keybord feals cheep

[Digital Skunk]

Here's something I never got why is it you need a backlit keyboard your not supposed to look at the keyboard I never do.

Although yes Mac's are somewhat flimsy but Dell's are really sturdy they have no give very rigid machines. Never tried Sony.

You usually don't look at the keyboard when typing, for those that do know how to type that is, but you do look at it every once in a while for keyboard shortcuts or when you are playing games.

I hope Apple starts realizing that their premium for design is going to have to get smaller to stay appealing in the short term. Many PC makers have been putting out good looking machines, good looking by anyone's standards, that are the same price as their ugly machines were a few years ago. The hardware is the same, and PC offer much more customization, so the only thing keeping a lot of people on the Mac side is the software, which I am sure Jobs is counting on.

If you do manage to hold a M1330 or 1530 in your hands, or any Sony laptop, especially the 11.1" model that is uber-sweet, you may just find yourself hitting that epiphany that I did. I used to argue Apple's build quality and features, but now I have seen the hardware light, and want Apple to start making good machines all around, with REAL features; not just comfortable keyboards.

 

[macjay]

The keyboard on the MB is one of two things holding me back from getting one

The MB keyboard is the reason why I'm still using a G3 iBook. (The MBP is too big for me.)

The MacBook keyboard gives me aching knuckles and end-of-my-fingers after a while

The keys on the MB feel like they have zero cushion.

If you do manage to hold a M1330 or 1530 in your hands, or any Sony laptop, especially the 11.1" model that is uber-sweet, you may just find yourself hitting that epiphany that I did. I used to argue Apple's build quality and features, but now I have seen the hardware light, and want Apple to start making good machines all around, with REAL features; not just comfortable keyboards.

I realized this when looking at the Sony NR series 15" laptop -- their cheapest model ($700). For a "cheap" plastic low-end model the build quality is vastly superior to the Macbook. You also get the same keyboard on that model that comes on Sony's more expensive models.

 

[aaronw1986]

I prefer MBP keyboard to MB.

 

[f1]

what does an expensive keyboard feel like?

 

[e12a]

That being said...the powerbook's keyboard (i've own all three sizes) is by FAR the most comfortable, responsive and quick keyboard I've ever used. It feels as though I'm using a touchscreen sometimes.

Anyone have any thoughts?

"touchscreen" and responsive is an oxymoron. There is no tactile feedback involved with a touchscreen, the copier/scanner at work has a touch screen that can be used with a GUI keyboard, and it sucks. typing in e-mail addresses has never been so difficult. I cant tell if a button press registered until I hear a beep. Luckily it has a physical keyboard sitting next to it that I can use.

a powerbook's keyboard is more "clicky" and provides more tactile feedback than a MBPs...but the MBP is quieter. As long as you can press the button down, it is nothing like a touchscreen.

 

[weg]

I hope Apple starts realizing that their premium for design is going to have to get smaller to stay appealing in the short term.

[...]

If you do manage to hold a M1330 or 1530 in your hands, or any Sony laptop, especially the 11.1" model that is uber-sweet, you may just find yourself hitting that epiphany that I did.

Come on, the premium that Sony is charging for their laptops is much higher than what Apple charges...

 

[26139]

gee

"touchscreen" and responsive is an oxymoron. There is no tactile feedback involved with a touchscreen, the copier/scanner at work has a touch screen that can be used with a GUI keyboard, and it sucks. typing in e-mail addresses has never been so difficult. I cant tell if a button press registered until I hear a beep. Luckily it has a physical keyboard sitting next to it that I can use.

a powerbook's keyboard is more "clicky" and provides more tactile feedback than a MBPs...but the MBP is quieter. As long as you can press the button down, it is nothing like a touchscreen.

Thank you for the lesson. I suppose I wasn't clear enough on my point, and I'm glad people like you are here to correct my personal opinion. I'll be sure to run any additional thoughts through you before posting.

 

[heatmiser]

Come on, the premium that Sony is charging for their laptops is much higher than what Apple charges...

Got to disagree. Sony has a tax, but it's nowhere near the Apple tax.

And I agree about the no need for backlit keyboards. I almost never look at my board when typing, and when I'm in the dark, I've almost always inverted my screen with Nocturne to eliminate glare and retain night vision. If you don't know where the keys are, you might need the backlighting, but if you've ever gone through a typing course, you'll do fine without it.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Come on, the premium that Sony is charging for their laptops is much higher than what Apple charges...

Yeah but you get a better built laptop. Unfortunately the fact that it runs Windows takes that advantage away.

 

[MarlboroLite]

re: Sony laptops...

I used to be a Sony devotee mostly based on their designs and so was my family, with virtually everyone owning Sony laptops, until they all gave us problems. And this is over the span of 6 years or so with many different models.

I am currently using a 2004 top of the line model that is incredibly outdated, hence I'm itching to switch. But besides being an outdated computer, virtually every internal component except for the hard drive had to be replaced in the summer as sort of a last straw after giving me problems from day one. My brother also got an identical computer to mine at the same time and it is also a piece of sh*t. If I wasn't going to switch to mac, I would NOT be looking at Sony again for my next PC. I know one family's experience with Sony is not representative and just anecdotal but to me the "sturdiness" argument is a joke in my experience with them. The computers are feel very cheap with really fragile plastic.

Apple may not be as study as it might have been in the past, but I can say every Sony laptop I have owned has been crap (except for the screen quality which is superb [when it wasn't flickering]) and I cannot wait till Jan. 15!

 

[Cybergypsy]

when i first bought the MBP i thought i loved the keyboard, Nope......Sold it and moved on....like the screen on the macbook better too

 

[heatmiser]

I might have typed this before, but I love the Macbook keyboard. It feels as if my fingers have more room to "float" when typing. When going back to the traditional trapezoidal keyboards (whether on a dedicated board or on a laptop), it feels...weird. Almost crowded. The MB keys seem to be lower in profile, easier to press, and more likely to get out of your way when you're typing...

 

[Dybbuk]

Thank you for the lesson. I suppose I wasn't clear enough on my point, and I'm glad people like you are here to correct my personal opinion. I'll be sure to run any additional thoughts through you before posting.

Erm, he was right though. What you said made no sense. Touchscreens aren't responsive by their very nature.

 

[aaronw1986]

the keyboard feels cheep compared to the macbook any one els feel this

It feels "cheep", really?

 

[Dybbuk]

It feels "cheep", really?

hahaha you pointed out a typo on the internet you sure are clever

 

[SkyBell]

hahaha you pointed out a typo on the internet you sure are clever

Clever enough to use capitalization and punctuation...

 

[e12a]

Thank you for the lesson. I suppose I wasn't clear enough on my point, and I'm glad people like you are here to correct my personal opinion. I'll be sure to run any additional thoughts through you before posting.

you're welcome. By all means feel free.

edit: its just that the experience of the copier/scanner at work has given me much grief. I just use the physical keyboard. Nothing beats it.