Macbook Back-lit keyboard only on 2.4Ghz!?! WTF

[tMac85]

They have us wrapped around their finger. This pisses me off. Why is it not standard on both.

Apple...

[Eidorian]

Don't buy it then. Vote with your wallet. ;)

[mlemonds]

they do it because they can do it.

people will bitch, but still buy the device.

just like the missing features in the iPhone.

[Munitalp]

Whell when the store was originally up it said that it was standard on both models -- but it was probably an error someone made and its back down now to fix it :o

[226896]

What did the guy say in the new MacBook video? Something along the lines of Apple not saving their best features for their high end products? Yea right Apple.

[timestoby]

FFS i thought at least it would be on both new models.thats really messed up.but as someone said,they can do it and they will and people can bitch all they want but in the end they will buy it hahaha

[Munitalp]

I think if anything they should have made it an option on the lower end Macbook. Backlit keyboard is a feature a lot of people would gladly pay for... I guess they think they can bump those people up to the high end models though :o

[tdhurst]

No firewire on the new Macbooks yet you choose not having a backlit keyboard as the missing feature to bitch about? Really?

Learn to touch type or use light from the screen. Pretty easy.

[madmaxmedia]

It's a lot less important than the other upgrades, like better GPU.

I like the backlit keyboard on my MBP, but it's honestly not THAT big of a deal IMO. I would trade the MB backlit keyboard for a FW port myself (not that I can.)

[sangosimo]

No firewire on the new Macbooks yet you choose not having a backlit keyboard as the missing feature to bitch about? Really?

Learn to touch type or use light from the screen. Pretty easy.
this.

[mlemonds]

No firewire on the new Macbooks yet you choose not having a backlit keyboard as the missing feature to bitch about? Really?

Learn to touch type or use light from the screen. Pretty easy.

i think people are more pissed about the cost of the feature that apple pays vs. how much they are charging us for it. personally i think it is a neat feature, but not worth $300, i have typed fine for the past few years without it.

This type of marketing happens all the time, but for some reason people seem to get more heated about it in the macbook. Look at the way features are packaged by car companies.

[Munitalp]

i think people are more pissed about the cost of the feature that apple pays vs. how much they are charging us for it. personally i think it is a neat feature, but not worth $300, i have typed fine for the past few years without it.

This type of marketing happens all the time, but for some reason people seem to get more heated about it in the macbook. Look at the way features are packaged by car companies.

Yep, car companies do the same thing -- do you want nicer trim? -- then pay $3500 for the luxury package.

[Munitalp]

The store is back now... and the Backlit is still listed as an option on both -- wtf?

[ntrigue]

They have us wrapped around their finger. This pisses me off. Why is it not standard on both.

Apple...

You've gotta pay to play sweetie.

[Icebird]

Are you guys sure?

It clearly says when you add the entry-level Macbook to your cart:

Specifications

* 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x1GB
* 160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
* SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
* Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide


Maybe its there.

By the way, this is on the right side right under "Add to Cart" after you click to Buy the entry-level Macbook and are picking customizations.


edit: Not only that, but if it didn't have a backlight, what would the icon be on the F5,F6 buttons? I would think one of the tech sites would have noticed the missing backlight buttons on the lower-end version.

[sbornia]

Are you guys sure?

It clearly says when you add the entry-level Macbook to your cart...



That's got to be a typo...the Features page makes it clear that only the 2.4 has the backlit keyboard:

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp327/sbornia/macbook-keyboard.jpg

[3121]

I agree I thought the backlight would be standard on all macbooks not just the top end model.

[themightyspitz]

Backlit keyboard really isn't a big deal, if you think about it.

If you know how to type, you don't need to look at the keyboard in the first place. That's what those little bumps on the F and J key are for. Plus the screen will give more than enough light on your keyboard if the place is dark.

If you've used a laptop w/o a backlit keyboard in a lecture hall, plane, or anywhere else before and typed without a problem, nothing changes between a regular keyboard and a backlit keyboard.

[hogfaninga]

Backlit keyboard really isn't a big deal, if you think about it.

If you know how to type, you don't need to look at the keyboard in the first place. That's what those little bumps on the F and J key are for. Plus the screen will give more than enough light on your keyboard if the place is dark.

If you've used a laptop w/o a backlit keyboard in a lecture hall, plane, or anywhere else before and typed without a problem, nothing changes between a regular keyboard and a backlit keyboard.

Besides looking cool, you are right. I also have a usb plug-in light when (very rarely) I'm in a very dark place and need it. It only cost me $6 and works well.

[pinktank]

no esata, no fw, no expresscard basically kills the use for an imaging professional, especially for video. I really dont think backlit keyboards are necessary, typing is pretty easy

[themightyspitz]

Besides looking cool, you are right. I also have a usb plug-in light when (very rarely) I'm in a very dark place and need it. It only cost me $6 and works well.

Exactly. The major difference is cool factor.

I could be off my rocker, but there are only four differences I see between the 2 new Macbooks:

1. 2.0 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz.
2. 160 GB HD vs. 250 GB HD
3. Regular Keyboard vs. Backlit Keyboard
4. $1299 vs. $1599

Not sure I'd pay $300 more for 0.4 GHz, 90 GB, and shiny keys. But that's just me.

[MacinJosh]

D-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t-i-a-t-i-o-n

[cpatch]

I ordered the 2.0GHz version online last night. Throughout the entire order process it mentioned the backlit keyboard. I'm sitting here looking at a printout of the order confirmation which also has it listed. So if it comes without one I'm going to be pissed.

[glide]

I ordered the 2.0GHz version online last night. Throughout the entire order process it mentioned the backlit keyboard. I'm sitting here looking at a printout of the order confirmation which also has it listed. So if it comes without one I'm going to be pissed.

You should get pissed now. It doesn't have one.

[TBi]

I ordered the 2.0GHz version online last night. Throughout the entire order process it mentioned the backlit keyboard. I'm sitting here looking at a printout of the order confirmation which also has it listed. So if it comes without one I'm going to be pissed.

Well what you do is call up apple when you get it and complain as loud and as obnoxiously as you can, saying you have a print out that states you should have a back-lit keyboard. It's their mistake, not yours. Hopefully after enough of that they'll offer to exchange it to the better model for a modest upgrade fee. Which i'd be happy with :)

[ohemetophobia]

Exactly. The major difference is cool factor.

I could be off my rocker, but there are only four differences I see between the 2 new Macbooks:

1. 2.0 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz.
2. 160 GB HD vs. 250 GB HD
3. Regular Keyboard vs. Backlit Keyboard
4. $1299 vs. $1599

Not sure I'd pay $300 more for 0.4 GHz, 90 GB, and shiny keys. But that's just me.

Agreed. The pricing really doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the MacBook models. When the store first launched yesterday, they actually had them both listed at 2.0 GHz with the only difference being the HD space, which made no sense at all. Now that we've discovered that the backlit keyboard is only available in the $1599 model, it makes a bit more sense... But still, those are some seriously measly features for a whopping $300 difference. I'll stick with 2.0 GHz, that's more than enough on a Mac system.

[jaredtomas]

Meh, I never look at my keyboard anyway.

[joshuaaaron]

well its ovbious that your need the extra .4ghz to light up the keyboard. apple really had no choice...



(im joshing...)

[ec51]

I ordered the 2.0GHz version online last night. Throughout the entire order process it mentioned the backlit keyboard. I'm sitting here looking at a printout of the order confirmation which also has it listed. So if it comes without one I'm going to be pissed.

Prepare to be pissed.

Big deal...its not a deal breaker. If you want to spend an extra $300 go ahead, Apple for sure will let you return it.

[cpatch]

Big deal...its not a deal breaker.
Thanks for taking the time to explain my decisions to me. Actually, I'm buying this for someone who doesn't touch type and it IS a deal breaker. If I had known it wasn't included I would have bought the older $999 model. I'm going to wait for it to arrive on the off-chance that Apple does the right thing and ships backlit keyboards from the factory on those models that were ordered prior to the web site being updated, but otherwise it gets returned to the local Apple Store and Apple loses $300 in the downgrade.

[ec51]

Thanks for taking the time to explain my decisions to me. Actually, I'm buying this for someone who doesn't touch type and it IS a deal breaker. If I had known it wasn't included I would have bought the older $999 model. I'm going to wait for it to arrive on the off-chance that Apple does the right thing and ships backlit keyboards from the factory on those models that were ordered prior to the web site being updated, but otherwise it gets returned to the local Apple Store and Apple loses $300 in the downgrade.

That older model doesnt have a backlit keyboard - so obiv it wasnt a deal breaker for you.

[fuzzielitlpanda]

you can only blame yourself for not doing the research and jumping the gun on your purchase. steve jobs himself said the backlit would only be offered on the 1599 version.

[cpatch]

That older model doesnt have a backlit keyboard - so obiv it wasnt a deal breaker for you.
It was a deal breaker for the $1,299 model. And as far as not doing my research and jumping the gun was concerned, there were at least 3 places in the ordering process that the backlit keyboard was mentioned (including the customize page and the order confirmation) and that was what I had to go on...I didn't see the keynote. Are you such a fanboy that you're seriously going to say I should blame myself for assuming that something mentioned that prominently was actually true? Give me a break.

[aristobrat]

.I didn't see the keynote. Are you such a fanboy that you're seriously going to say I should blame myself for assuming that something mentioned that prominently was actually true? Give me a break.
It was a mistake on Apple's part, and they won't penalize you for their mistake. Call them up and they'll give you stickers to return the product at no cost to you.

[ec51]

http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1468/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html#topic-22

Sorry guys...deal

[hungryghost]

http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1468/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html#topic-22

Sorry guys...deal

You really going to be that guy?

[ec51]

You really going to the that guy?

I'd rather be that buy than the guy trying to get something for nothing.

[cpatch]

I'd rather be that buy than the guy trying to get something for nothing.
I'd rather be the guy trying to get what was advertised for the price it was advertised for.

[hungryghost]

I'd rather be that buy than the guy trying to get something for nothing.

Ok, whatever turns you on. As for me, I'm happy to take whatever Apple is willing to offer even if they're not legally obliged to do so. I guess that makes me a crook. Thanks for your constructive that guy insight!

[tMac85]

well im typing on my macbook and it has no backlit keyboard. but i wasnt going to pay 300 bucks more. you win some you loose some. who cares, this computer is beautiful in every other way. im just wondering whats going to happen with the hundreds of people that ordered last night expecting backlit.

[ec51]

I'd rather be the guy trying to get what was advertised for the price it was advertised for.

Again see the terms and conditions that authorizes Apple to cancel your order if there are typographical errors.

And there is no such thing as "false advertising." Better yet call your local BBB and complain...

[glide]

I'd rather be that buy than the guy trying to get something for nothing.

I don't know why people keep insisting this is "something for nothing".

So far today I've spent over an hour on the phone with Customer Service and still haven't sorted this out. On top of that - my Credit Card refund would not be processed for up to 30 days.

I don't know how much your time is worth, but the hour I spent on the phone alone is worth more than if they just threw in a free upgrade to the 2.4 for me...

[Munitalp]

I don't know why people keep insisting this is "something for nothing".

So far today I've spent over an hour on the phone with Customer Service and still haven't sorted this out. On top of that - my Credit Card refund would not be processed for up to 30 days.

I don't know how much your time is worth, but the hour I spent on the phone alone is worth more than if they just threw in a free upgrade to the 2.4 for me...

Why do you think your credit card refund would take up to 30 days? I have returned a lot of stuff to Apple over the years and it always gets back to my card within a few days (2-4) at most.

[cpatch]

Again see the terms and conditions that authorizes Apple to cancel your order if there are typographical errors.
Once is a typographical error. Twice is misleading. Three times in three different areas in three different contexts is false advertising.

And there is no such thing as "false advertising."
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising

In particular:

"What is illegal is the potential to deceive, which is interpreted to occur when consumers see the advertising to be stating to them, explicitly or implicitly, a claim that they may not realize is false and material. The latter means that the claim, if relied on for making a purchasing decision, is likely to be harmful by adversely affecting that decision."

Having quoted that, at this point in time I'm not passing any judgement on Apple since I haven't received my MacBook yet and my previous experiences with the company have all been extremely positive.

[aristobrat]

I don't know how much your time is worth, but the hour I spent on the phone alone is worth more than if they just threw in a free upgrade to the 2.4 for me...
I'm pretty sure that they've already come to the conclusion that giving a 'free' $300 upgrade doesn't scale.

The minute that it's posted on this forum that anyone who ordered the $1299 model can call, complain, and get a free upgrade to the $1599 model, it would be game over for the Apple online store.

If that happened, I bet you that 90% of everyone that placed an order yesterday would call to try to get that free upgrade, regardless of if they really cared about the backlit keyboard.

[glide]

Why do you think your credit card refund would take up to 30 days? I have returned a lot of stuff to Apple over the years and it always gets back to my card within a few days (2-4) at most.

Debit cards work that way. Credit cards generally do not.

[Evan_11]

Backlit is the new black ;)

[aristobrat]

Debit cards work that way. Credit cards generally do not.
Debit cards give so little consumer protection (compared to a credit card) that I really wonder why people use them online at all. :eek:

[ec51]

Once is a typographical error. Twice is misleading. Three times in three different areas in three different contexts is false advertising.


See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_advertising

In particular:

"What is illegal is the potential to deceive, which is interpreted to occur when consumers see the advertising to be stating to them, explicitly or implicitly, a claim that they may not realize is false and material. The latter means that the claim, if relied on for making a purchasing decision, is likely to be harmful by adversely affecting that decision."

Having quoted that, at this point in time I'm not passing any judgement on Apple since I haven't received my MacBook yet and my previous experiences with the company have all been extremely positive.

Um, did you just cite to wikipedia? :rolleyes:


Apple had no INTENT to deceive here. If you really would like to get into it. "Misrepresentation in the sale of goods," which would be the cause of action you are referring to, requires scienter or in other words the intent to deceive. None of which Apple had here.....good luck!

[blinkie]

Not sure I'd pay $300 more for 0.4 GHz, 90 GB, and shiny keys. But that's just me.

Hey don't snub the 0.4 GHz. That's ALL I've got here on my G4. ;)

[Dybbuk]

While this does suck and it does feel a little petty to not have such a simple option on the low-end model, whatever. It's not a huge deal.

[cpatch]

At this point in time I'm not passing any judgement on Apple since I haven't received my MacBook yet and my previous experiences with the company have all been extremely positive.
I decided not to take my chances and wait until the MacBook arrived. I just got off the phone after talking with a very nice woman in sales support at Apple and let's just say (without encouraging any abuse of the system) that I remain a satisfied customer.

[tMac85]

I decided not to take my chances and wait until the MacBook arrived. I just got off the phone after talking with a very nice woman in sales support at Apple and let's just say (without encouraging any abuse of the system) that I remain a satisfied customer.

hmmm you cant leave us hanging now....

did you get an upgrade? did you get the keyboard? refund? did she talk dirty to you?;):D Kidding!

[budkid]

I do wish that they had the backlit keys on the 2.0Ghz model.

[sirenized]

i think people are more pissed about the cost of the feature that apple pays vs. how much they are charging us for it. personally i think it is a neat feature, but not worth $300, i have typed fine for the past few years without it.

This type of marketing happens all the time, but for some reason people seem to get more heated about it in the macbook. Look at the way features are packaged by car companies.

agreed i cant see spending 300 dollars extra for 400mghz and a backlit keyboard, which is why i just went with the midpriced model

[notdarkyet]

D-i-f-f-e-r-e-n-t-i-a-t-i-o-n

Backlit is the new black ;)

Indeed.

[RTiii320]

the backlit keyboards are sexy,

+2 on the backlit are the new blackbooks idea..