Yes - indeed, its tempting, but I'm still waiting for Ivy with the USB 3.0 and better thermals/power, plus hopefully a better GPU core than the HD3000.
But it would be the right thing to bring back the backlit keyboard NOW.
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Backlit Keyboard to Return in New MacBook Air?
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Yes - indeed, its tempting, but I'm still waiting for Ivy with the USB 3.0 and better thermals/power, plus hopefully a better GPU core than the HD3000.
But it would be the right thing to bring back the backlit keyboard NOW.
Comes in pretty handy when working in poorly lighted conditions... But high speed flash memory is where it's at!
I love how when Apple took it away for zero reason, everyone was like "Oh yeah man, nobody needs a backlit keyboard, BIG DEAL I can type in the dark!!" and now lo and behold, Apple is doing the same slimy crap they always do, take a feature away and put it back in later to make people upgrade, and now everyone's singing Apple's praises about how great it is to have a backlit keyboard.
The backlight should've never been removed in the first place. It was a stupid decision then, it's still a stupid decision now.
Not that I'd use an MBA for DJ-ing, but last night this bar I worked in was so dark where I was set up, I'd have killed for a backlit keyboard. (Though if our Karaoke software had a Mac version, I'd try it on an air just to ditch the winblows machine)
Some people like to sit outside on their patio at night and it might be dimly lit, or they don't want to sit in a flood light. (Me for instance.)
People that do work in a coffee shop (like 90% of the people in those places at night) where it's ambient lighting is dim
Students taking notes in a lecture hall where the lights are turned down.
*I think that a lot of people forget that not everyone is in an office all day long with their computers. Just because you don't see much use for it, doesn't mean 20 million other people don't almost find it a necessity.
Had the same reaction as you first - but then again let's stay realistic. In three years time (yep, when your AppleCare has expired) there will be a brighter, shinier, sleeker, more airy MBA. I think the SSD would take you through the coming time quite well. Personally, I can live with a set-in-stone configuration because I know the machine will be replaced in lets say four years. It's not the 6-8 years anymore we had in the 80ies and 90ies...
YMMV...
Casualties of The Fanatical Pursuit of Thin, Small, & Simple
The following were all the result of "premature ejectulation":
1) iPod Shuffle click wheel...
2) MBP Firewire ports....
3) Backlit keyboard....
4) iPod Nano....clickwheel, videos, camera, etc.
5) FCP....let's not go there
A little common sense would reveal that most people prefer more functionality over the ability to "shave" with their Apple device.
On the other hand, when deleted basic features are brought back they can be called "magical".
The following were all the result of "premature ejectulation":
1) iPod Shuffle click wheel...
2) MBP Firewire ports....
3) Backlit keyboard....
4) iPod Nano....clickwheel, videos, camera, etc.
5) FCP....let's not go there
A little common sense would reveal that most people prefer more functionality over the ability to "shave" with their Apple device.
On the other hand, when deleted basic features are brought back they can be called "magical".
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Means nothing. The picture isn't of the new MBA... who knows how old that photo is?
I wish they would change it back though. I hate the new iTunes icon, but let's not start that up again. (Though if they really want to represent iTunes better, make the music note appear on a very bloated belly... since the app is bloated and in need of some tums.)
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Of course you'll buy it, both of them, like every other MBA Apple releases. Apple has you hook, line, and sinker.
I laughed when I saw this post. Man alive, if I had a nickel for every "do ya think the new MacBook Air with have a backlit keyboard?" thread...
Anyways, hope the news is true. A notebook as attractive and quick, definitely merits one. Cheers friends
Anyways, hope the news is true. A notebook as attractive and quick, definitely merits one. Cheers friends
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Someone in the MBA engineering team either had a brain fart, or it was purposely done for "planned obsolecence".
shartypants said:
Someone in the MBA engineering team either had a brain fart, or it was purposely done for "planned obsolecence".
Do you think there is any ceiling to the battery life? Like if you can get 48 hours of constant use out of it, will they still push for longer battery life? At some point I would have to assume there would be other upgrades that are more important, I just don't know where that line is.
I would be slightly annoyed with a soldiered on SSD, unless it actually increased speed. Then I would be ok with it.
The only annoying part for me about the soldiered on SSD would be in 4-5 years and it starts to wear out because it has been written to too many times. Then you are pretty much stuck without a way to self repair.
But I suspect I will only be keeping my air for around 3 years at the most before upgrading again.
As for the backlit keyboard...I wouldn't mind if they had one without it for $899, then left it to the more expensive models.
I want a 15" Macbook Air!!
I'm still using generation 1, 1 of the MBP. It still works fine but I'd love a new one. I've been refusing to upgrade to a new MBP for a few years now because
keep including the obsolete superdrive in their releases. CDs and DVDs are 1990s technology and the quicker they are killed off the better.
I'm still using generation 1, 1 of the MBP. It still works fine but I'd love a new one. I've been refusing to upgrade to a new MBP for a few years now because
keep including the obsolete superdrive in their releases. CDs and DVDs are 1990s technology and the quicker they are killed off the better.
And you know this how?
First, you don't even know for sure that the feature will be available (rumor).
Second, now you're stating how it will work.
And you know this how?
First, you don't even know for sure that the feature will be available (rumor).
Second, now you're stating how it will work.
Um, because all previous backlit keyboards on MacBooks has had the option to disable the backlight?
And you know this how?
First, you don't even know for sure that the feature will be available (rumor).
Second, now you're stating how it will work.
because you can turn it off on all previous models
Shoot! I was just lamenting to someone just now about the exact same thing!
Anyway, Apple's omission of a backlit keyboard on the MBA is a big big mistake & the main reason I will always pause on recommending MBA to everyone.
My take on the new MBA will be Core i5, Sandy Bridge, backlit KB & Thunderbolt. default RAM and SSD will likely stay the same. Let's see.
yeah....
like me sitting in a dimly lit train waggon day per day for 3 hours working an an MBA to prepare or doing after work stuff.
To the other guy ---- shoooot too. Backlit keyboard on the iMac is what I am waiting for too....
Not that I'd use an MBA for DJ-ing, but last night this bar I worked in was so dark where I was set up, I'd have killed for a backlit keyboard. (Though if our Karaoke software had a Mac version, I'd try it on an air just to ditch the winblows machine)
Some people like to sit outside on their patio at night and it might be dimly lit, or they don't want to sit in a flood light. (Me for instance.)
People that do work in a coffee shop (like 90% of the people in those places at night) where it's ambient lighting is dim
Students taking notes in a lecture hall where the lights are turned down.
*I think that a lot of people forget that not everyone is in an office all day long with their computers. Just because you don't see much use for it, doesn't mean 20 million other people don't almost find it a necessity.
like me sitting in a dimly lit train waggon day per day for 3 hours working an an MBA to prepare or doing after work stuff.
To the other guy ---- shoooot too. Backlit keyboard on the iMac is what I am waiting for too....