I don't like the rMB keyboard

[ahostmadsen]

I have had the rMB for some months, and I have to say I have not gotten used to the rMB keyboard. It feels hard on my fingers, and also gives more typos. Perhaps it's because I use an Apple Wireless keyboard most of the time. But since these are Apple products, it should be possible to switch back and forth (continuity...). My wife got an SP4, and I prefer even that floppy keyboard.

I love the single port (yes: the fact that i just have to disconnect one wire when I leave my desk as opposed to four with my MBA is a great advantage, not a disadvantage), the performance is great after upgrading to 10.11, the trackpad is excellent (much better than SP4, since I mentioned it before), the battery life is OK (about 8 hours). But the keyboard... That's where I feel the compromise.

 

[Ovedius]

I love the single port (yes: the fact that i just have to disconnect one wire when I leave my desk as opposed to four with my MBA is a great advantage, not a disadvantage)

I'm intrigued.
Just how does that work?

What four cables did you disconnect from the Air?
How are those four replaced by one on the rMB?


I'm asking 'cause I'm considering getting a rMB when the Skylake-refresh comes around.

 

[ahostmadsen]

I'm intrigued.
Just how does that work?

What four cables did you disconnect from the Air?
How are those four replaced by one on the rMB?


I'm asking 'cause I'm considering getting a rMB when the Skylake-refresh comes around.

MBA:
external HD [not needed with 512Gb SSD in rMB]
TM Backup HD
External Screen
Power

rMB:
One cable that connects TM Backup, External Screen, and Power.

 

[Ovedius]

Oooh, neat!

 

[boltjames]

MBA:
external HD [not needed with 512Gb SSD in rMB]
TM Backup HD
External Screen
Power

rMB:
One cable that connects TM Backup, External Screen, and Power.

Amazing!

BJ

 

[maxsix]

I was able to fully acclimate to the shallow travel keyboard of my new MacBook in just a few days. What worked well for me was to deliberately type slow for the first few days. Suddenly it was no longer an odd feeling.

Even more remarkable is how easy I find it to switch between using my 12" MacBook and my 15" MBPr. It's something I do regularly as I bought the MacBook to enjoy each week when I fly for business. Overall I am very happy with this new keyboard.

 

[Eric8199]

Probably should get used to the keyboard if you ever want to upgrade to a new Mac. Have you used the new Magic Keyboard yet? Same type of keys. I'm sure the next MBP will have them too to bring everything in line.

 

[AdonisSMU]

The new keyboard is the best part about the macbook. I dont like lots of travel on keyboards. I Had the opposite problem you have more travel for me means more mistakes from not pressing down hard wnough.

 

[Max(IT)]

I think it's quite subjective... I tried the new keyboard just for a few hours and I think I could live with it

 

[Cvx5832]

For what it's worth, I'm on the tail end of 5 months on an app I'm writing soup to nuts on the RMB 12. I initially liked it but I am going with an MBP keyboard on the next project.

 

[T5BRICK]

It's all personal preference, but I couldn't handle the rMB keyboards for day to day usage.

 

[whodatrr]

Doesn't bug me a whole lot more than other Mac keyboards. But I'm not a touch typist, so there's that.

I also have the new SP4 KB, on my SP3. Now that was a quantum leap from the prior gen. I'd rate it about the same as the rMB KB, when it's laid flat. I still can't get used to the bounce, when it's propped up.

Speaking of those two system (SP vs rMB), amazing how much smaller lighter and sleeker the rMB feels, next to the SP.

 

[polee]

I have gotten used to the keyboard. In fact, I think it is ergonomically nice to use. The size of each key is just right for me and I a, not too bothered with its lack of travel.

 

[dyn]

I love the single port (yes: the fact that i just have to disconnect one wire when I leave my desk as opposed to four with my MBA is a great advantage, not a disadvantage)

That's why I use a Thunderbolt dock with my MBA. The only disadvantage is that I still have to connect the power separately so not 1 cable but 2. These things greatly enhance the use of a notebook as primary system.

I can relate to your keyboard dilemma because I've grown accustomed to my mechanical keyboard. It has such a nice clickyness to it I simply do not find in those rubber dome keyboards. The keyboard on the MB does come very close to the mechanical keyboard due to its clickyness but I'm not so sure about the key travel. Could it be the very short key travel that is causing you to find it too hard on your fingers?

 

[jazz1]

To each his his own I guess. I'm fully acclimated to this new style Apple keyboard. In fact my iMac's BT keyboard keys feel sluggish as I seem to have to put more force into the keystrokes.

Note I've even added a Moshi keyboard protector and I'm typing as fast as ever and my accuracy isn't suffering. Yes certainly felt different at first, but it is all good now. Having said that i'm not so sure about the iPad Pro's upcoming fabric keyboard. Of course that is for another forum.

 

[dyn]

That's the fun thing with mechanical keyboards. You don't have to press deeply to actuate the key. The actuation is rather shallow, shallower than the Apple rubber dome keyboards and more comparable to the MB keyboard. The only reason why the mech is nicer to type on is the fact that it doesn't stop at the actuation point, you can go further. That means that you don't hit the bottom immediately. You have a cushion effect which is why mechs are so comfortable to type on. Rubber dome keyboards have their actuation at the very bottom thus you are always hitting something hard which makes them rather uncomfortable.

However, keyboards are like mice and trackpads: rather personal. Some simply hate mechs whereas others hate rubber dome. Some people have a light touch, some a very hard one (trying to push the key right through the desk).

 

[mattopotamus]

It is a hate-hate relationship. At first I hated it, now I hate everything else that is not the macbook keyboard

 

[fanta88]

Despite my concern about the keyboard's reliability, I too have grown to love typing on it.

 

[maflynn]

rMB:
One cable that connects TM Backup, External Screen, and Power.

For me Its the polar opposite, I was looking at that MacBook yesterday at the apple store and I cannot easily see a way to hook it up to my desktop peripherals including my monitor.

For my Surface Pro 3, I have the USB and mini display port plugged into the dock, so I slide the SP3 out when ever I ened it. For the MacBook, I need the 80 dollar dongle that is only HDMI, I'll need another connector to convert the HDMI to Mini display port (or find a dongle that includes the mini-display port). I'll need another hub to connect my USB cables into it so that I have on USB cable coming to the dongle.

I'm not knocking the MB or your setup but I can only see mess of wires needed if I were to embrace the rMB. I will (and have in the past) say the MB is a beautiful computer. I love the trackpad, its so big and expansive. The keyboard is an upgrade to my type cover keyboard as well.

 

[Elise]

I love the keyboard! I love the satisfying gentle click the keys make as I type and rarely make errors! Best keyboard I've used and this is coming from someone who was very worried about it before buying.

 

[mattopotamus]

For me Its the polar opposite, I was looking at that MacBook yesterday at the apple store and I cannot easily see a way to hook it up to my desktop peripherals including my monitor.

For my Surface Pro 3, I have the USB and mini display port plugged into the dock, so I slide the SP3 out when ever I ened it. For the MacBook, I need the 80 dollar dongle that is only HDMI, I'll need another connector to convert the HDMI to Mini display port (or find a dongle that includes the mini-display port). I'll need another hub to connect my USB cables into it so that I have on USB cable coming to the dongle.

I'm not knocking the MB or your setup but I can only see mess of wires needed if I were to embrace the rMB. I will (and have in the past) say the MB is a beautiful computer. I love the trackpad, its so big and expansive. The keyboard is an upgrade to my type cover keyboard as well.

It goes both ways. It's nice having a single cable to plug in, but if you need more than just one extra USB port, it can be tricky.

 

[boltjames]

It goes both ways. It's nice having a single cable to plug in, but if you need more than just one extra USB port, it can be tricky.

...and to add:

The 12" RMB is simply not a desktop replacement, it's not what it's designed for. It's not for those who need to dock a notebook Monday-Friday or need a notebook to do massive multi-tasking. Apple has other MacBook's for that. It's not a daily heavy hauler, it's lightweight for specific situations.

It's not the family pickup truck; it's the weekend convertible. So if you have a family of 5 and deliver lumber, the Porsche 911 is not for you. Saying "the Porsche 911 is a disappointment because it sucks at carpooling and can't carry two strollers" isn't an indictment of Porsche, it just makes the person making the statement sound completely ignorant.

BJ

 

[mattopotamus]

...and to add:

The 12" RMB is simply not a desktop replacement, it's not what it's designed for. It's not for those who need to dock a notebook Monday-Friday or need a notebook to do massive multi-tasking. Apple has other MacBook's for that. It's not a daily heavy hauler, it's lightweight for specific situations.

It's not the family pickup truck; it's the weekend convertible. So if you have a family of 5 and deliver lumber, the Porsche 911 is not for you. Saying "the Porsche 911 is a disappointment because it sucks at carpooling and can't carry two strollers" isn't an indictment of Porsche, it just makes the person making the statement sound completely ignorant.

BJ

I will disagree. I dock Monday-Friday and it is my sole computer. It is not for a power user, but it can easily replacement a desktop for 90% of the population. It actually runs better when docked since it does not have to drive the Retina display.

 

[Theophil1971]

I didn't mind it at first - thought it was an innovative way of saving space in the chassis. Now,I can't have it any other way. Traditional keyboards feel old and outdated, and it's difficult to type on them. I write 5000-10000 words per week, and the MacBook is, for me, the perfect writing machine.

 

[ahostmadsen]

I didn't mind it at first - thought it was an innovative way of saving space in the chassis. Now,I can't have it any other way. Traditional keyboards feel old and outdated, and it's difficult to type on them. I write 5000-10000 words per week, and the MacBook is, for me, the perfect writing machine.

Perhaps the problem is that I don't use the rMB keyboard enough, mostly using the Apple Wireless keyboard.