Why do you think Apple chose green for the caps and number lock keys?

[lu0s3r322]

I was just wondering since I've been using the caps lock key a lot lately, is there any reason why Apple chose to make them light up green when they are activated? Are they green on the Macbooks (I only have MBP)?

Even though this won't change the color in the future, I was just wondering because in my opinion, the green just looks out of place on the keyboard. I would have much rather liked a white like the backlit keyboard and have it turn black when the backlight was on. Or if that isn't possible, blue would be my second choice. But green?

 

[Stampyhead]

in my opinion, the green just looks out of place on the keyboard.

This may be exactly why they used it. If it looks out of place you'll notice that it's on.
I could be wrong, but it makes sense to me...

 

[TequilaBoobs]

green is the color most picked by geniuses as their favorite color.

 

[~Shard~]

They made it green due to it being the color of money and Christmas trees.

 

[Kane.Elson]

Because pretty much every keyboard I have seen uses green and sometimes red... I can't really remember though I don't pay that much attention to asthetics.

 

[Irish Dave]

I was just wondering since I've been using the caps lock key a lot lately, is there any reason why Apple chose to make them light up green when they are activated? Are they green on the Macbooks (I only have MBP)?

Even though this won't change the color in the future, I was just wondering because in my opinion, the green just looks out of place on the keyboard. I would have much rather liked a white like the backlit keyboard and have it turn black when the backlight was on. Or if that isn't possible, blue would be my second choice. But green?

Hi,
Obviously it's because Green is the colour of the Emerald Isle (LOL)

Dave

 

[MoparShaha]

Well, I can tell you why it's not white: it wouldn't be noticeable when the keyboard was illuminated.

The hue of the green has changed on the MPB's from the days of the PB. My 12" PB's green lights were lighter and less saturated than my MBP's.

While I agree blue is "cooler" than green, I appreciate that my MBP doesn't light up like a blue christmas tree like most other PC laptops. HP's are the worst, they have a dozen blue LED's blinding the user. Ridiculous...

 

[EvryDayImShufln]

Actually the blue wavelength makes it hard to see properly. I dont know why this is exactly, but if you've ever noticed, blue light up writing is harder to read than most colors. I'm assuming green is one of the easiest to, but I may be wrong.

 

[aaronw1986]

cause green looks cool,

 

[katie ta achoo]

Green is right smack dab in the middle of the visual light spectrum.
IIRC, it's the easiest to see-- that's why night vision goggles are green.

Then again it's 2:30 am and I just finished decorating a cake and snacking on the nice, rummy frosting...

 

[amd4me]

green is the color most picked by geniuses as their favorite color.

Really?
Green has always been my favourite color.

 

[mad jew]

Green is cheaper to produce.

This post, and similar future posts, may have been created under the influence of eggnog and brandy sauce.​

 

[Infinity]

I'm suprised no graphic designers have commented that green is the colour that has the most visible wavelength for humans.

 

[iBookG4user]

I'm suprised no graphic designers have commented that green is the colour that has the most visible wavelength for humans.

see quote below.

Green is right smack dab in the middle of the visual light spectrum.
IIRC, it's the easiest to see-- that's why night vision goggles are green.

Then again it's 2:30 am and I just finished decorating a cake and snacking on the nice, rummy frosting...

And I would say it's because you'd be most likely to see the green if it comes on by accident than say a white. It has to stand out, or so I would think.

 

[Cybergypsy]

green is the color most picked by geniuses as their favorite color.

Since i have hated green always......... Hummmmmmmmmmm

 

[someguy]

I wish it were orange.

 

[mkrishnan]

Actually the blue wavelength makes it hard to see properly. I dont know why this is exactly, but if you've ever noticed, blue light up writing is harder to read than most colors. I'm assuming green is one of the easiest to, but I may be wrong.

Green is right smack dab in the middle of the visual light spectrum.
IIRC, it's the easiest to see-- that's why night vision goggles are green.

You're both very correct... the eye has three types of cells (cones) that see color -- one of them peaks in the red, one peaks in sensitivity in the yellow-green, and the last in the blue. But each has a broad band of sensitivity. Iif you take into account the density of each cell type (there are far fewer blue cells than the other two) and the sensitivity profiles, the eye is most sensitive to sort of lighter greens around where the lights are.

Also, interestingly, as there are far fewer blue cone cells (around 2% of all cone cells, I think) than red or green, and they're actually not located dead center on the focus spot of the retina, if you actually ever do see patterns (letters, etc), that are illuminated in just high-frequency blue light, it's *very* hard to make out what you're looking at, and it appears kind of ghosty, because you just don't have very many cone cells that can see this light in order to produce a strong perception of the pattern.

Also, though, the lights on the keys match the light on the power cable.

 

[EvryDayImShufln]

You're both very correct... the eye has three types of cells (cones) that see color -- one of them peaks in the red, one peaks in sensitivity in the yellow-green, and the last in the blue. But each has a broad band of sensitivity. Iif you take into account the density of each cell type (there are far fewer blue cells than the other two) and the sensitivity profiles, the eye is most sensitive to sort of lighter greens around where the lights are.

Also, interestingly, as there are far fewer blue cone cells (around 2% of all cone cells, I think) than red or green, and they're actually not located dead center on the focus spot of the retina, if you actually ever do see patterns (letters, etc), that are illuminated in just high-frequency blue light, it's *very* hard to make out what you're looking at, and it appears kind of ghosty, because you just don't have very many cone cells that can see this light in order to produce a strong perception of the pattern.

Also, though, the lights on the keys match the light on the power cable.

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that information. Are you studying biology of some sort?

 

[mkrishnan]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing that information. Are you studying biology of some sort?

Neuropsychology. So I'm more interested in the brain than the periphery, but I do have to know all that stuff too.

But interestingly I also did optics once upon a time and all that was a topic of discussion when we were playing with the lasers.

 

[Copland]

Just to chime in, I have a MacBook and its number lock and caps lock buttons also light up green.

The explanation about green sticking out and being easiest to process make sense.

 

[adrianblaine]

Actually the blue wavelength makes it hard to see properly. I dont know why this is exactly, but if you've ever noticed, blue light up writing is harder to read than most colors. I'm assuming green is one of the easiest to, but I may be wrong.

I've been noticing that more fire trucks are going to the yellowish green color instead of red. I heard that they are easier to see at night.

 

[Victory]

I think it's because it stands out.

 

[TequilaBoobs]

I've been noticing that more fire trucks are going to the yellowish green color instead of red. I heard that they are easier to see at night.

thats a hoax. at first the number of accidents went down when the red changed to green, but that was shown to be the result of a novelty effect. anything that surprises you will draw more attention.

 

[TequilaBoobs]

Really?
Green has always been my favourite color.

thats promising for you, but remember that doesn't mean youre a genius.
but u could be!

 

[TequilaBoobs]

You're both very correct... the eye has three types of cells (cones) that see color -- one of them peaks in the red, one peaks in sensitivity in the yellow-green, and the last in the blue. But each has a broad band of sensitivity. Iif you take into account the density of each cell type (there are far fewer blue cells than the other two) and the sensitivity profiles, the eye is most sensitive to sort of lighter greens around where the lights are.

Also, interestingly, as there are far fewer blue cone cells (around 2% of all cone cells, I think) than red or green, and they're actually not located dead center on the focus spot of the retina, if you actually ever do see patterns (letters, etc), that are illuminated in just high-frequency blue light, it's *very* hard to make out what you're looking at, and it appears kind of ghosty, because you just don't have very many cone cells that can see this light in order to produce a strong perception of the pattern.

Also, though, the lights on the keys match the light on the power cable.

neuropsych rears its ugly head. bad memories, though i did get an A- in that course.