So I just came across this video and around halfway into it this guy mentions a rumour about Apple putting in a virtual keyboard on the MBP to replace the physical one. Basically the entire keyboard and trackpad area would be one big touch pad. Has anyone else heard this rumour and would anyone even want this?
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Next Macbook Pro with virtual keyboard?
- Thread starter bigpoppamac31
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There was a thread about this couple of weeks ago. As usual some liked the ideas and some hated them.
I don't really even like the keyboard on the current MBP so I think a virtual keyboard would be even worse. Seems more often companies are using gimmicks to entice buyers instead of putting in features which really make sense.
I would agree. But, keyboards are a personal preference item. I like mechanical deep keys molded key with long travel. Other people like short travel flat keys. There is no right or wrong.
True. But personally I prefer the key travel of the 2015 MBP over the new one. Same goes for the external keyboard. The current ones don't have the same key travel as the older ones. Mine is the one which uses AA batteries instead of being rechargeable. Maybe I'd get used to the new keys but we'll see. Can't afford a new Mac right now any ways. My 2014 MBP is still going strong. Just wish it supported true 4K 60Hz.
I doubt apple is going to do another redesign soon. Also 3D Touch could give a real button click feel like the iPhone 7 home button.
There are some merits to it. Increased water resistance, less dirt and crumbs finding their way under keys.
Negatives would be: Battery life would take a hit. No tactile feedback (unless they implement something like the force touch trackpad for every key ... which is quite possible.)
Negatives would be: Battery life would take a hit. No tactile feedback (unless they implement something like the force touch trackpad for every key ... which is quite possible.)
Virtual keyboards always hurt my fingers after a short while. I also need to feel the keys while typing. With virtual keyboards I often have to look at the keyboard while typing. With physical keyboards I have never have to look down.
I would not buy this. I already find the current mbp keys too flat for my liking.
I would not buy this. I already find the current mbp keys too flat for my liking.
Virtual keyboards .... again.... didn't those die out back about 2012 and only leave behind the cute little laser projection units that are ok for a little tablet work and gimmicky as hell for anything you are typing more than a paragraph.
I think I have played with a number of virtual boards and never liked any. closest was the Cleankeys CK3-15 because I could rest my hands on it and had no random key strokes, but it still like drumming your fingers on a countertop.
I think I have played with a number of virtual boards and never liked any. closest was the Cleankeys CK3-15 because I could rest my hands on it and had no random key strokes, but it still like drumming your fingers on a countertop.
I find it extremely hard to type on virtual keyboards. I type with 10 fingers without looking at the keyboard and am a software developer. I just can't see myself being productive on a virtual keyboard.
When typing this text, I can feel when my finger is on the outside of a key and correct my position slightly so it doesn't happen again. That's all happing unconsciously. This won't happen with the (current!) flat virtual keyboards.
When typing this text, I can feel when my finger is on the outside of a key and correct my position slightly so it doesn't happen again. That's all happing unconsciously. This won't happen with the (current!) flat virtual keyboards.
Yes, virtual keyboards are a killer for me. The feel is just never right. Give me the membrane keyboard of the original Atari 400 over a virtual keyboard and I really did not like the Atari 400's keyboard at all.
Image courtesy of wikimedia.org / wikipedia
I wanted one of those so bad as a kid teenagerYes, virtual keyboards are a killer for me. The feel is just never right. Give me the membrane keyboard of the original Atari 400 over a virtual keyboard and I really did not like the Atari 400's keyboard at all.
![800px-Atari-400-Comp.jpg]()
Image courtesy of wikimedia.org / wikipedia
I wanted one of those so bad as a kid teenager
Atari 800 was what I wanted. Eventually owned an 800XL and loved it.
Photo courtesy of retro-computing.org
I do like the idea of it, but for me the screen must have something like Braille where the keys has dots on it so we know that we are hitting an actual key on the screen, but the Braille-type screen will have to make the dots go away when we're using the Apple Pencil on the whole virtual keyboard. The Braille-type dots can go up or down below our fingers when we type. I don't think that technology is out yet for the whole public to use.
I know there are experiments with those screens. It just takes time. When they work, we will see reasonable virtual keyboards in production.
I bought one of these a while back as a joke. But, it really made me a much better typist.
![daskeyboard-4-ultimate-front-view-carousel.jpg]()
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