Why no backlit keyboard

[foiden]

So the heat sinks on LED light bulbs are purely decorative?

Never seen them on tiny bulbs. Which I figured is all you need for the keyboard. Still, I have no real issue with not having the backlit keyboard. This actually more than replaces my Macbook and old gateway, and those didn't have it either. Just stating what I think more people may have wanted, as a feature, if the choice was for better audio speakers and backlight. Just because of the nature of where the Air would get the most use. Though I will comment that the new speakers are nice. They actually beat my old gateway laptop speakers and those were nicely visible.

 

[SPEEDwithJJ]

I think a lot of people "overlook" one thing on the keyboard layout on the new MBAs.

IMHO, adding the keyboard backlights will also mean a "redesign" or adding an extra button to the top row (the one that contains the function buttons) simply because in this revision of the MBAs, the "Power" button has been moved onto the top row of the keyboard. Therefore, right now, there is only 1 empty slot left on the top row. With the keyboard backlit options, you'll need 2 buttons. One for brightening the keyboard backlights, one for dimming the keyboard backlights.

So do you think Mr. Jobs (given his obsession with "perfectness") is going to allow the addition of one more button to the top row of the keyboard while in the process of doing that, shorten the width of those buttons to accommodate the extra button & thus deviate from the "perfect" layout of the keyboard?

 

[JoeG4]

Or they could just not put brightness buttons on the keyboard

 

[mrsir2009]

I think a lot of people "overlook" one thing on the keyboard layout on the new MBAs.

IMHO, adding the keyboard backlights will also mean a "redesign" or adding an extra button to the top row (the one that contains the function buttons) simply because in this revision of the MBAs, the "Power" button has been moved onto the top row of the keyboard. Therefore, right now, there is only 1 empty slot left on the top row. With the keyboard backlit options, you'll need 2 buttons. One for brightening the keyboard backlights, one for dimming the keyboard backlights.

So do you think Mr. Jobs (given his obsession with "perfectness") is going to allow the addition of one more button to the top row of the keyboard while in the process of doing that, shorten the width of those buttons to accommodate the extra button & thus deviate from the "perfect" layout of the keyboard?

Why must they have those buttons on the keyboard anyway?

 

[gri]

I think a lot of people "overlook" one thing on the keyboard layout on the new MBAs.

IMHO, adding the keyboard backlights will also mean a "redesign" or adding an extra button to the top row (the one that contains the function buttons) simply because in this revision of the MBAs, the "Power" button has been moved onto the top row of the keyboard. Therefore, right now, there is only 1 empty slot left on the top row. With the keyboard backlit options, you'll need 2 buttons. One for brightening the keyboard backlights, one for dimming the keyboard backlights.

So do you think Mr. Jobs (given his obsession with "perfectness") is going to allow the addition of one more button to the top row of the keyboard while in the process of doing that, shorten the width of those buttons to accommodate the extra button & thus deviate from the "perfect" layout of the keyboard?

One button is fine, could bring up a little on top window with a slider that regulates the brightness...

I think the main point is that the MBA was the front rider in innovation. The new one in a way still is (SSD), in some ways it is just catching up (2 USB ports, Stereo speakers) and in some it is going backwards (BL KB). Innovation yes - but at the cost of going backwards in some others? I like and sometimes need the BL. (And spare me the "Learn to type comments", so stupid.)

 

[gwsat]

Why must they have those buttons on the keyboard anyway?

The obvious answer is that there is no necessity for having a dedicated key to control keyboard backlighting intensity. After I read the suggestion that the lack of such a button would preclude including the feature in the MBA, I had to look at my MBP's keyboard before I remembered that it even had such a control. One wonders just who should be rolling one's eyes at whom.

 

[chrono1081]

It most likely has to do with either not enough space, or something regarding battery life. Conspiracy theorists like the one above think otherwise though.

 

[gothamm]

It most likely has to do with either not enough space, or something regarding battery life. Conspiracy theorists like the one above think otherwise though.

No one here knows, but it is most likely due to reducing costs. The "space" issue is highly unlikely, as the backlit keyboard has been successfully implemented in the macbook air over 2 years ago. Also, battery life is highly unlikely, because the lighting simply does not consume much power at all.

 

[Skika]

I think a lot of people "overlook" one thing on the keyboard layout on the new MBAs.

IMHO, adding the keyboard backlights will also mean a "redesign" or adding an extra button to the top row (the one that contains the function buttons) simply because in this revision of the MBAs, the "Power" button has been moved onto the top row of the keyboard. Therefore, right now, there is only 1 empty slot left on the top row. With the keyboard backlit options, you'll need 2 buttons. One for brightening the keyboard backlights, one for dimming the keyboard backlights.

So do you think Mr. Jobs (given his obsession with "perfectness") is going to allow the addition of one more button to the top row of the keyboard while in the process of doing that, shorten the width of those buttons to accommodate the extra button & thus deviate from the "perfect" layout of the keyboard?

This gave me think why they didnt get rid of the eject button as the Air has no optical drive. And you cant use it to eject disks or anything else.

 

[gothamm]

I agree. The backlit keyboard is certainly not a must-have feature.

"must-have" eh?

.5 inches thin...not "must-have"
under 3 lbs...not "must-have"
isight...not "must-have"
multi-touch...not "must-have"
high rez screen...not "must-have"

 

[InsanelyApple]

"must-have" eh?

.5 inches thin...not "must-have"
under 3 lbs...not "must-have"
isight...not "must-have"
multi-touch...not "must-have"
high rez screen...not "must-have"

Nothing is really required besides plug-in, motherboard, RAM, and a hard drive. Not even a real OS with a GUI. (Yep, back in the days of DOS.)

 

[ScottFitz]

I'm in the market for a new laptop to replace my first generation MBA. The no backlit kb thing took the new one out of the running. I'm approaching 50 and my yes aint what they usd to be. it'll likely be an MBP now.

 

[mrsir2009]

The obvious answer is that there is no necessity for having a dedicated key to control keyboard backlighting intensity. After I read the suggestion that the lack of such a button would preclude including the feature in the MBA, I had to look at my MBP's keyboard before I remembered that it even had such a control. One wonders just who should be rolling one's eyes at whom.

Yes, if its controlled automatically there is no need for those buttons. I didn't even know what they were for till they were mentioned just now. I thought they were contrast or something like that.

 

[MacBook08]

This gave me think why they didnt get rid of the eject button as the Air has no optical drive.

It does if you buy an external one.

 

[MacBook08]

"must-have" eh?

.5 inches thin...not "must-have"
under 3 lbs...not "must-have"
isight...not "must-have"
multi-touch...not "must-have"
high rez screen...not "must-have"

The MBA would lose much of its function, as well as its purpose, if these features and characteristics were done away with. The MBA doesn't lose anything from lacking a keyboard that lights up.

Anyway, I've heard it's bad for your eyes to stare at a screen in the dark. If you need a lighted keyboard, when it's not dark, you've got problems. If you need to look at the keyboard at all when you type then you won't be getting much done anyway, so do something about it. Learn how to type. Aging eyesight is not an excuse for a skilled typist. (By the way, this part's not necessarily directed to you, gothamm.)

 

[3goldens]

still whinning about this?
Just is not a factor for me anymore, I love my MBA!

 

[lilo777]

I'm in the market for a new laptop to replace my first generation MBA. The no backlit kb thing took the new one out of the running. I'm approaching 50 and my yes aint what they usd to be. it'll likely be an MBP now.

Or Dell Adamo. Those do have backlit keyboard.

still whinning about this?
Just is not a factor for me anymore, I love my MBA!

3goldens on Oct 26, 2010:

I don't give a good god dam about the battery life, I want a backlit keyboard!

You are a really a glass half full kind of guy

 

[archurban]

simple. if you want that, you need to pay more. plus, it's no macbook pro 15inch or 17inch. you don't need fancy function. that actually kills your battery life.

 

[hcho3]

Money is the reason why. What else could be?

 

[lilo777]

simple. if you want that, you need to pay more. plus, it's no macbook pro 15inch or 17inch. you don't need fancy function. that actually kills your battery life.

Can I pay more and get backlit keyboard on MBA? I can on Dell Adamo.

 

[Mabyboi]

Learn how to type?

Exactly. Just learn to type. I haven't looked at my keyboard while typing since 1992.

I can type flawlessly without looking at the keyboard, i just feel like its alot nicer to have the backlit, i may have over exaggerated with what i said, but its still something great to have.

 

[chrono1081]

No one here knows, but it is most likely due to reducing costs. The "space" issue is highly unlikely, as the backlit keyboard has been successfully implemented in the macbook air over 2 years ago. Also, battery life is highly unlikely, because the lighting simply does not consume much power at all.

Yes but look at the internals of the new macbook air, they are quite different. Sure cost may play a part but I really think it was a space issue more than anything. I doubt Apple would throw away one of their most loved features without a really good reason.

 

[MikePA]

The real question is, "Will anyone post information or opinion that wasn't mentioned in the bazillion other threads about this same topic?" I know, maybe if enough people who are Search challenged start a new thread on this, Apple will add the backlight feature to their next rev and even send everyone else a light you can mount on your forehead that'll light up the keys.

 

[Mac32]

Come on people... There is only one answer, and that is ... MONEY.
Since this is the first version of a new design, Apple wants to maximize their revenues with the new MBA, and still keep the price reasonable. One way to do that is to exclude certain "extras" like LED lights and back-lighted keyboard. Also by putting the back-lighted keyboard back in when they release the next version of the MBA, more people will want to get rid off their old MBAs and get the new model. It's all about the bottom line.

 

[ikir]

Apples greed grows stronger by the day. A backlit keyboard would have been appreciated by many, but reduced Apples profit.

Result? No contest. Apple prevails. Always.

The Apple supporters will even advocate for Apple over themselves. So cult like, it's disturbing.

Ah ah ah, MacBook Air have much lower profit than older one, SSD by default cut a lot of profit. MacBook Air is custom made and it have a lot of developing costs. Backlit keyboard would have been a problem because costs and space. You really don't know anything about producing hardware. Next generation maybe will have it because: it will cost less to produce and they will save space with newer components.
If any defending apple choice is marked as fanboy or advocate... easy win for you.

You dislike Apple strategies? Buy something else you think has good value for money or innovation, we have choice.