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Do you like the new KEYBOARDS - OWNERS ONLY


  • Total voters
    158
  • Poll closed .

turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,468
40,323

casperes1996

macrumors 604
Jan 26, 2014
7,599
5,771
Horsens, Denmark
It's the Kinesis Advantage 2. It's an amazing keyboard. Took me a month to get used to it but it is totally worth it (even at its price). My typing speed has gone up, and the wrist pain has gone away.

It looks interesting. I'm not a big fan of the coloured key caps, but aside from that I like all of what I've read. If only I could get an extended variant with 19-F keys. I think I would struggle switching without them. Programmed a lot of keys in FCPX for all of my F keys.
 

ETechMaster2002

macrumors member
Jul 29, 2016
45
30
It really is an upgrade from past models. It's better than the Retina MacBook and it really does feel like a well constructed keyboard. It really didn't take any time to get use to ... and it is not really that loud. It is definitely an upgrade!
 

thesaint024

macrumors 65816
Nov 14, 2016
1,073
888
suspension waiting room
Sorry, I should have been more clear.

I despise the TouchBar and find it totally useless and a bad idea. So much so that I went to a max'd out non-TB 13" MB. Absolutely love it.
"Despise" it? Did a touchbar wrong you in some way, reject your advances? I don't know if I've ever "loved" function keys either. I'm sort of indifferent to that top row.
 

smirking

macrumors 68040
Aug 31, 2003
3,966
4,022
Silicon Valley
I voted that I "love it" but that doesn't really tell the whole story. I don't love the feel of the super flat low travel keys, but to my utter surprise, they don't hurt my hands. I have RSI and I can't use the keyboards on my previous MBPs for very long before my hands start to hurt. This is my first MBP in a long time that I've been able to use directly without having to tote along a low force external keyboard if I need to use it for longer than few minutes away from my office.

So, I'm in the odd situation of loving it, but am also not enthusiastic about the short throw key feel. If health matters were excluded, I'd only say the keyboard was OK and that's way higher of a score than I expected myself giving it. I absolutely hated it when I tried it out at the Apple Store. I'm not quite a mechanical keyboard snob, but I'm definitely a mechanical keyboard fan so counting myself as even a lukewarm fan of the new keyboard is surprising to me.
 
Last edited:

lobo1978

macrumors 6502
Sep 22, 2011
394
259
"Despise" it? Did a touchbar wrong you in some way, reject your advances? I don't know if I've ever "loved" function keys either. I'm sort of indifferent to that top row.

@thesaint024 - as always reasonable among chaos and negatives. Hold on there buddy! ;)

Now back to you unnamed always-know-better-so-I-will-post-it---so-the-world-will-see-how-creative-I-am:

Hey! People! You are way too serious over material things - go outside, have some fun - instead of moaning and complaining.

NOBODY cares if you love or hate Touchbar! NOBODY cares if you will design it way better (go ahead - Kickstarter is all yours! -- compete with Apple)

Have a nice day!

:)
 

CaptRB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 11, 2016
940
1,015
LA, California
So in the end we got under 10% that really dislikes the new keyboard. Given the commonly negative nature of these forums, I'd say that's a very big win for the new design.

Thanks for voting!

PS: I use a wireless Logitech keyboard a LOT with my 15" Touchbar as it's now replacing a quad core iMac. It has keyboard with much more travel and spring action requiring more effort. Either keyboard is fine, but I can type a bit faster on the MacBook Pro.


R.
 

CaptRB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 11, 2016
940
1,015
LA, California
Yes. I do wish it had just a touch more travel


Maybe they'll add some extra travel in the next cycle or two. The good news is that it's a snap to upgrade to a newer model because these things retain value so well. I don't get worked up over a very short-lifespan work tool. The upgrade is right around the corner. I like to change my machines every two cycles, or three if there's not a lot of movement.


R.
 

aevan

macrumors 601
Feb 5, 2015
4,542
7,240
Serbia
I'm glad that 73% of people loves the new keyboard.

I prefer this new keyboard to any other. I don't expect everyone to share this sentiment, but I actually love this keyboard the most, out of all the keyboards I've ever tried. I like shallow key travels, but what I really like about the new keyboard is how "sharp" it feels. Clicky and not mushy. Precise and not wobbly. I like the Apple Magic keyboard, but this one feels even better.

But the thing I love the most about it is the sound it makes. It's not too loud,and it feels almost soothing and whimsical, in a similar way a sound of an old train feels good for some reason.
 
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danf1

macrumors member
Apr 13, 2017
43
36
I love the keyboard. It feels great to type on and I took to it within an hour of setting it up. I'm a bit paranoid that something will go wrong because of some of the issues I've read on here - but so far, so good.
 

CaptRB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 11, 2016
940
1,015
LA, California
Apple has a winner with the butterfly keyboard. Maybe they'll make the travel a bit deeper on the next model.


R.
 

Playfoot

macrumors 6502
Feb 2, 2009
286
258
So in the end we got under 10% that really dislikes the new keyboard. Given the commonly negative nature of these forums, I'd say that's a very big win for the new design.

Thanks for voting!

PS: I use a wireless Logitech keyboard a LOT with my 15" Touchbar as it's now replacing a quad core iMac. It has keyboard with much more travel and spring action requiring more effort. Either keyboard is fine, but I can type a bit faster on the MacBook Pro.


R.

Well, it the poll was still active, I would have voted, "don't like", but can't change so . . . Owner since November, soon to be on third keyboard replacement.
 

CaptRB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 11, 2016
940
1,015
LA, California
This seems to be a more and more common experience :(

Bummers on your issues



I'm just curious. Why would you make this comment? As they sell more and more units, we're going to see more posts about issues. I've seen more and more about ports, keyboards, trackpads and touch bars, but overall a SHOCKINGLY small number when you consider the amount of units sold.

So why would you make a comment that seems to suggest that there's a issue with the keyboards? Do you have any math figures or connection to Apple about this?

I recently worked a shoot where Dell units were used. Both failed. But I would not go to a Dell forum and suggest that Dell failures are common. Frankly, unless a LOT of people were reporting the specific issues I encountered, it would be silly for me to do so.


R.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
but overall a SHOCKINGLY small number when you consider the amount of units sold
That's your opinion, mine is that it is a more common occurrence.

But I would not go to a Dell forum and suggest that Dell failures are common
Ok, I guess, that's really up to you. I don't care if you go to a Dell forum or not.
 

Playfoot

macrumors 6502
Feb 2, 2009
286
258
This seems to be a more and more common experience :(

Bummers on your issues

Well, I can not comment if it is or is not common. I do know, according to what the Apple Genius showed me, there are hundreds of pages in their solution files for each of the keyboard complaints such as dead key, locking key, inconsistent key press sound, etc. Whether that means higher than average failure or replacement, I can not tell.

The three issues, at least for me, in addition to replacing the keyboard is the high cost, if not covered under warranty - north of $1,000, the portion of the computer replaced - the entire top sheet, battery, etc., and finally the time - no longer a simple Genius Bar fix - now requires seven to ten days . . .
 

CaptRB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 11, 2016
940
1,015
LA, California
That's your opinion, mine is that it is a more common occurrence.


Ok, I guess, that's really up to you. I don't care if you go to a Dell forum or not.




It says that you're STAFF. DO you work for Macrumors?

I have family and friends that work for Apple, so I usually don't post invalid opinions are issues without evidence.

Upon getting banned for a while, I asked the folks at Macrumors why certain people seem to be okay with this constant "poking in the eye" of the Apple computers.

So getting to the point, no, there is no rash or uptick in keyboard issues thus far. There is no product-wide issues being dealt with at 2 of the LA Apple stores, 2 in NY and 1 in Chicago. That I know for a fact.

But I'd like to know why you'd post otherwise. Even if I had no connections to the company, why post something like that? There's no math to support it at all. It would seem that people come here to share experiences, ask questions and learn. A smaller group comes to bash and war with others. I would hope that Macrumors staff doesn't feed into the latter with false innuendo.

Let's look at something else here in the "numbers." We've had people here claim that they had 3 or even 4 bad keyboards with multiple exchanges. Given that I don't know a soul with a bad keyboard and we see so few reports of such on a top selling laptop, what are the ODDs of that? What are the odds that they'd be in THIS forum, when most owners are not?

I recall seeing something where the average cost of a laptop was 850 dollars in the USA. With the Apple laptops priced so highly they fall into "prestige" or "luxury" products for many. That also typically invites a lot of frustration, anger and bashing in forums like this.

R.
[doublepost=1493919636][/doublepost]
Well, I can not comment if it is or is not common. I do know, according to what the Apple Genius showed me, there are hundreds of pages in their solution files for each of the keyboard complaints such as dead key, locking key, inconsistent key press sound, etc. Whether that means higher than average failure or replacement, I can not tell.

The three issues, at least for me, in addition to replacing the keyboard is the high cost, if not covered under warranty - north of $1,000, the portion of the computer replaced - the entire top sheet, battery, etc., and finally the time - no longer a simple Genius Bar fix - now requires seven to ten days . . .


And there are hundred for USB-A failures on the MacBook Air. I've seen them.
Without evidence system-wide, it's silly to suggest that this issue is widespread. It MIGHT be, but I think cooler heads would wait for evidence.


R.
 
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maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
DO you work for Macrumors?
No, I do not work for Macrumors. I am a member who volunteers my time. FAQ

invalid opinions
That's the difference between you and me. No opinion is invalid, I value all opinions (provided its not racists or is otherewise hate filled against humanity) even those that I disagree with.

Upon getting banned for a while, I asked the folks at Macrumors why certain people seem to be okay with this constant "poking in the eye" of the Apple computers.
Not sure what you mean about poking in the eye, but if you have issues, then please use the https://forums.macrumors.com/misc/contact/.

So getting to the point, no, there is no rash or uptick in keyboard issues thus far.
I believe there is based on what I've read here, not only a fairly large number of posts and threads, but other people having reported that their interactions with Apple Geniuses indicate that it something that occurs regularly. I'm not making a statement of fact, I already mentioned that this is my opinion. You have a dissenting opinion and I respect that, and all I request is the same in return.


A smaller group comes to bash and war with others.
I'm not bashing anyone, I am providing my opinion, you disagree and seem to take my negative assessment on some of the attributes of the MBP personally. Its just a laptop nothing to be venerated. if you feel a given post violates MacRumor's rules, then please report the post. MacRumors does not force people to post only positive uplifting content when its directed towards Apple. They allow an open dialog which at times includes being critical of Apple when they make misstep.
 
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