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

So you confirm what I said, most of the time software used to type are not using dark background. As far as know the keyboard is totally useless when you open a picture in fullscreen, so the backlight in that case is just totally useless.

As of being an exceptional case, I'm not, otherwise all laptops would have backlit keyboard because it'd be a highly demanded feature. The reality is that most of users don't care very much about his feature and consider it as a gadget. A nice gadget indeed, but a gadget.

"The reality is that most of users don't care very much about his (sic) feature and consider it as a gadget. A nice gadget indeed, but a gadget."

Here's "reality" for you: Most laptop users don't care very much about the MacBook Air and consider it as a gadget. Those of us who DO care very much about the MBA care VERY MUCH about the backlit keyboard.

Reading the comments on this board, it appears that at least a dozen purchasers had their credit card in hand, ready to buy a new MBA, but stopped at least partly because of the omission of the backlit keyboard (I'm one of those people). That's not trivial.

If you, personally, don't want a backlit keyboard, fine. But please don't presume to tell the rest of us what is useful, desirable or important for us.

@iFrodo: When I say exceptional case, I mean "to have a backlit keyboard and decided not to use it".

Also, I did try turning off the backlit just now and working in the dark, to be frank, I still can see the keys, but really not very easy, especially after focusing your eyes in a bright screen for sometime. Your eyes will need time to adjust to the darkness of the keyboard area before you can see the keys, it's short time but still sometime.

Anyway, this Macbook Air still very attractive to me and still want to have it. Considering now.

@iFrodo - I am not buying this mba, just like this simple. Yes because of the backlit kb.

Maybe you should also question why they pull it off from mba, because its completely useless for "you"?

I'm another 'exceptional case': I write a lot on airplanes and while putting kids to sleep. This is one of the most appreciated features on my current first generation MBA.

I was about to upgrade, but to heck with it. While I appreciate minimalism, cost control, and all the other Apple design principles, this is just silly.

No purchase.

I was also very excited about the new MBA. Was going to give up one of my other mac portables to get the 11 incher. When I heard about their was no back lit keyboard, I honestly could not believe it. I went to the store to see it and to confirm it. I just don't know what these were thinking.

I got my wife one of the previous models of macbooks the lowest priced one that was the only version that did not come with this option and that lasted not very long when Apple made this feature in all models.

I would no sooner buy this model with out a backlight keyboard than I would go dancing naked in times square in the middle of january.

I find even this feature essential, and I am sure many others who are not touch typers feel the same way. Also my night vision is not what it once was and I can not see the keyboard typing in low light even if the screen is lit 100%.

Apple you suck for doing this.

Just want to add my voice to the missing backlit keyboard. Shocking omission. Big stumble. Not fixable with a free bumper.

I'm returning both of the MBAs we bought. Imagine paying $1799 for the top model and no backlit keyboard? Unacceptable.

When Apple offers an MBA with a backlit keyboard again, I'll be the first in line to buy one.

Message was edited by: rob_ART

I agree entirely with those saying that the backlighting is a highly desirable feature and am very, very disappointed that it isn't there any more.

Despite that, I won't be cancelling my purchase of the 2.13/256 13.3" yesterday since there are such other improvements. I'll be highly upset if there's a quick rethink though!

I guess one can get a clip on light as a compromise.

Remember June 09, within 3 months after they refresh the MBP 13" & 15", Apple has put anti-glare screen for 15" as an option, an option that you have to pay "more".

Same thing might happen for this MBA.

Last night i tested this in a real world situation, i was in bed in a completely dark room with my macbook air's brightness on 75%. I own 2 forums both are dark websites, one is grey, and the other is mostly black and some grey. I was on my forum for hours typing away and intentionally looking at the keyboard which i usually don't do and at all times i could see all the letters with no problem. I also opened photoshop, opened a black image zoomed into it so the screen was completely back, and at 50% i could see the keys just fine....

Yes, I bet everyone can see just fine. But:
- Very tiring for the eyes when switching from bright screen (like this discussion forum screen) to the dark keyboard.
- Need time for eyes to adjust (may be in mili-second, nano-second, but still need time.
- Imagine you are reading a book in poor lighting condition and compare with ready in the library with proper lighting.

Sure everyone can live without it. But it's will not be a happy life.

Maybe running a forum is manageable while touch-typing or looking at darkened keys. I don't dispute that. But I write stories, and stumbling over dark keyboard breaks concentration and the free flow of thought. At least in my case.

Backlit keyboards, comfortable environment, and outstanding writing programs (like Scrivener) were the reason for my switch from a Windows laptop to an MBA. The good news is that all my writing programs still run well on my old machine. The others I wanted to be able to run are nice-to-have's, so I'll simply not upgrade.

It ***** when cost saving gets in the way of functionality.

Having said I was going to cancel my order am in a dilemma now as I really want the new features and having already waited 9 months don't want to have to wait another x months. But how much will it annoy me having to go to no backlighting? Have ordered an LED USB light to try on my current macbook air and am practising my touch typing but it wont be such an enjoyable experience using one without the backlit keyboard - even my Mum who shows no inetrest in computers normally said how could Apple have done something so stupid?

Huge fail.

Glad I saw this thread before buying a new MacBooks Air.

Wow that's a big fail.

Mojo