It's more like $4 with shipping but point well made. A USB mini flex lamp is an easy solution to the lack of a backlit keyboard on the 2010 MBA. I just ordered this one:
Logiix USB LED 10 Red Light
It features multiple red LEDs. In the past when I used a mini light, I found multiple LEDs in a muted color lit up the whole keyboard without blinding me or the person next to me.
I'm still not happy about the lack of backlighting in the 2010 MBA keyboard but this is an acceptable workaround when needed.
Dear,
The missing of the backlight sucks! However Apple is all about strategy, And I think the missing of the backlight together with Steve's clear hint (the future of macbooks), we can all predict where this will lead to.
The current MBA will be the entry macbook
The future MBP will be based on the air, with SSD and no optical drive.
I predict we will have later next year a new line up where all MBP's are in fact airs. Means we finally can see a 17" MBA.
I do think Apple bite the bullet and take a big step the next round, and will remove all optical drives in the new MBP.
Therefore the backlight is missing, since this MBA lineup as we seen now will be Apples entry level Macbook.
Next year will be an excited Macbook year. Mark my words. Steve was very clear when he said "the future of Macbooks"
With kind regards,
Bas
So Apple removed the BL KB and added a USB port, which we need to use to get some light onto the keys so at the end we still have only one usable USB port...? Great
Oh, poor youSo Apple removed the BL KB and added a USB port, which we need to use to get some light onto the keys so at the end we still have only one usable USB port...? Great
I predict that Consumer Report will list the MBA as not-recommended. Then Apple will have a press conference to explain why they didn't backlight the keyboard. Finally, Apple will offer a free LED flex lamp to all buyers of the MBA past, present, and future.
But if you're someone who can't live without backlit keyboards, simply don't buy the MBA.
Not a dealbreaker for me but it is a great feature that is lacking. As the most portable mac I would imagine it is the one which needs it most
Are these people serious? The lack of a backlit keyboard is a deal-breaker? These people have to just be jerking us all around.
They put a chipset that is due to be sunset inside this machine, but the no backlit keyboard thing is what you all can't see past?
There's a point at which form has to bend to function. Design is about making choices. The clamshell was beautiful, but wasted a great deal of space. The wedge was a logical progression. The backlit keyboard consumed too much energy and space weighed against the value that it added to the majority of consumers. At the end of the day, people don't look at their fingers when they type most of the time, and even when they do, the screen illuminates the keyboard.
I really have to question the veracity of the claims of those who say that a lack of a backlit keyboard is a deal-breaker.
You type in the dark often huh? good for your eyes man.
If you want an ugly glowing keyboard, go buy an alienware or something.
Are these people serious? The lack of a backlit keyboard is a deal-breaker? These people have to just be jerking us all around.
They put a chipset that is due to be sunset inside this machine, but the no backlit keyboard thing is what you all can't see past?
There's a point at which form has to bend to function. Design is about making choices. The clamshell was beautiful, but wasted a great deal of space. The wedge was a logical progression. The backlit keyboard consumed too much energy and space weighed against the value that it added to the majority of consumers. At the end of the day, people don't look at their fingers when they type most of the time, and even when they do, the screen illuminates the keyboard.
I really have to question the veracity of the claims of those who say that a lack of a backlit keyboard is a deal-breaker.
If you have to have a backlit keyboard, I would recommend against buying a Macbook Air.
Didn't realize so many folks typed in the dark.
Many of us use our computers after sunset.
"There's a lightswitch for that."