In love with the MBP 2016 keyboard

[Shaunthesheep]

I recently got my base model MBP nTB and I'm overall impressed by the machine, the screen, speakers etc. But I think the keyboard might be the best feature, it feels so tactile and is really easy to type fast on. Easily the best one I've used, period.

Since I have seen pretty much nothing but complaints towards this keyboard, I feel obligated to post this thread to prove that some/most(?) of us are lucky enough to get a fully functional keyboard and get the experience Apple meant to give it's users with this keyboard. I really hope it dosen't start failing on me though.

If you also feel this way towards the keyboard, feel free to share your experience as well.

 

[leman]

It has already been established that most people who have had prolonged exposure to the new keyboard either prefer it to the old one or are neutral towards it. The complains mostly come from people who only tried it out briefly in a store.

 

[maflynn]

he complains mostly come from people who only tried it out briefly in a store.

Perhaps because they don't buy the MBP in part because of the keyboard. I'll not argue that people can get used to it, but that doesn't mean its a great keyboard.

OP, glad you;re enjoying the keyboard, one size doesn't fit all, and its good that its working out for you

 

[Karnicopia]

I really love the keyboard too, it's really a combination of things, the wide keys make it one of the most accurate keyboards I've used it's just really easy and comfortable to strike keys and the even action no matter where you strike the key is also a huge benefit here. Other keyboard keys are wobbly and the action can deteriorate significantly if you hit an edge of a key but this keyboard is great with that. It is loud at first if you type hard but as you get used to it my fingers move less and I type lighter because the keys take very little force to activate so I actually find it overall a really comfortable and fast keyboard. I think apple absolutely knocked this keyboard out of the park.

Just in general Apple really nailed the ways that you interact with the machine, they keyboard, trackpad, display and speakers are all significant steps up from anything I've seen and I do find all of these things important in a laptop. They all greatly improve my experience of actually using this as a laptop, on your lap and on the move. Honestly even the speakers, I normally wouldn't even say that but it actually is really nice to be able to get decent sound quality without having to hunt down a pair of headphones and the sound quality these things put out is pretty remarkable. It took something that was so bad I would never use it on a laptop into something that I enjoy and use often.

 

[seadragon]

The complains mostly come from people who only tried it out briefly in a store.

And also from people who experience the many malfunctions posted about already... uneven key pressure, high pitch sounds and loud clicks, unresponsive or repeating keys. Apple will even stick a shim in some of them in an attempt to fix. They are also retrieving some machines back to engineering to figure out what's going on. It's a beta keyboard.

 

[iRabbit]

I'm growing quite fond of it in time.

I will say, I was in the Apple Store last night at the Genius Bar (for battery service on my older MacBook Air) and I asked the guy if he'd been seeing a lot of 2016s with keyboard issues. He said not really, but seeing some. He also said, the new keyboard doe NOT like to have dirt or crumbs dropped in it, and at least some of the issues (not all) have been related to that.

The only real issue that concerns me is durability. But thankfully a 1 year warranty helps, and so does Apple Care if you buy it.

 

[leman]

Perhaps because they don't buy the MBP in part because of the keyboard. I'll not argue that people can get used to it, but that doesn't mean its a great keyboard.

Maflynn, the pain tis that its a new keyboard. Keyboard is a very intimate thing, and as such, very personal. Of course, if one hands you a keyboard that feels unlike any keyboard you have experienced before, the initial reaction will be "omg, what is this". And for some people it will stay like it. Then again, if you look at the forums, you'll find the common pattern of people writing how they were sceptical about the keyboard at first, but how it was growing on them in time and how they now can type faster and with less effort. This is why the sarcasm about "You'll get used to it" is completely inapropriate. Its a different type of keyboard. Yes, you'll most likely get used to it and there is a good chance that you'll end up preferring it. And no, its not worse than the XPS keyboard, which is mostly a copy of the older MBP keyboard.

Edit: and I just saw that I posted it in the wrong topic, this was suppose to go into he XPS vs MBp thread. Well, who cares

 

[Scary Spice]

The keyboard is a typical apple evolution... You feel neutral or uncomfortable using it during your first couple of weeks of ownership, then you don't think about it.

UNTIL... you try to use the previous keyboards, and then they feel sooooo crappy and old fashioned.

Just like when I get my new iPhone every fall... I move my stuff to the new phone and think 'this new model is nice, I guess, but no biggie', then days later I try the previous gen and it feels soooo slow and decades old tech...

As it has been said many times before, Apple gives you what you want, even if you don't realize it..

 

[CaptRB]

It has already been established that most people who have had prolonged exposure to the new keyboard either prefer it to the old one or are neutral towards it. The complains mostly come from people who only tried it out briefly in a store.

Correct-a-Mundo!

I recently ran a poll here that bore that out completely. MOST owners prefer it over the old version.

But just like the battery life issues (now solved), the critics don't like to let go. As time goes on the dust settles and we're seeing that the new machines are excellent.

Dell, HP and others don't even BOTHER with their keyboards. Apple tested these new keyboards with trial groups for months and the results are fantastic. Easily the best keyboard I've used.

R.

 

[bevsb2]

I love the new keyboard. No problems with mine whatsoever.

 

[CaptRB]

I love the new keyboard. No problems with mine whatsoever.

Most owners agree with you.


R.

 

[AZ Jack]

The keyboard was one of the single biggest areas of concern I had before purchasing this laptop. I visited the Apple Store multiple times trying it out in the store and comparing to the last generation laptop side-by-side. My primary concern was the noise. It is louder than the older generation keyboards and there is no getting around it. I ultimately ended up purchasing the laptop and have absolutely no regrets, keyboard included. After using the computer for about 4 months now, I actually prefer the new keyboard, the form factor, how clean it looks with the LED lights not bleeding around the keys, and typing on it is definitely quick and smooth. But, I still have to admit, I wish it was quieter. I am frequently using my laptop to take notes during meetings and other similar situations and have to make a real effort to type more quietly. Is it enough to make me wish I didn't buy it? No way. I am still very happy. Perhaps apple could work on making future generation keyboards with the same form factor and style of this butterfly technology quieter. That would be awesome, but like I said, I'm happy with it regardless.

 

[BenTrovato]

After using a keyboard for any number of years, of course the new MBP is going to stink. It is better though, whether it takes you 5 days or 5 months to realize it, it's an improvement over the previous version. With millions of people using the keyboard, it obviously won't be better for everyone. Some people don't think 4k screens are better, that's life.

 

[csurfr]

.... My primary concern was the noise. It is louder than the older generation keyboards and there is no getting around it.....

After using it for a while you will see that the new keyboard is quite easy to type on near silently.

I have been in rooms with 30 others typing on their older MacBook Pro's clacking away, and my 2016 is silent. It just takes getting used to. And that's the problem with all of the people who walk into the Apple Store, mash on the keys for 3 minutes and ultimately say "it sucks". My guess is they are going into the situation with that mindset. And the new MacBook Pro is selling pretty well if you believe what Apple says.

 

[CaptRB]

After using it for a while you will see that the new keyboard is quite easy to type on near silently.

I have been in rooms with 30 others typing on their older MacBook Pro's clacking away, and my 2016 is nearly silent. It just takes getting used to. And that's the problem with all of the people who walk into the Apple Store, mash on the keys for 3 minutes and ultimately say "it sucks". My guess is they are going into the situation with that mindset. And the new MacBook Pro is selling pretty well if you believe what Apple says.

I don't think it's louder, but the pitch is different. And it CAN be louder than my older units if I type on it with the same force.
But I've learned how to use the new keyboard and it requires less typing force, so it's not louder at all.
My wife is sitting next to me right now with an Air and while those keys sound different, I don't detect much difference in volume. I'm likely using a lighter touch. She also has the 13" touch bar and prefers that keyboard over the older versions. The whole keyboard thing is mostly a joke at this point.


R.

 

[csurfr]

I don't think it's louder, but the pitch is different. And it CAN be louder than my older units if I type on it with the same force.
But I've learned how to use the new keyboard and it requires less typing force, so it's not louder at all.
My wife is sitting next to me right now with an Air and while those keys sound different, I don't detect much difference in volume. I'm likely using a lighter touch. She also has the 13" touch bar and prefers that keyboard over the older versions. The whole keyboard thing is mostly a joke at this point.


R.

You're absolutely right. I feel like it is people complaining just for the sake of complaining. It's a great machine. Be happy you can afford it. First world problems, right?

 

[parajba]

It has already been established that most people who have had prolonged exposure to the new keyboard either prefer it to the old one or are neutral towards it. The complains mostly come from people who only tried it out briefly in a store.

Or from those people who purchased it, got a few keys that did not register properly, or double typed, and returned it for a full refund, and went back to the older model for another year. Like me.

 

[seadragon]

Or from those people who purchased it, got a few keys that did not register properly, or double typed, and returned it for a full refund, and went back to the older model for another year. Like me.

Exactly, everyone is talking around the quality problems. I guarantee Apple will revise this keyboard.

 

[fokmik]

I also love the keyboard...i didnt have a tought at the beginning, like the 5k imac (i thought it was not a big difference from the previous 1440p) but WHEN you go back to older ones you feel these differences
The design of the old keyboard with that bleed at night,those tiny keys,so much travel for me means a slower type.
I love that also very colder while is charging thanks to its usb-c, on my late 2013 15", i got around 50C temperature around the magsafe and now i get around 27C
It is a better in every way, and you cannot achieve this, by updating every year

 

[aevan]

Exactly, everyone is talking around the quality problems. I guarantee Apple will revise this keyboard.

Everyone? Cognitive bias.

Majority of people don't have problems. A small minority is the most vocal.

Same with likes/dislikes too.

 

[SDColorado]

I actually find I have more issues with keystrokes not registering with the older keyboards and the longer key travel. I think because I *am* a light touch typist, that I would sometimes not depress the key far enough for it to register.

Edit: but ya know, the first time I switched from Blackberry and its physical keyboard to the iPhone, I thought that was weird and uncomfortable as well. Now I don't know why people like my buddy Bob, actually prefer those clunky Blackberry keyboards

 

[smallcoffee]

I like it as well and it's a nice improvement coming from a 2015 MacBook

 

[CaptRB]

Exactly, everyone is talking around the quality problems. I guarantee Apple will revise this keyboard.

Everyone? LOL. I've seen no uptick in complaints about quality. Just the normal stuff with every release. I don't know anyone with keyboard issues, though they must be out there of course. But I don't get this mindset where people with an issue need to believe (against all evidence) that their problem must be widespread.
If these keyboards had extensive issues, we'd not be able to read about anything else in Apple forums.


R.

 

[jackoatmon]

it's the best keyboard

 

[smelly cat]

I concur that, in my opinion, it's the absolute best keyboard Apple has ever shipped. A huge improvement over the 12" MacBook keyboard, too.