Apple Debuts New 8-Core MacBook Pro With Updated Keyboard

[smirking]

If I was going to buy a Bluetooth keyboard to get around my crappy MBP one, is there one that you could recommend? I quite liked Apple’s previous keyboard design but don’t want to end up with merely another of the current flavor. Thanks.

It's quite easy and pretty inexpensive to get a used copy of the previous generation Apple Bluetooth Keyboard off eBay. They're a bit pricey if you want a new one, but they hold up pretty well so you should be able to score a pretty decent used one for a good price. They also fit very nicely over the top of the tbMBPs. There's just enough of a ledge from the keys to allow the rubber feet under the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard to catch and stay in place. You'll lose about 1 cm of your upper trackpad, but I didn't find that to be an issue.

There are also plenty of copycat keyboards of the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard out there. I haven't tried any of them so I can't make a recommendation.

 

[Elyzien]

I gots ahold of a New Mac Pro keyboard, those are nice. Good travel on the keys.

I also use (but build quality kinda sucks) is MS sculpt ergo it has good travel and ergonomics.

 

[smirking]

I also use (but build quality kinda sucks) is MS sculpt ergo it has good travel and ergonomics.

That's one thing that's always confounded me about Microsoft Keyboards. They've actually made some really nice keyboards, but they always make them cheaply so that they wear out very prematurely. I had a sculpt ergo as well, but I sold it after using it for a few days because I didn't think it was going to stand up well to the amount of use it would see with me.

 

[theorist9]

If I was going to buy a Bluetooth keyboard to get around my crappy MBP one, is there one that you could recommend? I quite liked Apple’s previous keyboard design but don’t want to end up with merely another of the current flavor. Thanks .

I tried several, and *really* like the Logitech K811. It has nice travel (more than that on my 2014 MBP) and requires very little pressure, making for effortless typing. Alas, it's been discontinued, but you might be able to find some reconditioned ones at a reasonable price.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I tried several, and *really* like the Logitech K811. It's has nice travel (more than that on my 2014 MBP) and requires very little pressure, making for effortless typing. Alas, it's been discontinued, but you might be able to find some reconditioned ones at a reasonable price.

K811 and K810 were my all time favorite keyboards... ever... When Logitech discontinued them the price went up to like $200 for new and used. I have a remaining K811 and a semi-broken K810 that I use now and then.

The MX Keys is a nice replacement but it is not a K811. I use 2 MX Keys as my primary keyboards (work/home).

I have not yet had a chance to try out the MBP 16’ keyboard. I still got 3+ years to go on my 2017 MBP.

 

[JosephAW]

Still using my old Macally clickity clack G3 B&W colored usb keyboard. Love all the noise.

 

[theorist9]

K811 and K810 were my all time favorite keyboards... ever... When Logitech discontinued them the price went up to like $200 for new and used. I have a remaining K811 and a semi-broken K810 that I use now and then.

The MX Keys is a nice replacement but it is not a K811. I use 2 MX Keys as my primary keyboards (work/home).

I have not yet had a chance to try out the MBP 16’ keyboard. I still got 3+ years to go on my 2017 MBP.

I've only got one K811, so I'm very careful with it. The new ones are currently $300 (!) on AZ, but there are reconditioned ones for ~$100. Definitely wouldn't risk spending the $300, because my first K811 failed after a few months and had to be replaced by Logitech. But the current one is going strong.

My K811 backup is the Apple A1314 (MC184LL/B), since I have two of them (one still in the shrink-wrap). Do you prefer the MX Keys to that one? [I actually can't use the MX Keys because I need a compact keyboard.]

 

[BigMcGuire]

I've only got one K811, so I'm very careful with it. The new ones are currently $300 (!) on AZ, but there are reconditioned ones for ~$100. Definitely wouldn't risk spending the $300, because my first K811 failed after a few months and had to be replaced by Logitech. But the current one is going strong.

My K811 backup is the Apple A1314 (MC184LL/B), since I have two of them (one still in the shrink-wrap). Do you prefer the MX Keys to that one? [I actually can't use the MX Keys because I need a compact keyboard.]

Yeah, I’ve had one K811 replaced by warranty as well. The Mx keys are very mushy and like you I prefer smaller keyboards. So I have an anker Bluetooth and a magic keyboard 2.

I have a magic keyboard 1 - the one you mentioned. Its loud and hard to press and the Bluetooth cuts out now and then. It’s a lot tougher than the Mx keys - I prefer them.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I've only got one K811, so I'm very careful with it. The new ones are currently $300 (!) on AZ, but there are reconditioned ones for ~$100. Definitely wouldn't risk spending the $300, because my first K811 failed after a few months and had to be replaced by Logitech. But the current one is going strong.

My K811 backup is the Apple A1314 (MC184LL/B), since I have two of them (one still in the shrink-wrap). Do you prefer the MX Keys to that one? [I actually can't use the MX Keys because I need a compact keyboard.]

Any idea what the difference between the /A and /B models are? I have wired ones that are /A and /B models, and I’m assuming it’s firmware, but I don’t know for sure.

 

[soiramk]

Any idea what the difference between the /A and /B models are? I have wired ones that are /A and /B models, and I’m assuming it’s firmware, but I don’t know for sure.

Do you know where Ι can see if I have /A or /B model?
Thanks

 

[DCIFRTHS]

Do you know where Ι can see if I have /A or /B model?
Thanks

I bought my keyboard at retail, and IIRC, it’s on the box at the end of the model number. Not sure if it’s on the keyboard itself. I have two stored in my closet - as I mentioned above, they are the wired version. I bought them before they were discontinued because I love the product, and saw a wireless keyboard future coming. I didn’t want to be locked into that as I prefer wired keyboards.

 

[smirking]

Any idea what the difference between the /A and /B models are? I have wired ones that are /A and /B models, and I’m assuming it’s firmware, but I don’t know for sure.

The difference is cosmetic. A couple of key caps are different. I have a couple of MC184LL/B’s. Those are some hardy keyboards! They’re also among the only scissor switches that I like. I actually used those on top of my 2012 MBP. It just had a smoother and crisper action than the built in MBP scissors of the late Unibody era.

 

[DCIFRTHS]

The difference is cosmetic. A couple of key caps are different. I have a couple of MC184LL/B’s. Those are some hardy keyboards! They’re also among the only scissor switches that I like. I actually used those on top of my 2012 MBP. It just had a smoother and crisper action than the built in MBP scissors of the late Unibody era.

Yep. Great keyboard IMO.

I thought I remembered something about a vulnerably, with the wired usb version, where they could be reprogrammed to buffer keystrokes, and have the data read by malicious software. It always stuck with me, and I had a suspicion that the rev /B keyboard mitigated the situation. I’ll have to see if I can find it in a search.