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FrozenDarkness

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 21, 2009
1,826
1,124
I hate the touchbar, but I actually really love the keyboard. I had my 2016 replaced and my 2017 one has worked beautifully so far. If they can figure out a way to tone down the noise, and obviously fix the reliability issues, it'd be perfect.
 

leman

macrumors Core
Oct 14, 2008
19,497
19,632
Why do you think its an unpopular opinion? I'd say that most users simply don't care as long as they can use it. Case in point: we have largely replaced our laptops by the 2016/2017 models. There were a few users who mentioned that the keyboard needs some getting used to, but after a few months, everybody was happy.
 

jerryk

macrumors 604
Nov 3, 2011
7,421
4,208
SF Bay Area
I hate the touchbar, but I actually really love the keyboard. I had my 2016 replaced and my 2017 one has worked beautifully so far. If they can figure out a way to tone down the noise, and obviously fix the reliability issues, it'd be perfect.

So it is too noisy and unreliable? What is to love? Serious question. The keyboard is the primary interface for many of us. So if it is not perfect 100% of the time, the computer is a boat anchor.
 

FrozenDarkness

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 21, 2009
1,826
1,124
So it is too noisy and unreliable? What is to love? Serious question. The keyboard is the primary interface for many of us. So if it is not perfect 100% of the time, the computer is a boat anchor.

noise hardly bothers me, but could bother other people. Reliability is a concern, one that reminds me of the time when I use to buy Dell computers. Replacing my keyboard is the first time I have ever brought a macbook pro into service so I'm not really that bothered by it.

And just to be frank, my keyboard didn't break. My up button just didn't register if I hit it at a specific location. Dead center still registered. I've had things break on me that is much worse than that.
 

Sterkenburg

macrumors 6502a
Oct 27, 2016
555
551
Japan
The different key mechanism is something you can get used to (I personally started to like it after using it for a couple months), but the reliability issues are a show stopper. No matter how good a keyboard is, it means nothing when keys stop working out of nowhere and a replacement sets you back 700 bucks.

Mine is being sent back to Apple on Monday. Tried to put up with it for a few months because I needed the computer to work, but my warranty expires at the end of January, so I have to get my last free replacement now. The MBP is a fantastic machine, but the 2016 keyboards are, unfortunately, a failure of epic proportions.
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
11,005
5,475
192.168.1.1
Personally, I love the keyboard, too, on my 2016 MBP. Granted I’ve read the posts about keys going bad and the major hassle involved to get them fixed, so hopefully I never have those problems. But personally I find it comfortable to type on, even for long periods of time.
 

mmomega

macrumors demi-god
Dec 30, 2009
3,888
2,101
DFW, TX
Having a 2015 MacBook then the tbMBP, I definitely like butterfly v2 more.

The touchbar itself on the other hand is very niche, it isn't a love hate it's just a... meh, it's kind of neat but it doesn't add much.
Now TouchID on the MacBook Pro is my most favorite new feature on a MacBook ever. Retina display maybe my top feature but TouchID is #2.

Now if I could get FaceID or TouchID on my desktop, take my money.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
Personally I like typing on this keyboard. Low key travel, less force needes to press the keys... if you get used to typing lightly, it's also not that loud.

But after 2 replacements and waiting for the 3rd the keyboard seems to be an issue. But typing experience is still good.

At this point I would very much love a keyboard without hardware keys. Touchsceeen with a more localised haptic engine response.
 

Cavalera2020

macrumors newbie
Jul 28, 2020
1
0
I first bought a macbook in 2016. I bought it because I liked the keyboard and the thin body of the macbook. although there was once dust that infiltrated the keyboard, but thankfully I could fix it.

maybe people's dislike, because of habitual factors. I watched my friend type on my Macbook. he pressed the button hard, not soft like me. so I thought that the keyboard might be damaged due to different habits.

But sometimes, if the nails are long, it also feels uncomfortable.

to this day, I'm still on a butterfly-keyboard. but I'm also curious about the post-butterfly keyboard.
 
Last edited:

jahala

macrumors regular
Feb 7, 2008
207
16
I really like typing on the butterfly keyboard. I just wish that it was more reliable. I am just about to ship it back to Apple for the second time to get the keyboard fixed. Keys keep double firing. I also like the new magic keyboard on the new laptops.
 

Acronyc

macrumors 6502a
Jan 24, 2011
912
396
I also like the butterfly keyboard and I can type pretty fast on it. The only thing is I wish it were a little quieter (and more reliable). I've had my 2016 MBP for almost four years now and haven't had to get my keyboard replaced yet. In a few months I will be out of the window for the free keyboard replacement. Hopefully it'll still last a few more years.
 

537635

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2009
1,154
1,041
Slovenia, EU
Just got a new 13'' Pro 2020 model with the new keyboard. Next to it my old 2018 15'' with two keyboard replacements on the odometer.

I hate the butterfly keyboards for their unreliability and also for how loud they are when typing.

But I just love to type on them. Much less force is needed to actuate the keys than on the new Magic Keyboard and if you type fast, your fingers just kinda slide from one key to the other, while on the Magic fingers kinda get stuck on the edges of the keys.

I know this is just temporary and that I'll get used to this in no time. Still with the possiblity to compare the two... when it comes to comfort - butterfly design wins for me.
 

yukari

macrumors 65816
Jun 29, 2010
1,020
687
I always liked the butterfly keyboard better than scissor based keyboard. I find it faster and easier to type.
 

autostadt2000

macrumors member
Jul 2, 2020
33
42
I know a few people who do like the butterfly keyboards over previous generation macbook scissor keyboards or new magic variant. The enclosed backlighting was a nice feature too on the butterflys. I have to admit I "made" myself like the butterfly on my 2017 MBP but since upgrading to a 2020 MBP with the magic keyboard, I feel it's a much better typing experience and don't miss the butterfly at all. I never had any issues with my 2017 or butterfly kb either and it was reliable the years I owned it.
 
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