New CURVED keyboards for BOTH 17" and 15" MBP ?!

Question

Level 2

391 points

New CURVED keyboards for BOTH 17" and 15" MBP ?!

It looks like the keyboard on the 17" is changed - and the keys are no longer flat (as they currently are on all models, and the external keyboards), but slightly curved.. ?!!

What's more, Apple seems to have sneaked that into the 15" as well, as it now too is shipping with the new keyboard (while the Air, MB and external keyboards remain flat)...

Odd?! I also wonder how much 'better' the feel of the curved keys is....

Dan

Mac Pro Octo 3.2, 32GB, GT8800, MacBook Pro 2.8, 4GB,, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jan 6, 2009 1:27 PM

Reply

Answer 1

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Jan 6, 2009 1:50 PM in response to dosers

I must be blind. I had purchased my MacBook Pro late 2008 notebook in October, and it looks just like the new pictures.

What am I missing? Can you post a picture?

Thank you!

Reply

Answer 2

dosers Author

Level 2

391 points

Jan 6, 2009 1:50 PM in response to LukeD

Luke,
you are not blind 🙂

The pictures of the 17" shows the curbed keys - it's hard to see, but check it out. The pictures of the 15" have NOT been updated yet.
HOWEVER, the text under 'details' for both the 15 and 17 now say (i.e. the 15 was changed this morning!) that the keys are CURVED.

Cheers,
Dan

Reply

Answer 3

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Jan 6, 2009 2:02 PM in response to dosers

Thank you, Dan!

It is unfortunate that Apple has not provided better pictures of the keyboard and bottom case. From the pictures that have been posted, I could not see any difference on my 23" ACD.

I will continue searching.

Does anyone have any links to pictures of this new keyboard?

Thanks.

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 6, 2009 5:23 PM in response to LukeD

It may well be my imagination, but the picture of the 17" keyboard appears such that the outer edges of the keys are raised up slightly. There is more light reflecting from the center of the keys and darker at the raised edges. Of course this could just be my crazy eyes. 🙂

M.

Reply

Answer 5

dosers Author

Level 2

391 points

Jan 6, 2009 6:51 PM in response to marconiusrex

It's not just the picture (which, on the 17" indeed shows the new curved keys).
The actual text on the Apple website, explaining the keyboard has been changed to include "and the keys are curved' for both the 15" and 17". This wasn't there before 🙂

Dan

Reply

Answer 6

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Jan 6, 2009 7:44 PM in response to dosers

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/06/firstlook_unibody_17_macbook_pro_with_photos_andvideo.html

I give up! I still do not see any curved keys.

In any event, thank you for bringing this up.

Message was edited by: LukeD

Reply

Answer 7

ollilay

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2009 8:23 PM in response to LukeD

I don't see any curved keys either.

Reply

Answer 8

dosers Author

Level 2

391 points

Jan 6, 2009 10:16 PM in response to ollilay

I agree, they seem to be using the old keyboard on the show models. I assume these are NOT production models.

Fact is: Apple deliberately changed the text of the 15" features, and added the 17" features pages to say "...And the keys are curved to perfectly fit fingers. The result? Pure typing bliss. The keyboard is also illuminated, so...".

If you look at a cached 15" site, the 'curved' feature was not part of it. Also, it is still not on the MB and Air.

The Apple picture of the 17" online (17" details) does, to me, seem to have the curbed keys. Hard to tell, as it's straight on.

As you can see on the show-models, they clearly are not curved keys - which is contrary to the 'new features' Apple is praising for the keyboard....

Cheers,
dan

Reply

Answer 9

Jan 7, 2009 8:21 AM in response to dosers

This is great news!

The flat-topped keys are probably an idea from the same demented mind that came up with the round mouse. Dumb dumb dumb...

Without a curve, you have no feedback that your fingers are slipping toward the edge of the key until you start striking the neighbouring keys by mistake.

Reply

Answer 10

Jan 7, 2009 10:53 AM in response to marconiusrex

I was referring to the picture of the keyboard on the new 17" (looking down on it) on the Apple website. The pics from the MacWorld do not look like they have the "curved keys".

M.

Reply

Answer 11

Jan 7, 2009 10:55 AM in response to Board Head2

Personally, I feel like the keyboard on my MBP (with the flat keys) types like a dream.

M.

Reply

Answer 12

demolasko

Level 2

390 points

Jan 7, 2009 11:28 AM in response to dosers

i can see what your talking about ... i think it is just a light glair because i have to tilt my screen down to see the difference in how the light hits the keys in the photo... but its the same keyboard as the 15" i dont think there curved

Reply

Answer 13

dosers Author

Level 2

391 points

Jan 7, 2009 11:43 AM in response to demolasko

Don't know... the pic of the 17 on Apple's site does seem to show the light curving to me - but I agree it's hard to see.
However, never mind the pictures. Again, Apple states in their specs now that both the 15 and 17 DO have CURVED keys now - and it's a new features as the text of the 15 was specifically changed to include that....
I agree, the pictures of the 17 at MW - probably not production models, certainly still have the flat keys.

cheers
dan

Reply