4 ms·
Key travel isn't back to what it used to be, but it's moving down everywhere so apple at least isn't far behind. I went from a T series thinkpad to an M1 air an
by Joeri 5y ago
Key travel isn't back to what it used to be, but it's moving down everywhere so apple at least isn't far behind. I went from a T series thinkpad to an M1 air and the keyboard was a clear downgrade, but in practice I find it to be "good enough".
Apple:
.7 mm - butterfly keyboard
1 mm - current mac scissor keyboard
1.3 mm - old mac scissor keyboard
Thinkpads:
1.8mm - T series thinkpads (aka the ones with the good keyboard)
1.5mm - last year's X1 carbon (the thin and light)
1.3mm - this year's X1 carbon
- jagger27 5y agoFor added reference, the beloved 7-row ThinkPad keyboards found in laptops like the T410 and T420 have 2.5mm key travel. Kailh Choc (low profile) mechanical switches have a total travel of 3mm. Cherry MX switches (and most clones) have 4mm travel. Some clones are a little more or less.
- mpalczewski 5y agoI miss the 0.7mm travel. Less work for the fingers. Faster typing. Too bad they couldn't make it reliable.
- NovaS1X 5y agoI know it's completely subjective, but I'm currently on a work provided 2018 mac with the 0.7mm travel and I despise it. I have far, far more typing errors on this keyboard than I do on pretty much anything else. I'm excited to try the new 1mm keyboard.
- jsjohnst 5y agoI feel like we are either odd ducks or else in a silent majority. I love minimal key travel and find it a far superior typing experience.
- jagger27 5y agoI certainly don't miss the feeling of typing on concrete. I suppose a very light fingered typist might appreciate the reduced travel though.
- joeberon 5y agoI actually thought the old butterfly keys were fine back when I was using them, but after getting an M1 2020 mbp, going back is HORRIBLE
- QuercusMax 5y agoTyping on concrete - that's exactly right. I got awful RSI from the butterfly keyboard on my 2018 15-inch MBP. I had used previous MacBooks for nearly a decade with no problems.
- can16358p 5y agoYes! Thought I was the only one. It was slick, good-looking, and typing was a breeze on those. But it was super-problematic and had mine broken multiple times over the years. If they could make 0.7mm butterfly reliable, that would have been awesome.
- pivo 5y agoI love my 2019’s keyboard. That’s the year they added the extra membrane to prevent dust getting in. It’s been flawless for me for the last two years.