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Backlit Keyboard...Revisited
- Thread starter iRun26.2
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I bought my Fiancee a MBA for xmas and just picked up a MBP for myself. For what its worth i've already disabled my backlit keyboard because it bothers me extremely bad lol. The ONLY and I mean ONLY possible use for the backlight would be using the laptop in bed, but then it would annoy your significant other i'm sure. It is unusable in a classroom because its a distraction and is pointless when in a well lit room. My fiancee did not care for the backlit keyboard either for reference. There was no "how come mine doesnt light up" lol. She said it was annoying.
Adjustment period
I liked the backlit keyboard on my Macbook Pro and missed it for a week or so when I got my Macbook Air. Then I got used to no backlight and don't miss it all now.
I liked the backlit keyboard on my Macbook Pro and missed it for a week or so when I got my Macbook Air. Then I got used to no backlight and don't miss it all now.
Seeing The Keyboard With Light From The Screen
There are two points I would like to make relative to your comments:
1) I wonder if you are assuming that the user has a relatively bright screen setting when you say '95% of the keys are visible from the screen's backlight'. When I am using my MBA computer in complete darkness (in bed), I have the brightness set to 'one square' (and, in fact, I wish it could be even a little dimmer). At 'one square' of screen brightness I do not consider 95% of the keys to be ledgeable.
2) I am a touch typist. I know where all of the letters and numbers are. It is the special function keys that I often need to see (eventually I may remember where they are). These are, in general, the keys that are also less visible in the dark when relying on light from the screen (and possibly the 5% you also consider not visible). These are the ones I need to see!
There are two points I would like to make relative to your comments:
1) I wonder if you are assuming that the user has a relatively bright screen setting when you say '95% of the keys are visible from the screen's backlight'. When I am using my MBA computer in complete darkness (in bed), I have the brightness set to 'one square' (and, in fact, I wish it could be even a little dimmer). At 'one square' of screen brightness I do not consider 95% of the keys to be ledgeable.
2) I am a touch typist. I know where all of the letters and numbers are. It is the special function keys that I often need to see (eventually I may remember where they are). These are, in general, the keys that are also less visible in the dark when relying on light from the screen (and possibly the 5% you also consider not visible). These are the ones I need to see!
Actually this is not true. The only way the screen casts any real amount of light on the keys is when it is tilted downwards over the keys. That is not the usual proper positioning of the screen when actually using it. 95%? No way. My overly bright 27" iMac can't even cast enough light on the keys when properly using it.
Also, I like to keep the brightness down and even tilting it downward I can barley see the keyboard...I'm betting they find a way to put this feature back in the next rev...
I agree. I will be surprised if it is not reintroduced within the next two revs. They have to understand the mistake they made by omitting the backlight. Possibly, it was an intentional omission to drive people to refresh their machines.
I will not hesitate to replace my new MBA when the backlit keyboard returns.
/Jim
Jim,
One thought I have heard a few times is that only the 'bigger version' (13.3") MBA might see the return of the backit keyboard. Now, I know that you have the 11.6" version... Would a backlit keyboard only on the 13.3" version be enough of a desirable feature for you to switch to the 13.3" form factor?
For me, I don't know if I could go back to the larger size. The 11.6" is perfect and it makes my old 13.3" version feel monstrous!
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