What's it like to type on rMBP 15"?

[Orton99]

Hi guys, so in my quest for getting my first ever Macbook I have a question regarding the 15" rMBP.

I've tried to do searches but haven't found what I'm exactly looking for. I'll obviously be using the keyboard for every day tasks, but also extensive ones such as essay/novel writing,

I've briefly played with one in store, but couldn't really properly test it out. My main concern is how far away the keyboard is away from the front edge to the screen, there seems to be a lot of empty space around the trackpad which felt weird to me.

Is this just something that I will get used to? How do you guys find it?

Thanks

 

[Bending Pixels]

You're worrying about something that isn't worth worrying about. It's a non-issue (unless of course you're one of those that like to nit-pick everything).

 

[nostresshere]

If you read some reviews here, you will find some people that are on the keyboard 12 hours a day. Apparently they are okay with it.

I just went from 13 to 15". The keyboard is a bit further back and it freaked me out the first day. Now into day 3 and forgot all about it.

 

[alphaod]

What are you using now to type on?

 

[maflynn]

I think its fine, I've never had an issue with the MBP's keyboard. Tactile feel or placement

 

[blooperz]

I personally prefer typing on the 13" over the 15"....same keyboard, but different spacing with the trackpad area in the front...for some reason my palms are always hitting the trackpad on and moving the cursor when I type on the 15" and apple, in their infinite wisdom of course, removed the ability to disable the trackpad while typing...go figure...but I would play around with it in the store properly before buying if its a major issue for you...or just test it out for 2 weeks and return it if it doesn't suit you.

 

[terryblyth]

I've never had an issue. I'm actually considering going back to an 11" purely for weight.

 

[leman]

In my experience, this is one of the best laptop keyboards, and more then suitable for long-time work (I don't even want to count how much I have typed on it...). Actually, I prefer it to any other keyboard I have tried, included the highly regarded Thinkpad keyboard.

 

[Nr123*123]

I agree with the above posters. As someone who types a lot, this is one of the better keyboards. A bit shallow, but very responsive and well spaced. I haven't used the 13" to compare, however.

 

[SarcasticJoe]

Most of what I do on my laptop involves typing and the keyboard is so good that I do most of my work sitting on the couch as the keyboard is so good there's no point to using an external.

However I am using a 2011 model that has a slightly different keyboard, but the only difference is that the current one bottoms out sooner. It feels a tad weird typing on one whenever I've tried one out, but that's just me being used to Apple's keyboards that don't bottom out as soon (used practically nothing else since 2010).

 

[Neykon]

I simply love it.

Just got my rMBP, 15" yesterday to replace my late-2007 MacBook Pro, which had a completely different keyboard. On my desktop PC (Windows) I use a mechanical keyboards which is also really great, but what is key about this keyboard is how seeminglessly it is to type. It feels so easy and swift.

Go out and try it at a local store.

 

[vpro]

from late 2011 17"MBP keys to late 2013 15"rMBP keys

the difference is huge, less travel on the rMBP keys as they are just like MBA keys, softer action and way less clicky sound. at first i wasn't sure if i was typing anything, accuracy was off, but after a few days i was typing faster than ever.

i don't rest my wrists on the palm area so the edge doesn't affect me, but when i have, i don't notice any discomfort. however --- lately i noticed using the track pad puts my arm and wrist in a very odd angle so i'm going to get their magic track pad or what ever so my arms and wrist are always comfortably paralle to the notebook.

i think that power key replacing the eject key is super sexy, i don't like physical clicky buttons all over the chasis, i also really dislick that the cllick mechanism is still on the trackpad, yucky sound, i never "click" i tap.


Love you All

 

[kelon111]

The keyboard on the rMBP 15" is alright. The travel isn't that good but most laptop keyboards don't have much travel space anyway. If you've used the IBM ThinkPad keyboards , the keyboard on the rMBP 15" may be a disappointment to you but it's still one of the better keyboards on a laptop right now.

 

[gbkrip]

The keyboard has just the right tactile feel for me. I spend considerable time programming on my rMBP and I've had no complaints about it.

 

[Freyqq]

I think mac keyboards and trackpads are the best available. I had a 2010 mbp and then a rmbp 15, and the only difference is that the 2010 had firmer keys - took more pressure to press them. Both are great.

 

[kfmfe04]

I use a mechanical keyboard hhkb hooked up through USB.

Long after I replace mbp after mbp with upgrades, I will continue to use the same hhkb for its typing feel.

It has the perfect placement of the control-key in place of the caps-lock for UNIX programmers, and a feel that just makes me happy to type on (with near zero fatigue).

I also like a detachable for superior ergonomics: mbp further away and keyboard on my lap. Ergonomics tend to be important for people who type all day (developers, writers, etc...).

Once you go mechanical switches, it's hard to go back to chiclets

Once you go hhkb, you won't need any other

 

[DevAndy]

Like your fingers flowing through water.

 

[kfmfe04]

Like your fingers flowing through water.

how true!

also not unlike popping bubble wrap all day

 

[pragmatous]

You'll get use to it. I had that same worry but after 5 minutes of actually using it it was a non-issue. You'll quickly fall in love with your mac and wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

The trick to the trackpad is to go into system preferences, trackpad, and check mark "Tap to click" and you'll love the track pad.

Enjoy your mac! A PC just doesn't compare and it's hard to tell that to PC users because they're so use to crap. It's literally a paradigm shift going from a PC to a mac.

If apple made gaming computers I'd get rid of my PC. But because I game I still have a PC in the house.

Hi guys, so in my quest for getting my first ever Macbook I have a question regarding the 15" rMBP.

I've tried to do searches but haven't found what I'm exactly looking for. I'll obviously be using the keyboard for every day tasks, but also extensive ones such as essay/novel writing,

I've briefly played with one in store, but couldn't really properly test it out. My main concern is how far away the keyboard is away from the front edge to the screen, there seems to be a lot of empty space around the trackpad which felt weird to me.

Is this just something that I will get used to? How do you guys find it?

Thanks

 

[s2mikey]

I like the way the keys feel and work one my 13" but I do still have to get used to it being completely flat versus my previous laptop having a slight tilt towards me. My toshiba had this and it did make typing a little nicer.

Love the backlit keys though and the feel is excellent. I'll get used to the non angle.

 

[mojito]

It felt weird to me at first too, but once you get some use into it, it's great. The space is perfect for your writs to sit on and type. Worry not, friend.

 

[M5RahuL]

After using countless PCs [ laptops, and desktops ] and a few classic MBPs over the years... the keyboard on rMBPs are a God send for me! Typing is so much easier with virtually no fatigue and the fingers just flow on the keyboard seamlessly!

I think it's the best keyboard to type on to date...at least for me. A lot of my friends use mechanicals and swear by it.. but I totally love the rMBP's!

 

[GoldfishRT]

Well if you're expecting a mechanical keyboard with cherry blue keys you'll be disappointed. If you compare it to any other rubber membrane keyboard it compares very favorably. The only other laptop keyboards that might be better are ThinkPad keyboards in my honest opinion.

 

[Orton99]

Apologies for not replying sooner. Appreciate everyones replies.

Obviously Apple sell alot of these laptops and I can't say I've seen too many complaints. Though the other day someone posted a picture on here showing marks apparently left by a MacBook which concerned me.

I'd like to go into a store and really play with one. But the closest one is like an hour away. I always feel weird and like I shouldn't play on one for too long..

Oh well, sure I will buy one soon. Know I'll regret it if I buy a Windows!