Black or white keyboard in a dark room?

[Cham2000]

The Apple TouchID keyboard is beautiful in black. I'm tempted to choose this one over the white keyboard. However, the keyboard will be placed on a retractable tablet under the work table, where the light is a bit low. During a normal day, there's enough light to clearly see the keys on the black keyboard. But would it be too difficult to read the letters when light is low (during evening for example)? What's your opinion or experience about the black keyboard?

 

[foo2]

The Apple TouchID keyboard is beautiful in black. I'm tempted to choose this one over the white keyboard. However, the keyboard will be placed on a retractable tablet under the work table, where the light is a bit low. During a normal day, there's enough light to clearly see the keys on the black keyboard. But would it be too difficult to read the letters when light is low (during evening for example)? What's your opinion or experience about the black keyboard?

First question, do you look at your keyboard when you are typing? Because if not, it’s a nonissue. If you do look, then the white keyboard sounds like it would have some benefit to you.

 

[Cham2000]

First question, do you look at your keyboard when you are typing? Because if not, it’s a nonissue. If you do look, then the white keyboard sounds like it would have some benefit to you.

Yes, I do look frequently at the keyboard. The tablet under the table is a bit darker than the environment on the table itself. During evening, of course light is much lower. So I have the feeling that the black keyboard may not be a good idea. What's your opinion/experience with this keyboard?

 

[fisherking]

i use the non-numeric pad version of this (& love it)...

 

[foo2]

Yes, I do look frequently at the keyboard. The tablet under the table is a bit darker than the environment on the table itself. During evening, of course light is much lower. So I have the feeling that the black keyboard may not be a good idea. What's your opinion/experience with this keyboard?

I own Apple’s black keyboard. But I don’t look at the keyboard to type, so what color it is doesn’t matter to me.

Speaking generally, it’s a basic keyboard that says “Apple” all over it. It’s pretty, and it’s expensive. Stereotypical Apple.

Lightning charge and auto-pair-with-lightning-connect has some value.

Only able to pair to one computer is a downer.

 

[Cham2000]

I own Apple’s black keyboard. But I don’t look at the keyboard to type, so what color it is doesn’t matter to me.

But do you feel it's harder to see/recognize the keys in a dark environment, with white letters on a black key? Or is it preferable to have black letters on a white key, if the environment is a bit dark?

Considering that the black keyboard is 20$CAD more than the white keyboard, I don't want to have some regrets in getting the black one.

 

[Cham2000]

And what about finger dirt and dust? Is it more apparent on black keys, or on white keys?
I always got white keyboards, and the dirt is well apparent. Wondering if it's better/less apparent on black keys.

 

[gazwas]

I’m hoping when Apple updates the Magic Keyboard to USB-C they will do the sensible thing and add a backlight.

I’m a terrible typer and always work in a subdued or dark ish environment and love using my MBP’s keyboard and wish apple would do the same for the desktop Mac’s.

 

[gazwas]

And what about finger dirt and dust? Is it more apparent on black keys, or on white keys?
I always got white keyboards, and the dirt is well apparent. Wondering if it's better/less apparent on black keys.

Greasy finger, long term surface ware and general grime 100% worse on black.

My 2008 Apple wireless keyboard still looks great even after all those years.

 

[fisherking]

am much as i love apple design, i have never understood:

a. a white keyboard with light-grey lettering

b. why they've never given us a macbook-style backlit keyboard

 

[KaliYoni]

But would it be too difficult to read the letters when light is low

I've used several keyboards, both white and black, with my Macs and iPads. I find that contrast is the most important factor for low-light visibility. So, in line with hundreds of years of black ink on white paper printing, I like white keys with black characters.

Further, I owned a couple of black, non-back lit keyboards where the white printing turned grayish due to use (finger oils, wear) and fading (the maker claimed this was normal). This made the keys even harder to read in low light.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I would suggest black keys, as in darker environments there is a greater contrast with the white letters on the keys.

If you have your heart set on the Apple Magic Keyboard, then consider looking on eBay. There are many, many listings on there of new examples that are either returns or other, and you’re talking half the price.

 

[uller6]

Greasy finger, long term surface ware and general grime 100% worse on black.

My 2008 Apple wireless keyboard still looks great even after all those years.

I’ve had both color keyboards for ~10 years. The white ones show dirt much more, and the black keys get shiny with finger oils over time. The white keys turn yellowish after a long time…

 

[foo2]

But do you feel it's harder to see/recognize the keys in a dark environment, with white letters on a black key? Or is it preferable to have black letters on a white key, if the environment is a bit dark?

Considering that the black keyboard is 20$CAD more than the white keyboard, I don't want to have some regrets in getting the black one.

If you need to see the keyboard to type
If you need to work in a dark environment
If you need to work in the evening
(And you've mentioned you do all of these)

I would look for a keyboard that's lit. There are billions of keyboards out there that are lit. I have a few from Logi (I'm on an old G410 right now; works great in MacOS), from Drop (https://drop.com/mechanical-keyboards/drops/) and from HyperX (https://hyperx.com/collections/gami...anical-gaming-keyboard?variant=41077971255453). Many choices, most quite a bit less than Apple's.

I've never had a problem with dirt or other issues on any keyboards. I have an old white Apple USB1.1 (with hub!) one from 2003 or so; I kept it in the garage for a bit, and after that I did wash it.

If I had to do it over again, I'd not spend as much as the Drop keyboards ($$!) and I'd likely focus on the HyperX Core keyboard, as it's cheap, easy to configure the way I like, and has replacement keys (ABS -> PBT) if the time ever came to replace them. And it's USBC with, IIRC, an open USBC port on it for something else you can add (low power). Or maybe it just has 2 USBC ports on it; I forget. Anyway, it's a breeze to use and it's nice and light too.

 

[darngooddesign]

The Apple TouchID keyboard is beautiful in black. I'm tempted to choose this one over the white keyboard. However, the keyboard will be placed on a retractable tablet under the work table, where the light is a bit low. During a normal day, there's enough light to clearly see the keys on the black keyboard. But would it be too difficult to read the letters when light is low (during evening for example)? What's your opinion or experience about the black keyboard?

I personally wouldn't buy a keyboard to use in a dark environment without backlit keys.

 

[Cham2000]

I’ve had both color keyboards for ~10 years. The white ones show dirt much more, and the black keys get shiny with finger oils over time. The white keys turn yellowish after a long time…

I agree the white keys tend to become yellowish on a long period of time. That's the case of all my previous keyboards.
I believe the black keys will show less the dirt.

 

[fisherking]

satechi, as i linked to in post #4. the X1 is stylish, comfortable, laid out for mac, has a controllable backlight, decent battery life, and pairs easily. i work a lot at night, and love this thing....

 

[Che Castro]

Check the Satechi space gray keyboards ,

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Logitechs MX keys are far superior, even on price.

With that said, I would go for a Magic Keyboard if Apple added backlighting.

Kinda crazy how only MacBooks get backlit keys.

Not that backlit should be default for Magic Keyboards.

But at least give us some kind of Magic Keyboard "Pro" with backlit keys, extra customization for keys, incredible battery life, some weird A14 chip integration, etc.

Missed opportunity!

 

[fisherking]

Logitechs MX keys are far superior, even on price.

With that said, I would go for a Magic Keyboard if Apple added backlighting.

Kinda crazy how only MacBooks get backlit keys.

Not that backlit should be default for Magic Keyboards.

But at least give us some kind of Magic Keyboard "Pro" with backlit keys, extra customization for keys, incredible battery life, some weird A14 chip integration, etc.

Missed opportunity!

honestly, i prefer the satechi (especially with it's mac-centric layout). but either will work.

hard to understand why apple has never given us a backlit keyboard (have been tempted to rip the keyboard out of my mini and use that 🤣).

 

[Lioness~]

I picked the black kb, and tp, they looked better to me.
But I also bought a BenQ ScreenBar Halo to my ASD and it's awesome during dark evenings and nights to see what and where I type, and around the the area of the desk as well.

Highly recommend it.

 

[Pakaku]

I'm a touch-typist and don't look at my keyboard much. But... I hate seeing white stuff yellow over time, and I hate having to touch yellowed stuff, so anything else like black gets my immediate vote.

Edit: for those who assume dirty habits, look up ABS plastic yellowing and get back to me

 

[gazwas]

I hate seeing white stuff yellow over time, and I hate having to touch yellowed stuff, so anything else like black gets my immediate vote.

What the hell are you people doing with your keyboards? 🤢

You seriously need to wash your hands more and keep off those websites. 😇

My white wireless keyboard heavily used virtually every day professionally for roughly 15 years with numerous Mac’s since 2008 and not a hint of anything yellow here.

 

[darngooddesign]

What the hell are you people doing with your keyboards? 🤢

You seriously need to wash your hands more and keep off those websites. 😇

My white wireless keyboard heavily used virtually every day professionally for roughly 15 years with numerous Mac’s since 2008 and not a hint of anything yellow here.

View attachment 2164816

Yep. People with dirty hands shouldn't buy white keyboards.

 

[dockgaze]

Old post, same conclusion . . . . . backlit black keys is best for me . . .

Post in thread 'Black or White Magic Keyboard? Which is easier to see? Clean?'
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-is-easier-to-see-clean.2338289/post-30942939