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Backlit Keyboard to Return in New MacBook Air?
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This conspiracy theory is getting pretty ridiculous. Wasn't the revision where they dropped the BLK the same revision where they also brought the price of entry down to $999? When you're working with margins that thin then I'd imagine the odd luxury has to go. Now that they've established production of the new form factor and have probably recouped enough of the initial development cost, they can now probably afford to re-introduce the BLK whilst keeping the price point the same.
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"With the release of new models later this month, ..."
"... once the new Airs make their debut sometime during the week of July 21st"
we decided to completely ignore these statements? MR just posted a "maybe this week" rumor.
A credible rumour?
That's the oxymoron of the week.
MBA is genius design. Quibbling about backlit keyboard is nonsense. Why not just buy a MBA and enjoy life?
If you're staring at a computer screen, your nightvision is already gone, thus eliminating the only reason for a red backlight.
They have probably received quite a few complaints about it as well. Remember FireWire on the UniBody MacBooks?
Hey guys,
Id like your advice. Ive been eyeing the Macbook Air for a long, long time since the first generation. I currently own (and still use!) a Powerbook G4 1.5gHz that I bought in 2005 and since upgraded to Leopard. Its still fast and smooth and does what I need it to do; internet, email, and Word docs. There is one minor issue w/ it however: the battery cant hold a charge anymore (drained in 1-10 minutes) and worse, the AC powercord is messed up so if I rotate/move the connector even the slightest, it stops charging. Basically, its no longer truly portable.
Im wondering if I should go for this new 11 Macbook Air. I plan to go back to graduate school in Fall 2012, so should I wait a year until I go back to school? I dont even know if Ill get accepted! Haha Im so excited about everything, but want to make a wise decision.
Id like your advice. Ive been eyeing the Macbook Air for a long, long time since the first generation. I currently own (and still use!) a Powerbook G4 1.5gHz that I bought in 2005 and since upgraded to Leopard. Its still fast and smooth and does what I need it to do; internet, email, and Word docs. There is one minor issue w/ it however: the battery cant hold a charge anymore (drained in 1-10 minutes) and worse, the AC powercord is messed up so if I rotate/move the connector even the slightest, it stops charging. Basically, its no longer truly portable.
Im wondering if I should go for this new 11 Macbook Air. I plan to go back to graduate school in Fall 2012, so should I wait a year until I go back to school? I dont even know if Ill get accepted! Haha Im so excited about everything, but want to make a wise decision.
Because of the glossy screens, I often have better visibility if the keys are slightly backlit than if I turn on a light. Also, contrary to the arguments I've seen thus far... a low lit backlight on the keyboard is going to save you battery life vs. having to brighten the entire screen against the side lamp or overhead light. I love being able to eek out as many hours as possible on lowest brightness and definitely have to notch it up when there's more ambient light, which prevents the battery efficiency I prefer.
Same people who need to see the keys in the daytime too... :roll eyes: .. i.e. 90%
This is the likely explanation. Apple responds to it's customers pretty well especially if the need is very easy to fill. I don't care that much to have it or not, but I'll take extra features as long as the price is the same
Might be better for the eyes but would look like some nasty arse Dellienware
or HP I'mVERYEnvy
You can turn off the LEDs.Might be better for the eyes but would look like some nasty arse Dellienware
The Envy does have quite a bit of hardware options though.
So is this thing rumored to come out this Thursday? If it does come out on thursday, who's gonna make the first bite then?
How about posting a little less snarky?
And last time I looked , you could disable the backlight to save power.
You missed a further important factor ... Price. the 11-inch model is also the cheapest. That's why it outsells the 13-inch one. Price always matters.
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The backlit keys are cool and I’m glad I have them.
But the non-lit Airs have silvered letters, which reflect the screen light much better than the gray letters of the lit models (when not lit). That made the non-lit Airs easy to see AND more battery-friendly. How much of a battery effect? I don’t know. But I see this as a step sideways: more cool, yes, but the silvered letters have been a good solution too.
(You can test this: in a dark room, look at any old black-keys MacBook model with the key lights off. You can still see the spaces between the keys just fine: the spaces are silver, and show up much better than the gray unlit letters. But the current Airs’ letters are silver like the case. Very readable in my brief tests—unless the screen is nearly all black at a certain moment. So yes, you can turn backlit keys off to save power—but that won’t make them silver and easily seen!)
I plan to get the new Air, and lighted keys would be fun. Not vital, but fun.
But the non-lit Airs have silvered letters, which reflect the screen light much better than the gray letters of the lit models (when not lit). That made the non-lit Airs easy to see AND more battery-friendly. How much of a battery effect? I don’t know. But I see this as a step sideways: more cool, yes, but the silvered letters have been a good solution too.
(You can test this: in a dark room, look at any old black-keys MacBook model with the key lights off. You can still see the spaces between the keys just fine: the spaces are silver, and show up much better than the gray unlit letters. But the current Airs’ letters are silver like the case. Very readable in my brief tests—unless the screen is nearly all black at a certain moment. So yes, you can turn backlit keys off to save power—but that won’t make them silver and easily seen!)
I plan to get the new Air, and lighted keys would be fun. Not vital, but fun.
an interesting post for me from u, a new take on typing, exploring, explaining
i really liked my first MBP typing experience@ night with the backlight (albeit battery draining..)
let's think different again.. like you proposed and postulated..
f
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