Looking for a laptop with a real CapsLock LED

**pwabrahams** · August 23rd, 2020

For me, the question comes up when I'm buying a new laptop, and all I have to go on is the online information. It's rarely mentioned in the description, not even in the detailed specs. And of course if it's not there it's not mentioned.

**mastablasta** · August 24th, 2020

it will be in service manual (because you need spare part for it or instructions on how to replace it withing warranty), if not in product information. Many stuff is indeed hidden from consumers these days. i believe it's because of product pricing.

**zebra2** · August 24th, 2020

I don't remember ever seeing a specification and description regarding a computer that had a point by point description of the keyboard. Such as "LED" on Num Lock, "LED" on Power Key, "LED on CapsLk. I have a keyboard on one of my laptops that has a relocated right shift key by about a quarter inch lower than normal. It has taken me years to adapt to this change. You are right! It wasn't in the product description. However this has been a very dependable laptop.
There is no perfection in this reality. Nowhere!

**zebra2** · August 24th, 2020

OK, I think I have found a solution. If you find a laptop you are interested in such as ThinkPad X390 , Just do a google search for "ThinkPad X390 keyboard images". If you do a zoom onto the keyboard image you should see the LED dot on the caps key.

Edit: Well this is weird, I just did a search for "ACER laptop keyboard images" without any model number and none of the Acer keyboard images had a led on the capslock key..

**pwabrahams** · August 25th, 2020

Some keyboards have a LED elsewhere on the keyboard. So there are three possibilities: on the CapsLock key, elsewhere on the keyboard, or not there at all.

I sometimes wonder whether keyboard designers omit the LED because they were trying to save a few pennies or they just never thought of providing it.

**zebra2** · August 25th, 2020

All of the LED's on my various laptops are on keys. Caps, Num, PWR. Desktop Keyboard have the LED's on the upper right deck, usually.

**mastablasta** · August 25th, 2020

Originally Posted by pwabrahams

Some keyboards have a LED elsewhere on the keyboard. So there are three possibilities: on the CapsLock key, elsewhere on the keyboard, or not there at all.

correct. i have Fujitsu Lifebook E Series for work and all the indicators are on top right (just like on desktop keyboard). they are shown in user manual.

Business laptops usually have various indicators. like i wrote - OP should check the service manual for all the parts.

the laptop i got had declared Max ram 8GB not ugradable and that disk has 256 Gb or 512 GB (depends on model and is not upgradable). but then i went to check service manual and it clearly says there that laptop can take in max 16 GB; there are models with HDD or 1 TB nvme, you can even add additional HDD or SSD (with appropriate connecting cable) and you can add a DVD drive. of course none of these are "user upgradable", but can be done at service shop. so you can only wonder why this info is hidden so well.

I sometimes wonder whether keyboard designers omit the LED because they were trying to save a few pennies or they just never thought of providing it.

that and space (to make it thinner, lighter, less complex...).