New Keyboard - Love it or hate it?

[Kn!ghthawk]

As someone coming from a 2009 MBP the new keyboard took some getting used to. While I'm still not 100% with it I can't really complain about it. It gets the job done in spectacular fashion and as with most things you adapt over time. The noise can be annoying to some but it's something I can live with...the bigger question is can my coworkers live with it on the off chance I have to bring it in to work!

 

[mortenandersen]

the clicking noise isn't due to any software, it's because you're typing incorrectly on this keyboard.



The noise of the keyboard can't be fixed by software, unless you have ANC headphones! This is the way the HARDWARE was implemented! Nothing to do with software and everything to do with the fact you aren't using it correctly.

BTW, as I type this my wife (who is a light sleeper) is sleeping soundly next to me in bed and can't tell I am typing a thing.

skids929 has misunderstood my post. Of course the keyboard noise is created by the hardware mechanism of the keyboard.

When he also says "the clicking noise isn't due to any software, it's because you're typing incorrectly on this keyboard," I am reminded of Steve Jobs comment about a previous model of the iPhone - you´re holding it wrong.

I would say that if typing as usual or normal is creating such a noise, it´s the keyboard that "is wrong", not the way the typist is typing. That said, of course one possibly can find a way of typing that doesn't create such an annoying loud noise, but that should not really be necessary with a keyboard.

 

[RobinInOR]

I hooked up my old iMac keyboard to my MBP, and compared typing with it vs the internal keyboard. Ya know, it sounded the same. The keyboard travel wasn't all that different either, a bit more squishing travel. This is the old iMac keyboard with the batteries. The only thing I liked better about the iMac keyboard was its size, I could be a little sloppier in moving my fingers around, I could pound on it heavier, and so could type a little faster. I do find I can touch type easier on the external keyboard more than the internal, but for me that's due to size.

 

[macintoshmac]

I have had a chance to check out the new gun 2 keyboard on a space grey 13" nTB model today. It is a very good balance between the old keyboard and the much flatter rMB keyboard. This one has been an almost decisive factor in my swaying towards the nTB 13 from a 12.

 

[Macintosh IIcx]

I would say it is a bit of an acquired taste so far. I don't have a problem with the short key travel actually or the firmness, but the sound doesn't really give you that premium feeling. It isn't loud for me, but you have to press gently if you want it to have a decent sound to it.

I think that this new kind of a keyboard is a bit of a work in progress, but I also have to adapt somewhat to it.

 

[skids929]

skids929 has misunderstood my post. Of course the keyboard noise is created by the hardware mechanism of the keyboard.

When he also says "the clicking noise isn't due to any software, it's because you're typing incorrectly on this keyboard," I am reminded of Steve Jobs comment about a previous model of the iPhone - you´re holding it wrong.

I would say that if typing as usual or normal is creating such a noise, it´s the keyboard that "is wrong", not the way the typist is typing. That said, of course one possibly can find a way of typing that doesn't create such an annoying loud noise, but that should not really be necessary with a keyboard.

Well the simple solution is not to buy the laptop then, speak with your feet. Otherwise adapt. To think that tech isn't going to change over time (yes including keyboards) isn't really realistic on your part. And in the case of Apple, the company designs in a way that takes the user into consideration but in some ways they don't, and give you tech they think is better for the user experience. And since we're quoting jobs, "customers don't know what they want until we've shown them". In some ways (not all) I like the idea of leaving it up to the experts to introduce me to new tech I might not normally have tried otherwise-this keyboard is about the best example of that.

I initially bought it thinking I'd not grow to like it and spent the $$ anyway telling myself I'd tolerate that aspect of the machine over switching to Windows. Over time as I typed I learned what Apple was trying to tell me with this thing and adjusted to typing in a way that is just overall better, faster and quieter. I'll take innovations like that all day long.

 

[jobush]

Hey guys, am I the only one that feels that keys at the right side of the keyboard feels significantly softer (less clicks) than the keys at the center/left?

 

[Falcon80]

I tried a few times at the retail store and can't get used to it. Same problem when mine arrived. In the first 10 minutes or so, I have even problem typing my password for my Apple account. But after using it for a day, I am used to it and kind of like it. Feels good to use.

 

[danniexi]

I don't like it (feel and experience), but with every single test that I had done, I type FASTER on the new keyboard... at least 10 WPM faster. Because of that, I really can't complain about it. I approve.

 

[Jolly-boo]

I don't like the sound and it feels hard to press (which I'm getting more and more used to, so no worries) and just like the above poster ... I'm able to type faster because of shorter key travel I suppose. 11 WPM faster. That was also a freak accident

 

[slaWter]

I like it a lot. But it takes time to get used to it. I'm still in the transitioning phase. But I have never used the 12" MB keyboard.
It is definitely louder but that also depends on how you hit the keys. I'd say if you're perfectly used to it, you can type very quickly without loud keystrokes.

I would really love to see this new keyboard, including the Touch Bar, as a standalone bluetooth version as my MBP is always closed when at home. Hopefully we'll see something like this once the iMac gets refreshed.

 

[Jaekae]

Its awesome when i listen music and dont hear the sound of it

 

[konnyaku]

I actually love the 'clackiness' of it. It's not annoying. The wider keys feel really nice. Going back to the old keyboard actually feels a bit strange.

 

[Fozzybadfeet]

I enjoy the new keyboard. It took about a day or two, to get used to typing on the keyboard. But other than that, I've had no issues with the feel or sound while typing.

 

[mrex]

if you like drums, you will love the keyboard

I think this is probably the worst keyboard I have used since... the external pc keyboard from 1990.

 

[MacNut]

I played around with it at the Apple store yesterday and I can say it is one of the worst keyboards in history.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

I don't prefer it to the old keyboard. I don't think it's so horrible, but I'd rather have the old keyboard. I simply don't type as well on it as I do on the old one or on a desktop keyboard.

 

[MacNut]

I don't prefer it to the old keyboard. I don't think it's so horrible, but I'd rather have the old keyboard. I simply don't type as well on it as I do on the old one or on a desktop keyboard.

It doesn't have any travel in it. They might as well of made the whole keyboard a touch surface.

 

[ntnskrds]

I am not sure I will be able to get my point across but here is my take on this keyboard. I am afraid I can't speak for the average person, though. I am a trained classical guitarist and over the years I have developed much strength, agility and, most importantly, sensitivity in my fingers and fingertips. I can positively say when a key has been pressed (even with such a minimal travel and activation feedback) and I can generate with absolute control the minimal force and movement required to activate it. This, coupled with the extremely low key profile of this keyboard enables an economy and efficiency of movement that I find truly amazing. I can type very fast accurately and without any fatigue on this for hours !! I absolutely love it... I do not want to use other keyboards anymore and I really hate when I have to do so...
Sensitivity and lightness is key in my opinion.

And certainly, this is very different to typing on a screen were you have absolutely no tactile feedback..

 

[Mac128guy]

Was skeptical at first but now love it! Awesome keyboard Apple!

 

[imac2go]

has anyone noticed that there is a difference-"clicking" in Windows ??

maybe i was a bit tired this morning, but it seems for me like the keyboard noise was different in Windows then in OS X?

 

[AdonisSMU]

From an "old school" touch typist perspective, I don't like it. If feels unnatural with the short travel. Also, the keys feel like a $199.00 Chromebook and it sounds like a Fisher Price baby toy that is suppose to emit annoying noises. Fortunately I'm long past my school years but I'd be plenty embarrassed typing full throttle on it in the library. That said it's not unusable, just unlikable.

Also -- as a touch typist who was taught under threat of ruler to the knuckles to look at the paper/screen not keyboard when typing -- the touch bar is exactly as reviews portrayed it -- a mostly gimmick. But it even makes simple thinks like adjusting volume and brightness more complex, and I think, slower. Again, I'm a touch typist so I'm not use to having to look at the keyboard, something you have to do with non-tactile virtual keys.

I have no idea of keyboarding is even a mandatory class like it was for me in high school. I'm glad it was as it's probably the most useful skill I learned there. I suspect it's not taught anymore and people peck at their keyboards which is why those who like TB do -- they need to look at the keyboard anyway. So, perhaps this TB just represents a changing of the guard so to speak.

I don't need to look at my keyboard. I like the new keyboard far better than the previous MBP keyboards. So... Ohh yeah I also am a touch typist and my school did have a class on typing that I took as an elective course.

 

[darkloki]

I'm not sure what happened for me I hated the keyboard was convinced I hated the whole machine actually then someone got one for Christmas hated it and wanted a Razer Blade instead so he sold me his maxed out Macbook Pro 15 inch for 1800 cash (460 Radeon) , and after using the system for a day I do like the keyboard. It too some time to get used to but after about 2 hours with the keyboard I'm used to it.

 

[guy_mac]

I don't have much experience with this keyboard, but my initial impressions are that it

a) is superior to the macbook keyboard
b) not as comfortable to use as the previous pro keyboard.

I think Apple is making a serious mistake committing to this butterfly design across both laptop lines. Fortunately, it's not as bad as the macbook iteration, but considering the pro is significantly thicker than the macbook, I don't see why they couldn't design a keyboard with a bit more travel.
[doublepost=1482998253][/doublepost]Is there a keyboard cover available yet?

 

[symphara]

If you own a new Macbook pro, let us know what you think about the new keyboard. Is it too loud? Does your typing adapt over time to be quieter? How does typing on it compare to the older softer keyboards?

It is loud, definitely the loudest laptop keyboard I've experienced. I have mine for a week now and it didn't get quieter.

I am fairly agnostic to the laptop keyboard - I can live with almost anything - but this keyboard doesn't compare favourably with the older keyboards. I'm not sure why, but I think perhaps there's too little space between the keys, combined with the very low key travel?

The lack of a real Esc key is also hurting it. The drawn 'esc' on the touchbar is not good.