A backlit keyboard is a keyboard with light emanating from behind the keys. Initially, they were used in desktop keyboards to make it easier for people to see the keys in low-light or dark environments. Today, they are found in most laptops and portable computers because they provide better visual feedback for users typing in dark or dimly lit areas.
Over time, backlit keyboards have become a hyped-up feature that many users look for when shopping for a new laptop. Even though backlit laptop keyboards look cool, many users are concerned that they might negatively impact the battery life of laptops.
So, does backlit keyboard affect battery life of laptop? Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward as it depends on several factors, such as the type of backlit keyboard, the intensity of the backlight, how often the backlight is used, and other power-saving features built into the laptop.
But in general, backlit keyboards consume more power than non-backlit keyboards. However, the difference in power consumption is usually negligible and would not significantly impact battery life, and it may vary depending on the laptop.
In order to give you a more straightforward answer, I have decided to break this article into two parts. In the first part, I will talk about how backlit keyboards work. In the second part, I will answer the question in detail.
Keep reading the article to the end.
A backlit keyboard is a type of keyboard where the keys are illuminated from behind. This can be useful in low-light conditions or simply for a more aesthetically pleasing look.
Many laptops and gaming keyboards now come with backlighting, which can typically be turned on or off as desired. Some keyboards even allow for different lighting modes and colors, often through the use of special function keys.
While backlit keyboards used to be a higher-end feature, they are now becoming increasingly common. Also, laptops with backlit keyboards typically cost more than regular ones, but many people find them to be worth the extra investment.
Does backlit keyboard affect battery life of laptop?
Battery life is an important consideration for laptop users. No one wants to be tethered to an outlet or carry a heavy charger. Therefore, when it comes to buying a new laptop, battery life is often one of the key factors considered. One feature that can impact battery life is the backlit keyboard.
While a backlit keyboard can be convenient, it does use up more power than a standard keyboard. As a result, laptops with backlit keyboards tend to have shorter battery lives than those without.
Backlit keyboards have bright LEDs that consume power and drain the battery. The amount of power consumed will depend on the keyboard’s brightness and how long it is used. The brighter the keyboard, the more power it will use.
Also Read: Charge Laptop with another Laptop
According to some reports, backlit keyboards consume around 5-10% of the total power used by the laptop, but there are no official figures yet. This means that if your laptop has an average battery life of 4 hours, you can expect the backlit keyboard to use up around 20-40 minutes of that time.
However, the difference is usually relatively small, and many users find the convenience of a backlit keyboard worth the slight decrease in battery life.
Do external backlit keyboards affect the battery life of laptop?
When it comes to external keyboards, people mainly use two types: wired and wireless keyboards.
Wired Keyboard:
When you use a wired keyboard as an external keyboard of your laptop, it draws power from your laptop, resulting in a slight decrease in battery life. This is because when you use a wired keyboard, your laptop has to work harder to power both the internal and external keyboard.
Thus the backlit system of your external wired keyboard contributes to your laptop’s battery draining quicker.
Wireless Keyboard:
When you use a wireless keyboard, it gets power from batteries (either AA or AAA batteries). So even if you are using a backlit wireless keyboard, it will not affect your laptop’s overall battery life.
However, leaving the backlight on your wireless keyboard all of the time will drain the keyboard battery quicker. For example, the Logitech MX Keys is a backlit keyboard that has a battery life of up to 5 months with backlighting turned off. But if you keep the backlighting turned on, then the battery will last for only 10 days.
Thus, it can be said that an external keyboard does have an effect on battery life, but it varies depending on the type of keyboard you are using. If you are using a wired keyboard, it will have a slightly negative effect on your laptop’s battery life. However, if you are using a wireless keyboard, it will not significantly affect your battery life unless you are using the backlight feature constantly.
Does backlit keyboard make laptop hotter?
Some users have complained that backlit keyboards tend to make their laptops run hotter. There is some evidence to support this claim. One study found that backlit keyboards resulted in an increase in laptop temperature of up to 3-5 degrees Celsius.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this increase is relatively small, and it’s unlikely to cause any serious damage to your laptop. In fact, you’re more likely to experience discomfort from the heat generated by the backlit keyboard than you are to suffer any kind of long-term damage.
So if you’re considering purchasing a laptop with a backlit keyboard, don’t let the fear of a little extra heat deter you. It’s simply not worth sacrificing the convenience of being able to see your keys in low light. Click here to check out the top rated laptops that include a backlit keyboard.
Should you keep the keyboard backlight turned on?
The backlight on your laptop keyboard can be a helpful tool, providing extra illumination in low-light conditions. However, it can also drain your laptop’s battery life. So, should you keep the backlight on your laptop turned on?
Whether or not to keep the backlight on your laptop’s keyboard turned on is a matter of personal preference. For some people, the backlight can be a helpful way to see the keys in low-light conditions. If you frequently find yourself working in dimly lit environments, then the backlight can be a valuable asset.
However, the backlight can also be a distraction, especially if you are working in a well-lit room. In addition, the backlight uses up battery power, so keeping it turned off can help extend your laptop’s battery life.
So ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep the backlight on is up to you. If you find that you don’t need it, there’s no harm in turning it off. However, if you find that it’s helpful, there’s no need to turn it off either.
Concluison
So, now it should be clear to you that a backlit keyboard can have an effect on your laptop’s battery life.
However, the power usage is so minimal that it really shouldn’t be a huge concern. Just be aware that if you’re looking to eke out every last bit of power from your battery, you may want to disable the backlighting. But for most users, the backlit keyboard is worth the minimal trade-off in battery life.
Now, it is totally your choice whether you want to use a backlit keyboard or not. Personally, I think they are awesome and worth the tiny bit of extra power they use. But ultimately, the decision is up to you!
Hopefully, you liked the article. Thanks for being with us 🙂
