Your honest typing experience on MacBook Pro 2016+

[jerryk]

I have a 2018 15. The keyboard is OK. Fine for a portable device.And so far no issues with plam rejection on the ridiculously large trackpad.
The travel is limited and I am less accurate than on a my desktop mechanical keyboards with cherry MX Brown switches.

 

[poorcody]

Have you written a book on it?

I have. An 85,000-word novel in fact. Entirely on my pre-order 2016 MBP.

My feeling about the keyboard went like this: When I first got it: "Oh, I don't know if I like this, but I guess I'll get to used to it." After a few days: "I can live with this". After about probably two weeks or so (and it did take that long): "Wow, I actually like this keyboard!"

What I found was it had a much steeper "learning curve" than any other keyboard, but once I learned the right amount of pressure to apply, I found my typing to be much faster and my fingers felt less stressed. When I go back to older keyboards that have traditional travel, I find some of my keystrokes not registering because my touch has gotten so much lighter... and they feel noticeably slower.

I do recommend it for writing. The large trackpad is nice for editing as well. My only compliant is the small up/down arrow keys. I've been lucky, too, I had none of the keyboard failure issues.

 

[ascender]

Of course, how could I forget the awful arrow key arrangement. That’s the one thing I do wish Apple would change.

My son has a previous generation MBP and the keyboard feels really mushy and non-precise now... it’s funny how quickly you get used to new things.

 

[smirking]

I don’t like the arrow keys and touchbar but I like the rest of it

OMG, if they could just fix the damn arrow keys, this keyboard would be really great. A lot of copies of the keyboards have less consistent switches at the arrows so they take more force or need to be struck dead on the center to register. That combined with the decision to make the left and right arrows full sized keys make it really hard to use the arrow keys without looking at your hands.

 

[alphaod]

It's a good keyboard for those that like good tactile feel. If you're a pecker it's annoying to use no doubt.

I use a buckling spring keyboard on my desktop and these keyboards have that kind of feel to them. Very good response and amazing for typing quickly.

If they would put the same mechanism into their bluetooth keyboards, I would buy them in a heartbeat.

 

[smirking]

I typed on the new 2016 and.... right away... didn't like it. Not enough "movement", I was making too many mistakes.
Tried the 2015 and... far FAR better.

If you're a good typist, your problems with accuracy on the butterfly keys would almost certainly have gone away or gotten close to your usual accuracy if you spent some time to adust to it.

If you spent a couple of weeks on them, you'll very likely end up quite proficient on the butterfly keys. You might still hate them because you don't like the feel, but it wouldn't be because butterfly keys are inherently harder to use.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

For the first hour the keyboard felt a little odd, but after that if felt more solid and mechanical than previous MBP keyboards. I type a fair bit, Never had any soreness in the fingers, never complained of the noise or anything. I much prefer the newer keyboards for their stiffness, whenever I type on an older MBP now it's like typing on a sponge.

It's a significant change, which I guess is why you will hear a lot of flame on it as it's all basically subjective opinion.

But I touch type, and never had a single problem. The keys are larger and more solid, you don't need to press as hard so you can literally 'glide' across it, which to me makes my typing much quicker and more accurate. I like the tactile feedback you get from typing on it too, rather than a spongy nothing, you get almost a click - reminiscent of a mechanical keyboard. And it's perfectly quiet to me.

Obviously yours, and others use may vary. But if you go into it open minded you'll have a positive experience, if you go into it wanting to hate it, then well at least you can rant about that experience here

 

[AppleHaterLover]

After some months of using the keyboard and thinking it was perfectly fine, I had to use a 2015 rMBP and the keys fellt small and mushy with a lot more travel than necessary.

I like it a lot (knock on wood it won't break)

 

[waquzy]

After some months of using the keyboard and thinking it was perfectly fine, I had to use a 2015 rMBP and the keys fellt small and mushy with a lot more travel than necessary.

I like it a lot (knock on wood it won't break)

I couldn't agree more, well said

 

[bluecoast]

MBP 13 escape key 2017 owner here:

• I find the keyboard fine.
• It's a little bit noisy, so I'm not sure how I'd find it in an office etc. (I only use it at home)
• Travel is great for me, I don't need the feel to 'slam' down on the key - even so, it's still noisy than you might expect
• As far as Apple keyboards go, I preferred the BT Apple keyboard that I used with my iMac - it was a lot more quieter with similar key travel
• So it's a 'neutral' from me - I think it really depends if you're used to a keyboard with more travel (and like that) and if the noise bothers you
• BTW I can touch-type at approx 45-50 wpm.

 

[smirking]

As far as Apple keyboards go, I preferred the BT Apple keyboard that I used with my iMac - it was a lot more quieter with similar key travel

I've disliked all Apple laptop keyboards except for the butterfly MBP keyboard, but oddly enough I actually like the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard. They may be the same switch as all the laptop keyboards that I don't like, but I find them to have lower resistance and less of a mushy feel. It's just one example of how subtle things can make or break a keyboard for you. Give everything a chance. You just never know.

The only thing I used my Apple BT keyboard for was when I needed to use my 2012 Unibody MBP when I wasn't near my external keyboard at my desk. I placed it on top of the actual MBP keyboard.

When I got my 2016 MBP, that habit carried over at first, but then I got used to the butterfly keys and now I no longer tote around an Apple BT keyboard wherever I go.

 

[bluecoast]

I've disliked all Apple laptop keyboards except for the butterfly MBP keyboard, but oddly enough I actually like the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard. They may be the same switch as all the laptop keyboards that I don't like, but I find them to have lower resistance and less of a mushy feel. It's just one example of how subtle things can make or break a keyboard for you. Give everything a chance. You just never know.

The only thing I used my Apple BT keyboard for was when I needed to use my 2012 Unibody MBP when I wasn't near my external keyboard at my desk. I placed it on top of the actual MBP keyboard.

When I got my 2016 MBP, that habit carried over at first, but then I got used to the butterfly keys and now I no longer tote around an Apple BT keyboard wherever I go.

As long as I’ve used the Mac (since 2005), I’ve always found apple mice and keyboards to be not so great.

In many ways the iPhone and iPad feel like the products that they always wanted to make - I think they’ll be very glad when they’ve eliminated the mouse and physical keyboard!

(Puzzlingly enough, the MBP 2017 trackpad is amazing).

 

[Painter2002]

I was hesitant when I first got my 2017 MacBook Pro, having been a fond user of the chiclet keys of previous generations of MacBook Pros, but quiet honestly this keyboard has grown on me a lot. I actually type faster on these keys and with less fatigue.

The only challenge I have is when I switch back and forth between my windows work laptop, and my MacBook Pro. Switching back and forth takes a second to adjust to whichever keyboard I am using (I am a touch-typist). But beyond that it's actually a good keyboard, IMHO.

 

[smirking]

As long as I’ve used the Mac (since 2005), I’ve always found apple mice and keyboards to be not so great...(Puzzlingly enough, the MBP 2017 trackpad is amazing).

Yeah, most of their keyboards are subpar and some were downright awful. Same goes for their mice.

I'll differ with you on the trackpad though. They've consistently put out a amazing trackpads. The ones on the current MBPs are too damn large for me, but otherwise great. My Apple BT Trackpad is my longest lasting input device still in use. It was fantastic when I got it 8 years ago. It's still fantastic.

 

[lambertjohn]

I have. An 85,000-word novel in fact. Entirely on my pre-order 2016 MBP.

My feeling about the keyboard went like this: When I first got it: "Oh, I don't know if I like this, but I guess I'll get to used to it." After a few days: "I can live with this". After about probably two weeks or so (and it did take that long): "Wow, I actually like this keyboard!"

What I found was it had a much steeper "learning curve" than any other keyboard, but once I learned the right amount of pressure to apply, I found my typing to be much faster and my fingers felt less stressed. When I go back to older keyboards that have traditional travel, I find some of my keystrokes not registering because my touch has gotten so much lighter... and they feel noticeably slower.

I do recommend it for writing. The large trackpad is nice for editing as well. My only compliant is the small up/down arrow keys. I've been lucky, too, I had none of the keyboard failure issues.

What's the name of your novel? Love to check it out in the bookstore or on Amazon.

 

[macintoshmac]

What's the name of your novel? Love to check it out in the bookstore or on Amazon.

To count the number of typos?

Okay, I have gone through this thread with much interest since this is one of the few threads with level-headed opinions. Great read.

Here is my take:

"Have you been using a MacBook Pro 2016 (or newer) for extensive typing? Do you write like a page or two of diary a day? Have you written a book on it? Many emails and letters per day? How is your experience? How's your finger joints? Comfort? Sourness? Willingness to type the next day again? What is your typing experience?"

I was the first customer at my local store for the 2016 notebooks when they arrived. Since then, I have used the notebook adequately extensively to report with a reasonable degree of confidence about my sentiments regarding the entire package as well as the keyboard in particular.

I am a writer, I am in the habit of typing out oodles of content for clients as well as a page or two worth of a journal entry at the end of day. I went into the new keyboard completely open - I am one of those people who are open to embracing change to experience what it's worth in full, before forming an opinion of if it works for me.

I never hated the keyboard. I only found it different, and pleasantly so. I have had no repetitive stress injuries, I am a light touch typer anyway, never banged my keys. I always place my fingers on the keyboard and just press the keys.

Since the new 2018 notebooks came out, I have been prey to a deep desire to upgrade, especially since it has something to do with the tactile feel of the keyboard. So, I have been going back and forth with my 2011 MBP a lot, to ensure I can work with the old computer for a month or so since the new notebooks are not yet out in my country. I have found that I like both keyboards. I am an easy adapter, and each time I came to the butterfly keyboard, I liked it just about as much as I did the old. So, suffice to say I "look forward" to typing on the new keyboard any day.

Since I am a writer, my typing experience is pretty high on both the old scissor mechanism as well as this new butterfly. I have had cheap membrane based keyboards as well as cherry mx blue switches that I loved and crave for the click sound they make. Typing feels sort of a passion, and I could, when push comes to shove, make a strong statement like, "Yes, I like this new keyboard and look forward to typing on it."

 

[travelsheep]

Went to the shop yesterday. I noticed at first that every finger actually hits the ground/keys at different angles and spots. While my digit fingers hit the ground flush on the finger berry, more or less, my thumbs hit on the outside edge, including the finger nails. Every finger is different. For some it's comfortable, for other's it's like "ouch". I see now how traditional keyboards act as cushions to compensate for the different stroke angles. I wonder if the butterfly keyboard will create signs of wear and skin enforcement on the fingers, like on the fingers of a bass guitar player? Or did you adjust the stroke angles of your fingers, or your hand position, how you float your hand over your keyboard.

Being quite detailed here, I know.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Went to the shop yesterday. I noticed at first that every finger actually hits the ground/keys at different angles and spots. While my digit fingers hit the ground flush on the finger berry, more or less, my thumbs hit on the outside edge, including the finger nails. Every finger is different. For some it's comfortable, for other's it's like "ouch". I see now how traditional keyboards act as cushions to compensate for the different stroke angles. I wonder if the butterfly keyboard will create signs of wear and skin enforcement on the fingers, like on the fingers of a bass guitar player? Or did you adjust the stroke angles of your fingers, or your hand position, how you float your hand over your keyboard.

Being quite detailed here, I know.

Oddly detailed indeed.

When you’re used to a keyboard, trying a different layout will necessarily feel different due to muscle memory. It’s the same for all the keyboards in the world.

Or otherwise I could sue my employer into oblivion every time IT changes my keyboard?

 

[bkends35]

Personally, I prefer the 2015 and earlier machines. I've had numerous stuck keys on my 2016 and the noise when the computer is warm is super annoying.

 

[Karnicopia]

I've had a 2016 since launch and I always really liked the typing experience (I haven't had keyboard issues though). It took me a bit to adjust to the wide keys and still does if I switch keyboards but once I get used to that I really like it because there's just a lot less dead space and I have much more room to strike each key. The second thing I really like is even if you hit a key in the corner it has really even action meaning it takes about the same amount of force no matter where you strike the key. When you combine them it really makes for a good accurate typing experience.

Sound wise it's true that it is a loud keyboard if you really press the keys but once you get used to the short keystroke you use less force and it's less impact. Once this happens the keyboard isn't really overly loud and I just use way less force typing on it which feels pretty good on the fingers. Also less finger movement means I'm faster moving to the next key so they feel really fast to type on once you get used to them. Overall I thought then and I think now that they really did a great job on the keyboard. It is really different but I like them.

 

[smirking]

Went to the shop yesterday. I noticed at first that every finger actually hits the ground/keys at different angles and spots... Every finger is different. For some it's comfortable, for other's it's like "ouch".

As Appleleaker said, typing is a muscle memory activity. I don't think what you're experiencing is really anything to do with the strike angle being different on an ultra low profile keyboard. You're just not used to a flat keyboard yet.

You don't need to go from a traditional keyboard to a butterfly keyboard to experience changes in how your strike angle affects the keypress. Just pick up almost any different keyboard. There are considerable differences in how keyboards and keycaps are shaped. You likely wouldn't walk away from that experience thinking "that completely messed up my strike angle." You might feel a little clumsier than usual, but wouldn't likely to be able to identify why that keyboard felt awkward.

Some mechanical keyboard geeks love scuplted keycaps with angled profiles. Others want some more subtle angling and still others want it mostly flat.

 

[aevan]

I write a lot. I currently have a MacBook Air 2011 and I am very happy with the keyboard, albeit the print on the keys is a bit worn off on some keys and I'm thinking of finally upgrading. However, when I google for MacBook Pro and keyboard I only get to see the top 10,000 marketeers videos and blog post where they try to monetize the latest craze. Seems like none of them actually used the keyboard much.

Have you been using a MacBook Pro 2016 (or newer) for extensive typing? Do you write like a page or two of diary a day? Have you written a book on it? Many emails and letters per day? How is your experience? How's your finger joints? Comfort? Sourness? Willingness to type the next day again? What is your typing experience? Thank you for sharing your experience!

I wrote a ton of emails and documentation on my 2016 and I think this is the most enjoyable keyboard I've ever used. I did have an issue with space bar repeating strokes and had to have the top case replaced. Now I have the late 2017 keyboard and so far so good. Hope it stays that way. Reliability aside, I simply love this keyboard. It feels premium, I'm fast on it, love the big keys, love the stability, love the clicky sound. I guess I'm a light typer so the shallow travel does not bother me the least, in fact I prefer it.

I am well aware that some people hate it, but I can only imagine they will always be the loudest in every group, so when I get the chance I voice my opinion.

 

[poorcody]

What's the name of your novel? Love to check it out in the bookstore or on Amazon.

Currently going through editing, and I'm also negotiating with a publisher, trying to decide whether to go with them or self-publish... not an easy call these days. I'll let you know, thanks for asking!

 

[kis]

I hated the guts out of the 2017 model and only upgraded to the 2018 because the keyboard felt / feels a lot nicer on this one. Guess the small rubber barriers they put in also dampen a bit. Typing on the 2017 model always felt like typing on a piece of wood.

 

[IngerMan]

I like typing on mine a lot more now that it has a warranty on the keyboard till December of 2020