to work out the wiring, soldering, controls, and programming of this. Once again, I will reiterate that this is far from easy or feasible, but not technically impossible.

[W-L]

Just now, CadetSparklez said:

Thinking more simply- can you get a different colour of leds, and use the current circuits and such?

You can replace the current LED's on the board with another color which is possible but a fair but of work and would require the keyboard to be disassembled, sometimes that is possible other times not so much.  

[CadetSparklez]

My dad is an electrical engineer by the way

[Qwweb]

1 minute ago, CadetSparklez said:

Thinking more simply- can you get a different colour of leds, and use the current circuits and such?

no you cannot, as the current circuits are not designed to control color changes, just brightness.

[CadetSparklez]

Just now, Qwweb said:

no you cannot, as the current circuits are not designed to control color changes, just brightness.

Oh I was thinking just get white leds with a coloured cover over them- and just have them run off the electricity going throughout the board

[Qwweb]

1 minute ago, CadetSparklez said:

My dad is an electrical engineer by the way

As I said, how will you (or him) make a program to recognize and control each individual key?

[CadetSparklez]

Another idea is that you keep the same keyboard as it is- keep its lights off- then get something like this- with it's own controller, and connect it to mobo headers- place it behind the actual keyboard, and remove some pieces so light can pass through the back

[CadetSparklez]

Thanks for the help by the way, I appreciate it

[CadetSparklez]

Also, do you know if protocase does anything like this?

[W-L]

Just now, CadetSparklez said:

Also, do you know if protocase does anything like this?

They are custom fabricators that mainly do design and manufacturing, I don't think they do anything specific to electronics. Also as mentioned you won't have the software capability to control the lights, the strips physically will not fit due to the space constraints.  

[CadetSparklez]

Hmm, well I'm defiantly planning on getting it since its at least 200 use cheaper than any other thing with a 1070 and 4k, so when I get it ill see if there will be space on top of the motherboard, also ill ask my dad if he can do something similar as a project for his students, and see if they can come up with anything. Thanks for the ideas everyone  bye for now 

[Qwweb]

The LEDs will need to be ~2mm or smaller to fit and individually wired

2 minutes ago, CadetSparklez said:

dad if he can do something similar as a project for his students

If your dad is a professor he could get in trouble for doing something like that without proper permission from both the university and manufacturers as this would not be publishable research (due to existing patents on the keyboard and electrical interface).

[CadetSparklez]

Wait, why the manufacturers if I bought the laptop, pretty sure it would just void warranty. And about the university, it wouldn't be like as a part of a corse, he just teaches a lot of family friends, and he has access to many tools and such, he is the associate dean of the department sooo...

[Protocase]

12 hours ago, W-L said:

They are custom fabricators that mainly do design and manufacturing, I don't think they do anything specific to electronics. Also as mentioned you won't have the software capability to control the lights, the strips physically will not fit due to the space constraints.  

Hi all - thanks for the mention @CadetSparklez. To my knowledge, we haven't done something like this - we do custom sheet metal and milled electronics, parts and components (electronics is typically left up to the customer to determine as per their needs). That said, if you determine you'll need a new plate for your keyboard once you've finished customizing, feel free to email your vision to info@protocase.com, and our engineering and design services team could give you some info on what we offer. 

 

Good luck! You've got lots of great assistance from the LTT community

[CadetSparklez]

5 hours ago, Protocase said:

Hi all - thanks for the mention @CadetSparklez. To my knowledge, we haven't done something like this - we do custom sheet metal and milled electronics, parts and components (electronics is typically left up to the customer to determine as per their needs). That said, if you determine you'll need a new plate for your keyboard once you've finished customizing, feel free to email your vision to info@protocase.com, and our engineering and design services team could give you some info on what we offer. 

 

Good luck! You've got lots of great assistance from the LTT community

Thanks, I guess I'll probably need a new one - looking at disassembly images I will likely need to add a "second floor" under the motherboard. Also, I'm planning on designing a custom case for my PC in 2020, I'll contact you then too  

[Lordwombat]

Have you had any luck with this project in the past year or so? I've been looking at doing something quite similar and feel it's much less complex than many these posts suggest. If the laptip only has one or two leds for the backlighting and not individual LEDs for each key.. I think even the remainder of the keys could be done with a more expensive LED effect by uaing aBluetooth LED controller, and an app would be easy.