Magic Keyboard first impressions/review (and a surprise!)

[jclardy]

That makes sense if someone has arthritis, but I have yet to meet anyone (in person) who prefers the "cheaper feeling" of the short travel VS. a regular keyboard feeling. I returned my new keyboard immediately because I couldn't find anything good about it.

Uhh, how many people in person have even tried this keyboard? I just picked one up yesterday and I love it. And this is coming from someone who owns (and uses) 3 mechanical keyboards (Cherry MX greens, blues and browns) and a ton of other random wireless keyboards. The new keyboard keys have a lot more click to them which makes them feel closer to an old style mechanical switch than a typical scissor switch. Personally I can't wait till I can get a MBP with this keyboard embedded. And I am glad they aren't dead set on using that butterfly switch from the new Macbook - that keyboard is terrible IMO - on the outer keys it is difficult to tell if you even depressed it or not.

I'm not going to be throwing away my mechanicals any time soon, but this is easily my favorite wireless keyboard (Second place goes to my logitech board which can remember and switch pairings between 3 devices, just for that functionality alone.)

 

[Mac... nificent]

Conversely, I've yet to meet anyone who didn't prefer the shorter travel of the new keyboard.

That's easy to fix, just come to the store that I work at and ask independent people how they feel about it. Don't worry, you won't have to be there long before you start to see a definite pattern.

I'm just going to assume that in Apple's internal testing that more people preferred this key travel than not.

You know what they say about making assumptions... Sorry, couldn't resist

Otherwise they wouldn't be selling it

You'll notice while you're standing in the store that they're not.

I am glad they aren't dead set on using that butterfly switch from the new Macbook - that keyboard is terrible IMO

I've had around 20-25 people so far (since the new keyboard was released) compare the new keyboard (side by side) with the new Macbook keyboard, and so far not one person could tell any difference between the feel of either. If you can then more power to ya, but I'm willing to bet that the travel on both keyboards is similar.

 

[squirrrl]

I guess I'm just shocked and amazed that people prefer different things... OMG, what a concept.

These arguments are silly, honestly. I like the new macbook keyboard and I think i'll probably really like the new "magic" keyboard (despite the dumb name). I don't like a lot of travel on my keys, but (at least with my rMB keyboard) I like having a satisfying click. I bang away at my keyboard with more force than I probably need to, but that's the way I type.

You know there's still people out there that love their mechanical typewriters... lots of key travel and "feedback" when clicked. To each his own.

I find it amazing the amount of time people argue over how much better one product is over another when the basis is simply due to what they prefer and their style of typing (which differs pretty vastly from person to person).

I guess this is way to much to ask of a public forum, but it would be nice if people kept their comments to what they like or dislike without getting into pissing contests about what is "universally better". If people have a feeling about what is solid and cheaply made, that's fine, but to argue with someone else about what is better solely based on a particular person's preference is pretty idiotic.

 

[WilliamG]

Well this conversation is pointless, isn't it (note the lack of question mark). You're telling me I'll notice they're not selling them? That's your argument? Oy... let's move on, shall we..

 

[WilliamG]

I guess I'm just shocked and amazed that people prefer different things... OMG, what a concept.

These arguments are silly, honestly. I like the new macbook keyboard and I think i'll probably really like the new "magic" keyboard (despite the dumb name). I don't like a lot of travel on my keys, but (at least with my rMB keyboard) I like having a satisfying click. I bang away at my keyboard with more force than I probably need to, but that's the way I type.

You know there's still people out there that love their mechanical typewriters... lots of key travel and "feedback" when clicked. To each his own.

I find it amazing the amount of time people argue over how much better one product is over another when the basis is simply due to what they prefer and their style of typing (which differs pretty vastly from person to person).

I guess this is way to much to ask of a public forum, but it would be nice if people kept their comments to what they like or dislike without getting into pissing contests about what is "universally better". If people have a feeling about what is solid and cheaply made, that's fine, but to argue with someone else about what is better solely based on a particular person's preference is pretty idiotic.

^ ^ Quoted for truth.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I love the new keyboard also. I still think it could've been closer to the rMB keyboard. I think the rMB keyboard is the best thing about it besides the size. I also love that it charges with a lightening connector. I also have the trackpad which I love. It makes me so excited everytime I use it and think about it. I was like why didn't I think of this before.

 

[rkdiddy]

I actually just came onto the forum to see how users were liking the new keyboard. I'm having a tough time getting used to it and I'm not sure why. Maybe I need to change my seating angle or something, but I find myself mistyping and having to think about the keys I'm going to hit. I've always enjoyed Apples keyboards , but really struggling with this one.

 

[WilliamG]

I actually just came onto the forum to see how users were liking the new keyboard. I'm having a tough time getting used to it and I'm not sure why. Maybe I need to change my seating angle or something, but I find myself mistyping and having to think about the keys I'm going to hit. I've always enjoyed Apples keyboards , but really struggling with this one.

You can't please everyone with keyboards, or...anything. Give it a bit more time and if you still don't like it, return it!

 

[newellj]

I actually just came onto the forum to see how users were liking the new keyboard. I'm having a tough time getting used to it and I'm not sure why. Maybe I need to change my seating angle or something, but I find myself mistyping and having to think about the keys I'm going to hit. I've always enjoyed Apples keyboards , but really struggling with this one.

Do you think your issue is the angle, or the shorter key travel, or both?

I had an rMB and really didn't like the keyboard compared to the Wireless Keyboard and the rMBP.

I do think it's all down to personal preference. It didn't agree with me. Others love it.

 

[newellj]

You can't please everyone with keyboards, or...anything. Give it a bit more time and if you still don't like it, return it!

LOL, some of us learned to type on *manual* office typewriters. That may permanently affect your point of view on keyboards.

 

[mattopotamus]

It is totally preference and what you get use to. It took about 2 weeks for me to fully adjust to the rMB keyboard, and prior to the magic keyboard, I hated having to use the old wireless keyboard at work. Once you adjust to the low travel, it really makes other keyboards feel bulky and outdated.

 

[C64]

A couple of negatives:
[...]
4.) For the OCD among you, the up and down arrow keys aren't perfectly aligned together, something I noticed in pictures from other reviews (it's pretty subtle). It won't bother many, but it's something I at least noticed.

I noticed that on a few pictures I saw in other reviews as well:

http://www.macworld.com/article/299...board-review-should-have-called-it-basic.html
http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/10/slide-14-apple-magic-keyboard-100622402-large.jpg

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/apple-imac-with-4k-retina-display-21-5-inch-2015-pictures/16/

This would be a deal-breaker for me. For this price, it being an Apple product, and something I look at all day, I don't think I could stand it.

Anyone else having this problem, or is it just a random production thing?

 

[mattopotamus]

I noticed that on a few pictures I saw in other reviews as well:

http://www.macworld.com/article/299...board-review-should-have-called-it-basic.html
http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/10/slide-14-apple-magic-keyboard-100622402-large.jpg

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/apple-imac-with-4k-retina-display-21-5-inch-2015-pictures/16/

This would be a deal-breaker for me. For this price, it being an Apple product, and something I look at all day, I don't think I could stand it.

Anyone else having this problem, or is it just a random production thing?

i don't know why, but it sent chills up my back haha

 

[WilliamG]

I noticed that on a few pictures I saw in other reviews as well:

http://www.macworld.com/article/299...board-review-should-have-called-it-basic.html
http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2015/10/slide-14-apple-magic-keyboard-100622402-large.jpg

http://www.cnet.com/pictures/apple-imac-with-4k-retina-display-21-5-inch-2015-pictures/16/

This would be a deal-breaker for me. For this price, it being an Apple product, and something I look at all day, I don't think I could stand it.

Anyone else having this problem, or is it just a random production thing?

It's certainly not a deal-breaker. Even the previous-gen keyboard wasn't aligned on the up/down arrows, either.

 

[C64]

It's certainly not a deal-breaker. Even the previous-gen keyboard wasn't aligned on the up/down arrows, either.

I'm using the first one (still with three batteries): perfectly aligned. But I'm thinking it's just a manufacturing thing and bad quality control; probably will be (or already is) corrected in a newer batch.

 

[WilliamG]

I'm using the first one (still with three batteries): perfectly aligned. But I'm thinking it's just a manufacturing thing and bad quality control; probably will be (or already is) corrected in a newer batch.

I have 5 or 6 of the 2-battery versions that I've acquired over some years, and all are misaligned slightly in the up/down arrows. I have 3 of the new Magic Keyboards, and all 3 are slightly misaligned. Don't be surprised if this is never addressed.

 

[pat500000]

How is the compatability with ios devices?

Works great with Mac Pro 2009 and iPad Air 2

 

[C64]

I have 5 or 6 of the 2-battery versions that I've acquired over some years, and all are misaligned slightly in the up/down arrows. I have 3 of the new Magic Keyboards, and all 3 are slightly misaligned. Don't be surprised if this is never addressed.

 

[Cutiekitty92]

When using the new keyboard, do you leave it on all the time, or turn it off between use?

This is a very good question also with the magic mouse 2.... anyone? I mean I dont know any better so I've been leaving it on all the time

 

[Weaselboy]

This is a very good question also with the magic mouse 2.... anyone? I mean I dont know any better so I've been leaving it on all the time

i think they both go to sleep when not in use and there is no need to turn them off. I have had both since Oct. 17 and never once charged the KB and have charged the mouse only once. Never turned off either one.

 

[Nismo73]

Just got the new keyboard to go with a late '12 iMac. Definitely like it better than the old one. The key travel is just right, the concave shape of the letter keys, don't have to deal with the batteries, lighter weight, like the bigger left/right arrow keys for going back and forth with photos in LR. Worth $100? Not really, but I'm enjoying using it.

 

[mac666er]

This is a very good question also with the magic mouse 2.... anyone? I mean I dont know any better so I've been leaving it on all the time

I leave it on all the time. I put my computer to sleep sometimes and wake it up with the keyboard. After 2 weeks of 8 hrs or more a day usage and sleeping at night, the keyboard was at 70% of battery remaining.

I am happy with that.

 

[May Smith]

I tried the "Magic" keyboard at the Apple Store and was surprised by the conspicuous lack of "Magic"... Price aside, the lack of back-lighting, the lack of aesthetics, and the overall cheap plastic feel left me with a feeling that the Apple "design" team just called this one in. I really hope this is not a sign of things to come.

 

[Wild-Bill]

I tried the "Magic" keyboard at the Apple Store and was surprised by the conspicuous lack of "Magic"... Price aside, the lack of back-lighting, the lack of aesthetics, and the overall cheap plastic feel left me with a feeling that the Apple "design" team just called this one in. I really hope this is not a sign of things to come.

Agreed. I picked it up, felt so cheap and flimsy. The lack of backlit keys make it an absolute dealbreaker for me. They have a lot of nerve charging that much for it. Lower the price and add backlighting and I'll buy one.

 

[geta]

Can i use the Magic Keyboard (plus the new mouse and trackpad) with 2012 MacMini that running Yosemite (10.10.3) ?