Got my new 11' air

new 11' air

That's one BIG laptop 🙂

Congrats on the purchase!

Do the new MBAs have backlit keyboards? I noticed that the technical specs, and the features section it did not indicate that there was a back light. Although I tried to find the same info on the MBPs and they did not indicate as well.

I visited our local Apple Store and played with them just briefly, but did not have time to ask.

Any indication is much appreciated. Thanks.

They do not have an illuminated keyboard.

I've been thrilled with the MBA since first seeing it online at the Apple Store. I was even more thrilled at seeing how it was going to be even smaller and less expensive now too. Much to my own chagrin, however, I saw it in person at an Apple storefront recently and was shocked at just how small it really is now. Very tiny notebook now. I'd sat that it looks more like a netbook now. Also, at mu own chagrin, I noticed my 3 year old
Laptop has more storage, is faster, with a larger screen, and costs $300 less.

+Very tiny notebook now.+

Hmmm, that seems rather strange, seeing how the 13-inch has the same footprint as my nearly 3-yr old MacBook.

shocked at just how small it really is

That's why there is a 13" and an 11". Get the 13" (with the 256g drive)

I'm amazed they don't have illuminated keyboard! I have a 2 year old Macbook Air and it has this feature. Shame they don't at least offer it as an extra option

dropacallor6 wrote:
I'm amazed they don't have illuminated keyboard! I have a 2 year old Macbook Air and it has this feature. Shame they don't at least offer it as an extra option

That seems to be the biggest complaint, but I would rather have 256g in the 11"

NO keyboard back lighting is an absolute no go !!!!
Just cancelled my order.

and while I'm at it:

If apple would have wanted to impress the marked again, how about adding ""3G (UMTS) "" to the macbook air 11" ?!?!?!

That would have been a screaming winner. But no, instead we lost a major feature like backlit.

Thumb down !

Congrats on your purchase! I got my 11 inch Air today too, i have gone for the base model, as this is my 1st mac ever, I still use a Windows 7 desktop for now....

I am very pleased with it so far, been playing all evening, I look forward to seeing what Apple do with this line of macs over the next couple of years too, they can only get better.

I cannot believe how thin and quiet this machine is, and for my needs it is plenty powerful.

Looking forward to flying to USA from UK on holidays in 2 weeks, and not having to lug my relatively bulky Samsung NC10 along !

I'm happy you're happy!

But good luck when sitting in the "dark", especially in a plane oversees.

I "almost" bough it myself, but the no backlit issue is an absolutely no go.

Having never owned a mac before I can't comment, but I do appreciate the point about the lack of backlit keyboard. I guess they were thinking about battery life?

Smaller doesn't mean cheaper. You can get a large clock cheap, and pay ten times more for a fine wristwatch. And that smaller screen is probably adding to the cost (storage is actually cheap, likely costing only about 1/8th the total price of the MBA. But there's only room for so much of it given all the other goodies it has). You need a sharp picture on that little screen to make up for that. So the screen can't be large and cheap.

Toss in an aluminum body, a great trackpad, built in camera, two USB ports and a five hours of battery life (with 30 day standby), and you see why it's $300 more even though it has less storage and a smaller screen. 😉

Major feature? I never even notice or use the backlighting on my Macbook Al. And I assume the backlighting was sacrificed for something else that everyone kept demanding, like the extra USB port. Or maybe just to keep down the price.

There is only so much room in something that thin. For reasons of weight, price, room or just to keep it from getting too hot or using up too much battery power, the backlighting was taken out. If that was a major feature for you, ah well. Maybe they'll find a way to bring it back to the MBA next go around.

They don't have reading lights on flights overseas? Odd. All the airplanes I've been on have them. They spotlight computer keys quite nicely. But then, I'm a touch typist. I rarely look at the keys while I type. So, yes, I'll have plenty of good luck typing on flights.

Come to think of it, I believe I still have one of these if I absolutely need to see the keys: http://www.sourcinggate.com/mini-cool-honk-l3001-metal-tube-usb-led-light-for-pc mac-p-10638.html

Cheap, light, and flexible.