I currently have a 2012 macbook pro and I'm in desperate need of an upgrade. I'm interested in the new macbook. I'm a writer so I don't need a lot of power but I'm worried about the new keyboard with the butterfly keys. I've 'tested' the keyboard at the store, but I'm interested to hear what you think of it after extended use. Do you hate it? Did you get used to it? Is it a good overall experience once you get past the strangeness of it all?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Butterfly Keys - do you hate them?
- Thread starter wwordslinger
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think it's a matter of personal preference, but from what I have seen more people generally tend to get used to it than not / return it.
My wife is enjoying her new M3 with no complaints about the keyboard. Impressive little machine with a beautiful screen. I too have tried it, being used to my MBP, and it seemed fine with no troubles.
It makes the regular keys look and feel dated.
I do not hate them. But I also don't love them either. In my case, I do most of my typing at work on a Microsoft Ergo keyboard so the switch to the Macbook is pretty extreme for me.
Reading various threads on the topic, some people love the keyboard (not a majority), most tolerate it or learn to live with it. Some hate it and that never changes.
I would suggest that if you are willing/able to adjust your typing style to work with the keyboard design, it's very useable. If you insist on banging away, it's not the keyboard for you.
Reading various threads on the topic, some people love the keyboard (not a majority), most tolerate it or learn to live with it. Some hate it and that never changes.
I would suggest that if you are willing/able to adjust your typing style to work with the keyboard design, it's very useable. If you insist on banging away, it's not the keyboard for you.
I absolutely love the butterfly keys although they did take a short time getting used to. Take a typing test at the store and you'll be surprised that you'll be able to type just as fast, if not faster, than you would on a traditional keyboard whether it be a membrane or mechanical.
If you are a heavy-handed typer the more the better. The keys have fantastic feedback if you really lay into them both in sound and feel.
Although I have a very high regard for what Apple has done with the MacBook keyboard I still prefer MX Blues for typing and MX Reds for gaming - both of which you could always plug into your computer if long term typing is needed.
Pair that with the incredibly accurate and sharp screen you'll be glad you made such a purchase especially if you don't need the horsepower of a MacBook Pro.
If you are a heavy-handed typer the more the better. The keys have fantastic feedback if you really lay into them both in sound and feel.
Although I have a very high regard for what Apple has done with the MacBook keyboard I still prefer MX Blues for typing and MX Reds for gaming - both of which you could always plug into your computer if long term typing is needed.
Pair that with the incredibly accurate and sharp screen you'll be glad you made such a purchase especially if you don't need the horsepower of a MacBook Pro.
Thank you everyone for your replies! I tend to think I'm the type who will adjust, so I took the plunge and ordered the Macbook this afternoon. Hopefully it will be a great experience - I do a lot of travel so I have high hopes that I've found the perfect machine for my needs. Thanks again!
The keyboard on my 2015 15" MBPr is simply wonderful. Quiet, fast and expertly designed, it's a dream to use.
But my fresh new 2016 MacBook keyboard took some getting used to. Better than the original butterfly of my 2015 model, it's still quite the compromise. Not bad, just challenging.
But my fresh new 2016 MacBook keyboard took some getting used to. Better than the original butterfly of my 2015 model, it's still quite the compromise. Not bad, just challenging.
Your exactly right. The Butterfuly keys once used, all other keyboards feel outdated.
At first the short-travel-with-hard-landing of the rMB felt very odd (and slightly noisier) compared to the long-travel-with soft-landing of my MacBook Pro.
I still feel a bit neutral about the "feel", but the benefit I am really noticing is that I am making fewer typos....especially when typing capital letters. With the rMBP I would often not have pressed the shift key far enough for the capital to register.
I agree with that also. I always google at my girlfriends '09 MBP, since they have so much key travel.
Speaking of which; I would have preferred that the butterfly keys had a bit more key travel. I make more errors with the new keyboard, yet still prefer to write on it. But 20 years of practice vs. 6 months, is a huge difference. And I have to admit that the vast majority of my writing so far, has been on the couch, lying down, so there's likely room for improvement.
Speaking of which; I would have preferred that the butterfly keys had a bit more key travel. I make more errors with the new keyboard, yet still prefer to write on it. But 20 years of practice vs. 6 months, is a huge difference. And I have to admit that the vast majority of my writing so far, has been on the couch, lying down, so there's likely room for improvement.
I don't mind them, just take getting used to. Actually like them better than my Retina Macbook Pro.
My favourite notebook keys of all time are still on the classic unibody model Macbook Pros.
My favourite notebook keys of all time are still on the classic unibody model Macbook Pros.
I did a test at best buy where they had a 11" mba (which I have now the 2011 version), and the new rMB right next to each other which was great so I could literally compare the two. Everything is miles better on the rMB which is expected. The keyboard however does take time to get used to, but I enjoyed the bigger keys.
Congrats on your purchase, I am still deciding whether I should take advantage of the education discount, or wait to see what is in store for the pros.
Congrats on your purchase, I am still deciding whether I should take advantage of the education discount, or wait to see what is in store for the pros.
What exactly does that mean, "dated?" And who cares how something like a keyboard looks? The keyboard on my 2010 15" Macbook Pro may look "dated" as you claim, but it's helped me get published time and again over the last six years. I think it's a fabulous keyboard, regardless of its outward appearence. Frankly, I could care less how a productivity tool looks, especially the keyboard on a computer. All I care about is the ability of a keyboard to get me to my endgame--getting paid for my words. And the keyboard on my 2010 Macbook Pro does just that in grand fashion. As a matter of fact, the entire computer does that just admirably. Six years and still going strong. Couldn't have asked for a more reliable machine. My advice: buy whatever computer You feel comfortable using, then get to work and do something amazing!
So, you could care less, which means you do care, at least by some amount?
Also I think the guy you are quoting means 'feels outdated'.
You are oddly defensive about your MacBook Pro keyboard.
I simply love the precision of the butterfly keyboard. For me it is one of the best features of the MacBook.
Got my macbook yesterday and have been typing since 
so far its going great. Hardest part is using shift and command combos. Il write up a summary in a week. As someone else said in the thread, this big trackpad is wonderful.
so far its going great. Hardest part is using shift and command combos. Il write up a summary in a week. As someone else said in the thread, this big trackpad is wonderful.