Difference between 1st and 2nd Generation Keyboards?

[marc55]

Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between the 1st and 2nd Generation Keyboards?

Are there any real issues with the 1st Generation Keyboard?

Thank you
m

 

[andy9l]

The 12" MacBook uses 1st-gen only. The latest MBPs use 2nd-gen. The next generation of MacBooks / MBPs will likely use a 3rd-gen keyboard, which I imagine will be a silent update to the poorly received 2nd-gen.

In terms of issues, both suffer from similar issues with debris causing key press failures. There are likely more users with 2nd-gen than 1st-gen, so it looks as though there are more issues with the latter. Truth is, they probably have similar failure rates.

 

[aplnub]

The 12" MacBook uses 1st-gen only. The latest MBPs use 2nd-gen. The next generation of MacBooks / MBPs will likely use a 3rd-gen keyboard, which I imagine will be a silent update to the poorly received 2nd-gen.

In terms of issues, both suffer from similar issues with debris causing key press failures. There are likely more users with 2nd-gen than 1st-gen, so it looks as though there are more issues with the latter. Truth is, they probably have similar failure rates.

I just opened a brand new Gen 2 MB out of the box and 5 keys stick/hard to press/very loud clicks. It is going back for a refund. I owned a Gen 1 prior and never had a problem.

I am going to try and wait for a Gen 3 but I actually need a MB for work so who knows what I will do. Disappointed in the QC from Apple.

 

[marc55]

I just opened a brand new Gen 2 MB out of the box and 5 keys stick/hard to press/very loud clicks. It is going back for a refund. I owned a Gen 1 prior and never had a problem.

I am going to try and wait for a Gen 3 but I actually need a MB for work so who knows what I will do. Disappointed in the QC from Apple.

I didn't think the 12" MacBook's had 2nd Generation keyboards; thought 2nd Generation were only on the MacBook Pro's?

 

[andy9l]

I didn't think the 12" MacBook's had 2nd Generation keyboards; thought 2nd Generation were only on the MacBook Pro's?

You are correct.

 

[icymountain]

I didn't think the 12" MacBook's had 2nd Generation keyboards; thought 2nd Generation were only on the MacBook Pro's?

I think the terminologies used in the posts are different, and that aplnub called Gen 1 the 2015 MBr and Gen 2 the 2016 MBr, while both seem to have the same "Gen 1 keyboard" following the original post terminology.
Has Apple ever had any official terminology ? (would be useful to better track which version is better).

 

[aplnub]

What IcyMountain stated. I was referring to Generation 1 MB and not the generation of keyboard. Sorry for the confusion.

I ended up sending it back and getting a refurbished unit from Apple. One week prior to the new release. Yay for my luck. It's ok though, it does what I need and I NEEDED it that moment for a trip. No way around it.

 

[Aboo]

Having just tested out the 2nd gen keyboard on a 3rd gen MB, I think the keyboard is far better than the original. I've had issues with stuck keys on my original rMB and am hoping that Apple may eventually start replacing these keyboards with the newer generation.

 

[epca12]

Both have issues but I think there have been slight tweaks made when putting it on the MB, maybe some of those will help but it's not been tested properly yet.

 

[Ma2k5]

Having just tested out the 2nd gen keyboard on a 3rd gen MB, I think the keyboard is far better than the original. I've had issues with stuck keys on my original rMB and am hoping that Apple may eventually start replacing these keyboards with the newer generation.

I ended up getting stuck keys in my 2nd generation keyboards way too often, so ended up returning it. They wouldn't become permanently stuck for me, but it was still annoying - never experienced this on my mid 2014.

 

[bigjnyc]

I didn't think the 12" MacBook's had 2nd Generation keyboards; thought 2nd Generation were only on the MacBook Pro's?

the 2017 12" macbook has the second gen butterfly keyboard... not just the pros anymore.

 

[epca12]

I ended up getting stuck keys in my 2nd generation keyboards way too often, so ended up returning it. They wouldn't become permanently stuck for me, but it was still annoying - never experienced this on my mid 2014.

I think they slightly tweaked the 2nd gen for 2017 to improve reliability but it swill take time to see what affect it has, if any

 

[Xavier Pander]

I cannot speak much about reliability, but I thought the differences in feel where neglectable. Maybe you would notice a difference if you type with 1 or 2 fingers, but when you do 10 fingers, the additional click or resistance is not noticeable. I felt the gen1 feels actually a little faster.

 

[Rory76]

I cannot speak much about reliability, but I thought the differences in feel where neglectable. Maybe you would notice a difference if you type with 1 or 2 fingers, but when you do 10 fingers, the additional click or resistance is not noticeable. I felt the gen1 feels actually a little faster.

Is the gen2 as loud/noisy as the gen1 keyboard?

 

[Xavier Pander]

Is the gen2 as loud/noisy as the gen1 keyboard?

I thought the gen2 was louder, since it has the more pronounced resistance/click. But I don't think the differences are vast.