Why isn't the Apple keyboard backlit?

[CHSeifert]

and...

Why are you typing in the dark?

It's a free world Dude - why Apple just don't have backlit light on all their keybroads is beyond me

Let people have the choice of turning it on and off - end of story for Christ sake

Light haters expert typist can turn it off, the rest of us will have it turned on for when we use our computer in dark surroundings.........

 

[Fuchal]

Logitech makes one. I've played with it and it's pretty nice. That said, I have no need for a backlit keyboard on a desktop computer.

 

[vincenz]

and...

Why are you typing in the dark?

If you turn the light on, the CIA will see you.

 

[Apple OC]

It's a free world Dude - why Apple just don't have backlit light on all their keybroads is beyond me

Let people have the choice of turning it on and off - end of story for Christ sake

Light haters expert typist can turn it off, the rest of us will have it turned on for when we use our computer in dark surroundings.........

Dude get over it ... backlit keys are over-rated

 

[seetheforest]

Dude get over it ... backlit keys are over-rated

Backlit keyboards are extremely useful in the following situations as an earlier post mentioned.

• Immersing yourself in a game
  Watching a film
  Presentation
  Video editing
  Someone else trying to sleep in the same room
  Bad eyesight
  Saving electricity costs / cutting down on C02 emissions

Most of the time I don't need it, but it would be nice to have.

 

[bdodds1985]

1. If you're a gamer and need light to actually see the "WASD" keys, you probably aren't very good.
2. The monitor provides enough light for a keyboard. We're not talking super-pitch dark here.
3. Never used it on my laptop -- heck, the freaking monitor is right there.
4. That's what those little humps on the F and J keys are.
5. I'm pretty sure we can all figure out where the keys are. Try it -- air type on a desk a sentence, like "Hello, there!" I guarantee your fingers will remember key position.

well then you keep using your bland non backlit keyboard when they do come out with one. have fun in negative ville!

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Logitech makes one. I've played with it and it's pretty nice. That said, I have no need for a backlit keyboard on a desktop computer.

thats the one i use. i dont know about you guys but sometimes i use my desktop in low light and even with the screen as bright as daylight its still nice to see some lit up keys.

 

[yanez]

The question is why Apple does not have an illuminated keyboard, and because the MacBook Pro was not designed with a numeric keypad, and why it took so long time to Apple to introduce the mouse with the right button (later at three buttons)?

For a long time Mac fundamentalists replied that a single button was enough because you can use the CTRL key,
not needed the numeric keypad because you can use the the upper keyboard keys,
you don't need the illuminated keyboard because you can just turn on the light.

I would add that Ferrari cars do not need electric windows, because there's already the manual crank.

We should make clear to Apple that listening to the user requests help to improve the products, and this does not compromise its sophisticated aesthetic style.

Sorry 4 my ENG, i used Google Translator

 

[Outrigger]

I dunno. I have an Apple Keyboard with my MBP and sometimes I'm up late into the night writing papers and my roommate is sleeping so I have the lights off. It'd be nice if it were backlit.

doesn't the screen illuminate the keys you're typing?

 

[bdodds1985]

doesn't the screen illuminate the keys you're typing?

maybe that works for you hawkeye. i used to hate trying to see my keyboard at night on my old PC laptop. and the screen doesnt help the same way backlighting the keys does. compare the two yourself and you will see the difference.

 

[kvizzel]

Definitely wish they were backlit. Bought a mac mini for HTPC and watching movies in the dark is a must.

 

[jamesr19]

Touch type instead...it's just as effective

I do agree that a backlit keyboard would be good. I think we'd only see it if they brought out a black keyboard like those on the macbook pro/air

 

[yanez]

What about phosphorescent keys like the old glass ball with snow inside?
This wouldn't require a higher thickness for additional electrical circuits, or blacks keys (I like the look white).

 

[Blackberryroid]

Are they already backlit now? It's been a long time.

 

[Peace]

thats the one i use. i dont know about you guys but sometimes i use my desktop in low light and even with the screen as bright as daylight its still nice to see some lit up keys.

How long do the batteries last in it ?

 

[3rd Rock]

Are they already backlit now? It's been a long time.

Should look at the offerings from Apple on there sales site for any updated information on backlit keyboards....I have not seen any

Only one I've seen on the Apple site but its not an Apple $99

 

[Lancer]

I would love the option of a back lit wired KB, not sure if it's needed on the wireless one, just imagine the battery life!

 

[Blackberryroid]

One reason why they don't have backlit is because they can't put a light sensor thing in there, so it won't know when to light up the keys.

Plus, backlight takes a lot of electricity, a perfect way to get your AA battery depleted faster.

 

[noteple]

Too much red-tape from the US Nuclear Commission for the tritium key caps.

 

[yanez]

Plus, backlight takes a lot of electricity, a perfect way to get your AA battery depleted faster.

Mac notebook keyboads are backlighted.
The problem is on desktop macs.

At least, if there is not enought room behind the keys, i would like fluorescent paint (do you know those crystal balls with the snowman inside?).

 

[theSeb]

There are many situations where you'd have the lights off or at a low level and so a backlit keyboard on a desktop would come in useful:

• Immersing yourself in a game
• Watching a film
• Presentation
• Video editing
• Light bulb fused
• Power outtage*
• Someone else trying to sleep in the same room
• Playing hide and seek / murder in the dark
• Medical condition against light
• Bad eyesight
• Saving electricity costs / cutting down on C02 emissions
• In the middle of sex
• Vampire

The list is endless ...

*Assumed UPS conneted to desktop.

Working on a computer without the lights on is apparently not great for one's eyes.

 

[bdodds1985]

How long do the batteries last in it ?

seems like forever. i hide the cord pretty well since i like the look of the keyboard always being on, and when its unplugged from the usb, the light has a sensor when youre hands are over the keys.

 

[pesawyer]

You can have the combined keyboard trackpad today.

http://hengedocks.com/order_clique.php