My 16” got me feeling nostalgic last night so I pulled my PowerBook G4 out of storage to play around with it a little. Now that was a keyboard. No comparison.
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What's everyone's thoughts on the new MacBook Pro keyboard?
- Thread starter TSE
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Semi-professional writer. Still coming to terms with the keyboard but after writing for a few hours last night using it exclusively, here are my initial thoughts:
It's pretty good. I get the feeling that the keys are bottoming out slightly earlier than I would like, and I generally prefer the feeling of my surface pro's type cover, minus the flex which is obviously better controlled here as a result of the different form factor. Also, the backlight is just a hair inconsistent - I see it leaking more from some keys than others. That doesn't really bother me but I do notice it.
That's not to say this is bad by any means, the feeling is fine. I love the function keys and the double-width escape key. When I'm away from my desk and my MX Keys (or my blue switch mechanical keyboard), I won't feel like the keyboard is hindering my ability to get the job done. That's really what I want out of a laptop keyboard anyways.
It's pretty good. I get the feeling that the keys are bottoming out slightly earlier than I would like, and I generally prefer the feeling of my surface pro's type cover, minus the flex which is obviously better controlled here as a result of the different form factor. Also, the backlight is just a hair inconsistent - I see it leaking more from some keys than others. That doesn't really bother me but I do notice it.
That's not to say this is bad by any means, the feeling is fine. I love the function keys and the double-width escape key. When I'm away from my desk and my MX Keys (or my blue switch mechanical keyboard), I won't feel like the keyboard is hindering my ability to get the job done. That's really what I want out of a laptop keyboard anyways.
Super controversial here…
Mushy mushy keys. Hate it. A step back. All the dirt-trapping, repeated keystroke issues aside, the previous gen had fantastically short travel, and a lovely tactile feel. The click in the earlier ones was a bit too loud but the feel was very satisfying.
I cannot really understand everyone on this bandwagon? It feels like I’m typing something made in the 00s. I feel like I’m missing something… or that so many reviews I’ve seen parrot each other… or no one wants to step against the majority? many people don’t like caviar anyways ?? I’m sort of joking but honestly I cannot wrap my head around it…
The only other person I know feels this way is Will on Unbox Therapy.My brother from another mother!! I loved the previous keyboard so much I wanted to buy the MBP before they switched back to mushy old timey scissors.
(I also had my butt keyboard replaced so the issues did not escape me).
(And I’m not a fan of mechanical keyboards. At all. Noooooop.)
Will @25:39 so I’m not entirely alone here ?
Mushy mushy keys. Hate it. A step back. All the dirt-trapping, repeated keystroke issues aside, the previous gen had fantastically short travel, and a lovely tactile feel. The click in the earlier ones was a bit too loud but the feel was very satisfying.
I cannot really understand everyone on this bandwagon? It feels like I’m typing something made in the 00s. I feel like I’m missing something… or that so many reviews I’ve seen parrot each other… or no one wants to step against the majority? many people don’t like caviar anyways ?? I’m sort of joking but honestly I cannot wrap my head around it…
The only other person I know feels this way is Will on Unbox Therapy.My brother from another mother!! I loved the previous keyboard so much I wanted to buy the MBP before they switched back to mushy old timey scissors.
(I also had my butt keyboard replaced so the issues did not escape me).
(And I’m not a fan of mechanical keyboards. At all. Noooooop.)
Will @25:39 so I’m not entirely alone here ?
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I thought I'd feel that way, but I actually like the black on black. The illuminated letters really stand out. It looks cleaner I think.
I tried both systems again at my local Apple store. Both keyboards felt solid. There was no rattle from the keys.
Still, I feel that the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard keys have more throw and feel more responsive when they’re pressed.
The new MBP pro keyboards aren’t terrible but I would call them average at best.
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I have both a 2019 MBA and a 2021 MBP16. Prefer the feel of the butterfly MBA and can type faster. But then again I have a very light touch. Seems odd that my touch would be so light because I grew up in the days of mechanical typewriters--I guess I just adapted to the feel of the butterfly.
Don
Don
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I have a 16. Replaced a 2017 MacBook Pro 13-no Touch Bar. For me the keyboard on the 2021 16 is a significant improvement.
In your opinion. In mine, it is NOT the best keyboard Apple has ever made. That award goes all the way back to the PowerBook Wallstreet and also the 2006 MacBook Pro with silver backlit keyboard.
I still like the older chicklet style keyboard of my 2013 MBP era best. This new one is very nice, though. Maybe it is the black background, but in a way, it doesn't have the same mental feeling of a traditional Mac keyboard where the aluminum was shown in between the keys.
However, this is so much better than the butterfly keyboards of the prior generation. My wife had MBAs and they were horrible. I have a 2016 15" MBP and is was repaired once under warranty and then it happened again (stuck space bar) so I stopped using it. Used a 2019 MBA for a while but never liked the keyboard. Kept going back to the 2013 model.
However, this is so much better than the butterfly keyboards of the prior generation. My wife had MBAs and they were horrible. I have a 2016 15" MBP and is was repaired once under warranty and then it happened again (stuck space bar) so I stopped using it. Used a 2019 MBA for a while but never liked the keyboard. Kept going back to the 2013 model.
I use the magic full size I got in 2019 and also the 16.2" keyboards. They are both nice to use but something about the new one appeals to me more. The keys are responsive but softer at the same time. Its as if I can hit the keys faster. I also like the typing set typing sound. It sounds like im tapping my fingers against a flat surface. This may be my favorite keyboard. I tried a mechanical keyboard with the tall buttons due to online hype but I find them awkward and clunky.
I’m not a fan of tall buttons. I don’t get it.
And what’s funny in the mechanical keyboard typing tests I’ve seen, compared to chiclet style keyboards like the Apple Magic keyboard, the reviewers/testers usually type faster on Apple’s Magic keyboard!
I think the idea tall chunky buttons being better for typing was hype, and with the addition of customisability, it attracted people. But in reality I don’t think it is actually ergonomically “better”…
I as well wish they had kept the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro models, especially now on macOS Monterey, and the introduction of the Shortcuts app; having the Touch Bar on my 2019 intel 16" MacBook Pro is quite nice and handy as I can access the custom shortcuts that I created easily and quickly via the quick actions button on the Touch Bar.
its faster to program the F keys and press those. Also once you learn shortcut commands, its just faster to use those than the Touch Bar. I liked the bar but realized im living happily without it
I'm still waiting for my 14" to be delivered day after tomorrow, but I really like the black-on-black design. If the keys were unmarked, it would have been even cooler 
I currently have the Intel 16" and I find the keyboard to be a marked improvement over the retina 13" (pre-butterfly). Going back after a year, the 13" felt mushy. I really liked it when I used it, but the 16" is much more accurate overall. A bit shorter travel.
As for the controversial topic of mechanical keyboards, I ended up buying a low profile one (PureWriter) because of sheer geeky curiosity. It's not the clicky type as I hated IBM clack-boards back in the days. Because I'm so used to laptop keyboards, I didn't want to go back to full depth keyboards. I love it. Low profile is a very good compromise. I'm still geekily curious about 40% boards with curved keys etc, but no way I'm ever going to spend €500 on that. Famous last words but then most of those special keycaps don't sit well on low profile switches anyway.
I currently have the Intel 16" and I find the keyboard to be a marked improvement over the retina 13" (pre-butterfly). Going back after a year, the 13" felt mushy. I really liked it when I used it, but the 16" is much more accurate overall. A bit shorter travel.
As for the controversial topic of mechanical keyboards, I ended up buying a low profile one (PureWriter) because of sheer geeky curiosity. It's not the clicky type as I hated IBM clack-boards back in the days. Because I'm so used to laptop keyboards, I didn't want to go back to full depth keyboards. I love it. Low profile is a very good compromise. I'm still geekily curious about 40% boards with curved keys etc, but no way I'm ever going to spend €500 on that. Famous last words
but then most of those special keycaps don't sit well on low profile switches anyway.
I quite like it. I just received my new MBP today and one thing I am noticing is how the greater travel with the space bar means I'm more aware of the trackpad beneath my thumbs - it's bugging me a bit, but I'm sure that I'll adjust.
Other than that I am appreciating the new keyboard!
Other than that I am appreciating the new keyboard!
For very long typing hours,a mechanical can be really helpful as
1) u don't have to type as hard
2)the ressort prevents your fingers from bottoming the hard layer,which hurts
I don't think they are faster, nor do I think that is supposed to be the point. All things considered, lower travel will almost certainly equate to faster typing. However very few people make their living based on typing speed these days. What matters more with a mechanical keyboard is that you can get crisp typing feel with good cushion which may have an impact for people who type a whole lot of keystrokes in a day.
The main reason I prefer a large, full size keyboard with crisp keystrokes is that it makes locating the keys - especially the lesser used keys - much easier to do by feel. Between the shape of the keycaps themselves, the additional spacing, etc. you get all sorts of tactile feedback as to where your hands are on the keyboard.
On that topic, it'd be nice if Apple could at least get with the program and put some tactile reference on the arrow keys...
I agree, both my Touch ID Magic Keyboard and my M1 MBA feel better when typing. Those keys give less tactile feedback, are less clicky, but it's ok. Just not pleasurable lol.