Apple Exploring New Glass Panel MacBook Keyboards That Could End Sticky Key Problems
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The funniest part is that all these lessons were learned back in the 1980's with the (then new) membrane keyboards... the importance of tactile feedback for human users. Anyone recall the Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81?
FilipeTeixeira
macrumors regular
Makes perfect sense. If the plastic keys already scratch the glass screen, I can't even imagine how it will be like having glass on glass. This is probably one of the dumbest things apple ever thought of. What's next? Computers made out of sugar?
Dave245
macrumors G4
I've thought for a while now that the next step is to expand the Touch Bar into the keyboard, maybe this will happen but the keyboard area will have that glass section where "that includes raised sections to designate the tactile location of individual keys."
Apple need to fix the keyboards, however i don't mind the actual feel of the keys themselves or the fact that they have less travel, in my opinion the butterfly keyboard allows more accurate typing, they just need to be more reliable and to fix the issues they have, which Apple seems to be doing anyway.
Apple need to fix the keyboards, however i don't mind the actual feel of the keys themselves or the fact that they have less travel, in my opinion the butterfly keyboard allows more accurate typing, they just need to be more reliable and to fix the issues they have, which Apple seems to be doing anyway.
AdmiralTriggerH
macrumors member
I’ve got the original iPad Pro Smart Keyboard and do a lot of typing on it and also quiet like it.
I spend a lot of my time switching between various different macs and find the new 2018 keyboards just fine but I spend most of my time typing on an iPads glass and the trick is to change how you type, for the 2018 MacBooks and the iPad display your barely need to touch the keys so i actually type faster on them
jjudson
macrumors 6502a
Many of us would trade a bit of thickness back for all of Apple's designs -- be it the new iPads, iPhones, Macbooks, all of them -- if we could get some more of that durability and functionality back. I don't want a sheet of paper in my hands. I want something I can use and that won't bend, fold, staple, or mutilate.
Jony Ive needs to be put to pasture...
...and take Cook with him.
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Wait 'til you have to have a cracked one replaced. Get out your wallet...
jjudson
macrumors 6502a
Data hated the new keyboards on the Enterprise, too...
...but they were Windows driven.
Coming soon to an Apple laptop near you.
I respectfully disagree. I like the improved butterfly keyboards with the membrane to reduce noise and block dust. The key travel is reduced, but I love the improved stability that it brings. Lower travel does not bother me at all and the amount of feedback I get is fine. In fact, I find it more efficient than traditional mechanical keyboards I use at work.
I've gotten used to this keyboard and I can't really fathom going back to the traditional keys. I think this new design is interesting as there will be no moving parts so durability on this thing should be even better with no chance of dust penetrating the cracks. Furthermore, it would mean thinner keyboards while making the keyboard spill proof!
It is an exciting change so long as they are able to replicate tactile feedback properly. My only concern is if the Macbook is every dropped, that the glass within doesn't shatter. I hope they test this first before releasing it into the market.
I've gotten used to this keyboard and I can't really fathom going back to the traditional keys. I think this new design is interesting as there will be no moving parts so durability on this thing should be even better with no chance of dust penetrating the cracks. Furthermore, it would mean thinner keyboards while making the keyboard spill proof!
It is an exciting change so long as they are able to replicate tactile feedback properly. My only concern is if the Macbook is every dropped, that the glass within doesn't shatter. I hope they test this first before releasing it into the market.
Silverjerk
macrumors member
Honestly, this technology, if it is eventually implemented, will be the final straw for me. As a designer and developer (and also a writer in my off time), I despise the butterfly switches. I know there are people out there that enjoy the experience, but the dislike for these keyboards in the design and development community seems to be relatively uniform. I purchased the 2016 model, and later a 2017 model, going nearly top of the line on both and spending 4k+ on each machine. At the end of the day, I went back to my 2015 model (beyond the switches, I missed my dedicated F keys and rarely used the Touchbar). If this trend keeps up (and given Microsoft's implementation of WSL in Windows 10) I'm strongly considering making the switch to Windows. Which is sad, after having used Macs professionally for nearly 20 years and being heavily entrenched in their ecosystem.
H3LL5P4WN
macrumors 68040
Well, I'm certainly curious. I would definitely have to try one of these in person before shelling out the equivalent of a decent used car just for a laptop.
I will say though, that my Logitech Craft is much more pleasurable and I'd say a tad quicker, than my Magic Keyboard 2. Maybe Apple could licence their mechanism and just stick Apple's keycaps on that.
I will say though, that my Logitech Craft is much more pleasurable and I'd say a tad quicker, than my Magic Keyboard 2. Maybe Apple could licence their mechanism and just stick Apple's keycaps on that.
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Dave245
macrumors G4
Yea because they really need to loose the guy that was responsible for brining Apple back from the brink, the same guy that desinged the first iMac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and probably just about every other Apple first product
Why not take the guy that’s making Apple profit and growing the business with him, because that makes sense
L-U-R-C-H
macrumors regular
Honestly I bet they’ve already got the zero travel keyboard completed. They've released the current keyboard along with the Touch Bar in the meantime so that it’s not such a shock to everyone when they do release the all glass design. Glad my 2012 MacBook Pro still works great. I feel like that’s when it peaked.
nihil0
macrumors 6502
I don't understand the hate towards new keyboards. My wife has 2016 Macbook (before that she had 2015 MBP but we sold it cause it was overpowered and heavy for her needs) and it is working fine for almost 3 years now, no keyboard problems. And we have rather dusty apartment. Furthermore, the typing on the keyboard is fine once you get used to it. Granted, the adjustment period from MBP keyboard to MB was somehow pain in the ass but now it is all good.
Fidgetyrat
macrumors 6502
I personally wish they would stick to 2 notebook lines.. The pro line can be thick (I'm talking 2008 "thick") and have good hardware, and the Air line can be thin thin thin.. This constant move towards thinness on the MBP is pointless.
Elijen
macrumors 6502
I did try the XPS Dell keyboard and it felt better than the current MBP. The only thing that makes me not consider other laptops is the Touchpad that still remains uncontested.
sunapple
macrumors 68040
You'd be insane to lug around such a big and heavy device in this day and age. I'm sure many people appreciate the fact that MBPs have a smaller footprint, are thinner and are lighter than they used to be. I carry mine around all day and it's greatly appreciated by me anyway.
