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So what's the typing experience like on the 2021 MBP keyboard?

lambertjohn

lambertjohn

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jun 17, 2012
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For those of you who already own one of the new 2021 MBPs, what's the typing experience like on the keyboard? Is it just like the previous 13" M1 MacBook Pro? Or has Apple made improvements to the keyboard for an even better typing experience? I don't get my new 14" MacBook Pro for two more weeks, so I have no way to test out the keyboard. Thanks!
 
I can't answer your question directly - I have a 2013" Retina at home, and have been using a 2016 Butterfly 13" for work (both from when new). The 14" keyboard is a MAJOR improvement from the butterfly keyboard. It differs only slightly from my 2013 - the keys feel ever so softer, but tons of travel. And they stick up much higher than the butterfly.

I know this doesn't quite answer your question - but overall it's a decent typing experience. I wish it was a bit less soft - but my fingers are going to be so relieved to have more travel, keys that work, I don't think the loss of "fidelity" will matter much.
 
I had a 13" 2020 M1 MBP with the Magic Keyboard (not the older model with the butterfly keyboard) and I also have an iMac with a touch-ID Magic Keyboard, and my 14" MBP feels similar to both of them - I love the feel of these keyboards, personally. I use a Logitech MX Keys on my work Windows machine, and the MBP is a similar feel to that, except the individual keys are flat and not contoured like they are on the MX Keys.
 
Feels very much like the keyboard from the 16" MBP, M1 Air etc, but with a bit more feel and a nice noise. Hard to describe. Its the same, but different.

I've no idea if its just the placebo effect of a new machine or if they have changed it substantially.
 
Yeah, I think the keyboard is... leaps and bounds better than the last model. I can't quite put my fingers on what it is, but maybe it's the way it is clicky and yet the noise (or lack of it) is so subtle? My wife is very happy now that me typing late at night does not disturb her.

Also there is something very satisfying about having a massive Esc key and the Touch ID button now covers even my thumb.
 
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lambertjohn said:
For those of you who already own one of the new 2021 MBPs, what's the typing experience like on the keyboard? Is it just like the previous 13" M1 MacBook Pro? Or has Apple made improvements to the keyboard for an even better typing experience? I don't get my new 14" MacBook Pro for two more weeks, so I have no way to test out the keyboard. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Nice, unclear to me whether different from the M1 as my wife has taken that machine, but feels good
 
I would say it's as enjoyable as tapping on my wife's breasts all night long. Which in reality is a "meh" at best.
 
I just tested this out at the apple store 10 minutes ago.

Compared to a 2017 15" MBP it is unsurprisingly much better. But anything is better than butterfly switches IMO.

I happen to like keyboards that don't take much pressure to press. So for me this keyboard felt better than the 16" 2019 MBP (which I also like). The 16" 2019 definitely feels like it has more key travel. They are pretty different.

My husband has an M1 MBA which I LOVE the keyboard on that machine. This feels pretty close to that. Maybe slightly less clicky but still very good.

I was testing the 14" MBP the majority of the time.
 
Everyone will have a different opinion on this. Personally I think it's ok but not great. I think people get excited by it because of how terrible the previous generations were.

My PC Thinkpad X1 keyboard is miles better (imho). I'm a mechanical keyboard guy though and so shallow apple key travel isn't my thing. My desktop PC with it's big chunky mechanical keyboard is about the only time I like typing.
 
The keyboard on my new 16" requires a little getting used to, but it's certainly very solid, especially compared to the 15" MBP. Overall, I think I prefer the keyboard on my M1 MBA, but I could type comfortably on my new MBP all day ... and have, nearly. I certainly don't think the keyboard is a step backward at all, but it's not a quantum leap forward.
 
It is a good keyboard, the travel is still short but not as bad as the previous generation. I think its 0.9mm of travel.
 
bill-p said:
Also there is something very satisfying about having a massive Esc key and the Touch ID button now covers even my thumb.
Click to expand...
THIS! I don't know what it was about the Touch Bar Touch ID button, but I never felt I could press it without looking at the keyboard and slowly guiding my hand towards it. With the new one, I have an easier time pressing it. I think being at the same level as the other keys, and being larger make it easier to "locate". I also like the subtle circle they added to it.
 
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