Best Typing Experience Laptop

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• Best Typing Experience Laptop

In today’s computer-aided workplace, typing accuracy is not as critical a skill as it once was, simply because of tools such as spell check, grammar check and a thesaurus available to you with a mere click. However, people who have specific experience with various types of data entry can be in high demand. Grab the deal Now! We have found the best laptop for typing only available today. We have likewise incorporated an extensive guide that encourages you pick the most suitable product. Moreover, experiencing the best 10 laptop for typing only that will assist you with narrowing down your decision of the most suitable product. The Magic Keyboard offers a lovely, backlit deck that holds its own against the 16” MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air for best portable keyboards. The key travel is excellent — in between the two. The third edition of Microsoft’s Surface Book is, of course, the best so far, and it is unique among laptops – a full-sized portable notebook with a good keyboard and laptop specifications, but at the same time with a screen that you can completely disconnect and use as a keyboard.

In this in-depth review, we analyze the 10 best backlit keyboard laptops 2020 to help you arrive at the perfect choice to suit your lifestyle.

Does your laptop have a backlit keyboard? About a decade or so ago, only high-end, premium laptops offered keyboards with autonomous lighting, and not many audiences sought this feature when they went shopping.

But as of 2020, laptops with backlit keyboards have occupied a prominent spot in the marketplace, winning people over with the sheer convenience of operation that they offer.

No longer do you need to depend on ambient lighting—natural or artificial—to get the task at hand done; you can type away to glory even in pitch darkness.

The present laptop market offers a sizeable selection of computers with light-up keyboards.

Many of them come with additional features such as ergonomic keyboard design, adjustable controls, and innovatively constructed keys to boost typing comfort.

Contents

• Our Picks: 10 Best Backlit Keyboard Laptop 2020

More than Just a Fancy Feature: Why You Need a Backlit Keyboard Laptop

When laptops with backlit keyboards were initially launched in the marketplace, they were viewed as glamorous and attractive but, well, rather unnecessary.

Who needed all that fancy lighting on a keyboard when you could simply turn on all the lights in the office? But times have now changed, and computers with backlit keyboards are less an accessory, more a necessity.

Workplaces have shifted from stationary desks to people operating out of homes, public transport, and tents pitched up in the wilderness.

Owning a computer with a keyboard that lets you clearly see all the keys even in dim natural light can be the difference between being a go-getter and someone who can function only by day.

Many backlit keyboards now offer the options of adjusting the brightness and choosing your color scheme—a handy provision to add a dash of customization to your machine.

While such laptops have rapidly become a welcome choice for most audiences, you should certainly consider getting one if:

• You are a gamer: Gaming enthusiasts CANNOT do without a backlit keyboard, preferably with RGB lighting. Not only does it add razzmatazz to the proceedings but it is also a must-have for competitive gaming sessions where seeing your controls can mean all the difference between triumph and loss.
• You are a coder: Computer geeks tend to work at all times of the day and night, particularly if their job demands complicated nuggets of code within atrocious deadlines. Hitting the right key matters tremendously and can protect you from pesky software bugs.
• You are a creative professional: We are talking about writers, artists, architects, designers, and anyone who loves to create. A backlit keyboard is important to let you work uninhibited when creativity strikes, never mind the ambient lighting or lack thereof.

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Our Picks: 10 Best Backlit Keyboard Laptop 2020

If you have been on the lookout for the best backlit keyboard laptops to buy in 2020, this is the list of the top available options.

1. Acer Swift 3 (Recommended)

Acer is known for their ultra-thin and lightweight devices and the Swift 3 is one of them.

Not only do you get a sleek device with a magnesium and aluminum chassis, it also features a high screen to body ratio with the latest processors for smoother performance. This ultra-portable device is 2.6lbs in weight and 0.63” in thickness.

Like any other Acer device, even this one features a 14” FHD display with narrow bezels with 82.73% screen to body ratio for sleek visuals without any hindrance. It also comes with a 16:9 aspect ratio for clear visuals.

The Swift 3 also features the AMD Ryzen 4000 Series processors providing with accelerating performance unlike anything else around. But, that is not where it stops, the device also features up to 11.5 hours of battery life for easier work even when you are on the go.

The embedded fingerprint reader in the device allows secure log-ins without any further hassle. As for storage, it features 512GB SSD for storage along with 8GB RAM for memory and high-end performance. The LED-backlit keyboard is another stunning feature of the device that contributes to seamless productivity throughout the day.

2. Lenovo Flex 5 (Best 2-in-1)

The combination of sleek style, convertible usability and a backlit keyboard sounds too good to be true.

With the Lenovo Flex 5, you get the best of both worlds. Not only does the device feature a sleek and modern design, much like every other Lenovo laptop, the device is also programmed with the latest features and innovations for all-day productivity.

The device features a 10-point 14” FHD IPS touchscreen display with 1080p screen resolution for crisp and clear visuals without any compromise. The 4-side narrow bezels make the visuals appear more vivid than before.

Aside from the 360-degree hinge that allows you to operate the device in multiple modes, it also allows you to work seamlessly at night because of the backlit keyboard.

Furthermore, the combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U mobile processor with the Radeon graphics further improves the overall user experience and the performance of the device unlike anything else in the same budget.

If you are worried about the storage and memory, you don’t have to as the device is equipped with 256GB SSD for storage along with 16GB RAM for seamless productivity throughout the day. It runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system.

3. Dell XPS 13 9310 (Premium)

When you are looking for the best backlit keyboard laptop from Dell, it goes without saying that the Dell XPS 13 9310 is the best available options, hands down.

This 13” device has been designed and manufactured to provide you with an eased experience with precision engineering details unlike anything else.

The combination of the sturdy and stunning materials used in this along with all the minimal footprint is what makes this device a worthy purchase.

It comes in four variants and is powered by up to 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor and is programmed with up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD along with up to 32GB DDR4 RAM when it comes to storage and memory options simultaneously.

4. Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Chip (Most Powerful)

Integrated with the Apple M1 chip, Touch Bar and 20 hours of battery life, the New Apple MacBook Pro is the best when it comes to backlit keyboard laptops from the brand.

The device is equipped with a stunning retina display along with true tone technology that makes your viewing experience nothing you could ever imagine it to be.

The device is powered by the new Apple M1 chip 8-core processors that offer 2.8x more user performance from before.

Pair that with up to 1TB SSD and up to 32GB RAM for even better memory options and you are all set for the tide. The storage options are also configurable up to 2TB or even 4TB SSD, which is pretty amazing.

But, it is the Magic keyboard in this device that stands out amidst the other options. It has a very comfortable typing experience with flair and the optimum security options for a smooth ride.

5. Acer Aspire 5 (Best cheap)

Nobody likes to pay more than they have to. In case you are on a budget but you want to buy a good quality laptop with backlit keyboard, the Acer Aspire 5 is the very best option available.

Unlike the other ones, this device is integrated with the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor and AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile graphics for an improved user experience beyond comprehension.

The device is also equipped with the standard 15.6” full HD widescreen LED backlit IPS type display for vivid colors and crisp resolution unlike anything else. It also has a screen resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, which is the standard best option.

When it comes round to the storage and memory options, it is equipped with 128GB SSD along with 4GB DDR4 RAM.

6. HP Envy 17 (Backlit Keyboard with Numeric Keypad)

For the individuals looking for a bigger display with a backlit keyboard, the HP Envy 17-inch FHD is the best pick.

It is powered by the combination of the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor along with Intel Iris Xe GPU for an enhanced user experience beyond words.

As for the display, the device is equipped with the stunning 17.3” FHD IPS-type display with multi-touch enabled edge-to-edge touch screen monitor for quicker and even better performance.

The device also comes integrated with up to 12GB SDRAM for memory options and 128GB SSD that can be configured to 1TB HDD for more storage options without any complaints. The webcam kill switch and integrated fingerprint reader further elevates the overall user experience beyond words.

7. Acer Swift 5 (Best Lightweight)

Much like the Acer Swift 3, the Swift 5 is a good competitor if you don’t want to compromise on quality and performance of the device.

The ultra-thin and all metal design gives the device a girth and durability that you wouldn’t find in the devices in the similar price range. It is also designed with the fully-equipped antimicrobial solutions that further contribute to the computing protection.

Part of the Intel Evo platform, the Swift 5 is powered by the latest 11th Gen. Intel i7 core processors for unmatched and uninterrupted performance.

The device also features a stunning 14-inch FHD widescreen IPS display that allows you to enjoy the best visuals without any kinds of interruptions.

The device also features an LED-backlit keyboard that allows you to work seamlessly at night without any issues. The device also has the Acer Bio fingerprint solution that allows secure login system. It is also integrated with 1TB SSD for storage and 16GB RAM for memory options along with 15 hours of battery life for extended productivity.

8. ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325EA (Best Trackpad)

Another popular yet compact laptop with a backlit keyboard is the Zenbook 13 from ASUS. Apart from the sleek and thin design, the device also features the NumberPad design on the trackpad which makes it an ideal option for business professionals.

It is equipped with a stunning black interior with a space grey exterior for a stylish and modern look.

The best thing about this device is likely the latest 11th Gen. Intel i7 core processors that provide with unmatched performance and all-day productivity.

The device also features a stunning 13.3” FHD display with 4-way nanoedge display and 1080p screen resolution for crisp visuals without any issues.

It also features faster storage and bootup with the 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD for storage and 16GB RAM for memory options. The device is also equipped with the built-in IR camera that lets you sign into your device using facial recognition for enhanced security.

The device is also designed with the special ErgoLift hinge that supports the lid and allows you to have a stress-free work experience all throughout the day. It is also equipped with all the latest connectivity ports and wireless connectivity options including the Thunderbolt 4.

9. Acer Predator Helios 300 (Best Gaming)

Gaming laptops without a backlit keyboard is a sin. The Predator Helios 300 doesn’t fall in that category and provides the users with a 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard for an exuberant gaming experience without any hindrance.

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But, apart from the durable and heavy-duty design, the device is also packed with all the latest features and functions that allows you to have an unmatched gameplay and use it for other tasks that you have at hand.

The device is powered by the 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU that ensures that you never have to compromise on the quality of your gaming experience. The graphics is crisp and vivid with true to life color reproduction.

The Predator Helios 300 is also equipped with a 15.6” FHD display with 1080p screen resolution and 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms overdrive response time for smoother gaming experience without any kind of glitches.

The device also features 512GB SSD for storage along with 16GB RAM for smoother user experience without any hindrance.

The wireless connectivity option with wifi 6 is also faster than the previous generations. The device also has the 4th Gen All-Metal AeroBlade 3D Fan for better thermal management.

10. HP Pavilion x360 14 (Best Convertible)

HP is known for their business laptops and the sleek and premium design.

The HP Pavilion x360 14 is not just an exception with the convertible design but it also features a stunning backlit keyboard that streamlines your performance and productivity even during the night time.

The convertible laptop allows you to work in four different modes for easier work experience without any issues. The 14-inch diagonal FHD IPS display allows the users to have a seamless work experience with crisp and unmatched visuals. It also features 1080p screen resolution with 80% screen to body ratio.

The device is powered by the 10th Gen. Intel Core i5 processor for smoother user experience. It also features the faster bootup with 512GB SSD for storage along with 8GB RAM for smoother memory options.

More than the BIOS recovery, the device also features up to 9 hours of battery life with smoother performance even when you are on the go and don’t have resources to charge your device. It also features the wide vision HD webcam with dual array microphone for staying connected.

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What You Must Look for in Laptops with Backlit Keyboards

So, let’s say you have decided to get a laptop with a backlit keyboard. You will have a budget in mind as well as a processing configuration, display setting, battery backup, and possibly other specific needs tailored to your day. Be that as it may, you must keep an eye out for the following when you get home a laptop with light up keyboard:

• Type of laptop: Even though backlit keyboards have now become common, they are still not found easily in budget laptops. You’re likely to see them in gaming computers, convertibles, and premium machines. Assess your needs carefully and don’t get into a deal that, barring the keyboard, doesn’t fit your requirement/price range. One of the most popular buys at present is a laptop with touch screen and backlit keyboard—a neat, convenient combination that doesn’t cost a bomb.​
• Adjustable lighting: A constant backlight that you cannot adjust may suit some but jar others. Consider if you need a laptop that lets you adjust the brightness manually or automatically does it for you based on the ambient light. Of course, some high-end gaming laptops let you completely own the keyboard and control every aspect (color and light per key). But you may not need to splurge on this feature unless you are a gamer.
• Keyboard design: Laptops with backlit keyboards typically commit to ergonomics as well, offering keyboards with a comfortable key travel distance and layout. You can choose between an island-style keyboard (more space around the keys) and a conventional, tightly packed arrangement. Likewise, take time out to consider if you’re more comfortable with a low key-travel distance (1.5 to 2mm) or prefer more vertical distance (as you’ll find in many gaming laptops). Ultimately, this remains a personal preference, but some users find it can impact their typing speeds and overall ease of use.
• Potential backlighting problems: Some laptops suffer from backlight bleeding—a problem that occurs when the keyboard hasn’t been designed properly. You should check to ascertain that the backlight illuminates each key distinctly.

Time to Loosen those Purse Strings

We bet all those backlit keyboards and the fantastic laptops they are housed in fired up your thoughts and imagination. Have you arrived at a decision yet? Backlit keyboards are now available in machines spanning budgets, configurations, and features, so it has become easier to find one that fits you to a T.

If you are counting pennies, consider the cheap but efficient Acer Aspire 5 or the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5. For long, uber-reliable battery life, the Dell XPS 13 and the LG Gram 15 are your best bets. And then again, if you are eager to go all out on a cocktail of style, razzmatazz and performance, check out the latest Apple MacBook Pro, the newest Razer Blade 15 2020 or the Microsoft Surface Book 3.

A laptop with a backlit keyboard can unburden you from the need to hunt for a light source and thereby become your partner for efficient, comfortable work, wherever you go. The market now abounds in choices, so go ahead and take your pick.

You might have heard the terms “Chiclet” or “mechanical” when describing laptop keyboards, but what does it really mean to the end user? We visit notebook keyboard tech in this article.

The topics covered in this article will be focused on the style of keyboards included on different notebooks. We’ll explain the ups and downs of each one to help you pick out which style is likely to suit you best.

If you’re interested in what to look for in terms of keyboard feel, layout, and so on, take a look at our guide on how to pick a notebook with a good keyboard.

And if you’re not yet handy with keyboard shortcuts, we have two articles that are right up your alley. The first is our Windows PC optimization guide, which goes through the basics. The second details how to create keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10.

With all that behind us, we’ll now take a look at the different styles of keyboards you’ll find on modern notebook computers.

Traditional Keyboards

A traditional style keyboard has keys with edges that slope off, and have only about a millimeter of space separating the keys. This keyboard style has become something of a rarity on today’s notebooks, having been almost completely replaced by Chiclet or Island keyboards (detailed next).

The Lenovo ThinkPad T420 we reviewed in 2011 has perhaps the best example of a traditional keyboard.

The main benefit of a traditional keyboard is their familiarity. This style keyboard should look and feel most familiar if you’re coming from an older notebook. Another benefit is the ability to replace the keyboard. Traditional keyboards reside in a tray, which can be fully removed from most notebooks and replaced as a single piece.

One final benefit is generally increased key travel over Chiclet keyboards. The keys on traditional keyboards need to be a bit taller to accommodate their sloping edges. This forces the designers to build in a little more up-and-down movement. Keyboards with more key travel tend to have more engaging tactile feedback.

On the downside, traditional keyboards are usually difficult to clean, as there’s really no way to get in between the keys without removing the keys themselves.

Pros:

• Familiar look and feel, especially if you’re coming from an older notebook
• Potentially more key travel vs. Chiclet/Island style for better tactile feedback
• Usually straightforward to replace

Cons:

• Tough to clean and replace
• Hard to find in today’s notebook market, having largely been replaced by Chiclet/Island keyboards

Gigabyte P55W keyboard

Chiclet or Island Style

This style of keyboard, most commonly called a Chiclet keyboard, is characterized by flat tops and extra spacing between the keys. The one shown here belongs to the Gigabyte P55W gaming notebook, but they’re found on notebooks of all shapes and sizes. You can think of these keyboards like the just-described traditionally styled keyboards, except without the sloping edges on the keys.

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The look of one of these keyboards can be a little disorienting if you’re coming from a traditional style. However, the actual positions where you place your fingers is no different than it is on a traditional keyboard. If you know how to touch type on a traditional keyboard, doing so on a Chiclet keyboard should be a transition you can make without much trouble.

From a designer’s standpoint, Chiclet keyboards are viewed as more modern looking than traditional style. They’re also easier to use in ultra-thin designs, due to the fact this key style can be implemented with less up-and-down movement.

It’s still possible for dust and dirt to get under the keycaps themselves, depending on the keycap design, but Chiclet keyboards are otherwise easier to clean than traditional keyboards.

The tactile feedback of Chiclet keyboards varies widely, even within brands. Ultra-thin notebooks have it the worst, as the keyboards on those notebooks tend to have the least amount of key travel. When we reviewed the 2016 Apple MacBook, we found its very limited key travel hurt its usability, making it worse off in that regard than the outgoing model.

At the opposite end of the thickness spectrum, the Acer Predator 17X gaming notebook had one of the best-feeling keyboards we’ve reviewed on a notebook, Chiclet or not.

These two examples go to show that Chiclet style doesn’t automatically mean good or bad tactile feedback. This is true with any style of keyboard.

Pros:

• Design works better with ultra-thin notebooks
• Easier to keep clean than traditional style keyboards

Cons:

• Models with less key travel may have a less engaging tactile experience

Mechanical Switch

MSI GT80 mechanical switch keyboard

Mechanical keyboards have generally been isolated to the desktop world, but that all changed when MSI introduced its gigantic GT80 Titan series notebooks. Without getting too far into the technical details, mechanical keyboards literally use a mechanical switch underneath the keycaps, which audibly clicks when the key is pressed. Membrane keyboards, which generally all notebooks use, don’t have a mechanical action.

The other notebook available with a mechanical keyboard at the time we wrote this is the Lenovo IdeaPad Y900. Unlike the MSI GT80, which essentially took a desktop keyboard and put it in a notebook, the Y900’s keyboard has Chiclet notebook-style keys. They have more travel than is typical for a Chiclet keyboard, in all likelihood due to the need to fit the mechanical switch under the keycap.

The reason these keyboards are attractive is because of their generally excellent tactile experience. The mechanical action of the keys also has a long lifespan, measured in the millions of clicks. A good mechanical keyboard can last a lifetime.

The full-size mechanical keyboards, as on the MSI GT80, tend to make quite a bit of clicking and clacking noise when the keys are pressed. Therefore, using a mechanical keyboard where quietness is valued is probably not the best idea.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Y900 is an exception to that, as its Chiclet-style mechanical keyboard isn’t much louder than the typical Chiclet keyboard. Then again, it doesn’t offer as good of tactile feedback as a full-size mechanical keyboard, either.

The other main downside to this style of keyboard, at least in the notebook world, is its rarity and expense. The two notebooks we just detailed are all you’ll find at the moment with a mechanical keyboard. It’s also unlikely this style of keyboard will be crammed into an ultra-thin design anytime soon.

Pros:

• Provides a generally excellent tactile experience
• Durable and long-lasting mechanical action

Cons:

Best Typing Experience Laptop

• Very hard to find in a notebook in general, let alone ultra-thin designs

Touch and Haptic Feedback

A keyboard of this nature has no physical action, with each “key” being activated by a touch or press only. In essence, you’re touching or pressing a surface that won’t respond to you with physical movement. If the keyboard has haptic feedback, it will make a slight vibration or buzz to let you know you’ve activated a key.

These kinds of keyboards generally aren’t the primary form of input on a notebook. If you have a 2-in-1 hybrid like the Lenovo Yoga 710-11, which can transform into a tablet, you’ll be using the on-screen keyboard in tablet mode to type. (When the screen is folded over, the physical keyboard is automatically disabled to prevent accidental keypresses.)

Dell XPS 11

The lack of tactile feedback is what prevents touch or haptic keyboards from becoming practical on a notebook. The Dell XPS 11 from 2013 was discontinued just six months after it was introduced. It had the outline of a traditional keyboard, but the keys were activated by touch only.

The Lenovo Yoga Book is another take on the touch keyboard. Despite all the technology available in 2016, it still doesn’t cut it when it comes to feedback. To quote our review:

“While it looks amazing it feels like a poor substitute for the real thing. Typing on it is slow and clumsy. Without physical keys, you’re left tapping blindly where you think the key should be. That’s good enough to accurately type letters with some practice and concentration, but awkward with the smaller punctuation keys and Shift-key combos. Touch typing is impossible, and pecking away with index fingers is only slightly better than the on-screen alternative.”

Pros:

• Convenient when using a tablet device (or equivalent)

Cons:

• Near complete lack of physical feedback greatly inhibits usability

Hybrid Notebook Considerations

If you’re in the market for a convertible or 2-in-1 notebook that transforms into a tablet, pay special attention to the style of keyboard. Most convertibles leave their keyboard exposed when the screen is flipped around. The keyboard will be inactivated, but that doesn’t prevent the keys from being pressed.

The problem with exposed keys, besides the fact they feel unnatural, is that they’re susceptible to damage. For example, if you accidentally hit the keyboard on a corner or other hard object and it catches a key, the key can snap off. It’s unlikely, but possible.

The ideal way to avoid this situation is to buy a notebook that doesn’t leave exposed keys, but then you’d be excluding the majority of convertible notebooks from your shopping list, like the Lenovo Yoga 710-14.

The VAIO Z Flip is a pricey hybrid notebook that doesn’t leave exposed keys in tablet mode, because its display flips on top of the keyboard itself.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is another notebook that gets creative in this regard. The keyboard tray surrounding the Chiclet-style keys raises up in tablet mode to create a flat surface with the keycaps, thus making it all but impossible for the keys to get caught on anything.

The odds are that almost every notebook you look at on today’s market will have a Chiclet style keyboard. They have almost fully replaced traditional style keyboards over the last several years. Mechanical keyboards have appeared on a few MSI and Lenovo gaming notebooks, but have otherwise yet to gain any real popularity in notebooks. Touch or haptic feedback keyboards may be on tablets, but generally aren’t used as primary input devices on notebooks.

Chiclet style keyboards in general haven’t been a good or bad thing for the notebook industry. Our experience with notebook keyboards for well over a decade has been that whether it provides a good or bad typing experience isn’t dependent on a single factor. Two keyboards of the same style can have a completely different feel.

To that end, our best advice is to thoroughly try out a new notebook and its keyboard prior to buying if at all possible. It’s unwise to assume one keyboard will feel like another, even within a notebook brand’s own lineup. Remember to take a look at our guide to picking a good keyboard before making your final decision.

Finally, you can always join our extensive community forum to get thoughts from our members, many of whom will likely own or be interested in the notebooks on your short list.

Best Typing Experience Laptop