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

I'm working on it. The mall has been a zoo lately because of the holiday rush. I haven't gotten back to the Apple Store in the past couple of days, but I will do it soon!

I am just amazed how people are having a hissy fit over a non lit keyboard. Do you all not know where the keys are? Maybe you should take some typing classes so you can type without having to look at the keys. I can't help but chuckle at how many people are just OMG how can this be having a moment over something so trivial. The fact is the air is a great new little laptop and I think this should be the focus. I can type just fine anywhere and to be honest I am so glad the backlit keyboard is gone. Nothing more annoying than glowing keys, however I suppose if you're a person who "pecks" with two fingers and have to look at each key how that could be a problem. I didn't even notice it didn't have the lit keys until I went to use it in a darker room. It wasn't a deal breaker for me. I love this thing and it's speedy pace and most people cannot believe how fast it goes. I am very happy with my purchase and I urge others to give it a try rather than just nixing it due to an unlit keyboard. Anyhow that's my two cents. Do with it what you like.

I am amazed that you're amazed.

How cute you are 🙂

The results of my dark store test is that nothing replaces a backlit keyboard. The keys look bright and reflective with good, overhead lighting, but take that light away, and the letters on the keys virtually disappear in a sea of little black squares. Settling for the new Air would be a major compromise if you are used to the backlit keyboard of the older versions. So it looks like my $1400 for a fully specced out 11 inch MacBook Air will not be going to Apple this time around.

....And I, too am amazed that this GAL is amazed at all of our complaining. What was Jobs thinking?

This really could have been a perfect, little computer, but someone dropped the ball at Apple and messed it all up!

Message was edited by: Hungedu

Message was edited by: Hungedu

Message was edited by: Hungedu

That guy.... is a gal.

Hi Guys

I've been subscribed to this post since day 1 and I was one of the original guys saying this was a huge mistake by Apple.

I have to eat my words - I've had the top spec model since launch and it is simply amazing. It is a huge leap forward on my previous rev c model every way except one - specifically it doesn't spin up the fans unless really busy, doesn't get hot, amazing screen, super battery and runs Win 7 really well under bootcamp (sorry MacOS users)

Oh and the keyboard - it's a none issue - if you are familiar with the apple keyboard layout (the UK one hasn't changed for years) then the reflection onto the keys form the LCD means I can use it in any light conditions. I travel extensively for my job and it works in a dark hotel, airplane - everywhere - honestly I'm not pulling your leg. I accept it is not as good as backlit - but it works fine for me.

Don't think twice about buying the 13" - it is wonderful compared to anything else out there.

(If you can stretch for the 27 LED display it is a good partner as it just rests on the base of the stand beneath the screen and all the connections there to power it and provide good screen space and decent sound)

Hmmm. I dont think anyone here is having a hissy.
I just think that Apple has had great products. Mainly due to
their creative thinking. Personally I am a person who has to "hunt and peck".
I think it is nice to have a backlit keyboard available if one needs it.
I do firmly believe Apple should leave the option of backlit keys in for the consumer to decide
as to whether or not he or she should need it is all.

+Omitting the backlit keyboard was a HUGE (Apple). Additionally, the Macbook Air was the last bastion at Apple for those of us who prefer (and rightly so) MATTE finish displays. A glossy display on an ultraportable is like Christmas in July - it just doesn't belong.+

The wife has a MacBook Pro with a back-lit keyboard. I have a MacBook Pro with a back-lit keyboard. I gave her a MacBook Air 11" for Christmas without a back-lit keyboard. She said the Air without the back-lit keyboard is a non-issue because she can type without looking at the keys and even if she does look at the keys, the screen lights it sufficiently. Thank you, Santa Jobs.

zoz

Have had my new Macbook Air for 2 weeks now and just realized after reading this that it doesn't have the backlit keyboard (guess I never needed it). Wow! I definitely would NOT have upgraded if I had noticed that. Plus it keeps crashing. I'm ready to go back to my previous Macbook Air (but I already passed it on to someone else). Bummer!!!!!!

I have had my MBA for nearly two-months now and am delighted with it in all respects. In reading your post, particularly with regard to your comment; "it keeps crashing" I can't help but wonder what the specific failure mode is that you are experiencing. In my view this is the best computer I have ever had. I have had numerous PCs in the past and a good number of Macs.

My point is that this is a great laptop and I think that it shouldn't be dismissed because of the non lit keyboard. I have a Macbook Pro 15" top of the line and I got it last year. It works great, still use it for photo editing and my graphics design, but I've found myself using the Air non stop. It loads up lightening quick (and I installed iWorks) and it doesn't get warm like my MBP. It's so light that it makes travel fantastic. However, I do agree that they should have the lit keyboard as an option, because then it truly would be the perfect little laptop. But if you type without looking at the keys as I do, this won't be an issue, promise. I never write to discuss items unless I see it truly deserves it, and this is an item that deserves the applause. Just try one out. And I am sure that they will come up with a lit keyboard by next year that will satisfy all the criteria. Just keep e-mailing them. And my hissy fit comment was made to the earlier postings where people were freaking out about it. Anyhow, I am a fan, I love this thing if you can't tell 😉

I have never owned a mac and finally dove into buying one, after doing research on it and watching the Steve Jobs video addressing the new Macbook air in which he so proudly stated it had the ambiance lighting, then watched a few other videos and it stated the same thing, the keypad light was a very important issue to me and so i bought the 13" Macbook Air. Used it for 1 week and realized the keys were not lighting up, now I read this. Was this decided when they manufactured it because it was supposed to be a feature of this Mac.

Message was edited by: Moez

"Ambiance lighting" sounds too vague for me to believe it transcribes to 'backlit keyboard' - OR possibly you may have watched the videos of the unveiling of the original MacBook Air from 2008?

Either way, I never heard Jobs or Apple confirm a backlit keyboard for these particular models. It's a bummer indeed, but I don't need backlit keys. They'd be great for WOW factor though!

At first, I was very hesitant finding out the keys weren't backlit so I thought I'd check out and see what the potential Discussions that were going on here were. Seems to be the hot topic. Keep this up and maybe the "people have spoken" for the next generation of Airs. Now watch all of these satisfied posters turn tyrant IF the next-gen models come with the backlit keys!

Message was edited by: iRell

what nerves me most is in this discussion group here... DID YOU SAW ONE Posting, Answer from Apple in here? What is that Apple.com-Support-Discussions ... I HARDLY found in any discussion someone from Apple made a statement to SUPPORT what people asking for!!!

And YES, also myself will NOT by the new MBA till it get his backlight keyboard back.
Yeah its a TINY Feature.. but several of that tiny features made me buy my first apple computer !!

chris