[drnkn_stylz]

If you look at http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html then scroll to where it says Input, it states that only the upper model AluMacBook has a backlit keyboard...

I thought both models did? Would this be a typo?

2.0GHz MacBook
Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

2.4GHz MacBook
Built-in full-size illuminated keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

[imitchellg5]

It's right. Apple does know their product.

[mduell]

What lead you to believe all Aluminum MacBooks would have backlit keyboards?

Apple's site says the $1299 model is not backlit in multiple places.

[- - e r i k - -]

Keynote said $1599 had backlit whereas the $1299 does not.

[AKcrab]

If you go to the store and select that model; in the keyboard choices it says "backlit".

[drnkn_stylz]

Actually I spoke to an Apple rep who confirmed both new models do indeed come with a backlit keyboard standard, and that the website will be corrected soon.

Also when you do select the 2.0gHz model in the store, it does list a backlit keyboard too.

[Eug]

So Only the $1599 MacBook has the Illuminated Keyboard?

Yup. Very lame.

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by drnkn_stylz 

Actually I spoke to an Apple rep who confirmed both new models do indeed come with a backlit keyboard standard, and that the website will be corrected soon.

Strange how this directly contradicts the words of Steve Jobs himself.

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by drnkn_stylz 

Also when you do select the 2.0gHz model in the store, it does list a backlit keyboard too.

In which store are you seeing this because it sure ain't listed in mine.

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

In which store are you seeing this because it sure ain't listed in mine.

U.S. store. I'm still seeing it as of right now.

[fisherKing]

Originally Posted by AKcrab 

U.S. store. I'm still seeing it as of right now.

it does say "illuminated keyboard" on the apple store right now... for the $1299 macbook...
a mistake??

[Grryshecjk]

They both have it

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by fisherKing 

it does say "illuminated keyboard" on the apple store right now... for the $1299 macbook...
a mistake??

Ah, I see it now, because you can choose between English and Spanish. Yes, I believe that it is a mistake. In other stores it simply says "Keyboard" for both.

[Merkava_4]

I'm assuming the keys are not aluminum anymore and they're now plastic, correct? I'm not saying anything's wrong with plastic; I'm just curious.

[- - e r i k - -]

The keys were always plastic, albeit with a metallic paint.

[Gee4orce]

Has anyone physically confirmed that the lower model does NOT have backlight ? The situation seems confused.

This is pure product differentiation by Apple. It must cost them $1.99 for the parts for the backlighting. I t reminds me of the way car manufacturers love to add things like 'ambient lighting' to the more expensive models...even though it's probably more awkward for them to NOT put it on all models !

[imitchellg5]

From Apple's PR site:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
160GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme® 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
two USB 2.0 ports;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad; and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.
The 2.4 GHz aluminum MacBook, for a suggested retail price of $1,599 (US), includes:

13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit 1280 x 800 glossy display;
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 3MB shared L2 cache;
1066 MHz front-side bus;
2GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
250GB serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
a slot-load 8X SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
Mini DisplayPort for video output (adapters sold separately);
built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
Gigabit Ethernet port;
built-in iSight video camera;
two USB 2.0 ports;
one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
glass Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard; and
60 Watt MagSafe Power Adapter.

I am going to the Apple Store later today, I'll ask though just to be clear.

[GSixZero]

Any news on this? Any confirmation that only the $1600 MacBook has the pretty keyboard?

[imitchellg5]

I can confirm that only the $1599 MacBook has the backlight keyboard. When you look at it, you can tell if it has the ALS or not. It's a small dot opposite the iSight LED.

[B Gallagher]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

]

With Steve looking like this, no wonder people are commenting on his health!

[hyteckit]

I think someone was able to capture Steve Jobs' legendary reality distortion field for the first time!!

[Joshua312]

I can confirm the 2.0 Ghz MacBook does not have the illuminated keyboard. I decided to go with this model and just upgrade to 4GB Ram rather than pay for a lighted keyboard which I never look at and a slightly faster processor.

[megasad]

Originally Posted by Gee4orce 

Has anyone physically confirmed that the lower model does NOT have backlight ? The situation seems confused.

Originally Posted by GSixZero 

Any news on this? Any confirmation that only the $1600 MacBook has the pretty keyboard?

Originally Posted by Joshua312 

I can confirm the 2.0 Ghz MacBook does not have the illuminated keyboard.

I played with one in a shop earlier today and not only does the 2.0GHz model not have the backlit keyboard, the F5 and F6 keys are left blank, so there can be no confusion as to which model you are getting. (On the 2.4GHz model, the F5 and F6 keys adjust the brightness of the keyboard backlighting.)

[kylef]

Yep - no illumination of the lesser-spec model, which is a real shame because I think for the extra few (insert your local currency here) it would made a difference. Illumination is nice.

[k squared]

Originally Posted by kylef 

Yep - no illumination of the lesser-spec model, which is a real shame because I think for the extra few (insert your local currency here) it would made a difference. Illumination is nice.

Exactly. Lets say it only costs $20. So for $20, Apple loses $280.

[styledev]

This is absurd. They even left the letters transparent instead of painting them white! Now it is even harder to see them at night!

Does Apple do this because they like to piss us off in very small ways? How much would it really cost to add that feature to the base model. So stupid!

So in closing we have to pay $300 more dollars just to get a backlit keyboard. Ridiculous!!!

[Simon]

Yeah, that's right. They heard about this guy in Orange County who really couldn't stand the idea of not getting a backlit KB on his $1299. Steve's a sadistic man. So he thought they should give it a try and have some fun with that guy. Looks like they won.

[ghporter]

I do not understand the issue our new friend has with the "transparent" key markings on the high-end MB's illuminated keyboard. My wife and I just this afternoon, bought one, and I don't see how those keys could possibly be "hard to see at night." The illumination is great, and if you have any ambient light the translucent key markings are really clear. I dunno...

[slugslugslug]

I thought he was saying that the letters are transparent on the non-backlit ones, which would be stupid. Now I want to know.