Tip: How to adjust the backlit keyboard on Google’s Chromebook Pixel
The Chromebook Pixel is the first Chromebook to have a touchscreen, the first Chromebook to have LTE, the first Chromebook to come with 32GB and 64GB SSD storage options, the first Chromebook to have a Retina-like resolution, and the first Chromebook to to have a backlit keyboard. As you can see, there are a lot of firsts, and probably lots more that I’m missing. And while the Pixel definitely provides the most premium end user experience out of any other Chromebook currently available, sometimes you just don’t need all those extras.
Turning off some of those battery consuming features can help extend the amount of time you don’t have to be tethered to a wall outlet, and one that doesn’t really require much sacrifice is the backlit keyboard. Sure, it’s pretty to look at – but when the screen is capable of going up to 400 nits in brightness, and you’re using the Pixel in the middle of the day, it’s not really necessary.
So if you are concerned about the less-than-stellar battery life on the Chromebook Pixel, just turn the backlight off by pressing the alt key, along with the screen brightness hotkeys at the top of the keyboard. Unfortunately, your adjustments won’t stick after a reboot, but at least you can turn the lights all the way off if your battery starts to run low – and in my experience, performing this one simple action really will make a difference in squeezing out some extra juice!
