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C64

macrumors 65816
Sep 3, 2008
1,236
222
http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Light-Flexible-Travel-Notebook/dp/B0002AKX6Y/

31ji9V1%2BH6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Price: $1.13 :cool:
 

Sound Evolution

macrumors 6502
Oct 30, 2007
414
0
Netherlands
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
 

Mr. Savage

macrumors regular
Jun 11, 2010
248
0
Toronto
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

Fizzwinkus, Apple is a business. I Assure you, price was, is and always will be the top consideration.

Sound Evolution: yep ;)
 

barefeats

macrumors 65816
Jul 6, 2000
1,058
19
Most important 2010 MBA accessory


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.
 

gri

macrumors 6502a
Jul 17, 2004
845
183
New York City, aka Big Apple
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.

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
 

Parrotlet

macrumors member
Oct 24, 2010
48
0
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

I agree with Dutchie here
 

AAPLaday

Guest
Aug 6, 2008
2,411
2
Manchester UK
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

Haha thats what i was thinking but im far too cynical and thought it was just my reasoning :D
 

stevensr123

macrumors 6502
Apr 22, 2010
354
0
I will be getting the 11' for xmas, This was a none factor for me, because I'm so used to the keyboards on macs i don't even have to look at them. I have never used the backlight on any of my macbooks i have had, even in the dark. Although I can understand people moaning about it.
 

C64

macrumors 65816
Sep 3, 2008
1,236
222
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 you :)

Bus seriously, if someone does decide to buy a new Air despite the lacking backlit keyboard, there's still a very cheap solution to give you a bit more light in those situations where you really need it. The letters on the keys seem to be reflective, so even in low light, the light from the screen itself will light up the letters a bit. But when you're in a plane every once in a while or whatever and you do need more light, a light like this might not be such a bad idea. And you probably don't need all your USB ports at that time. Also check out DealExtreme with free shipping: http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.usb led.

But if you're someone who can't live without backlit keyboards, simply don't buy the MBA.
 

barefeats

macrumors 65816
Jul 6, 2000
1,058
19
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.
 

C64

macrumors 65816
Sep 3, 2008
1,236
222
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.

:D
 

gri

macrumors 6502a
Jul 17, 2004
845
183
New York City, aka Big Apple
But if you're someone who can't live without backlit keyboards, simply don't buy the MBA.

Thats what I am doing. I will check it out once I get to the Apple Store at 5th Ave but probably wait until the new lineup comes (which I also predict like previously posted here. Would love to have the +2G Ram and +128 G SSD but my current MBA is doing still quite fine...
 

drbob20

macrumors member
Jan 16, 2008
30
0
What's with all the whiners?? Really is it that big of a deal (must be for some). Few things, I have a newer MBP (for my wife) which I've been using until I just purchased a new MBA 13" on Saturday, without the back lit keyboard and yes while the back lit keyboard is a very cool feature you can definitely see & use the keys without. The MBA, so far, has been awesome and serves the purpose I got it for, surfing, basic apps, portability and for the kids to use. It's light, quiet, fast enough and I no longer have to share the laptop with my wife. IMO if the keyboard is that big of a deal get the MBP, again just my opinion.
 

darngooddesign

macrumors P6
Jul 4, 2007
18,366
10,128
Atlanta, GA
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.

I have nothing to prove to you and yes its a deal breaker.
 

Meever

macrumors 6502a
Jun 30, 2009
641
30
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.

If all you're going to be doing is attacking people or making unhelpful comments filled with malice go post somewhere else or something.
 

Mactagonist

macrumors 65816
Feb 5, 2008
1,111
202
NYC - Manhattan
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.

Can we have a source for the bolded assertions please? Specifically, the amount of power consumed by the backlit keyboard and the size of its components. Because I am sure you arnt just pulling that out of thin air right?
 

barefeats

macrumors 65816
Jul 6, 2000
1,058
19
I've heard from two engineering sources that space was the issue with including the backlighting. If that's true, Steve and company chose form over function. When snazzy design trumps helpful features, the user suffers.
 

MikePA

macrumors 68020
Aug 17, 2008
2,039
0
If you have to have a backlit keyboard, I would recommend against buying a Macbook Air.

Simple, concise advice. Everyone has different requirements and places different importance on each one. These requirements are neither right nor wrong. Anyone who thinks they are is simply arrogant and self centered, thinking their requirements should be shared by everyone else.
 
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