Why is the M3 Air keyboard so cheap feeling?

[rachelagnes110]

The shiny keycap issue on recent MacBooks, including the M2 MacBook Air, is something many users have noticed, and it's understandable that it's frustrating. This seems to be a result of the material and finish Apple uses for its keyboards. The keys develop a polished look over time due to the natural oils on our fingers and regular contact, even with light use.

Interestingly, earlier models like the M1 MBP or the Intel-based MacBooks seem to show less of this, possibly due to differences in keycap materials or surface treatments. Unfortunately, it's not a defect per se but more of a wear-and-tear characteristic of the current design.

For those bothered by this, one way to mitigate it is by using a keyboard protector, although this might slightly affect typing feel. If the aesthetics are a major concern, reaching out to Apple Support to share feedback might help bring attention to the issue for future revisions. It’s a minor annoyance for some but valid feedback for improving the user experience.

 

[Technerd108]

The shiny keycap issue on recent MacBooks, including the M2 MacBook Air, is something many users have noticed, and it's understandable that it's frustrating. This seems to be a result of the material and finish Apple uses for its keyboards. The keys develop a polished look over time due to the natural oils on our fingers and regular contact, even with light use.

Interestingly, earlier models like the M1 MBP or the Intel-based MacBooks seem to show less of this, possibly due to differences in keycap materials or surface treatments. Unfortunately, it's not a defect per se but more of a wear-and-tear characteristic of the current design.

For those bothered by this, one way to mitigate it is by using a keyboard protector, although this might slightly affect typing feel. If the aesthetics are a major concern, reaching out to Apple Support to share feedback might help bring attention to the issue for future revisions. It’s a minor annoyance for some but valid feedback for improving the user experience.

A very thoughtful and helpful response.

I am one who has shiny keys after two months of light use on my M2 MBA. It is annoying but it doesn't affect the overall experience. It is an aesthetic issue and if you have even a slight OCD this is probably why this issue bothers some way more than others.

I was initially upset and am still upset but I find a lot of other complaints about the keyboard something I have not experienced. In fact, I think the M2 MBA keyboard is extremely accurate, has little to no keycap light leakage that affects many notebooks, key travel is just enough for a mostly comfortable typing experience.

The finish, while being difficult to clean has held up rather well. So shiny keys suck but when looking at the totality of the experience using a notebook I find that MacBooks are still far superior in many ways.

Your advice to submit feedback to Apple is very wise and the best way for people to express their concerns regarding the keyboard. Apple may over time incorporate that feedback to make a better product. That is the best hope we have of any change.

 

[DeepSix]

I have to say that the keyboard on the M4 Pro is MUCH better than the one on the Air M3. But why does Apple always have this issue of the outer keys feel differently when pressed on the inside, middle or outside part of the keys? The feedback should feel the exact same no matter where you press on the key. You can even tell just by the sound. It is a sign of poor quality. Apple is always about looks over function.

I have never used a laptop or even a keyboard before that suffers from this problem.