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Wild_Bill Author

Level 1

0 points

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

No thanks, Apple.

Omitting the backlit keyboard was a HUGE mistake on your part. 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.

I'll be holding out until someone at Apple comes to their senses and re-installs the backlit keyboard. I guess I'll get quite a few more miles with my Rev. C Macbook Air after all......... 8-(

Macbook Air Rev. C, Mac OS X (10.6.4), no backlit keyboard = NO SALE!

Posted on Oct 20, 2010 2:16 PM

376 replies

rob_ART

Level 2

426 points

Oct 24, 2010 5:44 PM in response to dj6961

regarding http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookair.html,
I posted my "suggested enhancement" there before I posted on this forum thread.

Everyone in this thread that either cancelled their order or decided not to place one should post their feelings on that page. If your order already shipped, call the Apple Store right away. They once told me to just refuse shipment. At the very least find out what your options are before you open the box.

Oct 24, 2010 9:09 PM in response to Wild_Bill

Dont care about hte Glossy screen.. but the no backlit keyboard is what made me not complete my cart… boo 😟 almost perfect… but maybe in a couple of months after I test drive one...

purcelul

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2010 12:14 AM in response to VicMacsPrieto

I was about to order an 11' Air when I discovered there is no backlit keyboard on this machine. What on Earth they were thinking about at Apple? Until they fix that I won't touch the new Air. This is truly a deal breaker, unfortunately.

LanTao

Level 1

4 points

Oct 25, 2010 2:31 AM in response to dbs

As of today, the Dutch Apple Store still lists a backlit keyboard for the MBA. I guess it'll be changed soon. Screenshot: http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs385.ash2/66314454725804635_684499635_5215973_2565000n.jpg

rob_ART

Level 2

426 points

Oct 25, 2010 6:39 AM in response to Wild_Bill

PROBLEM SOLVED: Three Ways To Overcome The Lack of a Backlit Keyboard on the 2010 MacBook Air

http://barefeats.com/mbpp28.html

Oct 25, 2010 10:22 AM in response to Mac-Medic

I just got rid of some steam thanks to your feedback link.

This is really my first major turn off towards an apple product.

Just cancelled my order as well.

Unreal, or may I say stupid, or obviously predictable, wanting us to buy the next years 11" mac air WITH backlighting. THUMB DOWN !

Oct 25, 2010 1:02 PM in response to Wild_Bill

can someone who owns the new MBA please use the laptop in the dark and post how it is to type on it. All of us who have backlit keyboards on MBP have translucent letters and turning off the backlight is not a fair assesment of how the board will look. In the store, the letters on the MBA look metallic and may reflect significant light from the screen. I am confident that the apple engineers looked at this carefully.

Feedback please.

Wild_Bill Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 25, 2010 4:40 PM in response to dj6961

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

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookair.html
[/quote]

Done and DONE !

Oct 25, 2010 7:13 PM in response to Wild_Bill

What a let down, never even thought to make sure my new MBA would have a backlit keyboard. Sold my 2nd Gen. MBA last night, hightailed it to the Apple Store this morning, picked up my new one, got home and realized no backlight! This is absolutely un expectable. I'm sitting in my chair struggling to see the keyboard! Just might have to return it tomorrow!

Oct 25, 2010 9:26 PM in response to prof paddle

In a completely dark room, I am able to see the keys well enough to easily navigate my way around the system. The letters are somewhat reflective. Turning the backlight down made the letters nearly disappear, so a combo of dim screen and no lighting will be an issue.

ecdowney

Level 1

0 points

Oct 26, 2010 1:31 AM in response to Wild_Bill

Just wanted to add my frustration the new Air has no backlight keyboard. I too was "that close" to buying when I realized. But it's a deal breaker for me. I use my Air in many unusual places and the backlight has always been greatly appreciated. I surely hope it returns in the next model.

MojoDK

Level 1

49 points

Oct 26, 2010 1:45 AM in response to Wild_Bill

On top of it, the new Air is pretty slow...

http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2010/10/macbookair_benchmarks-late-2010/

😟

j3g

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2010 11:42 AM in response to Wild_Bill

No Backlit keyboard is such a disappointment and a total joke. LED lights will NOT effect the battery life. Removing such a key feature that makes our laptop feel like a high end piece of hardware is embarrassing for Apple. My guess is that they had to think of a way to sell their up and coming new Macbook Pro 13" models that will NOT have an optical drive.

j3g

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2010 11:52 AM in response to 5.

5. wrote:
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....

wow, seriously? "real world" is to have it at 75% brightness? in the dark? Troll. I use my Macbook in my movie theater every night. My brightness is set to 5% (whatever the lowest setting is) and I CANNOT see the keys.

think of the airplane. you aren't going to have it at 75% while on a night flight.

j3g

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2010 12:24 PM in response to Wild_Bill

I will try this light with my current macbook pro and the backlit keyboard off
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K3JGCY/ref=oss_product

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