Is the lack of a backlit keyboard some of that special love?

[Mike84]

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Has anyone considered that the reason why apple did not include it, aside from lowering cost, was battery life? I'm not an engineer but maybe that could be an additionally consideration even though you could turn it off.

 

[newdeal]

...

probobly the reason is not battery life, it doesn't affect life that much. The reason is probobly thickness, adding the backlight would have made the machine thicker

 

[HLdan]

We're talking about the Air's in general. And the Aluminum Macbook is not a current Apple product.

Actually, if you go back and read the OP and then read what you wrote, you wouldn't have replied to me. The OP is talking about the 11" Air, not AIR's in general, you made that up on your own. You stated that every other single Apple aluminum notebook has a backlit keyboard and that's not true. I certainly can include the older Aluminum Macbook since we are talking about "generalizations" right?

engineers don't know no grammar. I was talking about typing. So, I'm not sure it was ironic. I added that sentence and a few others in an edit, but 'typer' still sounds fine to me. There are at least a few more grammar errors in that post if you want to find them.

So you're making assumptions now that Engineers don't know grammar? Huh? Are you an Engineer? Whether it sounds right to you or not, there's no such word in the context you were using it. The only reason I replied to your post is because you were telling that other poster that if they can't deal with not having a backlit keyboard then that makes them a poor "Typer". You're criticizing someone else because they want a backlit keyboard by calling them a poor typist, yet you're making up words. Yeah, maybe in this case, it's not necessarily ironic but if you're going to tell someone they are a poor typist, make sure you post every word correctly.

 

[mrmister]

It was omitted for cost. Remember, the 11 and the 13 are nearly identical, and they wanted the 11 to hit a $999 price point. So they chucked a number of things--IR receiver (also hard because of thickness), keyboard backlight, light sensor--to save money, so that the low end could hit that number.

 

[snouter]

It was omitted for cost. Remember, the 11 and the 13 are nearly identical, and they wanted the 11 to hit a $999 price point. So they chucked a number of things--IR receiver (also hard because of thickness), keyboard backlight, light sensor--to save money, so that the low end could hit that number.

You mean Apple had trouble selling me a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo and making a profit at $1400? I guess that makes sense. I do come to Apple for the value and I do appreciate them looking out for me. Whenever there is a spare 1% of margin, I can depend on Apple to return value to the consumer.

 

[TheAllStar]

To be honest, it confuses me why backlit keys are not a universal standard in the industry. This is the 21st century. I can touch type just fine, but then again, I know exactly where the A/C knob is on my car dash, and those have been illuminated for decades. A car with no backlit buttons would be inexcusable, so why is it that a computer manufactured and marketed to be flexible and portable wouldn't have a keyboard that is visible in the dark? I wonder if someday, when I'm reminiscing, my kids will say "...The heck? For real? You used to have to tilt the screen if you couldn't see a key? Quaint."

 

[hotsauce]

Oh, the irony in your post, there's no such word as "Typer" in the sense you're using it. The word is Typist.

Your use of "irony" is incorrect.

 

[isonoise]

It hasn't bothered me one bit (but I'm not suggesting it shouldn't bother anyone else). I'm a touch typist, every finger assigned to the appropriate keys as taught in typing classes many years ago. Without thinking about it, I simply can't type until the nubs are felt under both index fingers.

I do have a backlit keyboard on my late-2008 MacBook Pro 17" (the last of the non-unibody MacBook Pros) that has rarely been lit--I find it distracting to have something other than the screen illuminated. So, long story short, I haven't even noticed the feature missing.

 

[spinedoc77]

It was omitted for cost. Remember, the 11 and the 13 are nearly identical, and they wanted the 11 to hit a $999 price point. So they chucked a number of things--IR receiver (also hard because of thickness), keyboard backlight, light sensor--to save money, so that the low end could hit that number.

Does the 13" Air have a backlit keyboard?

 

[newdeal]

Does the 13" Air have a backlit keyboard?

no

 

[size100]

So you're making assumptions now that Engineers don't know grammar? Huh? Are you an Engineer? Whether it sounds right to you or not, there's no such word in the context you were using it. The only reason I replied to your post is because you were telling that other poster that if they can't deal with not having a backlit keyboard then that makes them a poor "Typer". You're criticizing someone else because they want a backlit keyboard by calling them a poor typist, yet you're making up words. Yeah, maybe in this case, it's not necessarily ironic but if you're going to tell someone they are a poor typist, make sure you post every word correctly.

It wasn't an assumption. It was a joke.

Using a word that doesn't exist didn't really have much relevance to typing skill. Its not like it was my typing that did it. I didn't stumbled over a completely incorrect word while trying to type typist.

Telling them that they could be better 'typers' was very relevant to this thread. People are considering making very important decisions based on something that could be fixed by improving their typing.

Using the word 'typer' had nothing to do with my post it was not a post about words or grammar. It was an error in a sentence that was added in an edit. Would you like me to point out errors in your posts? I have no reason to. Would you like to point out the errors I've found so far in my post? Next time some one posts anything should I go find the errors in their post? Seems useless to me.

 

[spinedoc77]

no

Ahh that's a shame. I was reinstalling my OS last night on my 2009 Air and didn't have keyboard lighting temporarily, it was in the dark watching TV in my bedroom. I would sorely miss the keyboard lighting. I was definitely thinking about picking up a 13", and I actually did just pick up an 11" for my wife, but I might just stick with my current 13" with the backlit keyboard until Apple reintroduces it.

People are considering making very important decisions based on something that could be fixed by improving their typing.

That's terrible. My original degree was a BA in English and currently I type 10-12 long reports every day at work, I can type quite fast and accurately after years and years of typing. Still I find the backlit keyboard VERY useful. I use my Air often in the dark and the screen doesn't always light it up. My fingers are not always on the home row when I want to hit a key for something, maybe it's volume, brightness, F key, etc, it doesn't have to be just simple typing.

Yes I'm making a purchasing decision based on the backlit keyboard, or lack of it. Everyone has their own purchasing decisions to make and while they may seem trivial to you, they aren't to others and I'll bet some of your purchasing decisions would seem trivial to me.

 

[size100]

That's terrible. My original degree was a BA in English and currently I type 10-12 long reports every day at work, I can type quite fast and accurately after years and years of typing. Still I find the backlit keyboard VERY useful. I use my Air often in the dark and the screen doesn't always light it up. My fingers are not always on the home row when I want to hit a key for something, maybe it's volume, brightness, F key, etc, it doesn't have to be just simple typing.

Yes I'm making a purchasing decision based on the backlit keyboard, or lack of it. Everyone has their own purchasing decisions to make and while they may seem trivial to you, they aren't to others and I'll bet some of your purchasing decisions would seem trivial to me.

Its not terrible. I said people can 'fix' their problem by improving their typing. What is terrible about that?

You are not disagreeing with anything I said. Are you physically incapable of improving your typing? Are you unwilling to improve your typing? Is buying a different computer a better option than improving your typing? Are the people that don't need backlit keyboards doing something special?

Quite fast and accurate is relative; every one thinks they are a great typer. As far as changing volume and screen brightness, once you use a laptop enough its very easy to know where the 'other' keys are, especially on the MBA because the function keys are closer to home row than normal.

I said there was an option that could fix their problems about the MBA. Its a simple solution to their problem. They don't need to improve their typing to that level if they don't want to. Like suggesting a a black skin to people that don't like the white mb because its ugly or girly. If they don't want to use a skin and they can't stand the white body, then its their choice not to buy one.

I was just suggesting that there is another option for people rather than to always need a backlit keyboard.

 

[spinedoc77]

Its not terrible. I said people can 'fix' their problem by improving their typing. What is terrible about that?

You are not disagreeing with anything I said. Are you physically incapable of improving your typing? Are you unwilling to improve your typing? Is buying a different computer a better option than improving your typing? Are the people that don't need backlit keyboards doing something special?

Quite fast and accurate is relative; every one thinks they are a great typer. As far as changing volume and screen brightness, once you use a laptop enough its very easy to know where the 'other' keys are, especially on the MBA because the function keys are closer to home row than normal.

I said there was an option that could fix their problems about the MBA. Its a simple solution to their problem. I was not saying their problem is stupid or they should not buy a MBA because of it. Like suggesting a a black skin to people that don't like the white mb because its ugly or girly.

It still doesn't make sense, no offense intended, really. My typing skills have nothing to do with why I want a backlit keyboard. If I'm sitting down and both my hands are on the home row I do not have to see the keyboard at all, I can write a 20 page report this way. But if I'm just putzing around on my bed watching a movie it's nice to see where the different keys are. "It's nice" is the important statement. It's nice to have function keys, it's nice to have volume keys, it's nice to have 2 usb ports, it's nice to have a memory card reader, it's nice to have etc etc. Certainly these are features which are "nice" to have but not required, but still they may become deal breakers for some of us.

 

[HLdan]

Telling them that they could be better 'typers' was very relevant to this thread. People are considering making very important decisions based on something that could be fixed by improving their typing.

.

This is absolutely ridiculous. Needing or wanting a backlit keyboard has nothing to do with people being poor typists. Where are you getting this logic? Improving typing skills is not the "fix" for people wanting a backlit keyboard and can't get one. I am quite a skilled typist and I can assure you the backlit keyboard on my MBP is a very important feature for me. The function and punctuation keys are difficult to find for many elite typists as well as the Command, Option and Control keys. I find it very insulting that people on this forum tell others that they should learn to type.

 

[chaoticbear]

You know, after any amount of time with a keyboard, I'm sure you can find the keys you need. I could certainly find option, command, brightness up/down, volume up/down and the power button blindfolded. If I ever used the others, I'd include them too.

This whole thing seems waaaaay blown out of proportion to me.

 

[Shasta McNasty]

I dont understand why people still complain about this. Its about to be 2011. You SHOULD be able to type without having to look at the keyboard constantly. This is why there are those humps on the letters f and j on the keyboard...Maybe the complainers should do something more productive with their time like oh i don't know, take an online typing class? Sheesh.

 

[fyrefly]

It was omitted for cost. Remember, the 11 and the 13 are nearly identical, and they wanted the 11 to hit a $999 price point. So they chucked a number of things--IR receiver (also hard because of thickness), keyboard backlight, light sensor--to save money, so that the low end could hit that number.

The keyboards in the 11" and 13" are different. The 11" has a shrunken Fn Key row and a shrunken space bar row. So this doesn't make sense.

Price was certainly a consideration. I agree with the poster that sarcastically remarked that it was nice of Apple to make a buck on the omission of the Backlit keyboard instead of thinking of the end user.

Its not terrible. I said people can 'fix' their problem by improving their typing. What is terrible about that?

Quite fast and accurate is relative; every one thinks they are a great typer. As far as changing volume and screen brightness, once you use a laptop enough its very easy to know where the 'other' keys are, especially on the MBA because the function keys are closer to home row than normal.

I was just suggesting that there is another option for people rather than to always need a backlit keyboard.

You know, after any amount of time with a keyboard, I'm sure you can find the keys you need. I could certainly find option, command, brightness up/down, volume up/down and the power button blindfolded. If I ever used the others, I'd include them too.

This whole thing seems waaaaay blown out of proportion to me.

I dont understand why people still complain about this. Its about to be 2011. You SHOULD be able to type without having to look at the keyboard constantly. This is why there are those humps on the letters f and j on the keyboard...Maybe the complainers should do something more productive with their time like oh i don't know, take an online typing class? Sheesh.

Wow. Everyone who hates on the backlit keyboard seems to get it wrong. Yes, you can see the letters better with the BL keyboard. Yes it helps in the dark. Yes, if you're typing for a long period of time, the BL keyboard my not matter. But if you're shifting around, using the mouse, etc... trying to hit modifier keys, etc... there's only so much "sense memory" you can rely on.

It also stings that the BL keyboard was a "feature" of the MBA. Something Apple *took away* in this revision. It was something us long-time MBA users were used to and appreciated as a "premium" feature, now having been removed as part of the (IMHO) dumbing down of the MBA to reach a pricepoint (after all, they kept the same/worse processors too).

There's only so much "learning how to type better" that one can do before they're gonna have to look at the keyboard *at some point* during their computer using experience.

That, combined with the fact that the MBA's keyboard is irregular compared to the others in the iMac/MacBook/MBP lineup means that if you have more than one machine (and let's face it, to many the MBA is a secondary computer) the keys on the MBA are different sizes (for the 11" Model) and in different places (for both models) compared to any other keyboard you use.

I just wish they made it at least a BTO feature - so for those of us that love/use the BL keyboard could choose to include it (like those of us that choose the Anti-Glare screens). Hopefully they do so in the next revision (or just bring it back standard *fingers crossed*)

Do you people who suggest that us BL-keyboard lovers should get typing lessons also suggest that those who have glossy displays get "eyesight" lessons, so they're not bothered by the glare?

 

[shingles314]

No offense to the OP. But I find these no back lighting posts really funny. It's not like we didn't know about this. We ALL KNEW there was no back lighting. If it's that big of a deal, don't buy it. Vote with your wallet. If back lighting is a deal break, do not buy the laptop... this is how you tell Apple you want back lighting.

Having said all of that... I too wished it had back lighting. But you know what? I have a black keyboard cover on my 15" MBP and I don't miss the backlit keyboard on it.

 

[dtblaze]

lol i own a mbp and dont even use backlit.. it consumes too much battery.

 

[drjsway]

How old are the people who miss the backlit keyboard? I suspect it is like learning languages. People who have typed their entire childhood will always be better than people who learned in their teens or as an adult.

It took me a week to remember where all the functions keys are on the 11". Never look at the keyboard at all.

 

[zulumonk]

Just wanted to chime in and say that I really don't see the big deal with not having a backlit keyboard. I've been using my 13" air for the past week after using a 15" laptop that had a backlit keys. So far I haven't noticed the difference between typing on the both keyboards.

 

[chaoticbear]

Wow. Everyone who hates on the backlit keyboard seems to get it wrong. Yes, you can see the letters better with the BL keyboard. Yes it helps in the dark. Yes, if you're typing for a long period of time, the BL keyboard my not matter. But if you're shifting around, using the mouse, etc... trying to hit modifier keys, etc... there's only so much "sense memory" you can rely on.

There is a nubbin on my "F" and "J", which seems to be enough for me. I use my computer in low-light situations all the time.

It also stings that the BL keyboard was a "feature" of the MBA. Something Apple *took away* in this revision. It was something us long-time MBA users were used to and appreciated as a "premium" feature, now having been removed as part of the (IMHO) dumbing down of the MBA to reach a pricepoint (after all, they kept the same/worse processors too).

This, I can buy. But I've gotten along great without a backlit keyboard for years now, so it's not something I miss.

 

[spinedoc77]

You know what, after thinking about it you guys are right, we don't deserve the convenience of a backlit keyboard. I'd also say Apple should continue to shave off savings and get rid of any keyboard key which is not a character. We don't need volume buttons, brightness buttons, mute, eject, and we certainly don't need media control buttons. I'm sure if we put our heads together we can think of more stuff we don't "need" and help Stevo make more money.

 

[size100]

This is absolutely ridiculous. Needing or wanting a backlit keyboard has nothing to do with people being poor typists. Where are you getting this logic? Improving typing skills is not the "fix" for people wanting a backlit keyboard and can't get one. I am quite a skilled typist and I can assure you the backlit keyboard on my MBP is a very important feature for me. The function and punctuation keys are difficult to find for many elite typists as well as the Command, Option and Control keys. I find it very insulting that people on this forum tell others that they should learn to type.

Needing or wanting a back-lit keyboard may have nothing to do with typing for you. Some people may like it cause its pretty and once something is there it must always be there. But, for a lot of people it is absolutely due to their typing. If you do not think you can get to a point where you can type well enough to not need a backlit keyboard than its your opinion. For some reason there are people who do not need nor would they benifit from one. They would rather look at the screen than look at the keyboard. I know several people, including myself, that are annoyed from light coming from the keyboard and would rather have it off.

The majority of people that want a backlit keyboard are not good typists. It is a huge benefit to poor typists. The better the typists you are the less you need to see the keyboard. There are obviously people in this thread and on this forum that need to look down very often and when this happens a non-backlit keyboard is annoying. When they are basing a thousand dollar decision on whether they keyboard lights up its assumed that its not a small bother. Add that to the fact that there are more bad typists than good ones. Maybe their self-esteem and ego can't take the hit to admit it.

If you don't think they are or that people will never get to a level were a backlit keyboard would not benefit them than that is were we disagree and lets leave it at that.

There are those that don't need it. There are those that don't need it but would like it. There are those that need to look down every so often where it would be a great addition. Lastly, there are the new typists that it would be amazing for. The better the typist the greater the chance they will be in the category that doesn't need it and wouldn't use it. If they can fall into that category or even into the category where it would be 'nice but they don't need it' then they could focus on some other aspects of a laptop. CPU, size, ram, hd, etc. My point was the better the typist, the less important it is. Judging from a lot of the posts on this forum and others, there are at least a few that could make a backlit keyboard far less important, and maybe in the end of they improve their typing skill to that level they will end up with a superior laptop missing a feature that isn't as important to them anymore.

As some one mentioned that are lots of 'markers' for us. The nubs and the edge of the laptop itself is enough enough for most.