Why arnt LCD's in notebooks inserted upside down ?

[russell2002]

Why arnt LCD's in notebooks inserted upside down ?

If they were, the excess light which tends to emit upwards would emit downwards and illuminate the keyboard for dark enviroments.

 

[TheStu]

um, what?

The LCD Displays are a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) that is illuminated by a (hopefully) uniform CCT (Cold Cathode Tube) backlight. Changing the orientation wouldnt do anything I dont think. This is why IBM sometimes puts LEDs on their displays that shine on the keyboard. And why Apple backlights their Pro line of laptop keyboards.

 

[russell2002]

Turn the light off and look at your LCD from below and above, its brighter when viewed from above.

 

[russell2002]

I am talking about light emitted beyond the viewing angle, at 160 degrees and above.

 

[corkyg]

I gather you are talking about putting the backlight tube in the top of the screen as opposed to the bottom?

That could work, however, it would require a longer connection ribbon that would add a few cents to each bill of materials. There might also be issues of added fragility due to closing inertia and bumps when closing the LCD lid.

And, I have read about new TFT illumination technology that will eliminate the backlight tube anyway.

But - top mounting is worth a thought. I have had 5 laptops since 1993, and have never viewed this as a problem.

In the meantime, for really dark environments, a miner's lamp on your forehead or hat would probably work for the keyboard.

 

[russell2002]

I always use my notebook it a totally dark room as I use a projector as a tv.

Just a little light helps me read the keys.

 

[Fraggable]

My current notebook (HP DV8235NR) has 2 lights in it, I think there's one on the top and one on the bottom. It's the main difference between a regular display and their 'TrueBright' or whatever they call it display. I haven't noticed the keyboard being lit any better than my macbook or any previous notebook I've owned.

 

[TheStu]

I really afraid that I may have finally joined that club of people that always scoffed at the notion of a backlit keyboard "If you can't type without seeing the keys, then you need to learn how to type". College is what did it to me... I personally seldom need to have my keyboard lit up at night so that I can type, but then again, if I ever do, I have a big honking halogen desk lamp that I can use to illuminate it.

So, back on point. I don't know why the manufacturers dont do something to light up the keyboard, but they don't...

 

[corkyg]

Well, there are several backlit key boards available - but not in laptops (costs too much battery power.)

Actually a totally dark room is not good for a projected image. I use a projector 6 hours a week teaching computer classes, and some light is required in order for the students to do their part at their work stations.

Actually, you could connect an external illuminated keyboard to your laptop and dojust fine.

KB