Good! That .68 inch body is killing my back.
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Apple Patents Switch-Less Force Touch Keyboard, Could Lead to Thinner Macs
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Ugh. Where are all these people crying for thinner Macbooks? I use my computer for computer-type stuff -- not chopping vegetables.
The Retina MacBook Pro keyboards feel perfect. We're discussing the MacBook keyboard in this thread, not the Retina MacBook Pros.
Oh damn, the secret is out. I am testing one of those new keyboards, the prototype is below...
![ZX81.jpg]()
This. So basically it's a Mac, and not much more. I kinda feel like people have been paying more and getting less from Apple for a little while now... I will use my 2012 rMBP until the thing refuses to work. And even then, I'll pay money to have it repaired. I fear I can't get this type of quality from Apple anymore.
Ports? Who needs ports? Every port I need is here lightening (2) usb 3 (2), HDMI, SD, MAGSAFE... And what a beast it still is.
Thinner macs is a distraction for lack of innovation. No one is asking for thinner anything, it is like "the only thing they can come up with" until someone have an actual idea at Apple. But being familiarize with the corporate structure I bet there are a good amount of "Steve Jobs" who are being stepped on. As a matter of fact... was not Steve Jobs fired from Apple himself?
After the failure the Apple Watch is (a bad developed idea), Apple is doing just like Hollywood is doing with movies, play safe and do re runs instead of coming up with new ideas.
After the failure the Apple Watch is (a bad developed idea), Apple is doing just like Hollywood is doing with movies, play safe and do re runs instead of coming up with new ideas.
No no No NONONOOOOOOOOO!
Thicker laptops with EPDM overloaded rubber edges. Bigger batteries. Better cooling. NO ADHESIVE! NONE WHATSOEVER!
Wake up.
Thicker laptops with EPDM overloaded rubber edges. Bigger batteries. Better cooling. NO ADHESIVE! NONE WHATSOEVER!
Wake up.
In my opinion I don't see this as a way to just make Macs thinner but I see it as more of a good innovation in keyboards. Just because they have this kind of keyboard doesn't mean they have to reduce the size of the computer (although for some models in sure they will) but what it will mean is a completely new typing experience that probably will change computing moving forward. People cry that apple lacks innovation but this is one of the more innovative patents they've been granted in a long time.
I like the MacBook keyboard. I haven't purchased one, but there's an Apple store near me and I've dorked around on the various keyboards in the store. To me, the new MacBook feels fast and solid.
For me, the new wireless Apple keyboard would have been more compelling if it was the MacBook key tech. Having played with the new Magic Keyboard, I'm just as happy with the look and feel of my previous gen wireless Apple keyboard. I don't notice a tremendous improvement in experience over my keyboard, whereas the MacBook keyboard is remarkably different from anything I've used.
What I keep asking myself, when I read all of the negative comments about the MacBook keyboard, is "Who said we'd already achieved perfection?" I mean, what makes the chiclet the ideal? It seems to me that keyboards are an area that has experienced continuous development since the creation of the typewriter. I welcome the advances, and appreciate the new MacBook keyboard, and am left feeling inspired to improve my typing to take advantage of these advances in keyboard tech (I'm on a keyboard all day, but am just an average typist).
For me, the new wireless Apple keyboard would have been more compelling if it was the MacBook key tech. Having played with the new Magic Keyboard, I'm just as happy with the look and feel of my previous gen wireless Apple keyboard. I don't notice a tremendous improvement in experience over my keyboard, whereas the MacBook keyboard is remarkably different from anything I've used.
What I keep asking myself, when I read all of the negative comments about the MacBook keyboard, is "Who said we'd already achieved perfection?" I mean, what makes the chiclet the ideal? It seems to me that keyboards are an area that has experienced continuous development since the creation of the typewriter. I welcome the advances, and appreciate the new MacBook keyboard, and am left feeling inspired to improve my typing to take advantage of these advances in keyboard tech (I'm on a keyboard all day, but am just an average typist).
Absolutely! And it will likely enable new classes of devices that many here would never dream of. While other computer companies are fine with the status quo regarding keyboards, trackpads, staid manufacturing, batteries, etc, Apple is thinking and innovating outside the box. And that will have huge payoffs going forward.
Well, I wouldn't want it as it stands. Make it so it switches to an iOS interface (or other similarly touch-designed interface) when I detach the keyboard, however, and I would buy this so fast I'd probably strain something.
If they decide to pursue this, I'll be excited to test it out. Their newest trackpads are pretty amazing when it comes to making a clicking sensation without the trackpad actually moving.
I think this is a great idea and I'll definitely enjoy using this kind of keyboard. Why? Because I just hate it when particles and debris from day-to-day usage gets into the keyboard gaps of my MacBook Pro. When the keyboard backlight comes on I could see all the dirty stuff that got into there and it's just an unnecessary hassle for me to clean it out. Also, a 'force touch' keyboard could be virtually gap-less, designing it to be seamless with the laptop's chassis could potentially spill-proof the laptop.
Remember how the Force Touch trackpad opened up new ways of interaction with deeper clicks and pressure sensitivity? Now imagine what they could make with a Force Touch keyboard.
As for key travel, well...I don't mind low key travel since I hated the obnoxiously noisy mechanical keyboards I used back in the days. I'm guessing the tactile feeling of these Force Touch keys would be very similar to how a current Force Touch trackpad feels when you press on it.
I can see why some people would hate this new kind of keyboard, but then again people probably got mad at Apple for abandoning the archaic CD drives.
Maybe they could do a '3D Touch' keyboard and bring a version of iOS's QuickType to OS X (deeper press fills the word?)
As some of you may disagree, I would love thinner and lighter MacBooks. Under the condition they're still powerful enough for pro work.
Remember how the Force Touch trackpad opened up new ways of interaction with deeper clicks and pressure sensitivity? Now imagine what they could make with a Force Touch keyboard.
As for key travel, well...I don't mind low key travel since I hated the obnoxiously noisy mechanical keyboards I used back in the days. I'm guessing the tactile feeling of these Force Touch keys would be very similar to how a current Force Touch trackpad feels when you press on it.
I can see why some people would hate this new kind of keyboard, but then again people probably got mad at Apple for abandoning the archaic CD drives.
Maybe they could do a '3D Touch' keyboard and bring a version of iOS's QuickType to OS X (deeper press fills the word?)
As some of you may disagree, I would love thinner and lighter MacBooks. Under the condition they're still powerful enough for pro work.
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This is the right way to make things thinner... Using a smaller capacity battery is the wrong way.
As much as I hate how underpowered, overpriced, and the lack of any thought put into connectivity options on the nMB. The keyboard is one thing I actually like. I didn't think I would, but I do. It's just not enough of a reason to stop calling it a complete failure.
As much as I hate how underpowered, overpriced, and the lack of any thought put into connectivity options on the nMB. The keyboard is one thing I actually like. I didn't think I would, but I do. It's just not enough of a reason to stop calling it a complete failure.
Green has nothing to do with how easy it is to repair, two separate issues. Spending lots of money to fix something makes it no less green.
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By removing the shift and option keys from the keyboard, apple can make the laptop even thinner.
2: light touch
@: medium touch
™: heavy touch
€: heaviest touch
Just add 'to me', and there's no reason for heat.
Personally, I find the new MacBook keyboard just fine, and I'm a 100 WPM typist.
Frankly, the better a typist you are, the less the keyboard matters after a few minutes of adjustment.
They will keep making them thinner until they come out with one that bends, then they will make them thicker. Just like they did with the phones.