late-2012 iMac keyboard vs 2019 iMac keyboard

[schmadrian]

Hey, all. Recently, I began using a 2019 iMac. I'm a writer, so I tap the keys a lot. So I was bewildered when I was having real issues with my keystrokes; constant mistakes. I mean, I thought I'd lost dexterity. It was only going back and forth between the two iMacs that I realized that it wasn't me, it was the keyboard. Suffice it to say that I hate the 2019's.

So here's my question: Does Apple sell a keyboard that's not the one from the 2019 iMac?

 

[filmgirl]

Apple does not. You can get the extended keyboard with a number pad, but the key travel, location, and size is identical to the magic keyboard that Apple has been shipping since 2015 or so.

If you prefer the older keyboard, you may like the Logitech MX Keys. The Mac version just came out (identical to the PC version but it has the darker iMac Pro space grey colorway and doesn’t have the split labels on the CMD key) and I would need to find an older Apple keyboard to check, but it feels like it’s a bit closer to the older style.

I assume the keyboard you’re referring to from before was the magic keyboard that took AA batteries and a slightly higher incline? I’ve got several of those around that I’ll need to track down but I can compare with various first and third-party Apple keyboards for similarities.

 

[Juicy Box]

I suggest looking on ebay for older keyboards.

I didn't like the Keyboard that came with my Late 2012 iMac. Up until then, I used the plastic ones (A1048), and really disliked typing on the newer aluminum keyboards.

I ended up just giving away the aluminum one and using my old keyboard. I have since bought a few keyboards on ebay since then.

On my Late 2011 MBP, I use the even older Apple Pro Keyboard (M7903):



I prefer the keystrokes to this one more than the white plastic ones, and way better than the aluminum ones.

Suffice it to say that I hate the 2019's.

I haven't used the newest keyboards, but it bet I wouldn't like it either. It seems like the more popular Apple products are getting, the worse I fine their current keyboards.

 

[Think creative]

Apple does not. You can get the extended keyboard with a number pad, but the key travel, location, and size is identical to the magic keyboard that Apple has been shipping since 2015 or so.

If you prefer the older keyboard, you may like the Logitech MX Keys. The Mac version just came out (identical to the PC version but it has the darker iMac Pro space grey colorway and doesn’t have the split labels on the CMD key) and I would need to find an older Apple keyboard to check, but it feels like it’s a bit closer to the older style.

I assume the keyboard you’re referring to from before was the magic keyboard that took AA batteries and a slightly higher incline? I’ve got several of those around that I’ll need to track down but I can compare with various first and third-party Apple keyboards for similarities.

the Logitech MX keys is the best keyboard I've found. I still love the old style apple keyboard from 2012 (the wired extended keyboard) and may even grab a new one off eBay as a back up, but my other work staton I have an MX keys and it's the closest in terms of feel and I love the travel distance. Not too long, not too short. I'm also a writer and while I love a good MK in theory, the travel distances plus actuation force is not great for fingers long term. I wouldn't be shocked in ten years if there's a ton of coders who have major RSI issues with those heavy keyboards their all buying and modding.