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SOLVED: Upgrading keyboard to backlit, X230?
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 12:29 pm
by murak
Just a quick question: I have a SWE X230 with a non-backlit keyboard that my toddler destroyed the trackpoint buttons on. Can I just order a backlit version and install it and the backlight will work? Aside from ebay, where could I find a SWE keyboard for a decent price?
Thanks!
Re: Upgrading keyboard to backlit, X230?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 1:49 pm
by w0qj
Howdy, I am not sure what you mean by "SWE".
Answering your question in general, I've personally seen a detached X230 backlit keyboard unit; the backlit function comes from this keyboard alone.
ie: you can swap a compatible X230 backlit keyboard into your X230, and you will get a backlit keyboard for your X230!
(Noted your original X230 did not come with backlit keyboard).
Again, I am not sure what you mean by "SWE".
Re: Upgrading keyboard to backlit, X230?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 3:02 pm
by RealBlackStuff
With SWE he means Swedish keyboard layout.
Re: Upgrading keyboard to backlit, X230?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 3:20 pm
by murak
Thanks to the both of you!
Re: SOLVED: Upgrading keyboard to backlit, X230?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 2:48 am
by Dorin_
Hi there,
I'm the new happy owner of 2 beauties: X220 and X230. Both i5s and both came with French layout standard keyboards. So, as a international user I had to replace them to US layouts and after some digging on the market i found 2 genuine ones.
For the older x220 i think there is no backlit keyboard, but for the x230 I found a brand new genuine Lenovo backlit US layout keyboard. Keyboards replacement was piece of cake (thank you Lenovo), unscrew, replace keyboard, screw it back again.
Conclusion: Now, i can confirm you also: installing backlit keyboard on a x230 with standard keyboard worth 100%.

Re: SOLVED: Upgrading keyboard to backlit, X230?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 9:05 am
by w0qj
Congrads on your Thinkpads!
Yes, the X220 has the ThinkLight and no backlit keyboard.
The X230 is something of an oddity; so your computer ends up with a backlit keyboard, AND a ThinkLight!
Best of both worlds
(I personally prefer the ThinkLight; in very dark areas the ThinkLight can also illuminate the paper documents beside your computer to get your work done.)