No Backlit Keyboard? GLOSSY screen????!!!!!

is this for sure? [ie: no backlit keyboard]

Likewise no backlit keyboard 😟 has killed it for me I'll stick with my iPad for the foreseeable future

According to the comparison specs on Apple's website, the new MBAs do NOT have backlit keyboards -- none of them.

Surprising and disappointing.

Apple blew it bigtime for me. I'll never upgrade to the new Air. I have a current Air with SSD and the backlit KB is a must-have.

Why in the world did they pull that? Sorry Steve. you aren't perfect. What are you thinking? Lame....lame...lame.

I called Apple and can confirm:

No backlight keyboard for the new Macbook Air modells!

I ordered 2 new Macbook Air's... now i will cancel the order! 😟

Such a disappointment... unbelieavable... 😟

OUCH!
I was ready to buy until I read this. I can't go back to a non-backlit keyboard.

I ordered the 11.6 today before I realized the keyboard was not backlight. It never even crossed my mind that apple would remove this key feature that had been part of the MBA since it's inception. I am canceling my order as well.

Did anyone at Apple try typing on their black keyboard with the lights down?

Besides, if the issue was battery life, they could have simply given us the option of turning off the backlighting. To remove it altogether is a total FAIL in my book.

Would have purchased the 13" but expected at least an i3 and definitely a back lit keyboard.

I couldn't agree with you more. I was just going to purchase the new 13" MBA with 2.13GHZ, 4GB RAM, and 256GB of memory to replace my older MBA. I cannot lose the backlit keyboard feature since I often work on the road in dimly lit coffee shops and hotel rooms. This was the deal breaker for me. Maybe I'll consider the next generation model when the problem is corrected.

I'm kind of surprised by the number of people who think they need the backlit keyboard. Sure, it can be nice, but I learned to touch type so long ago, that I hardly ever need it. Light from the screen is more than enough for those few times. Now, if they had made a less-than-full size keyboard, I would have been upset.

I'm a bit more peeved at the missing IR receiver. I use my old MacBook for presentations all the time, and I love the remote that came with it. I'm not looking forward to the third party options.

I am reconsidering now because it does not come with the backlit keyboard - it is these subtle features that sets the Macbook apart

Besides, if the issue was battery life, they could have simply given us the option of turning off the backlighting. To remove it altogether is a total FAIL in my book.

Very true. Once you have lit keys, you never want to be without them. The backlit keyboard is lit by just a few LEDs which use very little power. LEDs cost very little too. I can't believe Apple went and done that. I won't order one now either. I wonder who signed off on this? I read Jobs does not believe in focus groups, but when he does a presentation, he keeps expressing how Apple listens to what customers want. Really. Well if you polled 100 people that used a laptop with backlighting, how may do you think would settle for one without?

Let Apple know how you feel. http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookair.html

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Maybe the backlighting just couldn't fit with the slimmer design. Even the 13" MBA is thinner than it was before. Who really knows the reason until Steve Jobs answers the question personally on why no backlighting.

Agree with everyone on backlit keyboard. Once you use one you can't go back. Also why no sd card on 11 inch? Space?

Seconded on the SD Card. Even with that crappy old tech processor, the 11" model was attractive at $1000 as an alternative to the 64GB Wi-fi iPad. $300 more for a lot more machine. But the SD Card slot was a highly attractive feature vs. the iPad camera connector kit. Without it I'm honestly not even slightly interested.