PC user here, with a 17in Powerbook (scary scary thought)

How do I make the backlit keys brighter and come on when the room isn't as dark as the computer likes?

I go to system prefs, and I find the option for adjusting brightness do to ambient lighting for display, and I go to keyboard/mouse, and see that there is one for on/off backlit keys.

But, I want the backlit keys always on Full power. (yeah, it'l drain the battery, but that is ok.) Is there a way to make this happen??

Basically, I am sitting in a moderately dim room right now, and i am having trouble seeing the keys. If the light was on (like it is when it is really dark), I could see them fine. Err, unless the light is on now, but I cant tell because it isn't quite dark enough, in which case I want to make the backlighting brighter.

many thanks

In Keyboard and Mouse, under Keyboard, how is your "Use the F1-F12 keys for custom actions" box selected? Is it checked? If so, press Fn+F10 to turn up the brightness on the keys. If not, just press F10.

If that doesn't work, the ambient sensor is saying that it's too bright still and it's not going to turn them on.

Ah. Perfect!!! Thanks Bling!

Isn't it a lovely thing?

Backlit keys need to be standard on all laptops!!

Powerbooks have ambient lighting sensors? nice. Any other sensors they got?

do iBooks have it?

They have a touch sensor (touchpad)

Currently PowerBooks only have the implemented technology.

Also, just to inform, not only will the keyboard adjust to the light, but the screen as well. In low light conditions, the screen is set to dim, by default of the sensor.

When I first got the PowerBook I was trying to figure out how it works. I covered one side of the computer, didn't work... Covered other side of the computer, didn't work... There are two sensors on the top mose portion near in the speakers. It amazed me. How the 12'' PowerBook functions for the feature? I don't know. But never-the-less, it's great.

so you guys are saying that the 12" powerbook doesnt have backlit keys?

^No, the current model does not.

is there any where you can mod it easily? or like buy new keys?

No I dont think thats possible and that would void the warranty. I wouldnt risk it anyway. Hopefully future generations of the 12" PB will have backlit keys.

ahhh ok... just gives me a good reason to update my powerbook when the new ones come out