3 ms·

I think I'm definitely in the minority here on this community, but I actually don't mind the keyboard and TouchBar. The keyboard, although not as good as my Th

by b3b0p 7y ago

I think I'm definitely in the minority here on this community, but I actually don't mind the keyboard and TouchBar. The keyboard, although not as good as my Thinkpad, is far superior to many still and not bad. The problem I have with the keyboard is that it's not a user replaceable part and is nigh impossible to replace. Since it's the most used component arguably and wears and has moving parts and is exposed to the real world being able to for example like my Thinkpad of past take it out or replace it or clean it. Similar case could be said for the battery. The Touch Bar I don't mind and like. Mapping the Esc key to caps lock works better for me anyway since I have small hands with short reach. I look at it as an evolution of the finger print reader you would often see in previous years on other laptops. Plus, it's programmable, which you would think the creative and entrepreneur bunch here would love and find many hacks and ways to take advantage of. I guess not. I do look forward to any changes Apple decides though. The only Apple keyboard and computer I hated was the Titanium PowerBook. The keyboard on that and the fragility of the whole computer was terrible. My favorite so far as been the Aluminum PowerBook G4 12 and 17. Followed by the first MacBook Pro.

bad_user 7y ago
> Mapping the Esc key to caps lock works better for me I'm mapping Caps Lock to Control, because it's way more useful. Yes, I'm an Emacs user primarily, but I know Vim users that do the same. You can't remap Caps Lock twice. And what will happen when Caps Lock itself will be gone?
- jen20 7y ago
  You can map caps lock twice - karibiner allows you to map taps to be escape and held down to be control. I have used this for over a decade.
- TheRealDunkirk 7y ago
  I remap Command to Caps, because I got used to Ctrl being there as a Sun admin, and now Command usually works where I expect Ctrl. At least Apple makes it easy to remap, though you have to remap every mechanical keyboard you own. ;-) I can't believe that it still takes a registry hack (and a re-login) on Windows.
jen20 7y ago
We likely are in the minority, but I find the 2016-19 era MacBook Pro to be the only laptop I can comfortably type on all day without triggering RSI pain. I also make extensive use of the Touch Bar. I will think twice about buying an updated machine.
- crazygringo 7y ago
  Yes, I'm the same about typing with pain! The thing is you have to type differently on it -- no more banging down your fingers as you might be used to, just a very light touch that, once you get the hang of it, feels so much more graceful and civilized -- and no longer any strain in my wrists. But I think a lot of people either don't realize they need to change the way they type physically, or are resistant to it. It takes a couple days to change your habits like that. Tip: if you're one of the people complaining about the butterfly keyboards being loud... they aren't if you use less force.
- b3b0p 7y ago
  I won't think twice, I'll be jumping right in on the new one, I think at least. Assuming it only gets better from here on out. I'm still deathly scared of the battery becoming worthless as well as my keys stop working reliably. The 'L' right now on my 2017/2018 MacBook Pro might need an Apple Store visit soon and I have had a keyboard cover on it since the split second I took it out of the box. I don't feel safe without the cover until the keyboard is a replaceable part again.
  - jen20 7y ago
    A counterpoint: I have not had an issue with my 2017 model despite never having had a case or keyboard cover, and travelling weekly with it. If you want a laptop with a replaceable keyboard I would look away from the Apple ecosystem, it’s quite obvious that is never coming back regardless of any design updates.
matwood 7y ago
I agree with you. I like the new keyboard, as long as it's reliable. After using the new keyboard for awhile I certainly do not want to go back. Hopefully the new keyboard keeps the current feel while fixing the reliability issues.

by b3b0p 7y ago

bad_user 7y ago

> Mapping the Esc key to caps lock works better for me I'm mapping Caps Lock to Control, because it's way more useful. Yes, I'm an Emacs user primarily, but I know Vim users that do the same. You can't remap Caps Lock twice. And what will happen when Caps Lock itself will be gone?

jen20 7y ago
You can map caps lock twice - karibiner allows you to map taps to be escape and held down to be control. I have used this for over a decade.
TheRealDunkirk 7y ago
I remap Command to Caps, because I got used to Ctrl being there as a Sun admin, and now Command usually works where I expect Ctrl. At least Apple makes it easy to remap, though you have to remap every mechanical keyboard you own. ;-) I can't believe that it still takes a registry hack (and a re-login) on Windows.

jen20 7y ago

We likely are in the minority, but I find the 2016-19 era MacBook Pro to be the only laptop I can comfortably type on all day without triggering RSI pain. I also make extensive use of the Touch Bar. I will think twice about buying an updated machine.

crazygringo 7y ago
Yes, I'm the same about typing with pain! The thing is you have to type differently on it -- no more banging down your fingers as you might be used to, just a very light touch that, once you get the hang of it, feels so much more graceful and civilized -- and no longer any strain in my wrists. But I think a lot of people either don't realize they need to change the way they type physically, or are resistant to it. It takes a couple days to change your habits like that. Tip: if you're one of the people complaining about the butterfly keyboards being loud... they aren't if you use less force.
b3b0p 7y ago
I won't think twice, I'll be jumping right in on the new one, I think at least. Assuming it only gets better from here on out. I'm still deathly scared of the battery becoming worthless as well as my keys stop working reliably. The 'L' right now on my 2017/2018 MacBook Pro might need an Apple Store visit soon and I have had a keyboard cover on it since the split second I took it out of the box. I don't feel safe without the cover until the keyboard is a replaceable part again.
- jen20 7y ago
  A counterpoint: I have not had an issue with my 2017 model despite never having had a case or keyboard cover, and travelling weekly with it. If you want a laptop with a replaceable keyboard I would look away from the Apple ecosystem, it’s quite obvious that is never coming back regardless of any design updates.

matwood 7y ago

I agree with you. I like the new keyboard, as long as it's reliable. After using the new keyboard for awhile I certainly do not want to go back. Hopefully the new keyboard keeps the current feel while fixing the reliability issues.