For those with vast quantities of official Apple keyboards, which ones are your favorites and least favorites?

[lepidotós]

Just curious, and don't feel the need to restrict yourself to PowerPC. Apple says their new scissor keyboard is the best keyboard in a Mac notebook ever, so that got me wondering about what the tastes of Mac users are and what "best" entails. Personally, as someone who loves my keyboards clicky and tactile, I love the keyboard on the 2007 MacBook, it's just perfectly tactile and gives a nice pleasant buzz to my fingers when I use it (and is reason one of three I haven't sold it off yet). Second up is the iBook G4, and then my PowerBook G3, which, while linear feeling and silent, does at least have a good key travel to it, has a good texture to it, is pretty well sized and spaced besides the arrow keys, and IMO looks classy.
Worst to me of what I've experienced would probably be the aluminum PowerBook G4. It's kinda mushy, the keys are a little too cramped for me so I make plenty of mistakes, linear key feel without as much travel as the G3... though I haven't experienced the butterfly keyboard or... anything at all Old World or desktop.​

 

[DearthnVader]

I found the I liked the last Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz 12" keyboard the best. Other than that I like the ADB extended keyboards, I really dislike the USB keyboards that shipped with New World PPC machines, other than the fact they had a power on button on them.

As an aside, my USB keyboard the shipped with the original iMac G3 will power down my G5 1.6Ghz from Open Firmware.

I really miss the ability to power on and hard reset "desktop" Macs from the Keyboard the way you could with Old World machines. Not an issue on portable Macs as they have a power button on them, but still, when the system hangs I dislike having to hold the power button for a hard shutdown, takes to long, I still prefer the hard reset because most of the time when the system hangs I want a reset, not a power down.

This is missing from modern Mac desktops, I don't want to reach for a power button on the Mac, I want it on the keyboard and I want the ability to do the hard reset from the keyboard. It can be done with BlueTooth keyboards too, they just think it's not something we really want anymore, sadly.

I know OS X/macOS wants to shutdown in an orderly way, but still, sometimes the system just hangs or kernel panics, so you just have no means of an orderly shutdown, so they may as well give us a hard reset.

That's just my use case, I'm often testing PCI devices on my Macs and their drivers, so it's pretty common for me to need a hard reset.

 

[bobesch]

My favorite USB-KBs:
- Small aluminum-USB-KB (and BT-KB): because it's possible to to use a TPU-cover, when used in the office (same size as for the pre Butterfly Unibody-MacBookPro)
- iMac G3 coloured-KB (as well as the Cube's black/acrylic-KB): I like colors & it's size. Cons: hard to clean, missing keys (coloured-KBs).
- White acrylic-KB (late white iMacG5/white early-intel iMacs): it's the only USB-KB, that can be opened fully and w/o damage for maintenance/cleaning but downside is, that needs spring-cleaning very often and offers only unpleasant typing.

My favourite KBs of the Books (PPC/intel):
- iBookG3 Clamshell: very pleasant smooth&silent typing. Silent machine at all (when upgraded with SSD). (as I now know from here #2 the Pismo/Lombard seem to share the same type of KB. Maybe the TiBook too?). Key-caps might be removed for thorough cleaning.
- early-intel MBP (silver KB) / iBook&PowerbookG4: very pleasant typing. Unfortunately options for cleaning/maintainance/protection are less good compared to the others.
- Unibody pre-retina MacBook(Pro)s: like the click&feel, when typing and the possibility to to use protection by a TPU-cover (which comes at the price of loosing that special typing)

No go:
- stinky KB of iBook-G3 Snow
- some acrylic large KB of (I guess) iMac G4: white keys get yellow, like the teeth of deer.

About cleaning the acrylic PPC KBs (coloured from early iMacG3 and those ones with black keys from the late iMacG3, CubeG4 etc.): because of the firmly connected plastic-clamps at the front (space-bar) it's impossible to open the KB from that side without braking those clamps and destroying the closing mechanism.
The only way is to open the KB from the backside, bending it cautiously open like a clamshell only that wide to allow removing the inner layer for thorough cleanin. During this process, the tightly fitting plastic-clamps of the front-side stay connected so breaking them can be avoided.

 

[Nermal]

I'm possibly going to be branded a heretic here, but my favourite is probably the current desktop keyboard (might be called Magic?). The keys don't need to be pressed too far, but it still feels like you're pressing them (unlike a certain infamous laptop keyboard) and I find it easy to type on. With that said, it needs to have the USB cable connected: In Bluetooth mode it's a bit 'slower' than I like (this is particularly important for games).

My 2015 MacBook Pro has a similar keyboard so it comes in second place, brought down a peg by lacking the numeric pad etc.

Going back further, at the time I liked the Pro Keyboard that came with e.g. the Power Mac G4 models. However, that tends to frustrate me now due to the lengthy travel of the keys.

The compact keyboards supplied with the G3s annoyed me, as did the little ADB ones with the Mac Classic etc.

I liked the AppleDesign ADB keyboards at the time, but they'd likely frustrate me now like the Pro Keyboard does.

A dislike is the keyboard on the 2006 MacBook Pro, where the edges of the keys are very thin and the keys are just the right distance apart that you'll occasionally catch a bit of your finger on the corner of a key. It didn't happen often, but it was frustrating when it happened. I think I eventually broke one of the keys by doing that...

 

[bobesch]

I'm possibly going to be branded a heretic here, but my favourite is probably the current desktop keyboard (might be called Magic?). The keys don't need to be pressed too far, but it still feels like you're pressing them (unlike a certain infamous laptop keyboard) and I find it easy to type on. With that said, it needs to have the USB cable connected: In Bluetooth mode it's a bit 'slower' than I like (this is particularly important for games).

My 2015 MacBook Pro has a similar keyboard so it comes in second place, brought down a peg by lacking the numeric pad etc.

Going back further, at the time I liked the Pro Keyboard that came with e.g. the Power Mac G4 models. However, that tends to frustrate me now due to the lengthy travel of the keys.

The compact keyboards supplied with the G3s annoyed me, as did the little ADB ones with the Mac Classic etc.

I liked the AppleDesign ADB keyboards at the time, but they'd likely frustrate me now like the Pro Keyboard does.

A dislike is the keyboard on the 2006 MacBook Pro, where the edges of the keys are very thin and the keys are just the right distance apart that you'll occasionally catch a bit of your finger on the corner of a key. It didn't happen often, but it was frustrating when it happened. I think I eventually broke one of the keys by doing that...

Really interesting, how different length of key-travel is either felt comfortable or not.
As for me, the old mechanical Cherry/IBM/etc-PC-KBs and the Apple-ADB-KBs with their long and smooth key-travel and that typical sound are me favourites. The pre-aluminum Apple-USB-KBs from the PPC-era don't have that smooth gliding of those old mechanical KBs, but have that iconic look.
Same for the Books: I feel longer key-travel distances more comfortable and don't like the flat key-design very much, even look&feel is quite aesthetic.
Maybe it's my history with old type-writers having left it's traces ...

 

[MBAir2010]

the keyboards on the MacBook air 2010 era are incredible!
the spacing is perfect for long fingered humans like Steve Jobs, Rollie Fingers and me!
and the responsive is perfect!

since using  products from 1990, the worse were the bondi blue iMac keyboards
while the 2007ish silver usb apple one were excellent.
i use an Anker BT for my macmini with is very nice.

 

[FNH15]

Just curious, and don't feel the need to restrict yourself to PowerPC. Apple says their new scissor keyboard is the best keyboard in a Mac notebook ever, so that got me wondering about what the tastes of Mac users are and what "best" entails. Personally, as someone who loves my keyboards clicky and tactile, I love the keyboard on the 2007 MacBook, it's just perfectly tactile and gives a nice pleasant buzz to my fingers when I use it (and is reason one of three I haven't sold it off yet). Second up is the iBook G4, and then my PowerBook G3, which, while linear feeling and silent, does at least have a good key travel to it, has a good texture to it, is pretty well sized and spaced besides the arrow keys, and IMO looks classy.
Worst to me of what I've experienced would probably be the aluminum PowerBook G4. It's kinda mushy, the keys are a little too cramped for me so I make plenty of mistakes, linear key feel without as much travel as the G3... though I haven't experienced the butterfly keyboard or... anything at all Old World.​

In order from Least -> Most:

• Apple USB keyboard (the one that shipped with the ’99 iMacs)
  • I find this keyboard practically unusable for typing. Keys tend to stick and bind. Almost new so it’s not an age thing.
  • Have it only for completeness with my ’99 iMac DV SE.
• 2016 MBP butterfly keyboard
• 2018 MBP butterfly keyboard (experience here, as I promptly ditched that machine for the ’21 16” MBP)
• 1st gen Apple Wireless Keyboard (the white & clear one)
• PowerBook G4 Al keyboard (15” DSLD model)
• 2013 rMBP keyboard & Al Apple Wireless keyboard
• 2021 MacBook Pro 16”

As an aside, I ordered an Apple Magic Keyboard from eBay (NIB, only $30) to replace my venerable Al Wireless Keyboard. We’ll see if it lives up to that phenomenal keyboard in daily use...

 

[eyoungren]

I have found the Apple Pro Keyboard M7803 to be the one keyboard I prefer on all my Macs.



I own several and anticipate I will probably own more in the future. I don't really have any other favorites.

As to keyboards on laptops, I guess it just hasn't ever mattered to me.

 

[Amethyst1]

Most favourite: A1048 (2003; wired) followed by M7803 (Pro Keyboard)
Least favourite: Butterfly keyboard on 2015 12" MacBook

As to keyboards on laptops, I guess it just hasn't ever mattered to me.

Ever tried a butterfly keyboard?

 

[eyoungren]

Ever tried a butterfly keyboard?

My youngest Mac is a 2015 MBP (as you know) and that was work provided, it's not actually mine. It's been in clamshell mode for the last year and a half though and doesn't have that keyboard anyway.

Having read about all the problems, I have no desire to try one.

 

[Amethyst1]

Having read about all the problems, I have no desire to try one.

You know, when I got that "stupid" MacBook, I kept telling myself that ultraportables have always come with compromises like a crap keyboard. Was I just fooling myself?

 

[eyoungren]

You know, when I got that "stupid" MacBook, I kept telling myself that ultraportables have always come with compromises like a crap keyboard. Was I just fooling myself?

Well…there are compromises, there is settling for something and then there is being taken advantage of. Apple tends to skate between the first two and since a lot of its customers are willing to accept some compromise and settle for certain things, Apple sometimes tries to take advantage. That's usually when the customers complain, as they did here.

Cost is usually a part of this. I'm certain those keyboards cost Apple much less to make than regular keyboards. But, the cost of repair and customer outrage became more expensive in the long run - so they stopped trying to take advantage and everything went back to the status quo (compromise and some settling).

 

[m1maverick]

It's not a Mac keyboard but I really like the Apple II Plus keyboard. Solid, nice travel, great sounding (if that's a thing in keyboards).

 

[AdamBuker]

I love the keyboard on my Apple //e platinum. The key travel is excellent and I like the clack that they keys make as they are typed.
My favorite notebook keyboard is my Powerbook G4 which I now mostly use as a portable Apple //e and for iWork 09.
I also enjoyed the 2007 Aluminum keyboard for it's lower profile and wider key surface.

My least favorite are the bland and uninspired mid-90's beige keyboards. I would probably dislike the recent butterfly keyboards more if I had any real experience with them, but I'm not too fond of the current mac notebook/desktop keyboards whenever I've tried them out at Best Buy. The travel is just way too thin and it feels cheap to me.

I would still use the 2007 keyboard, but I decided to switch to something wireless that has both bluetooth and RF capabilities. I've got the RF adapter plugged into my KVM and use it for both my m1 mini and the powerbook.

 

[Applicator]

My favorite USB-KBs:
- Small aluminum-USB-KB (and BT-KB): because it's possible to to use a TPU-cover, when used in the office (same size as for the pre Butterfly Unibody-MacBookPro)
[...]
- White acrylic-KB (late white iMacG5/white early-intel iMacs): it's the only USB-KB, that can be opened fully and w/o damage for maintenance/cleaning but downside is, that needs spring-cleaning very often and offers only unpleasant typing.

My favourite KBs of the Books (PPC/intel):
[...]
- Unibody pre-retina MacBook(Pro)s: like the click&feel, when typing and the possibility to to use protection by a TPU-cover (which comes at the price of loosing that special typing)

No go:
[...]
- some acrylic large KB of (I guess) iMac G4: white keys get yellow, like the teeth of deer.

Same here.
I always wanted one of the wired small keyboards, but I'm not willing to spend more than 15€ on a 15yo small keyboard, that might die on me within a few hours.
Still, I have to admit, I'm having an eye on the small magic keyboard with Touch ID since my daily is an M1 mini. Just waiting for a good offer to pull the trigger.

Oh, and I'm on the hunt for a wireless acrylic keyboard. I owned one of these, but sadly, I traded it in for a Magic Mouse a few years back. This is the only mechanic kb I like.

I have to admit (even though I can already see some of you guys picking up stones) I really don't like the PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro (non-unibody) keyboards. Somehow I never got used to the shape of the keycaps and I miss, or hit keys unintended. All the time.
I'm a simple man. I like A1181.

 

[bobesch]

I always wanted one of the wired small keyboards, but I'm not willing to spend more than 15€ on a 15yo small keyboard, that might die on me within a few hours.

Well, in early 2021 (soon after the epedemic started) I've spent about 30€ each on those old small wired aluminum-USB-KBs (w/o number-block) plus 12€ each for special TPU-covers just to have the option to keep the KB clean.
Since the connected mid2012 15"MBPs do run Win10 I thought USB to be less complicated compared to the BT-KB.
Additionally I don't like to spend thoughts on battery-replacement.
Any rugged medical KB, that would tolerate desinfectants, would have cost three times more at that time, since they are specially designed for operating theatres and ICUs, and require to be fit into tha antiseptic environment.
Those small aluminum USB-KBs still do fine after 1,5y of 8-10/24h -and 5/7d usage.
If those small aluminum USB-KBs should ever fail to work and there's no replacement I might switch to the BT-version.
Since most causes of KB-failure are spilled fluids I hope the TPU-cover is worth it's money...

I have to admit (even though I can already see some of you guys picking up stones) I really don't like the PowerBook G4 and MacBook Pro (non-unibody) keyboards. Somehow I never got used to the shape of the keycaps and I miss, or hit keys unintended. All the time.

Oh, sorry about that!
I do really like to type on those silver-keys and I'm really fond of the pre-Unibody early-intel MBPs and also of the G4 PowerBooks. That's life.
Each cycle of Apple's stuff has it's lovers and it's haters and those lucky guys, who do not care at all ...
(best to belong to the third group ?)

Well, and then there's that stuff everyone doesn't like or learns it the hard way not to like it (because of poor performance, durability etc.)

 

[Amethyst1]

If those small aluminum USB-KBs should ever fail to work and there's no replacement I might switch to the BT-version.

The Magic Keyboard can do both Bluetooth and USB connection.

 

[bobesch]

The Magic Keyboard can do both Bluetooth and USB connection.

Are the Magic Keyboard keys the same like those from the first version of aluminum KBs?
Or more of the flat type?

 

[Amethyst1]

Are the Magic Keyboard keys the same like those from the first version of aluminum KBs?
Or more of the flat type?

They are slightly flatter but still fine to type on in my opinion. For me, the tiny "up" and "down" arrow keys on the one without numpad are the dealbreakers.

 

[Applicator]

The Magic Keyboard can do both Bluetooth and USB connection.

....and that's why I'm having an eye on them.
But 150€.... that's a lot for a keyboard that's barely any better than my 10yo wired alu keyboard.

 

[FNH15]

They are slightly flatter but still fine to type on in my opinion. For me, the tiny "up" and "down" arrow keys on the one without numpad are the dealbreakers.

Just got my eBay Magic Trackpad in the mail. The keys are also slightly wider in addition to being more “flat”.
It’s a bit of an adjustment but it’s growing on me. FYI it’s also a lot less tall than the previous gen ones with the 2x AAs.

Has a very satisfying key sound, though!

 

[Project Alice]

I have found the Apple Pro Keyboard M7803 to be the one keyboard I prefer on all my Macs.

View attachment 1988387

I own several and anticipate I will probably own more in the future. I don't really have any other favorites.

As to keyboards on laptops, I guess it just hasn't ever mattered to me.

I second this. I have a plethora of these and I love them.
I used one as my main keyboard for a long time. The only reason I don’t anymore is I really wanted a backlit one, so I bought a new Macally keyboard that is backlit. It has a similar design to the later G4 and G5 all white keyboard.

As far as laptops go, for me it is the aluminum PowerBooks/early intel MBPs hands down. Best laptop keyboards I’ve ever used. Another good contender for me is the Wallstreet Powerbook. It has a very ThinkPad like feel which I love.

 

[MultiFinder17]

For desktop boards, my absolute favorite is the one that I learned to type on back in grade school, and is still the one I use daily in my classroom on my main computer. Thank God for the Griffin iMate that I've had for decades now! Apple Part #658-4081, the original ADB Keyboard. The mechanical switches have a light, crisp feel to them that I just adore. And having learned to type on this board, the funky arrow key arrangement and placement of \ and ` don't bother me too much. Honestly, the modern Magic Keyboard is a close second. Nowhere near as much travel, but it has a nice light, crisp feel to it. I use a Magic Keyboard on my iMac in my office.



As far as laptops go, the Unibody machines from 2008-2012 are my favorites, closely followed by the final 12" PowerBook. A 1.5GHz 12" PowerBook got me all through college, and I have banged out so much code and so many papers on that keyboard that I can't not love it.

 

[haralds]

I think this depends to some extend on what you are used to.
I have a range of keyboards including mechanical, Logitech, various Apple generations and so on. But I find I have gravitated towards the current Magic Keyboard Touch for my Mac Studio. It feels pretty similar to the keyboard on my MacBook Pro M1 13".

 

[Fravin]

I think I am addicted to Apple's keyboards. I have a lot of them.

Some doesn't work but I keep them just for fun. I have:

ADB from PowerMacintosh 6500
USB beige Keyboard from PowerMacintosh G3 333 (the tower one)
USB Green from the original iMac
USB White from PowerMacintosh G4 era (bought it separately)
Bluetooth "Wireless Keyboard" (3 battery model) from an Intel iMac
USB Keyboard from early Intel era (bought it separately)
USB Extended Keyboard from early Intel era (bought it separately)
1st gen Magic Keyboard from an Intel iMac
2nd gen "Black" Magic Keyboard with numeric key from iMacPro era (bought separately)
2nd gen white Magic Keyboard
2nd gen white Magic Keyboard with numeric keys (my main keyboard)

iPad
SmartFolio Keyboard
Black Magic Keyboard

From all of them, i prefer the Magic Keyboard with numeric Keys. And I love the white one. I like the feel of it and the return pressure it does. I have several MacBooks over those years. And I have to admit I liked the feel of the butterfly one in 2015 MacBook 12".

My last interaction with the butterfly model was with 2019 MacBookPro 15" that I loved. I never have a faulty key with those butterfly keyboards.