There is a noticeable difference. I can see how someone who writes for a living can take issue with the keyboard. It isn't as "spongy" as a normal keyboard, and if you are used to typing with lots of pressure I can see how it can be uncomfortable. The key to me seems to be type with as light a pressure as possible. If a keyboard cover ever comes out for the MacBook, it might make Snell and Arment feel a bit different about it, though they would not be able to close the lid with the cover on it. Just for kicks I took the cover from my rMBP, and while it does not perfectly align, I can tell the difference already. Of course, as heat-sensitive this device is, I doubt we'll ever see an official cover for it.
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The Keyboard !!!!!
- Thread starter TEBnewyork
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There is a noticeable difference. I can see how someone who writes for a living can take issue with the keyboard. It isn't as "spongy" as a normal keyboard, and if you are used to typing with lots of pressure I can see how it can be uncomfortable. The key to me seems to be type with as light a pressure as possible. If a keyboard cover ever comes out for the MacBook, it might make Snell and Arment feel a bit different about it, though they would not be able to close the lid with the cover on it. Just for kicks I took the cover from my rMBP, and while it does not perfectly align, I can tell the difference already. Of course, as heat-sensitive this device is, I doubt we'll ever see an official cover for it.
On a external keyboard surely the could increase the travel as there is no screen to touch? So get the bigger keys, the better mechanism but don't have such little travel?
I agree. Also, its the same reason its better to play video games with physical buttons and controls than onscreen ones. I hope they never go to a touch screen keyboard for laptops or desktops
Don't like the keyboard at all. I'm a speedy typer but the MB slowed me down significantly. That's the price to pay for a slim design I suppose.
Very reassured about the new keyboard. I'm a mechanical keyboard user myself and I was afraid that the new keyboard would follow the trend of more 'mushy' keys (rMBP 2012 onwards).
No need to be so condescending.
There are plenty of people in the generation below you that have been taught, or self-learnt, or are able to touch-type (I presume your sense of 'proper typing' = 'touch-typing').
They too can easily close their eyes and type paragraphs without committing any errors as well.
Snell knew before he ever reviewed the machine that it wasn't for him so why was he reviewing it in the first place? Reviewing the machine from the perspective of what it's not doesn't seem like a helpful review to me. Yeah I know it's not a MBA with retina display. Get over it already.
Pressing down the keys - with or without a clicking sound?
This is an interesting tread, as the keyboard is one of the most vital parts of a laptop (and so indeed is also the screen, BTW).
After reading about the use of the keyboard on several sites, it has not been totally clear to me whether or or "clicking" og pressing down a key to activate it (writing or other actions), does it or does it not make an audible clicking sound or is it silent?
In other words: I have understood that pressing a key enough to activate it, makes the user feel a click, but does it also make the user (and others nearby) hear it?
And how is this compared to the Mac Book Air's keyboard with regard to making a clicking sound or not?
This is an interesting tread, as the keyboard is one of the most vital parts of a laptop (and so indeed is also the screen, BTW).
After reading about the use of the keyboard on several sites, it has not been totally clear to me whether or or "clicking" og pressing down a key to activate it (writing or other actions), does it or does it not make an audible clicking sound or is it silent?
In other words: I have understood that pressing a key enough to activate it, makes the user feel a click, but does it also make the user (and others nearby) hear it?
And how is this compared to the Mac Book Air's keyboard with regard to making a clicking sound or not?
The keys have a much louder click. It reminds me almost of the sound a mechanical keyboard makes.
The difference is hard to describe and subtle. I wouldn't say the new keyboard is much louder, but it's snappier or clickier. The Air's keyboard is not much quieter but maybe softer, if that makes any sense. (Hey, I said it was hard to describe.
)The difference is hard to describe and subtle. I wouldn't say the new keyboard is much louder, but it's snappier or clickier. The Air's keyboard is not much quieter but maybe softer, if that makes any sense. (Hey, I said it was hard to describe.
It didn't seem loud at all to me. Sounded silent, actually.
Hmm, we must have very different methods of typing. I'm using my desktop Apple bluetooth keyboard right now and it's kinda noisy, like every other keyboard I use.
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That's what I think, although some people seem to love it immediately.
That could have something to do with FileVault. Do you have it enabled? You see, FileVault puts up the login screen when it's enabled, so the OS can't load until after you've done that--which includes the software that controls the backlight. If FileVault were off, the OS would load right away and the key lighting would probably come on too, even before you log in.
Gosh, a computer that's only a screen, with virtual keys for typing... sounds familiar, can't quite place it...
Tried the rMB at Best Buy and found the keyboard and force touch trackpad to be show stoppers.
The keys are nearly flush with the frame so it has the tendency to not register keystrokes because it gets stopped by the frame if your fingers are not perfectly centered on the keys. Elevated keys don't have this issue. Makes typing nearly as horrible and frustrating as membrane keyboards.
And, what's the deal with the force touch trackpad? It doesn't register light taps. Very annoying and ruins the experience.
The keys are nearly flush with the frame so it has the tendency to not register keystrokes because it gets stopped by the frame if your fingers are not perfectly centered on the keys. Elevated keys don't have this issue. Makes typing nearly as horrible and frustrating as membrane keyboards.
And, what's the deal with the force touch trackpad? It doesn't register light taps. Very annoying and ruins the experience.
If you mean a reduced sensitivity to "tap to click" you can try and emery board the tips of your fingers.
Serious suggestion btw.
Absolutely hate the keyboard. Hate. It's like typing on a Timex Sinclair chiclet keyboard.
I consistently type over 90wpm without trying. (Here is an on-the-fly type test I took one minute ago). And I use a DAS Pro S for Mac keyboard for my Mac Pro and iMac.
As a proficient touchtypist with proper technique, I can confirm the keyboard absolutely blows for anyone with skill. There is no give or play with the keys. I was sick of it after 30 seconds, and it is fatiguing, like banging your fingers against glass. Worse, you don't know whether a keystroke has registered, resulting in greatly increased error rates. (And for you fast typists out there, you know what I'm talking about -- we never, ever look at the keys, you simply "know" you've hit the right keys when you are in the flow, looking at the screen, people, papers, or whatever. This will never, ever happen with the Macbook, ergo it will kill your accuracy.) And I really missed the cherry blue "report" while typing on this thing, though this criticism can be leveled against any laptop, but it's something I noticed.
I'm not the only one who thought so. My colleague bought one. RMA'd it after 48 hours. Couldn't stand the keyboard, along with poor performance.
Recently, the Macbook Pro is about as far as I am willing to go in reduced keyboard proficiency. The new Macbook keyboard is a nonstarter for typists -- and this is coming from someone who believes Apple makes the best notebooks, desktops, tablets, and phones available today.
So, beware if you know how to type, and need to get things done without lots of error. You will hate this keyboard.
I consistently type over 90wpm without trying. (Here is an on-the-fly type test I took one minute ago). And I use a DAS Pro S for Mac keyboard for my Mac Pro and iMac.
As a proficient touchtypist with proper technique, I can confirm the keyboard absolutely blows for anyone with skill. There is no give or play with the keys. I was sick of it after 30 seconds, and it is fatiguing, like banging your fingers against glass. Worse, you don't know whether a keystroke has registered, resulting in greatly increased error rates. (And for you fast typists out there, you know what I'm talking about -- we never, ever look at the keys, you simply "know" you've hit the right keys when you are in the flow, looking at the screen, people, papers, or whatever. This will never, ever happen with the Macbook, ergo it will kill your accuracy.) And I really missed the cherry blue "report" while typing on this thing, though this criticism can be leveled against any laptop, but it's something I noticed.
I'm not the only one who thought so. My colleague bought one. RMA'd it after 48 hours. Couldn't stand the keyboard, along with poor performance.
Recently, the Macbook Pro is about as far as I am willing to go in reduced keyboard proficiency. The new Macbook keyboard is a nonstarter for typists -- and this is coming from someone who believes Apple makes the best notebooks, desktops, tablets, and phones available today.
So, beware if you know how to type, and need to get things done without lots of error. You will hate this keyboard.
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Somehow you assume that touch screens are 2-dimensional. They are not.
On top of that, a flat virutal keyboard is maaajoooor step back compared to physical keys when it comes to fast typing.
No, YOU hated the keyboard. There are a lot of pproficient typists here who are thriving on it. Please distinguish anecdote and opinion from fact.