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

Last night, I tried to turn off the backlit keyboard on my Macbook. Really hate it when there was no light. Mistyping happened continuously, especially when using the number keys and Fx keys.

Hate you, Apple. X(

No backlit keyboard is a moronic FUBAR decision by apple. The backlit KB on my current Air is perfect for flights and for working in the evenings when you don't have all the lights on. I also often use the laptop just before going to sleep in bed with the lights off so my wife can sleep (though she doesn't like it much), but she would like it even less if I had to keep the light on.

I was really looking forward to getting a smaller Air to make things even easier but just cant do it now. No No No. Why after years of convenience would you spend money to be inconvenienced. Whoever decided this should be shot.

At least I'd like for Apple to explain why they did it. Was it to save money, to help battery life (that would be a stupid reason), because of heat, because their judgment is poor? Why I wonder.

milbrua wrote:

frunkis54 wrote:
to everyone complaining about no backlight. do you also use a imac or mac pro? do you complain about that not having backlight either?

I don't complain about the lack of backlighting on my Mac Pro keyboard because I don't haul it around to dimly-lit places.

Exactly. Frunkis' post missed the whole point of having a portable computer. I hope it's not representative of how Apple engineers think.

<Goofy voice> Gee, MacPro keyboards are not lit, and folks still buy them... let's ditch the backlit on ultra-portables, too! </Goofy voice>

This showed stopper to buy New MBA. Hopefully Apple will consider to add soon.

Since this is the future of MacBooks as Steve said I think this is what is going to happen: The MB will be phased out. MBP will loose the optical drive (cloud and streaming is the new thing), get flash memory and the tapered design of the MBA. So, basically the MBA will be the new MB and the MBP will be the new and real MBA we all hoped for, a bit heavier I assume than the current ones. Maybe the 13 MBP will be the real update of the MBA as we liked it (BL KB, 4G RAM standard, BTO to 8G, 256-512 FLASH, etc.)

I will hold my urge to purchase the new MBA and wait what happens next year. My 13 inch 1.86 MBA is good enough and actually a bit better as it has a BL KB...

Right, you can just stick with the old mba but swap a SSD into it, it's all the new mba about.

Dito....very disappointing...just cancelled my order too...hopefully "they" will get the message and correct this issue....bumer....

The 11" MBA would be perfect for me however my eyesight is not the best and I am not a professional typist so
I'll have to pass on it due to the exclusion of the backlit keyboard. I'll buy a 13" MBP instead.

I like everything else about the the new MBA. I'm just so tempted to buy one lol.

The first accessory to buy for your 2010 MacBook Air with no backlit keyboard:
$10 USB LED flexible "Gooseneck" keyboard lights like this one:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/5a84/

Problem solved for the times the ambient light or screen brightness is not sufficient.

Ah nice one rob_ART. You have me thinking again...

Yes, either this USB light or if you type a lot in a very dark room or area constantly you should really just get a 13" MBP. Its very portable and much faster than the MBA's. If you just can't do without a super light form factor than the only option in a Windows laptop. Not worth it IMO just because the MBA's lack backlight keyboards.

The 13" MBP does seem like the direction I should go. I'll wait for the next refresh and then purchase one.

Let Apple know how you feel about them omitting the backlit keyboard on the new MacBook Air:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookair.html

Which brings you back to one usable USB port - and an ugly looking light dongle... Nope, not cutting it. Why do I need to buy something mediocre to replace something excellent? Will Steve's answer be "you are not looking at it the right way"

I agree. I'll go with a MBP instead. What a shame....