New MacBook Pro keyboard

[stratokaster]

Hi guys, this week I bought a new MacBook Pro (without Touch Bar) and I'd like to share my impressions about its keyboard.

I have to admit that I have always liked Apple's laptop keyboards. Even the keyboard in my ancient iBook G4 was decent, if not spectacular. However, I hated the 12-inch MacBook's keyboard, for me it felt more like typing on a touchscreen than anything else.

The new MBP uses the same switch design as the 12-inch MacBook, but it's a newer and (supposedly) improved version. iFixit's teardown shows a somewhat heftier dome with sturdier arms used to mate the keycap to the dome (the comparison is near the bottom of the page).

I'm happy to report that the keyboard is indeed much better (compared to my wife's 12-inch MacBook). The keys have slightly more travel, they are very crisp and somewhat snappier. Also I like the way this keyboard sounds, it's a low-pitch muted "thock". One thing to keep in mind: those "butterfly" keyboards are much louder than ordinary laptop keyboards, so maybe they're not suitable for libraries and other quiet places.

I thought there would be an adjustment period, but I started banging away on this keyboard immediately after receiving the machine. Yesterday I briefly switched to my old MBP and frankly — I was amazed by how mushy and crappy its keyboard felt in comparison to the new one.

Now, there are other aspects of this laptop I don't like (the price is simply outrageous, and I miss the SD card slot), but I can't fault its keyboard. It's great.

I wish Apple made a standalone version of this keyboard, because their Magic Keyboard is a scissor-switch design and it feels worse in comparison.

[andrewjoy]

The lack of travel was the main issue with the new switch i had a go of one and thats the impression i got.

Glad to see they sorted that.

Last macbook keyboard i liked was the none unibody macbook pro

[stratokaster]

Last macbook keyboard i liked was the none unibody macbook pro

Yes, that silver keyboard with its giant square keys was excellent.

[Khers]

Last macbook keyboard i liked was the none unibody macbook pro

Yes, that silver keyboard with its giant square keys was excellent.

I didn't like that keyboard at all back when I had one and thought that the one in the MBA I replaced it with was superior. That was a few years back though, notably before I got knee deep in keyboards, so I can't say what I think of it today, but I can't imagine I'd be too impressed.

[andrewjoy]

Its the only laptop keyboard that even comes close to older IBM and lenovo keyboards in laptops ( if we exclude very old laptops with alps or cherry ML.

Loverly texture on the keys, smooth, excellent tactility, good profile on keys and far superior backlighting .

the keyboard on my work 2015 MBP does not even come close ( not that i use it that often)

[jacobolus]

I never especially liked any of the Thinkpad keyboards. The earlier ones were too stiff, and the later ones (esp. after Lenovo) turned to the same scissor switches used by every other vendor. They were a bit better than some of the crap that Toshiba, HP, Dell, etc. ended up with on their cheaper laptops, but nothing to write home about.

I think the Apple PowerBook keyboards of ~2004 are the best scissor switch keyboards I’ve used (more travel and nicer key shape than the chiclet ones), but again, nothing you’d really want to type a novel on.

Backlighting is a stupid gimmicky distraction. I turn it off.

If someone wanted a (much thicker) laptop keyboard I’d recommend using baby Topre switches. Probably not going to cut it for modern thinnovation though.

[andrewjoy]

All that effort to put a cheap rubber dome in a laptop

Go for cherry ML

(he said typing this on a topre)

[jacobolus]

Cherry ML is a barely passable switch IMO. Supposedly the new Kaihua sorta-competitor is better.

I’m not much of a Topre fan, but the baby Topre switches are really nice compared to Cherry ML.

I’d love to see an wiki/Alps_plate_spring type switch of slightly smaller size (maybe 2mm travel) used as a (not quite laptop but still portable) switch.

[vivalarevolución]

Meh, doesn't sound too bad for a keyboard in a laptop of that thinness.

[jacobolus]

Yeah, both the Microsoft Surface “type cover” keyboard and the new MBP keyboard are quite impressive considering their respective total thicknesses.

All else equal, I’d prefer if Apple made a keyboard with 1.5–2mm stroke travel, and the same kind of snap in the new MBP design. But the super thin version is also okay with me: makes it easier to carry an external keyboard alongside the laptop.