Black or white keyboard in a dark room?

[Nhwhazup]

I have the white Magic Keyboard for my iPad. My all time favorite keyboard is this one with Cherry Red switches attached to my laptop. Have had it for close to 10 years. No yellowing keycaps.

 

[fisherking]

I would love to get a backlit keyboard where just the letters are lit. All the ones I've tried have really bad blooming around the base of the keycap.

until apple gives us an apple-quality backlit keyboard, the choices are what they are. but i'm happy with mine; i work a lot at night, and the backlit keys are essential.

still, that blooming helps define the layout of the physical keys, and i find that useful, not disruptive..

 

[rpmurray]

still, that blooming helps define the layout of the physical keys, and i find that useful, not disruptive..

I wouldn't mind it so much if it was more subtle. But all the backlit keyboards I've tried seem to be trying to wash the keyboard with light from under the keycaps to the point where you can even make out the harsh pinpoint brightness of the bare LEDs. Maybe if they used some kind of diffuser over the LED.

 

[fisherking]

I wouldn't mind it so much if it was more subtle. But all the backlit keyboards I've tried seem to be trying to wash the keyboard with light from under the keycaps to the point where you can even make out the harsh pinpoint brightness of the bare LEDs. Maybe if they used some kind of diffuser over the LED.

not a great picture, (the color is off, the monitor is not that washed out). but i like having the keys defined by the backlighting....

 

[SousVide]

[...]

Which of the black keyboards do you have? More recent ones? I don't own a Magic Keyboard 1 or 2 so I don't know them beyond a few minutes spent at the Apple Store, but if it's anything like the current MBP keyboards, they get that sheen easily because of the coating on them.

On the positive side, that coating also does seem to make it easier to wipe oils off so if the shiny look drives you crazy, you can just wipe it down every day.

My black Apple magic keyboard is the model that preceded the most recent magic keyboard with Touch ID. It's currently paired with my 16-in 2019 Intel MacBook Pro whereas the new white magic keyboard with Touch ID is paired with Mac Mini M2 Pro.

 

[jwahaus]

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.

I agree. A white keyboard shows grime and dirt much better than a black keyboard. It's nice to be able to use a grimy keyboard without noticing it. ;-)

I started using charcoal infused toothpaste (which is black) and now when I spit it out, little specks of black toothpaste get all over the white countertop and sink. I much preferred when my white toothpaste splatter would blend in so I didn't have to keep my sink and counter as clean.

 

[smirking]

It's nice to be able to use a grimy keyboard without noticing it...

I started using charcoal infused toothpaste (which is black) and now when I spit it out, little specks of black toothpaste get all over the white countertop and sink.

Uhhhmm heeeey... HOLD UP! Time Out! Too much information! TMI! 🤢

 

[gazwas]

I agree. A white keyboard shows grime and dirt much better than a black keyboard. It's nice to be able to use a grimy keyboard without noticing it. ;-)

I started using charcoal infused toothpaste (which is black) and now when I spit it out, little specks of black toothpaste get all over the white countertop and sink. I much preferred when my white toothpaste splatter would blend in so I didn't have to keep my sink and counter as clean.

It was inevitable with all this working from home but I personally have a tendency to like knowing the location of my grime.

No wonder some peoples keyboards go yellow you dirty beggars! 🚽

Gross: Your Keyboard is 20,589 Times Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat

 

[zapmymac]

In a darker environment, and for the last 20 years, I’ve happily used and would not change from a light (beige) keyboard with black lettering: Microsoft Natural Elite (no backlight).

…choose the style over the color/contrast combo (within reason)

there are many threads about watches in this area of opinion as well black on white or white on black, enjoy the rabbit hole 🤓😎

 

[thebart]

The white apple keyboard has rather light font so it does not provide enough contrast for me. In bright room, i prefer white kbd. But i like to be in a dim room which i have at home, and black backlit is the best to my eyes

I use a backlit keyboard with kailh low profile tactile switches. I really love it but it's discontinued. Every time I use the magic keyboard i can't believe this is a wildly successful product used by millions. It feels like a toy keyboard you get with a fancy TV: good for typing in password and search terms compared to using the on screen keyboard, bad for actual typing. It's unsatisfying to type on and hurts my fingers, probably because i hunt and peck. The flat keys and separation would probably help me make fewer mistakes; unfortunately the switches feel terrible

Different keystrokes for different folks, indeed

 

[Nhwhazup]

The white apple keyboard has rather light font so it does not provide enough contrast for me. In bright room, i prefer white kbd. But i like to be in a dim room which i have at home, and black backlit is the best to my eyes

I use a backlit keyboard with kailh low profile tactile switches. I really love it but it's discontinued. Every time I use the magic keyboard i can't believe this is a wildly successful product used by millions. It feels like a toy keyboard you get with a fancy TV: good for typing in password and search terms compared to using the on screen keyboard, bad for actual typing. It's unsatisfying to type on and hurts my fingers, probably because i hunt and peck. The flat keys and separation would probably help me make fewer mistakes; unfortunately the switches feel terrible

Different keystrokes for different folks, indeed

Definitely agree the feel of the keys on the Magic Keyboard is definitely less than ideal, especially if you are used to using mechanical keyboards.

 

[fisherking]

Definitely agree the feel of the keys on the Magic Keyboard is definitely less than ideal, especially if you are used to using mechanical keyboards.

i love the feel of the mac keyboard (but hey, i loved the feel of the 12" macbook butterfly keyboard 🤯). i just hate the light gray text on white keys (am not a touch typist). i never understood the point of that...

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

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

Or at least wipe it down daily, weekly. But then dirty hand people probably aren't gonna do that, lol.

 

[foo2]

On the contrary, some keycaps made from ABS plastic are prone to suffering from UV damage that causes them to yellow if kept exposed to sunlight. Depending on which keyboard is in question, the yellowing may have nothing to do with the user having disgusting habits.

For those really into keyboards, one buys a mechanical keyboard (like Drop's ALT or CTRL, as two examples) and ensures the use of PBT (rather than ABS) plastic.

That makes them feel a bit fuller/heavier / more durable, and makes them resist shine/fade/etc. effects quite a bit more.

For those in the market for an Apple keyboard, these prices wouldn't be a concern. But products do exist on the lower end (https://hyperx.com/collections/gami...anical-gaming-keyboard?variant=41077971255453) in the $60-$80 range (on sale) that ship with ABS plastic keys, but can easily be upgraded to PBT plastic keys in a matter of minutes (https://hyperx.com/collections/acce...ycaps-pbt-full-key-set?variant=42613591015581).

 

[fisherking]

For those really into keyboards, one buys a mechanical keyboard (like Drop's ALT or CTRL, as two examples) and ensures the use of PBT (rather than ABS) plastic.

you mean, 'really into mechanical keyboards'? because many ppl (like myself) prefer modern, simpler keyboards... yet we're still really into keyboards... 😎

 

[foo2]

But but but

you mean, 'really into mechanical keyboards'? because many ppl (like myself) prefer modern, simpler keyboards... yet we're still really into keyboards... 😎

But but but....who _wouldn't_ want a fancy mechanical keyboard?

 

[fisherking]

But but but

But but but....who _wouldn't_ want a fancy mechanical keyboard?

i don't get the appeal of those; is it for people who came up on typewriters, or early computers?

seems... clunky. but glad there are options out there for everyone (or most everyone...)

 

[foo2]

i don't get the appeal of those; is it for people who came up on typewriters, or early computers?

seems... clunky. but glad there are options out there for everyone (or most everyone...)

You can get keys with any kind of feedback, so it's not as if it mirrors the early typewriter clunk.

One advantage is as I described, the ability to replace the keycaps so you move from ABS to PBC, and hence pretty much do away with the need to clean them.

Another is the ability to customize the key caps and customize the keystroke / impact type. Some people really like that.

 

[fisherking]

You can get keys with any kind of feedback, so it's not as if it mirrors the early typewriter clunk.

One advantage is as I described, the ability to replace the keycaps so you move from ABS to PBC, and hence pretty much do away with the need to clean them.

Another is the ability to customize the key caps and customize the keystroke / impact type. Some people really like that.

😴 not remotely interesting (to me). but whatever works 👍

 

[smirking]

For those really into keyboards, one buys a mechanical keyboard (like Drop's ALT or CTRL, as two examples) and ensures the use of PBT (rather than ABS) plastic.

Are you sure those are PBT keycaps though? I haven't looked at Massdrop in a long time, but I seem to remember that nearly all keycaps produced by Massdrop were ABS keycaps, but very high end ABS keycaps. They were doing ABS keycaps because that's the only way they get the exact colors they want.

 

[foo2]

Are you sure those are PBT keycaps though? I haven't looked at Massdrop in a long time, but I seem to remember that nearly all keycaps produced by Massdrop were ABS keycaps, but very high end ABS keycaps. They were doing ABS keycaps because that's the only way they get the exact colors they want.

Yep; it varies. I should have said that one can place PBT keycaps on them, not implied they always had them. That will vary by keyboard, by vendor, etc.

 

[thebart]

i don't get the appeal of those; is it for people who came up on typewriters, or early computers?

seems... clunky. but glad there are options out there for everyone (or most everyone...)

Modern mechanical keyboards are much more subtle than the legendary IBM buckling spring keyboards, which really did kind of try to replicate the feel of their legendary electric typewriters. Those things were pretty amazing and built like a tank. Probably cost almost as much as a base mini when adjusted for inflation, lol.

Apple made some really good mechanicals themselves into the 90s. If Apple made a magic keyboard with low profile tactile or clicky switches i bet Mac heads would lose their ****.

 

[smirking]

Apple made some really good mechanicals themselves into the 90s. If Apple made a magic keyboard with low profile tactile or clicky switches i bet Mac heads would lose their ****.

Well to be fair, they did. It was the butterfly mechanism keyboards. As a keyboard nerd who has rarely met a keyboard he didn't like, I actually came to like how tactile and low profile it was. I can totally understand why many people would find it revolting, but to me it was the first truly portable and tactile keyboard introduced.

Anyway, Apple once did use high quality ALPS mechanical switches in their boards and there are now more and more very interesting low and lower profile mechanical switches on the market. I don't think it'd be a shock if Apple went this way again.

I'd look forward to seeing that keyboard. What I won't look forward to are all the people who'll gush that nobody else made keyboards like this before Apple made keyboards like this.

 

[August West]

Amazon currently has the white Magic Keyboard w/Touch ID for $159.99 which is $20 off the regular price.

Magic Keyboard w/Touch ID - White

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

Best buy too. I picked one up on Friday.