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What's everyone's thoughts on the new MacBook Pro keyboard?

TSE

TSE

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jun 25, 2007
4,040
3,570
St. Paul, Minnesota
I can't quite put my finger on why I love it so much. I thought I liked button distance, but this is one of the shortest ones I've ever used.

Can someone explain to me why I like this one so much? Because it's amazing!

What do you guys think?
 
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Honestly, I think it may just be aesthetics. The backlit black keys against a black background has an interesting appeal when contrasted against the aluminum chassis. But in practice, I'm less impressed. I personally prefer more travel. Still, it is the best keyboard Apple has released in recent memory.
 
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It's a good laptop keyboard. Kinda feels like magic keyboard iPad ed. Not as tactile as I want it to be. I still prefer a mechanical one.
 
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IDK, but I love it, too. It's the gold standard. I had an iMac for a brief minute and really missed the backlight...which I didn't know was such a big factor for me. I love the short key travel, too.
 
Is the keyboard different from the other M1 MacBooks in tactile feel? Or is it more like the External Magic Keyboard - which feels more "rattle"-y.
 
I'm neither here nor there. It's quieter than my external Apple chiclet full-size keyboard, but I almost always use an external keyboard so the monitor can be at the correct height while my hands are lower.
 
miamialley said:
I don't understand why people like those things. They look old, dated and nasty. To each his own I guess.
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Very true. I grew up with a type writer.. Actually mech key boards are used in gaming these days with cool RGB lights. You can even customize your own based on switches. Very clicky/tactile. For a laptop keyboard, this is not bad. Aesthetic wise it is beautiful.
 
I find the keyboard disappointing. The keys rattle and feel mushy to me. I also don’t like the short throw.

My iPad Pro Magic Keyboard keys feel much more solid and have a nice throw. I also use a mechanical keyboard.
 
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for me it's because it feels like the old ones, pre touch bar. During my essential typing years (teens lol) I had the most hours put into that similar style of Apple macbook keyboard so it just feels like coming home. it's so much more comfortable than the touchbar generation

with that said, most of my typing these days is on a Topre sitting on my desktop with my laptop hovering in the air on a monitor arm stand. I like the trackpad and macbook keyboard but nothing beats a traditional keyboard and mouse for me.
 
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deucejunkie said:
I've forgotten how rattle-y the naked keyboard can get as I've gotten used to having one of those silicon keyboard covers that helps muffles the rattling and gives it a less mushy feel.
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I understand and respect your decision to use a silicon keyboard cover but I feel absolutely compelled to mention I think they're the worse feeling thing to ever be designed. I find them impossible to type on.
 
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m3digi said:
I find the keyboard disappointing. The keys rattle and feel mushy to me. I also don’t like the short throw.

My iPad Pro Magic Keyboard keys feel much more solid and have a nice throw. I also use a mechanical keyboard.
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Out of interest do you have the 16" or the 14"? I've found there is a difference between the two for me - the 16" keys feel more mushy and "rattle" more, and the 14" keys give a better typing experience.
 
fyrefly said:
Is the keyboard different from the other M1 MacBooks in tactile feel? Or is it more like the External Magic Keyboard - which feels more "rattle"-y.
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Almost identical to the Magic Keyboard, maybe better, but with backlighting obvs.

I normally use a mechanical keyboard though with a satisfying brown switch click.
 
zakarhino said:
I understand and respect your decision to use a silicon keyboard cover but I feel absolutely compelled to mention I think they're the worse feeling thing to ever be designed. I find them impossible to type on.
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All good. I got my first ever MBP in 2011 and have used a keyboard cover ever since, hence my being partial towards them.
 
I really like it. The key travel is enough, and the sound is muted, and the tactile sensation is there.

I have used everything from the pre-butterfly keyboard, to the iterations of butterfly keyboard, and the now the magic keyboard. This one is my favorite. I like it better than the standard wireless magic keyboard, because it has less of rattley clicky sound.

And yes, I too, have my preferred mechanical keyboards -- currently on a MX Quiet Red, because the MX Brown is a no-go for conference calls.
 
I like it very much. It took a little getting used to, but the keys have a nice snap to them that’s been missing in Apple keyboards for quite a while. Completely subjective, but I find they have just the right amount of travel to them where they don’t feel either too mushy or too stiff. I really wanted to find something I disliked about the 14 inch MBP (I honestly don’t need anything more powerful than a plain vanilla MBA) because it’s kind of a chunk, but I love it.
 
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Macintosh101 said:
Out of interest do you have the 16" or the 14"? I've found there is a difference between the two for me - the 16" keys feel more mushy and "rattle" more, and the 14" keys give a better typing experience.
Click to expand...
I have the 16”. I’ll try the 14” next time I’m at the store to see if there is a difference. Personally, I feel the MacBook Pro 2021 16” keyboard is a regression. I’m curious to see what the impressions are long term. It’s all subjective, but I say the keyboard is mediocre and a regression.
 
I used my 16" MBP for 5 days before hooking it up to an external display and magic keyboard (with touch ID). I had no issues with the MBP keyboard. I must say however, that I actually prefer the magic keyboard. It may very well be due to the fact that it sits directly on my table but it just feels better somehow. Also love that the finger print sensor on the magic keyboard automatically recognised my registered finger print from the MBP.
 
Day one with my 14”. I never thought a keyboard could be better than the MacBook Air I‘m coming from but I am crazy about this keyboard. I am a fast touch typist and this thing is pure joy to work on. In fact, other than the weight and the price, everything feels just right and I feel so grateful to have this silver beauty!
 
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