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The Keyboard !!!!!

T

TEBnewyork

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2009
172
7
I just love the new keyboard. I was using MBP and MB side by side and the MB keyboard really suits me. Took no time to get in a groove with it. Also the new LEDs without the light spilling everywhere is way more elegant.

I hope they do a new wireless keyboard with the new butterfly keys and LED lighting.

I would hit that buy button in an instant. :p
 
A lot of people I know don't like the keyboard, but I do. I find for hard typers, it's great. The same people I know that don't like this keyboard also hate my buckling spring Model M keyboard that I use with my desktop. The response on the new MacBook keyboard is absolutely excellent even though it had really short travel, but it doesn't feel that way.
 
artivideo.nl said:
why did Apple not designed a touch screen like keyboard, it would have saved pace for more batteries.
Click to expand...

The current keyboard is much better than a touch screen keyboard. I would not have bought the MacBook with a touch screen keyboard. That product is call an iPad
 
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I must admit that, going back and forth between this new Macbook and my 15" rMBP makes the latter feel a tad outdated in terms of design, which I never thought would happen. I love the new keyboard with the big keys.
 
TEBnewyork said:
I just love the new keyboard. I was using MBP and MB side by side and the MB keyboard really suits me. Took no time to get in a groove with it. Also the new LEDs without the light spilling everywhere is way more elegant.

I hope they do a new wireless keyboard with the new butterfly keys and LED lighting.

I would hit that buy button in an instant. :p
Click to expand...

I really like the keyboard too. The bigger keys with a depression feel great and the limited travel doesn't concern me. This Mac is killer for road warriors who don't need a lot of power which is most of us. I am much more likely to take it places than my 15" MBP. Which is quad core, 512 ssd 16 gb ram but not that fun to tote around airports, use on an airplane etc.
Man would I love a 15" version of this reduced power and all.
 
I would love to have this keyboard on my MBP. This sort of reminds me of the external keyboard (the one with the numeric keypad) which is what I am used to.

Doesn't feel cramped, touch is short and crisp, spacing is excellent, and very few miss types.
 
It was weird for me in the store but now that I have it and am using it I love it.
 
I agree, I think the keyboard is great, not weird at all, more comfortable and probably the best upgrade on the unit. The trackpad, i don't really notice a difference.
 
But what about all those people that tried it for 30-45 seconds and don't like it.

I tried to fly a plane once for 45 seconds. Didn't go well; crashed and burned. Obviously a poorly designed plane.
 
I loved the new keyboard, which was surprising because I love the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but am not crazy about the rMBP keyboard. It isn't the travel, but the rMB keys seemed "snappier" (i know that word is forbidden here) and more responsive.

It takes a minute or two jumping between them to acclimate, but after a few sentence, I was typing fast even at the Apple store with their awkwardly low tables.

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newellj said:
I'm having a harder time getting used to the oversized keys than to the short travel.
Click to expand...

The size only got me on the delete key. I kept hitting the "=" key. There is obviously some kind of spacing proportion difference.
 
Traverse said:
The size only got me on the delete key. I kept hitting the "=" key. There is obviously some kind of spacing proportion difference.
Click to expand...

That is the most noticeable issue I'm having. I guess I should need to delete/backspace less... :eek: ;) Otherwise, I agree that going back and forth between the Apple BT keyboard and the rMB isn't a big deal.
 
I find it interesting that average consumers who have this machine don't seem to have any problems with the keyboard (and even like it) yet a lot of the reviews and the Jason Snell's and Marco Arment's of the world hate it. It just tells me most reviews of this machine were pointless. To me reviewing a product for what it's not rather than what it is, is not a proper review.
 
TEBnewyork said:
I just love the new keyboard. I was using MBP and MB side by side and the MB keyboard really suits me. Took no time to get in a groove with it. Also the new LEDs without the light spilling everywhere is way more elegant.

I hope they do a new wireless keyboard with the new butterfly keys and LED lighting.

I would hit that buy button in an instant. :p
Click to expand...

Just going out on a limp (and I'm sure people will give me heat for this) but if I had to come to a conclusion about why some like the new keyboard and some don't...certain people when typing need the feedback to know they've hit the key.

For example. The keyboard has been standard for decades. If you know how to type you know how to type. However, some are more confident than others. I was taught proper typing in the late 80s. I can close my eyes turn my head and type paragraphs without committing many errors. Many can't do this (nothing wrong with that).

I think for many people the feedback they get from a longer travel gives them the knowledge they have hit the key. Typing on the rMB gives very little feedback, and it's a problem when a user is accustomed to typing on a keyboard with feedback. I posted before typing on my rMB feels like I'm typing on my desk and not a keyboard...there is little feedback and the laptop is very flat.

Anyway, I think the overall basis is if a user needs/wants feedback during their typing them the rMB will bother them and I can 100% understand why. In the end it's all person preference, and that's why Apple has the MBA and MBP as alternatives.

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Rogifan said:
I find it interesting that average consumers who have this machine don't seem to have any problems with the keyboard (and even like it) yet a lot of the reviews and the Jason Snell's and Marco Arment's of the world hate it. It just tells me most reviews of this machine were pointless. To me reviewing a product for what it's not rather than what it is, is not a proper review.
Click to expand...

Reviews are just like anything else, it's one person's opinion. Do we all like the same cars, food, clothing? Of course not. This goes the same for IT devices. I read all reviews with a grain of salt.
 
Rogifan said:
I find it interesting that average consumers who have this machine don't seem to have any problems with the keyboard (and even like it) yet a lot of the reviews and the Jason Snell's and Marco Arment's of the world hate it. It just tells me most reviews of this machine were pointless. To me reviewing a product for what it's not rather than what it is, is not a proper review.
Click to expand...

I think the keyboard is really good. I actually thought I liked it better than the old style keyboard, that is until I actually used the old keyboard again. I really do love the chiclet style keys and the spacing.

I hope this redesign is specific to this model, and does not find its way into the pro. Obviously thinner and lighter is welcomed, but I hope the keyboard stays the same.
 
Hankster said:
I think for many people the feedback they get from a longer travel gives them the knowledge they have hit the key. Typing on the rMB gives very little feedback, and it's a problem when a user is accustomed to typing on a keyboard with feedback. I posted before typing on my rMB feels like I'm typing on my desk and not a keyboard...there is little feedback and the laptop is very flat.
Click to expand...

Actually the new keyboard gives even better feedback than the longer throw. It is a little click only way to describe it is like the feeling you get from the click on the trackpad.
 
TEBnewyork said:
I just love the new keyboard. I was using MBP and MB side by side and the MB keyboard really suits me. Took no time to get in a groove with it. Also the new LEDs without the light spilling everywhere is way more elegant.

I hope they do a new wireless keyboard with the new butterfly keys and LED lighting.

I would hit that buy button in an instant. :p
Click to expand...

I would so buy that keyboard.

While we are dreaming, I really like the retina screen size on my 15 MBP. How cool would a new form factor 15" MacBook be? Sick.
 
TEBnewyork said:
Actually the new keyboard gives even better feedback than the longer throw. It is a little click only way to describe it is like the feeling you get from the click on the trackpad.
Click to expand...

But, that is personal opinion. To you the short travel and "click" is better feedback. For others the longer travel gives proof the key is being pressed and gives more concrete feedback.

It's all personal preference. You can't say the shorter travel keys are now better. There is no proof of that. It's like saying a white car is better than a black car :cool:
 
Hankster said:
But, that is personal opinion. To you the short travel and "click" is better feedback. For others the longer travel gives proof the key is being pressed and gives more concrete feedback.

It's all personal preference. You can't say the shorter travel keys are now better. There is no proof of that. It's like saying a white car is better than a black car :cool:
Click to expand...

Of course this whole thread is based on opinions. I like the keyboard a lot and was worried about it. You and other's will like the long throw and can still buy a different laptop.

But if butterfly keys are Apple's new invention, I don't expect the old style to hang around for too many more computer/keyboard iterations.
 
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