Backlit Keyboard...Revisited

[celo48]

that is the stupidest comment i've ever heard.

No kidding. Not that I cannot type without looking but that comment was pretty dumb, sorry.

And I use the backlit keyboard on my MBP when I turn all the lights off in the room.

I think it was a bad choice by Apple to remove something that is useful. Probably, they will put in the next revision of MBA and people who wants it will sell their current MBA and buy a new one I love how Apple makes us spend money every year!

 

[TheAllStar]

And Steve Jobs knows where the '$' key is on the keyboard in the dark.

(although I really don't see it that way, but I just couldn't resist).

And if he misses it and hits another key, he murmurs to himself, "Hm. You're holding it wrong."

 

[runnin17]

World revolve around you syndrome?

Edit/Add... saw another one of your posts... hope you enjoyed your visit.

Hmmmm, love it when the mods think they rule the world. Opinions are opinions. I will apologize for the colorful language, but I still think asking for a backlit keyboard is just retarded.

It would add thickness, drain more battery life and is truly just a gimmick feature.

 

[Mr. Savage]

It would add thickness, drain more battery life and is truly just a gimmick feature.

No, it wouldn't. No, it wouldn't. No, it isn't.

 

[tigres]

Hmmmm, love it when the mods think they rule the world. Opinions are opinions. I will apologize for the colorful language, but I still think asking for a backlit keyboard is just retarded.

It would add thickness, drain more battery life and is truly just a gimmick feature.

Unfortunately, the mods have to be here to police inept posters like yourself.

 

[sugarray3000]

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It seems most of you Think the bl kb Will be back at the next model but when do you Think it would be ? A year from now? Or maybe in the beginning of next year?

 

[ingramLee]

Seriously people...

 

[hundleton1]

what if the keys were glow in the dark, the light of the screen may just be enough to cause them to glow, or perhaps the lettering had bright metal inserts rather than white, this would then reflect light from the screen making it show up ?

 

[runnin17]

No, it wouldn't. No, it wouldn't. No, it isn't.

You are pretty much just wrong with this whole statement. The keyboard thickness it self would increases (even if it was by 1mm, it would still increase). You can't say it wouldn't drain more battery life, it is impossible to add a back light under the keyboard and still have the same amount of battery life while using the back light (unless they somehow increased the size of the battery).

Unfortunately, the mods have to be here to police inept posters like yourself.

Not gonna get in a flame war with you. You have had just as many inept opinions as I have if you really want to look at it that way. Good day, bad kid!

 

[iRun26.2]

what if the keys were glow in the dark, the light of the screen may just be enough to cause them to glow, or perhaps the lettering had bright metal inserts rather than white, this would then reflect light from the screen making it show up ?

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It seems most of you Think the bl kb Will be back at the next model but when do you Think it would be ? A year from now? Or maybe in the beginning of next year?

I'm guessing (or at least hoping) for next Fall/next major revision. I don't think we'll see it right away next year. That would be too soon and I think a lot of people would be really ticked to have it offered again so soon.

 

[iRun26.2]

what if the keys were glow in the dark, the light of the screen may just be enough to cause them to glow, or perhaps the lettering had bright metal inserts rather than white, this would then reflect light from the screen making it show up ?

I do like your idea of 'glow in the dark keys'. It almost seems odd that no notebook manufacturer has yet adopted that idea (at least to my knowledge).

It makes me wonder if there isn't a major drawback with the implementation of 'glow in the dark' key labels. Would it be annoying for the people who wouldn't be able to turn them off??? I know that many people say they never use the backlit keyboard (and always have it off). Maybe they would hate it!

 

[kyleen66]

I thought I'd miss the backlit keyboard because I have the horrible habit of waking up in the middle of the night and using the computer in the dark.

After using the new MBA for a couple of days, I don't really think I'll miss it.

::shrug::

 

[iRun26.2]

I thought I'd miss the backlit keyboard because I have the horrible habit of waking up in the middle of the night and using the computer in the dark.

After using the new MBA for a couple of days, I don't really think I'll miss it.

::shrug::

Excellent! Thanks for the update. I ordered mine yesterday and eagerly await trying it out in low light conditions and seeing how it works.

I wonder how many other people there are with the same experience as you...

 

[TheAllStar]

I ordered mine yesterday and eagerly await trying it out in low light conditions and seeing how it works.

Let us know how it goes. Seems like most people get by just fine without backlighting... it's more than a novelty for me, so for now I'm stickin' with it.

Glow-in-the-dark keyboard... meh. Maybe on the Fisher Price MacBook... don't think Apple will incorporate it, but who knows... there are some third party options if anyone really wants it, I think.

 

[HLdan]

I do like your idea of 'glow in the dark keys'. It almost seems odd that no notebook manufacturer has yet adopted that idea (at least to my knowledge).

It makes me wonder if there isn't a major drawback with the implementation of 'glow in the dark' key labels. Would it be annoying for the people who wouldn't be able to turn them off??? I know that many people say they never use the backlit keyboard (and always have it off). Maybe they would hate it!

Glow in the dark ANYTHING doesn't work well. I have the iSkin keyboard cover for my MBP. It has etchings for the backlit keyboard which is very nice but it also is glow in the dark. It's only effective when overhead light is hitting it then I suddenly turn off the light. I'll get illumination for about 2 minutes and then it's gone. The screen brightness won't do anything for it. You'd have to have the screen hovering over the keyboard for at least 5 minutes then position it so you can use it. The keyboard still won't glow long enough to matter.

Excellent! Thanks for the update. I ordered mine yesterday and eagerly await trying it out in low light conditions and seeing how it works.

I wonder how many other people there are with the same experience as you...

Uh, millions and millions of people that have either Powerbooks, white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac mini's, Mac Pros and newer PC desktops and notebooks. It's a non-issue. It's only an issue here because one person said it was and then crap rolls downhill. You can disagree with me but people with the white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros aren't constantly complaining about this. There's no backlit keyboard.

I have both a Macbook Pro and a 27" iMac. I do a lot of writing. At night I jump between the MBP and the iMac since I'm doing different things and it doesn't phase me one bit that the iMac's keyboard doesn't illuminate.

 

[nylon]

I just got mine yesterday and noticed that the keyboard is a lot more reflective then on my (now sold) 13" MBP. I don't know weather the screen is brighter (even at the lowest setting) or because the shallower travel of the keys. All I can say is I had no problem operating the keyboard in the dark.... and I'm not quite a touch typist.

 

[koobcamuk]

Honestly, who cares about a backlit keyboard... I never use mine... I know how to type without looking... If you dont than you shouldn't be using a computer.

 

[bugout]

Been using my 13"/2.13/4GB/256 for about a week now and I really thought I would miss the bl kb. All a bunch of hogwash now. The screen lights up the keyboard enough in the dark.

You know what really pisses me off?? Trying to turn the volume up/down or mute and being off by 1 key EVERY SINGLE TIME!! It's been a week and IT'S STILL HAPPENING!!! Put the damn power button back in the corner!!

 

[flynz4]

Uh, millions and millions of people that have either Powerbooks, white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac mini's, Mac Pros and newer PC desktops and notebooks. It's a non-issue. It's only an issue here because one person said it was and then crap rolls downhill. You can disagree with me but people with the white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros aren't constantly complaining about this. There's no backlit keyboard.

I have both a Macbook Pro and a 27" iMac. I do a lot of writing. At night I jump between the MBP and the iMac since I'm doing different things and it doesn't phase me one bit that the iMac's keyboard doesn't illuminate.

Regarding the bolded section above: I suspect that very few people use their iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro, or PC Desktop in bed next to a sleeping spouse. White MacBooks are an entry product so it expected to have fewer features.

One of the issues may be that Apple is repositioning the MBA from a premium laptop to an entry level product. I was not willing to buy one at $3000... but I joined the MBA ranks when the Rev C SSD version was $1800. Now the price has been reduced further but the MBA is adopting more entry-level feature sets.

I find it interesting on how bifurcated and polarized we all are on this feature. I still think that Apple will re-introduce the backlit keyboard in the next refresh. I'll buy a new one then, and pass this 11.6" model on to my wife. She is in the half who couldn't care less if the keyboard is backlit. She only uses a computer sitting at a desk or table in well-illuminated rooms. By contrast, I often grab mine from the nightstand and compute in the middle of the night and for me, it is the loss of a major feature.

/Jim

 

[tigres]

I have both a Macbook Pro and a 27" iMac. I do a lot of writing. At night I jump between the MBP and the iMac since I'm doing different things and it doesn't phase me one bit that the iMac's keyboard doesn't illuminate.

But an iMac 27" keyboard has nothing to do with this comparison. An iMac is a desktop, a MBA is a Laptop- and utilized at many times by many members in dark situations.

 

[iRun26.2]

Been using my 13"/2.13/4GB/256 for about a week now and I really thought I would miss the bl kb. All a bunch of hogwash now. The screen lights up the keyboard enough in the dark.

You know what really pisses me off?? Trying to turn the volume up/down or mute and being off by 1 key EVERY SINGLE TIME!! It's been a week and IT'S STILL HAPPENING!!! Put the damn power button back in the corner!!

Good! Another positive response on the keyboard backlight issue! I've ordered the 11.6" model so I hope that it's screen is also bright enough to light up the keys. I'd like to hear from a few more 11.6" MBA people...

As for hitting the wrong keys...I often do the opposite, hoping to hit the mute (so my computer doesn't wake up my wife) and hitting the 'volume up' key instead (and then it makes the loud clicking sound)!

 

[revelated]

Uh, millions and millions of people that have either Powerbooks, white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac mini's, Mac Pros and newer PC desktops and notebooks. It's a non-issue.

...

You can disagree with me but people with the white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros aren't constantly complaining about this. There's no backlit keyboard.

People don't complain about features that were never there. Those machines never had backlighting.

I know if the next gen 17" MBP lost its backlight I'd be livid. I don't use it daily. However, (1) it's illogical to remove a feature such as that and (2) I like to know it's there for when I DO need it.

 

[iRun26.2]

People don't complain about features that were never there. Those machines never had backlighting.

I know if the next gen 17" MBP lost its backlight I'd be livid. I don't use it daily. However, (1) it's illogical to remove a feature such as that and (2) I like to know it's there for when I DO need it.

To me, it certainly makes the new MBAs look 'cheaper' (as in not as advanced as they once were...a step backwards). And, of course, they really are cheaper!

While I did order the 'ultimate' 11.6" model, I will admit that the choice has not been easy. I hated to not get some of the more advanced features of the 13.3" model in the 11.6" model (most specifically the 256G of Flash) but my passion for more portability overruled those advancements (and the 11.6" already is a huge improvement over my older MBA).

Had the new 13.3" model retained the keyboard backlight and the 11.6" model came without it, I think that may have been enough to sway me away from the 11.6" model. I guess Apple's design goals must have been for cost savings on both models (and they are both physically the same 'thinness' even though their keyboards may be slightly different).

 

[fyrefly]

Uh, millions and millions of people that have either Powerbooks, white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac mini's, Mac Pros and newer PC desktops and notebooks. It's a non-issue. It's only an issue here because one person said it was and then crap rolls downhill. You can disagree with me but people with the white Macbooks, iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros aren't constantly complaining about this. There's no backlit keyboard.

It's not *one* person, there's lots of people on this forum that came here to take umbridge with the lack of backlit keyboard.

Also, the PBs had Backlit keyboards for YEARS (except the 12" Models).

And the people (like me) who are bemoaning the loss of the backlit keyboard are doing so 'cause they're long-time MBA users who use the Backlit keyboard every day.

I agree with flynz4 that I'm actually really surprised how polarized people are on this. I understand us people who miss the BL keyboard, but I don't get the people who think we're all braindead whiny morons for being ticked that Apple *took away* a feature.

If the next iPhone suddenly didn't have Bluetooth - do you think people would be pissed? Yep. If the next Mac Pro suddenly didn't come bundled with a keyboard, do you think people would be pissed? Yep. Why? 'Cause it's a feature that was part of the machine for a long time, so people are used to it.

To me, it certainly makes the new MBAs look 'cheaper' (as in not as advanced as they once were...a step backwards). And, of course, they really are cheaper!

Had the new 13.3" model retained the keyboard backlight and the 11.6" model came without it, I think that may have been enough to sway me away from the 11.6" model. I guess Apple's design goals must have been for cost savings on both models (and they are both physically the same 'thinness' even though their keyboards may be slightly different).

I 100% agree with this. I don't mind that the 11" model doesn't have it (as I could see Apple placing it in the "value" line, a la the 12" PB), but omitting it even as a BTO option for more $$ for those who want it on the 13" just sucks.

I also agree that Apple will bring the Backlit KB back for the next Rev (at least on the 13" model). Hopefully around June, when all the laptops are refreshed with Sandy Bridge. (i7 UV and ULV Sandy Bridge Processors are supposed to be arriving around Q2'11).

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Honestly, who cares about a backlit keyboard... I never use mine... I know how to type without looking... If you dont than you shouldn't be using a computer.

I know it is on the first page but really I have seen this argument multiple time by multiple people.
I am a touch typist and while a backlite keyboard is not a deal killer it is something I find a really useful feature on my laptop I use for school. In a dark room it does light up the keys and really the only time I really even look at a keyboard is when I am touching one of the special characters like !@#$%^&*()-=+_[{]}\|`~<> and even that is getting rarer the more often I program now but still how often do you use any of those special chars. I know the numbers on the top row of my laptop keyboard I am pretty poor at hitting correctly every time but that is because I am use to using a 10-key like most people are.
Add in the function keys even more useful. I just listed a bunch of keys people are not really able to do very often with out quickly looking down at the keyboard. It really does not effect my speed because at most it is a short gap but most of the time it is just me looking down to make sure I hit them correctly.

The other time I may look down at the keyboard is if I am only going to use my left or right hand. I can not exactly touch type one handed.

As I said nice feature to have but not really a big deal.