Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Does the Third-gen Butterfly Keyboard matter? (2017 rMB vs 2018 MBA)

kht410

kht410

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 4, 2016
121
113
Hey guys, I’m currently deciding between purchasing the 12” MacBook or the new MacBook Air.

I LOVE the form factor of the 12” MacBook and I’m not that interested in the perks of having the new MacBook air (ie: bigger screen, 720p webcam, two tb3 ports, touch id, slightly more power). Sure they’re nice, but the priority is portability as I already have an iMac at home to do the heavy lifting stuff.

The only thing that is holding me back from getting the 12” Macbook is the Second-gen butterfly keyboard vs the Third-gen in the new MacBook Air.

So for those who had experience in these butterfly keyboards, is the Third-gen butterfly keyboard a better buy than the Second-gen?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jpn
sorry i dont know the answer. its a great question. i have the same question...
and, yr analysis of the differences between the MacBook and the MacBook Air is really good.
for me too, its the portability of the MacBook that is most attractive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kht410
I don't have any experience with the third gen butterfly keyboard. However, I've had the 2015 12" MB with the first gen butterfly keyboard, and now the 2017 MB with the second gen butterfly keyboard.

All in all the second gen blows the first gen out of the water. I would imagine there are some improvements that other members can speak to regarding the third gen butterfly keyboard. But again, I definitely like the improvements Apple mad between the first and second gen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kht410
nburwell said:
I don't have any experience with the third gen butterfly keyboard. However, I've had the 2015 12" MB with the first gen butterfly keyboard, and now the 2017 MB with the second gen butterfly keyboard.

All in all the second gen blows the first gen out of the water. I would imagine there are some improvements that other members can speak to regarding the third gen butterfly keyboard. But again, I definitely like the improvements Apple mad between the first and second gen.
Click to expand...

Ah that’s helpful. Thank you!

Also, how are you finding the battery life of your 2017 MB?
 
i am really liking the keyboard on the 2018 MBA, even compared to the second-gen it feels.... softer? idk.
 
I did some simple testing yesterday in-store, but it’s not exhaustive... Also, I am not a regular to any of the butterfly keyboards, and it seems there is a knack / style that isn’t 2nd nature to me (yet).

3rd gen was much nicer “feel”. I could make the sound quieter by typing with a little finesse. Typing on the MacBook’s 2nd gen was loud regardless.

The membrane cushioning also allows for a softer feel.

But both keyboards have the same size / footprint, and I think it’s mostly the transition to any butterfly style keyboard that I will notice most, Air or MB.

It’s a shame there isn’t a unified release for the laptop lines, so that they are based around the same standards... So for the MacBook:
  • I could live with 1 Thunderbolt 3 port
  • I would prefer 3rd gen keyboard
  • Ideally, every laptop would select from the same year’s processor family
  • And Apple’s customisations (I.e. T2 chip) would likewise be across the range
It would just minimise the variables and everyone would know the roadmap and make better decisions on large purchases. The iOS lines are a little more in sync, though there are an increasing number of products everywhere currently...
 
  • Like
Reactions: kht410
I've used all 3 generations of butterfly keyboards at Apple stores. My impressions:

1st gen: Sucks. Feels like typing on an iPad. No give whatsoever.

2nd gen: Way better than 1st gen. A major improvement.

3rd gen: Actually feels worse (more mushy) than 2nd gen, but should be more durable re: dust.
[doublepost=1542019342][/doublepost]
jingo_man said:
The membrane cushioning also allows for a softer feel.
Click to expand...

You say "softer", while I say "mushy and unpleasant".
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kht410
nburwell said:
I don't have any experience with the third gen butterfly keyboard. However, I've had the 2015 12" MB with the first gen butterfly keyboard, and now the 2017 MB with the second gen butterfly keyboard.

All in all the second gen blows the first gen out of the water. I would imagine there are some improvements that other members can speak to regarding the third gen butterfly keyboard. But again, I definitely like the improvements Apple mad between the first and second gen.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with this. I bought and returned the 2015 rMB twice because I loved the form factor but found the first gen kb was actually unusable for me. No such problems with either the second gen or third gen versions, which I've actually come to prefer over the old chicklet kbs.
 
im on 3d gen right now..and it is an improvement over the 12" MB that i have at home
So, yes,IF you love the design and form factor you should definitely wait for the next Macbook with new cpu/igpu, 3d gen keyboard and why not better speakers and faster ssd and touchid
 
My wife has a 2017 MacBook, and she took a look at the 2018 MacBook Air at the Apple Store to compare. She said the new keyboard felt a little "rubbery" and didn't like the 3/4 pound weight difference. Good news for me, as it meant we didn't need to buy it and i could get a new iPad instead.
 
  • Like
Reactions: scrappygolucky
kht410 said:
Hey guys, I’m currently deciding between purchasing the 12” MacBook or the new MacBook Air.

I LOVE the form factor of the 12” MacBook and I’m not that interested in the perks of having the new MacBook air (ie: bigger screen, 720p webcam, two tb3 ports, touch id, slightly more power). Sure they’re nice, but the priority is portability as I already have an iMac at home to do the heavy lifting stuff.

The only thing that is holding me back from getting the 12” Macbook is the Second-gen butterfly keyboard vs the Third-gen in the new MacBook Air.

So for those who had experience in these butterfly keyboards, is the Third-gen butterfly keyboard a better buy than the Second-gen?
Click to expand...
For me, third generation keyboard is markedly better.

I’ve owned A 2015 Macbook, a 2016 13 inch MB Pro and a 2017 15 inch MB Pro.

I now use a 2018 13 inch MBP. In my opinion, the difference with the keyboard is night and day.
 
Went in to the Apple store today to test keyboards. The keyboard on the 2018 Macbook Air felt much nicer than the one on the 2017 Macbook. Made me so annoyed as I really prefer the Macbook form factor and its lack of a fan.
 
It's not about which feels better. It's about the membrane which will save your keyboard from dust and breadcrumbs.
I'm eagerly awaiting MB with 3rd gen keyboard. No way I'll buy one without the membrane.
 
johannnn said:
It's not about which feels better. It's about the membrane which will save your keyboard from dust and breadcrumbs.
I'm eagerly awaiting MB with 3rd gen keyboard. No way I'll buy one without the membrane.
Click to expand...
The problem is the overall keyboard design. The membrane seems more like a bandaid solution.

The other designs don't seem to be susceptible to this issue in the first place, and thus don't need this bandaid.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Never mind
Just had a little type on the MBA yesterday. I couldn't tell the difference! Definitely felt harder than the MBP keyboards which has way more travel. I could tell the difference between 1st gen MB keyboard and 2nd gen MB keyboard, but still feel they are very small differences.
 
I just curios about the new gold Macbook 12.
The model number for the now gold is retina Macbook 12 LATE 2018.
Not 2017 like the silver and space gray macbook..
Anyone knows if the gold one maybe have newer 3rd gen butterfly keyboard?
 
kht410 said:
So for those who had experience in these butterfly keyboards, is the Third-gen butterfly keyboard a better buy than the Second-gen?
Click to expand...
They still fail, lower ratio probably, but still prone to issue.
 
EightyTwenty said:
I've used all 3 generations of butterfly keyboards at Apple stores. My impressions:

1st gen: Sucks. Feels like typing on an iPad. No give whatsoever.

2nd gen: Way better than 1st gen. A major improvement.

3rd gen: Actually feels worse (more mushy) than 2nd gen, but should be more durable re: dust.
[doublepost=1542019342][/doublepost]

You say "softer", while I say "mushy and unpleasant".
Click to expand...


Agree 100%.

I find 3rd gen physically painful. I'm not exactly sure why. It's something about how the key stops that causes pain in my knuckles, which doesn't happen to me with gen 1/2. Gen 1/2 "clack" down and it doesn't bother me at all. The mush at the bottom of Gen3 freaking hurts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EightyTwenty
It should definitely be more durable with dust. Most of the issues we have seen so far with the MBA keyboard are of a different nature (double letters for example). The "sticky keys" complaint has been less common so far but the device is still very new.
 
Is there a model number one can get so they know for sure that the MBA they are purchasing has 3rd gen vs. 2nd? And, what's the "repair policy" on the 2nd if I decide to take my chances? Now that we know there's a problem ...


UPDATE: I did figure out model numbers but is the 3rd generation for the AIR under the same warranty as the 2nd gen for the MBP?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back