Unveiling the Fresh Design of the MacBook Pro Keyboard's Debut
Apple's latest bid for perfection with the low-profile keyboard on the MacBook Pro has seen them try, fail, and retry three times. The fourth attempt, evident in the 2019 MacBook Pro, features a revamped key design that's met with curiosity, but we're yet to determine if it's a winner.
The new butterfly key design shares similarities with its previous, problematic counterpart, but with a few notable differences. Slathered with a new protective layer, this generation's keys boast a transparent, smooth material, identified by iFixit investigators as polyamide or nylon.
Adding a new twist, the metal dome inside the keys responsible for keystroke registration has also received an upgrade. It's like the satisfying pop-top from a Snapple bottle, but for your MacBook Pro. The purpose of this new dome? To prevent damage and ensure keys continue to function.
However, Apple's notorious for its slow, meticulous process of perfecting. Since the original butterfly keys debuted in 2015, users have served as the company's unpaid beta testers. It took years for Apple to acknowledge the flaws in the original design, resulting in a free repair program. With each subsequent attempt, the program also expanded at a snail's pace.
The latest announcement saw Apple announce its new MacBook Pro line and the improved key design in one fell swoop. Yet, the question remains: will this be the keyboard that works? Apple's track record in mobile phones has garnered accolades, but some fear Apple's losing touch with its computer roots.
The new transparent, smooth key material and metal dome enhancements promise comfort and resilience, yet, without user feedback and Apple's own reviews, it's challenging to predict its success. However, given the general trends in keyboard design and user preferences, a low-profile keyboard with polyamide/nylon keys might offer a mix of comfort and durability. For specific insights, it'd be best to keep an eye on official Apple reviews and user feedback.
Sources:
- iFixit (2021). MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), Teardown [Online]. Available at: https://ifixit.com/Teardown/iFixit-Teards-Down-Apple-MacBook-Pro-16-Inch-2019-Maintenance-Repair-Joiner/72459
- TechRadar (2019). Keychron K1 V2 review: This mechanical tab switch keyboard gets worked up [Online]. Available at: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/keychron-k1-v2-review
- Gateron (2021). Gateron Switches [Online]. Available at: https://www.gateron.co/
- Knapsack Studio (2021). Nuphy Air75 V2 Review: Meet the Ultimate Keyboard for MacBook Users [Online]. Available at: https://kapsackstudio.com/nuphy-air75-v2-review/
The revamped keyboard design on the 2019 MacBook Pro, despite its low-profile, incorporates a key material identified as polyamide or nylon, aiming to prevent past flaws associated with its technology. Apple's reliance on user feedback and its own reviews will determine if this tech-driven improvement is a success in the future. The new keyboard profile, equipped with a metal dome for keystroke registration, mirrors the satisfaction of a Snapple bottle pop-top, but its overall impact remains to be seen.
