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

It really is too bad that who ever decided to pull the idea of including a Backlit Keyboard on the new release of Macbook Air (late 2010). I certainly was not expecting this to happen, considering how it was standard on the previous one.

One logical explanation is Apple's clever marketing tactics. Since it's all psychology behind it, marketing tricks people into wanting the best-of-the-best products and features, and now an Apple back-lit keyboard comes down to if you want it really bad, you'll have to pay extra for it! Effective today that Back-lit keyboard is now a premium feature, offered in the more expensive models. So open up your wallets more, you won't get shares in Apple, but you'll certainly have that precious Back-lit keyboard again by purchasing a MacBook Pro instead.

Overall, I think it was a bad idea to subtract a feature like that when consumers loved it so much and had gotten used to equating MacBook Air with Back-lit keyboards. It's like snatching candy from a baby.

I will be waiting until 2011's product refreshments to iPad and the rest of the line, when things come standard with OS X Lion. Wait if you can and save your Christmas spending dollars for something else. 🙂

I ordered the 11.6 today before I realized the keyboard was not backlit. 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.

No Backlit? Just changed my decision to switch back to the MBA. No chance without backlit keyboard.

Cancelled order from me - one of THE most satisfying features and gets culled in the model upgrade.

I honestly couldn't believe it when I found out.

Come on apple.....

I still cannot get over this decision.

The MBA is a premium device and it is a huge mistake to remove the backlit keyboard.

I have been used to this fantastic feature for years in various MacBooks and there is no way you could live without it.

Anyone who has ordered and thinks they can is making a huge mistake.

I ordered last night before I was made aware and have just cancelled this morning.

Apple - if you announce a new version with backlit, even if more expensive - people will pay and I will still support your products in our company

Unfortunately the lack of a backlit keyboard was a deal breaker for me as well. Had to cancel my order for a 2.13Ghz, 256GB, 4GB 13". I ordered one 'assuming' that it would have this feature. I'll stick with my 2.13GHz, 128GB SSD, 2GB 13" Air I bought over a year ago.

As for it having a glossy screen... All MacBook Airs have had glossy screens... I'm not sure why people are finding this an issue?

Backlighting Issue.

I didn't know people felt so strongly about backlighting. I once had a 17" MBP with
such a keyboard. Matter of fact, the keyboard was the old silver key type. I wish
they would have brought that back for their "back to the Mac" them. But I didn't
use backlighting much at all. I would like to hear how it is used in various settings
in the real world.

Thanks guys

In the real world, it gets dark on a reasonably-dependable 24-hour cycle. Back-lighted computer keyboards can be useful in these recurring dark periods.

I touch type at about 50-60 wpm without looking at the keyboard but I still need back-lighting to find e.g. the function keys. Plus I find backlit keys aesthetically pleasing and appropriate to a high-end product like the MBA.

Seems to me that a backlit keyboard is a lot like a/c or power windows in a car -- you may not actually NEED them all that much but, once you've HAD them, you won't buy another vehicle without them!

I also canceled my order for a fully-loaded MacBook Air (I was excited about the 4GB option) when it occurred to me to double check if the backlight keyboard was still a feature. Although it seems a small thing, and maybe I wouldn't need it if I was a better touch typist, but I just can't do without the backlighting at this point particularly when typing in bed.

If I had to guess, I think it was more likely removed due to size constraints, to make the MB thinner, than for power savings. For me, the lack of backlighting probably increases my battery drain, as I would surely resort to turning up the brightness on the screen to see the keys.

I certainly hope they will re-introduce this feature, perhaps when they do a processor refresh in a year or so. Until then, I'll still with the MBP.

-erik

no backlit keyboard & no usb 3 is deal breaker for me

with usb3 i can buy xternal SSD drive for more storage and use it with high speed.

Agree on the backlit keyboard - and personally also hate the glossy non-option.

I spent an hour pulling together all the bits to go with this purchase and as soon as i saw the endgadget vid clip that said "no backlit kb" on either model, that was it.

especially when the processor is the same as my current MBA. c'mon! less is sometimes just less.

My hope is that the "we think this is the future of notebooks" tag in the presentation means the current mbp 13 inch may morph into what the air should be: faster processor, more ram, backlit keys, non glossy screen option, kill the dvd drive. isn't this what y'all were kind of expecting??

cygn

i agree. no backlit keyboard is fail! i looked on specs part of mac book air page and it was not listed. jeez

I'm so upset about this! I know it's a small feature to be a dealbreaker, but my Macbook introduced me to backlit keyboards and it's one of my favorite features. I was two clicks away from ordering the 13" model when I found out it was missing. Not sure what I'll do now, maybe keep waiting...

I have been waiting for this MBA refresh for quite some time. I really LOVE my Rev. A but the 64GB SSD is just getting too small for my needs. I would have purchased a new one today (13", 2.13Ghz, 256GB, 4GB Ram, $1799) but it has NO BACK-LIGHT??? What was Apple thinking? If I'm going to pay almost $2000 for a Mac I want a back-lit keyboard... Guess I'll be holding on to my current machine for another year or two.