Replacement LED backlit keyboard for the HP Pavilion x360 - 14-cd0073tu

[wattstar]

I'm looking at buying a new notebook but my supplier only has the Pavilion x360 - 14-cd0073tu which does not come with an LED backlit keyboard. I see that on the HP website that an LED backlit keyboard can be ordered as an option when ordering from HP. I was wondering if I buy notebook from my local supplier can I buy the LED backlit keyboard and replace the one that comes with it?

Thanks

[gkline]

Since that particular laptop/notebook model has a backlit keyboard option, It is possible to replace it.  But it's not like the old days when you unscrew 2 screws and pop-off the keyboard without even opening up the casing.  Unfortunately things have changed with these ultra low profile cases.  You now have to purchase the entire top panel/bezel that includes the keyboard and disassemble most of the bottom casing to install it.

Here's an example for an HP Pavilion 15" notebook part:

Top Cover Upper Case with Keyboard for HP Pavilion 15-AU White

WareSphere.com has very good prices, often much better than HP store.

Not all keyboards are noted as backlit, but the telltale way to figure that out is by either looking at the photo showing the ribbon cables (LED backlit keyboard will have 2 ribbons instead of 1 (the 2nd is a very small thin one)), or you can check the HP parts lookup for more details.

The other route you can go if you're on a very tight budget is to buy the keyboard alone from a seller in HongKong or China on the cheap, then go through the arduous task of detaching the metal support bracket for the keyboard by popping about 25 plastic rivets after a complete disassembly of the bottom casing (that includes motherboard and other circuitboards removed).  I strongly recommend not going that route.  I did it (discussion LINK) and it was a major pain in the you-know-what, plus my keyboard isn't 100% tight like it use to be (bows in some places).  It worked for a couple of months and then failed on me.  If I had the chance to do it over, I'd have spent $55 on an OEM top cover w/keyboard rather than $20 for the keyboard alone and waste 6 hours doing it.