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Do you think the backlit keyboard will come back to the MBA???
- Thread starter MBABuyer
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I hope so, even as an option in the 13" model. The original three revisions had it and were of comparable size.
Doubt it. With the MacBook Pros set to become more MacBook Air like... I'm guess Apple would want to keep backlight keys as a 'pro' feature.
Do I think it will? No.
Do I want it to? Sure.
Am I creditable source? Not in the least.
Reasons why it might?
- High demand/Popular Feature (at least, it seems that way)
- Assuming the new MBA goes SB with no Nvidia/AMD GPU, it may be cheaper to manufacture. This would allow Apple to squeeze the backlit keyboard into the design, while still allowing them to operate in their desired profit margins.
- Maybe if battery life significantly improves, the backlit keyboard wouldn't be too much of a burden (and yes, I know you can turn it off)
- Maybe if the backlit keyboard technology improves (less power intensive, thinner design)
Reasons why it might not?
- Not enough demand/not a popular enough feature (I have no statistics)
- The design is still too thin/backlit keyboards are too thick
- Apple wants to differentiate their Pro line from their Air line
- Not having it at all guarantees longer/better battery
- Too expensive/cuts into profit margins
*I've never used a backlit keyboard before
Do I want it to? Sure.
Am I creditable source? Not in the least.
Reasons why it might?
- High demand/Popular Feature (at least, it seems that way)
- Assuming the new MBA goes SB with no Nvidia/AMD GPU, it may be cheaper to manufacture. This would allow Apple to squeeze the backlit keyboard into the design, while still allowing them to operate in their desired profit margins.
- Maybe if battery life significantly improves, the backlit keyboard wouldn't be too much of a burden (and yes, I know you can turn it off)
- Maybe if the backlit keyboard technology improves (less power intensive, thinner design)
Reasons why it might not?
- Not enough demand/not a popular enough feature (I have no statistics)
- The design is still too thin/backlit keyboards are too thick
- Apple wants to differentiate their Pro line from their Air line
- Not having it at all guarantees longer/better battery
- Too expensive/cuts into profit margins
*I've never used a backlit keyboard before
Apple has removed seemingly key added features from products before just to replace them in the next version. Apple always seems to think incremental changes to maximize sales.
I don't feel that the backlit keyboard would cost Apple more than one USD per MBA. It cannot use much power at all and I don't believe it affects thickness either.
However, it is possible that Apple is using it as a strategic upgrade feature to sell more MBPs, but I doubt that too. I believe Apple could introduce a new form of illuminated keyboard in the next MBA. I think there was a patent application that revealed something new.
It might just come down to the role of the MacBook. If Apple keeps selling the a basic MacBook, it would make sense to use an illuminated keyboard on the MBA. If the MBA 11" becomes the MacBook replacement, then leaving the feature off makes more sense.
I hope it comes back as I miss it dearly. I definitely think at least the ultimate 13" MBA at $1799 should have the feature. At least an option would please most of us who are willing to pay for the features we want.
I don't feel that the backlit keyboard would cost Apple more than one USD per MBA. It cannot use much power at all and I don't believe it affects thickness either.
However, it is possible that Apple is using it as a strategic upgrade feature to sell more MBPs, but I doubt that too. I believe Apple could introduce a new form of illuminated keyboard in the next MBA. I think there was a patent application that revealed something new.
It might just come down to the role of the MacBook. If Apple keeps selling the a basic MacBook, it would make sense to use an illuminated keyboard on the MBA. If the MBA 11" becomes the MacBook replacement, then leaving the feature off makes more sense.
I hope it comes back as I miss it dearly. I definitely think at least the ultimate 13" MBA at $1799 should have the feature. At least an option would please most of us who are willing to pay for the features we want.
That's an interesting point. What if the letters were printed on the keys with some kind of reflective ink that would make them "glow" from the LCD backlight?
I'm going to miss it too 
Not for actual typing, as I can type blind. But just for those times when watching a movie, reading something etc with no hands on the keyboard, and then the need arises to press a key. E.g. changing the screen brightness, changing volume, subtitle delay, etc. It's really hard to see where the keys are if you just quickly need to tap a single key. I always end up straining to see which is the right one. Especially with the function keys because I don't know them by heart. The fact that the symbols are grey on black doesn't help, they're very low contrast.
I loved the backlit keyboard on my MBP for this reason, I always had them set to the lowest setting and it was great like that. Not intrusive at all but seriously helpful in the evenings.
I do think Apple will bring it back, I'm sure it won't cost a lot and the thickness implications will be minimal if they use some kind of Electroluminescent foil. I hope they just had to redesign it and left it until the next update.
Not for actual typing, as I can type blind. But just for those times when watching a movie, reading something etc with no hands on the keyboard, and then the need arises to press a key. E.g. changing the screen brightness, changing volume, subtitle delay, etc. It's really hard to see where the keys are if you just quickly need to tap a single key. I always end up straining to see which is the right one. Especially with the function keys because I don't know them by heart. The fact that the symbols are grey on black doesn't help, they're very low contrast.I loved the backlit keyboard on my MBP for this reason, I always had them set to the lowest setting and it was great like that. Not intrusive at all but seriously helpful in the evenings.
I do think Apple will bring it back, I'm sure it won't cost a lot and the thickness implications will be minimal if they use some kind of Electroluminescent foil. I hope they just had to redesign it and left it until the next update.
I sure do hope so and second Scottsdale's comment. A BL KB is the most reasonable thing in a mobile platform that might be use in dark environments when either typing blindly even doesn't help or it might be used by someone who cannot type blindly (like yours truly - but still fast). No idea why they took it out, I doubt its battery life (just switch it out) or even thickness. I rather have the MBA 1 mm thicker with it than 1 mm thinner and without it.
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My guess is no.
If Apple plans to keep the same design -- which I think they will since they usually stick to one design for a few years -- then I don't foresee back light keys being added onto the Air. However, maybe the lack of back lighting has nothing to do with whether the Air has enough space or not, and more so with prices or battery life? I don't know.
I wouldn't expect to see it.
I think the more important thing to look for is what SSD and RAM base options Apple will offer...
If Apple plans to keep the same design -- which I think they will since they usually stick to one design for a few years -- then I don't foresee back light keys being added onto the Air. However, maybe the lack of back lighting has nothing to do with whether the Air has enough space or not, and more so with prices or battery life? I don't know.
I wouldn't expect to see it.
I think the more important thing to look for is what SSD and RAM base options Apple will offer...
Seriously can we have a poll or something and then bury the issue forever?
1. Won't buy without it.
2. Would be nice.
3. Don't care.
I've had one backlit keyboard in the past and I thought it was pointless and gimmicky. If I can find the volume/playlist contol function keys on my iMac's wireless keyboard next to my bed in the dark while drunk, you can figure it out too.
1. Won't buy without it.
2. Would be nice.
3. Don't care.
I've had one backlit keyboard in the past and I thought it was pointless and gimmicky. If I can find the volume/playlist contol function keys on my iMac's wireless keyboard next to my bed in the dark while drunk, you can figure it out too.
I would be very disappointed if it only is brought back to the 13.3" model. I can see Apple doing that, differentiate between the two models,
since that might get some people to buy both (or simply spend more money to get the 13.3" version).
They are both the same thickness, however, and that gives me hope that they may bring it back to both versions of the MBA.
I'd definitely upgrade if the 11.6" MBA gets a BLK (regardless of price).
In the dark, I use only one square of brightness to not disturb my wife. I do not consider that stupid.
These BL-keyboad threads are like cancer.
Another pointless response, to a pointless response, to a pointless post/thread.Another pointless response.
On Topic: I'd like it too but it's not here, yes it might come back, we'll see.
I'm really hoping that it'll come back. I passed on this latest refresh, so I told myself the next update is the one to get.
They are already printed with reflective ink in the Rev D (i.e. 2010). Not like mirror-shine-reflective, but they are certainly silver-coloured and not white. And yes - I can see all the letters in the glow from the LCD backlight in the dark. I cannot see the symbols on the function keys, though, since these keys are too close to the bezel.
I am really sick of seeing so many threads about this. We could have an entire sub-forum!!
Can we make this a sticky please, at least until the next update comes out? It seems people obviously have the inability to search about 5 threads previously to find this being discussed already.
Can we make this a sticky please, at least until the next update comes out? It seems people obviously have the inability to search about 5 threads previously to find this being discussed already.