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Intel Launching Next Generation MacBook Air Processors
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Keyboards have little tabs on the F and J key. They have been there forever. No need for night vision when you fingers can always find their starting position easily with just that.
not that they are necessary, but when you are in a dark room and aren't continuously keeping your hands on the keyboard to type the backlit keys come in handy. When you are using the trackpad or reading something and maybe just need to hit a few quick keys for a shortcut or something it is nice to easily be able to see what keys you are pressing.
Why people on these forums can't see that just because they may not use a feature, doesn't mean nobody else does. (BTW, that's not directed at you, just the general consensus on these boards that if I don't use or need feature A, B, or C, then surely nobody else does
) Certainly almost nobody uses absolutely every feature on their macbook pro, but surely each feature is used, just by different "users" or "groups"Some people may need backlit keys, some people may want an expresscard slot, some people may prefer firewire ports, some people may need an optical disc drive, others may not.... stop trying to tell people that just because you get by fine without a certain feature that surely they can too. I'm sure both users don't have the exact same needs from the computer as they likely are using them for different tasks entirely.
This is my keyboard :
Sorry if I seem to lack empathy for the "Backlit keyboard! crew". It's just that at this point in time, they should've moved on. I've never needed to look at my keyboard to type, not even to trigger just a few keys here and there for a shortcut. With that keyboard, it's useless to look at it anyway. I actually have 2 of those, one at work (scares the collegues and makes sure no one dares approach my workstation) and one at home in my office when "docking" my MBA.
I know I'm a good typist though, and I realise some peckers need to see what keys they are hitting, but seriously, don't buy a MBA if this is such a big issue. Just stop whining about it, 4 months later...
not that they are necessary, but when you are in a dark room and aren't continuously keeping your hands on the keyboard to type the backlit keys come in handy. When you are using the trackpad or reading something and maybe just need to hit a few quick keys for a shortcut or something it is nice to easily be able to see what keys you are pressing.
Why people on these forums can't see that just because they may not use a feature, doesn't mean nobody else does. (BTW, that's not directed at you, just the general consensus on these boards that if I don't use or need feature A, B, or C, then surely nobody else does
Some people may need backlit keys, some people may want an expresscard slot, some people may prefer firewire ports, some people may need an optical disc drive, others may not.... stop trying to tell people that just because you get by fine without a certain feature that surely they can too. I'm sure both users don't have the exact same needs from the computer as they likely are using them for different tasks entirely.
Great post. It's amazing how narrow minded some posters are by saying "because I do/don't want/need a feature all others should agree with me, and if you don't your somehow inadequate in some way".
In case anyone hasn't noticed computers are used for MANY tasks OTHER than TYPING. I don't read braille.. I don't want to have to feel around for a specific key in the dark when working in an edit suite, giving a presentation, recording in my bedroom at night, being on a stage where I need to walk over and know EXACTLY which key I'm going to press BEFORE my hand touches the keyboard. Does any of this makes sense to people who ONLY touch type and can't comprehend these other uses?
Here's a thought for you, try entering text on an iPad without looking at the screen. What? You need to see it?
Oh, for all of you who complain about people who want a backlit keyboard, stop being whiners. After all the world doesn't revolve around you, everyone is different, and it's OK for someone to want/need something that you don't want/need. Grow up and get over it. Sheesh..
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That's not because the iPad is akin to an unlighted keyboard, it's because the iPad lacks tactile feedback. Your analogy is thus flawed. I can't type or find stuff on my iPhone without looking at it even though I'm quite skilled at not looking at the keyboard.
Again, I don't need to see my keys to know what I'm doing, even when not typing. There's nothing written on my keyboard's keys! That said, I do understand some people aren't as adept as I am, but I just feel at this point, the whining should have subsided to acceptance.
A fail "thought post" if i've ever seen one.
Do you need your guitar strings lit up when you're playing it?
Clearly you have never been in a situation where you need to press any key(s) in a dark environment without first putting your hands on the keyboard to orient yourself, THEN selecting the key(s). Requiring the use of tactile feedback actually slows you down. Human primary sensory hierarchy is visual.
The iPad example was to show that in certain situations or environments you will need to see what you're trying to touch.
Can you walk over to your black keyboard in a dark room and without being able to see it hit one key correctly without first putting your hands on it, finding the F/J keys with the tabs, and THEN pressing the correct key? If so, then yes, you are superhumanly amazing and therefore all should be able to do the same thing as you.
No, because my hands are already on the strings and I am therefore already physically oriented. Indeed though, when I first pick up a guitar, the first thing done is to look for the fret markers to give yourself a frame of reference for the fret position. Ever hear of fret markers? Why are they there?
Again, the iPad example was to show that in certain situations or environments you will need to see what you're trying to touch. The failure was to put it in the correct context.
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For the record, I'm not saying that a backlit keyboard is a requirement, only that some people might make use of it in certain situations, and as a result use their computer more efficiently.
I'm certain that someone will jump right on me and say typing by touch is more efficient. Again... it's not always about TYPING.
The MBA had a BL keyboard. All I'm asking for is to bring it back for those who want it.
I'm certain that someone will jump right on me and say typing by touch is more efficient. Again... it's not always about TYPING.
The MBA had a BL keyboard. All I'm asking for is to bring it back for those who want it.
Clearly you don't know me. I've always used my computer in the dark, since I was a young little fool with a 2400 baud modem and a bunch of BBS's to dial at night. Drop the assumptions about me and others you don't know.
Yes, environnements that lack tactile feedback, not something akin to a keyboard at all. Your analogy was completely flawed.
I do it everytime I'm on stand-by for work and get woken up by the pager actually. I don't even notice the tabs anymore, just the shape of the keyboard make it so my hands just naturally reach for the proper keys. I never look at a keyboard anymore, 20 years of typing on them has just made it too natural for me.
This is not everyone's situation however, but those people should just stop 5 months after the MBA was introduced. It's getting old now.
back up the "destroy" rhetoric....
Where are these "destroy" benchmark results?
Most of the ones that I've seen show the 3000 faster in some tasks, more or less even in others, and slower in some. (Which is really common for any comprehensive set of benchmarks comparing any computer techonology...)
If the only task you care about is one that the 3000 is slower at, you should qualify your statement.
From the benchmarks that I've seen - most people wouldn't notice the difference (except for the better battery life, which for some people would be the most important spec).
Where are these "destroy" benchmark results?
Most of the ones that I've seen show the 3000 faster in some tasks, more or less even in others, and slower in some. (Which is really common for any comprehensive set of benchmarks comparing any computer techonology...)
If the only task you care about is one that the 3000 is slower at, you should qualify your statement.
From the benchmarks that I've seen - most people wouldn't notice the difference (except for the better battery life, which for some people would be the most important spec).
not that they are necessary, but when you are in a dark room and aren't continuously keeping your hands on the keyboard to type the backlit keys come in handy. When you are using the trackpad or reading something and maybe just need to hit a few quick keys for a shortcut or something it is nice to easily be able to see what keys you are pressing.
Why people on these forums can't see that just because they may not use a feature, doesn't mean nobody else does. (BTW, that's not directed at you, just the general consensus on these boards that if I don't use or need feature A, B, or C, then surely nobody else does
Some people may need backlit keys, some people may want an expresscard slot, some people may prefer firewire ports, some people may need an optical disc drive, others may not.... stop trying to tell people that just because you get by fine without a certain feature that surely they can too. I'm sure both users don't have the exact same needs from the computer as they likely are using them for different tasks entirely.
Every feature has a cost.
That's exactly my point. Now turn that around. Drop your ASSumptions too, that YOU should speak for what others might want/need. Enough said.
EXACTLY my point. There are situations when you need to see something and use BEFORE you have the tactile feedback. That includes a keyboard. It's really not hard to understand that someone might have to do this. Your lack of understanding is the flaw.
That really is great, I mean it. It certainly doesn't mean that everyone will be able to do the same thing.
Again, just because you don't need it doesn't mean people who want it should stop asking for it back.
Not when you need to have the monitor turned down very low and need to quickly see a particular key without taking the time to orient the keyboard layout of black keys in the dark.
What is better, lighting the keys with the screen or lighting the actual keys from underneath?
Tell that to someone who is blind or legally blind. Backlit keyboards help out a hell of a lot more than you think. My SO (who is blind) would be lost without it, especially at nights.
So don't take your eyesight, or anyone else's eyesight for granted when it comes to the backlit keyboard.
BL.
Where did you get that I was speaking for what others should want/need ? In this page alone, I've said many times that some people might need a backlit keyboard and that they should just get over the fact that the new MBA doesn't have one.
If they want to ask for it, Macrumors threads isn't the place. Here, it's just whining for the sake of whining. It's ok the first month or so of a product launch for people to voice their concerns here. After that, they should take it up with Apple and just move on.
.. and their 'getting over the fact' may mean taking their money elsewhere, which makes a lost sale for Apple; which is hard for the consumer to fathom since the previous revision had it.
BL.
Exactly, voting with your wallet is indeed the proper way for a consumer to voice his concerns and give proper feedback to a vendor. 5 months later, the consumer not having fathomed this is a sad consumer indeed.
From this:
And this:
Why is it OK for you to voice your opinion but others not theirs? After 4 months I say stop whining about people still wanting a BL keyboard.
My lack of empathy does not indicate that I don't recognize their need. Only that I lack empathy for people having such a need.
My asking for them to move on does not indicate that I don't recognize their need, only that I deem it necessary to tell them to look for their need elsewhere than threads about the MBA which have nothing to do with the keyboard.
I've just started, where did you get I was "4 months" into voicing my opinion ?
You seem to have a serious problem with assumptions. You should just stop trying to assume things and just reply to what is posted in front of you. It would certainly save you from further flawed premises.
lol at you guys arguing over each others semantics and word choice...
regardless, yes, people who want a backlit keyboard should skip this generation of air, however that doesn't mean that they can't request the feature in the next generation of mba. To say that people shouldn't "whine" here on these boards is not true. If you think apple doesn't at least look around to hear what consumers have to say you are sadly mistaken. They may not always care, but they do listen to what people say. How about the uproar, that I mostly saw on these forums, claiming how preposterous it was that apple turned the mute switch to an orientation lock? Sure enough the next iOS update included an option to allow the switch to do whichever function you preferred.
Obviously the people that don't use/care for a backlit keyboard aren't going to see the need for it or care for those who need it, but as has been said there are people who need it. I don't care either way, yeah it's nice to have, but I can do all of my computer work without a backlit keyboard. Other people may have a need for the backlight. For example, say a DJ using a mac in a dark club, might need to press a quick key, use a shortcut, etc very quickly so as not to interupt their music... in this case a backlit keyboard will be much easier to use.
Not everyone is trying to TYPE on the keyboard in the dark, as yeah most people would probably be able to do that once their hands are properly situated on the home row. Someone like a DJ doesn't have their hands on the keyboard, might need to reach over and press a single key very quickly in dark conditions. You can't say that a backlit keyboard wouldn't be helpful in that situation, especially because the computer usually isn't right in front of you but off to the side or up on some type of stand out of the way of the actual tables and equipment.
Just realize everyone has their own needs, CHOICE is great, and I don't see why anyone would want less choice.
regardless, yes, people who want a backlit keyboard should skip this generation of air, however that doesn't mean that they can't request the feature in the next generation of mba. To say that people shouldn't "whine" here on these boards is not true. If you think apple doesn't at least look around to hear what consumers have to say you are sadly mistaken. They may not always care, but they do listen to what people say. How about the uproar, that I mostly saw on these forums, claiming how preposterous it was that apple turned the mute switch to an orientation lock? Sure enough the next iOS update included an option to allow the switch to do whichever function you preferred.
Obviously the people that don't use/care for a backlit keyboard aren't going to see the need for it or care for those who need it, but as has been said there are people who need it. I don't care either way, yeah it's nice to have, but I can do all of my computer work without a backlit keyboard. Other people may have a need for the backlight. For example, say a DJ using a mac in a dark club, might need to press a quick key, use a shortcut, etc very quickly so as not to interupt their music... in this case a backlit keyboard will be much easier to use.
Not everyone is trying to TYPE on the keyboard in the dark, as yeah most people would probably be able to do that once their hands are properly situated on the home row. Someone like a DJ doesn't have their hands on the keyboard, might need to reach over and press a single key very quickly in dark conditions. You can't say that a backlit keyboard wouldn't be helpful in that situation, especially because the computer usually isn't right in front of you but off to the side or up on some type of stand out of the way of the actual tables and equipment.
Just realize everyone has their own needs, CHOICE is great, and I don't see why anyone would want less choice.
Again, as I've stated multiple times on this site, I am all for choice and I recognize that different folks have different needs. I've stated so on this page. I'm probably one of the biggest fan of "choice" around these parts.
But the MBA backlit keyboard crew just need to get over it and deal. Take it up with Apple be it with your wallets doing the walking or through feedback channels Apple provides. Threads on Macrumors won't ever get you the backlit keyboard back.
I wasn't saying YOU specifically
I know, we already discussed it I was just saying that in general because I don't think it can be said enough around here!I disagree, I think apple definitely reads these boards among others to get an idea of what consumers think about products. You don't think all of the bitching about iOS notifications got Apple to hire the webOS notification guy? The orientation lock, etc. Apple definitely listens to what is being said about them... there is nothing wrong with people voicing their opinions/concerns. I could see how you would be upset if say this were the iPad or iPhone forum, hell even the mbp forum but this is an article directly relating to potential new processors for the NEXT macbook airs... a very normal place for one to voice their opinion about what else they would like to see in the new macbook air.