Let's talk about the keyboard

[lambda-lambda]

My 2016 13" no touch bar MacBook Pro arrived this morning. I've been reasonably willing to lose the flexibility of the ports, 28w processors (in this model) along with accepting the price hike. But this keyboard is much, much worse than I expected. Disclaimer: I am quite picky with keyboards, usually I type on a HHKB, but the old MacBook Pro keyboard was perfectly acceptable.

My first impressions were that the machine is very nicely finished - it looks fantastic. The weight difference from the previous 13" model is small enough to be ignored. But then I opened it up and started the setup, and it felt like I was drumming my fingers on a hard surface. There isn't a great deal of difference between this and the force touch trackpad. Yes, the keys are more stable - but they have to be because the stroke length is so small that any play would result in missing keypresses as the edge of the key would bottom out before actuation. There is no way I could type on this for a long period of time.

My other complaint is that it is unreasonably loud. It's now in the realm of clicky keyboards - but maybe you don't mind this, after all there are people who type on MX blues. It would be pretty bad to be in a quiet room with someone else typing though.

I'm probably not representative of the typical user. I'm sure many people will enjoy this keyboard. I lurked the waiting for skylake thread for around a year and ordered as soon as they were available - but this computer will be going straight back to Apple and I think I'll be on the market for the early 2017 windows (linux) machines.

 

[leman]

I've just been to an Apple Store to check one of these machines out. The keyboard certainly needs some getting used to, but mostly because keys are larger and positioned differently. Didn't find it any noisier than in my 2015 model, in fact, it seemed quieter. The short travel is a matter of taste I suppose. I think it might be easier on my fingers but of course, I'd need to test it out over a longer period of time.

I'd say give it a try for few days, if you still hate it you can always return it for other options.

 

[applesith]

I tried it this weekend at the apple store. I liked it. I have a 2015 rMB, so I am used to that form-factor. I may have liked the new version a little bit better, but I think it being more comfortable has to do with a larger footprint. There's something more comfortable when typing on a computer when there is more space around the keyboard/my hands.

 

[stockscalper]

I tried one in the noisy environment of a BestBuy this weekend and over the din of customers talking and tv's playing I could hear the keys when I typed. I can't imagine how loud it would be using it in my quiet office.

While I was in the store I typed on the MacBook Air, the old Pro, a Lenovo Yoga and HP Spectre x360. All of these computers had similar keyboards and to me were much, much nicer and easier to type on that the new Pro. Plus they were quiet. I wouldn't rule out the Pro, but I realize the keyboard is personal to every user and this one will take some getting used to. If I had one I probably would feel it was just fine after a few months use. But, I'm used to the other keyboards and the Pro's keyboard is definitely different.

 

[chabig]

My 2016 13" no touch bar MacBook Pro arrived this morning.

I think that says a lot right there. It's reasonable to expect that some time would be necessary to adjust. It's still new to you, and you're not used to it. Report back in two weeks.

 

[lambda-lambda]

I think that says a lot right there. It's reasonable to expect that some time would be necessary to adjust. It's still new to you, and you're not used to it. Report back in two weeks.

I've used it all day now: I hate it. I've been through a lot of different mechanical keyboards, I know what I like and don't like. Unfortunately this is a strong dislike, and one I can't get over. Again, I'm sure a lot of people can get over it - just not me.

 

[zhenya]

I type all day switching between a HHKB Pro and my rMB. It takes some getting used to but in the long run I have no problem at all with the new keyboard. The tactile feedback is great once you learn to only press hard enough to activate the switch and not so hard as to bottom out. It will be a lot quieter then too. Training myself to type lighter - which I was already in the process of doing with the HHKB before I got the rMB has been one of the best ergonomic things I've ever done. Your HHKB has a trigger point that activates before the key bottoms out as well.

 

[chabig]

I've used it all day now: I hate it. I've been through a lot of different mechanical keyboards, I know what I like and don't like. Unfortunately this is a strong dislike, and one I can't get over. Again, I'm sure a lot of people can get over it - just not me.

I felt the same way when I purchased my Apple Bluetooth keyboard. But over time I learned to adjust to it. I am not trying to dismiss your opinion, but it might take you more than a day. Fortunately you have 14 days to decide.

 

[therealseebs]

I think that says a lot right there. It's reasonable to expect that some time would be necessary to adjust. It's still new to you, and you're not used to it. Report back in two weeks.

This is brilliant. We should do this for everything that could be a matter of personal taste.

Change your desktop? Well, sure, but if you haven't had your current desktop picture for two weeks, we'll just make you stick with it because probably you're not used to it yet. Report back in two weeks.

Don't want to date someone? Well, sure, but if you haven't actually had an active romantic relationship with them for two weeks, we'll just make you stick with it because probably you're just not used to them yet. Report back in two weeks.

This solves everything.

 

[protoxx]

Keyboards are like girlfriends. They all have good points and bad points. Every one is an adjustment. Some are keepers and others aren't worth the trouble of keeping around and are better replaced. External/desktop keyboards easier to swap out. Laptop keyboards you kind of like Catholic marriages. You can't divorce of them but you can have something on the side.

 

[jackoatmon]

i heard the keyboard has a gun under each key that shoots your finger with a bullet and your finger dies every time you hit a key because the laptop is just a bunch of hand-shooting guns

 

[Hank Carter]

It feels like you're typing on a piece of wood.

 

[motime]

It is a terrible keyboard, can type fast on it but the experience is really cheap. It also sounds annoyingly loud.

 

[maerz001]

A little OT: how is the edge of frame for the hand rest? Always found it a bit to sharp and high compared to the air or rMB which are more ergonomic for me to type.

Can someone measure the height please? The air has 7mm.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

I've used it all day now: I hate it. I've been through a lot of different mechanical keyboards, I know what I like and don't like. Unfortunately this is a strong dislike, and one I can't get over. Again, I'm sure a lot of people can get over it - just not me.

So return it and move on.

 

[Altis]

OP, how long did it take you to get used to the HHKB? I know that Topre can take a while to love.

I tend to dislike the new keyboard because it has less travel than the flesh of my finger when I press down on it. I actually like the clickiness of it a bit, but not for an on-board keyboard that you can't swap out.

If there's one thing Lenovo has going for them, it's a really nice keyboard.

 

[Ryan1524]

Count another one for positive experience on the new keyboard. I immediately liked it.

The wider keys and less wobble makes it more comfortable to type. There was sufficient travel for me to know that I've hit a key, but the short enough that I feel like it's faster and more responsive as far as typing goes.



Side note: the 13" MBP is very small. Even smaller than I expected from the pictures, and is very solid and handsome in person. It's odd how such minor changes, nip/tuck here and there can create a genuinely fresh looking device.