What do you think about the "new" Magic Keyboard?

[fisherking]

what's interesting, too, is how we adapt to things; it's not as if mechanical keyboards were designed by God (ie the 11th commandment: "thou shalt type on big fat keys"); it's just what people got used to; then, things change, and some are horrified/angry/confused etc.

yet someone who's on their first mac now will accept the current keyboard/mouse as normal (& then may not like what comes next).

most of us just adapt to the things that change (hardware, software). adapting, a great capability in human beings; complaining relentlessly is one of the not-so-great things...

 

[ferencav]

give it a little longer, and (like anything else), you'll get used to it. then one day you'll wonder how you worked with anything else...

This is exactly what happened The old keyboard looks and feels clunky now

 

[TheIntruder]

Since it was part of the standard bundle, I've given the MK a shot, but am going back to an old aluminum wired model.

It was always going to be moved aside anyway, since I want a numeric keypad, but I was willing to consider buying the extended MKwNK if the feel was right.

These things are highly subjective, and one does adapt, but I still like more travel than what the MK offers.

And, I don't think the build quality justifies the $129 price tag, especially compared to past favorites like the Extended Keyboards, and the Aluminum Wired Keyboard (which retailed for only $49). The MK feels lightweight and not as sturdy in comparison. I'm typing this on an 11-year old AWK, and aside from some worn-off key labels, it's just as solid as it was when new.

Wireless would be nice, but it's not without its issues, and I don't need yet another device in my life with a sealed battery that will expire (though granted, the MK isn't entirely disposable and can be used as a "wired" keyboard when the battery goes kaput, but will negate one of its major features).

For me, the AWK is the best combination of feel, design, build, and cost in recent Apple history. It lifted Apple out of the dark times of the awful translucent and clear models after the platinum models went away (even the cheaper one with dome switches was OK).

 

[ferencav]

Since it was part of the standard bundle, I've given the MK a shot, but am going back to an old aluminum wired model.

It was always going to be moved aside anyway, since I want a numeric keypad, but I was willing to consider buying the extended MKwNK if the feel was right.

These things are highly subjective, and one does adapt, but I still like more travel than what the MK offers.

And, I don't think the build quality justifies the $129 price tag, especially compared to past favorites like the Extended Keyboards, and the Aluminum Wired Keyboard (which retailed for only $49). The MK feels lightweight and not as sturdy in comparison. I'm typing this on an 11-year old AWK, and aside from some worn-off key labels, it's just as solid as it was when new.

Wireless would be nice, but it's not without its issues, and I don't need yet another device in my life with a sealed battery that will expire (though granted, the MK isn't entirely disposable and can be used as a "wired" keyboard when the battery goes kaput, but will negate one of its major features).

For me, the AWK is the best combination of feel, design, build, and cost in recent Apple history. It lifted Apple out of the dark times of the awful translucent and clear models after the platinum models went away (even the cheaper one with dome switches was OK).

I can imagine you like the travel more of the old one. It took me some weeks but now I prefer less travel.

I have the wireless keyboard with numeric keypad which was shipped with the new iMac i9. The price tag is high indeed. Especially when you mention the old one was $49. I guess Apple is exploring the boundaries of what people are willing to pay a little further each day.

 

[TheIntruder]

I can imagine you like the travel more of the old one. It took me some weeks but now I prefer less travel.

Admittedly, I'm old school. I learned to type on a manual typewriter which had a lot of travel and would leave a too light impression and double space if the keys weren't struck with enough force.

That progressed to electric typewriters like the IBM Selectrics (fantastic pieces of engineering, and built like tanks), full-travel computer keyboards, and finally, the AWK. So there has been progression, and adaptation, but that's where it ended for me.

I have the wireless keyboard with numeric keypad which was shipped with the new iMac i9. The price tag is high indeed. Especially when you mention the old one was $49. I guess Apple is exploring the boundaries of what people are willing to pay a little further each day.

If I had gone the BTO route, I would have paid the extra 30 bucks for the extended version, and probably been ok with it. But for me, the MKs don't make a good enough case to pay $129 (not to mention the silly extra $20 for Space Grey).

It's all very YMMV, and I think it's actually a pretty good time for the keyboard market now, with the mechanical fans able to get their fix like vinyl record fans, and more variety to suit different tastes. And I'd still take a MK over the translucent keyboards Apple first shipped with the original iMacs. They were decent when new, but the sticky key action as they wore down was awful. The later crystal clear models with a similar key design also showed off all the crumbs and other detritus collected during use.

 

[s15119]

people complain about modern mac accessories like they never used the hockey puck mice.