Apple Macbook - question about "enter" key ..

I have a quick question about the Macbook's keyboard ..

I have the Macbook Pro, which I've been using for about the past year now .. (the older Core Duo version) .. absolutely LOVE it! .. I wanted to get a second laptop .. something that's more portable for when I'm travelling .. unfortunately, Apple doesn't have an ultra-portable at the moment .. so my only choice is the 13" Macbook .. (can't even think of buying a regular PC laptop, ever since I switched to Apple .. otherwise, was in love with the Vaio SZ for the longest time!) ..

Going through Flickr pictures .. I've noticed that some of the Macbooks have the smaller sort of longer/narrow "enter" key .. and some of the Macbooks have the regular "wider" one, as in of the case of Macbook Pro .. I really would prefer a Macbook with the normal "wide" enter key .. just wondering is that a re-vamp they did with the new C2D Macbooks? .. or is that like an option you can opt for when you're purchasing one? ..

If someone here has the new C2D Macbook, I'd love to hear about their "enter" key .. since that is really important for me .. I do a lot of typing .. (I'm a writer) .. and it would be way too weird to go back and forth between the Macbook Pro and Macbook's keyboard (if it's the smaller narrow one) ..

Thanks in advance everyone,
Bilal

 

Hrmm, do you have any examples? The only MacBooks I've ever seen since they launched have a regular wide enter/return key.

Only thing I can think of is that maybe some international versions of it have a different enter key to accommodate a different keyboard layout?

Have you been able to use a MacBook keyboard? I would say that if you haven't, definitely try and spend some time with it if you can. It's a very different "type" of keyboard than the MBP keyboard; personally I do like it, and also do a lot of extensive writing, but it isn't for everyone.

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As a more general point, I am not really so sure it would be that worth it to get a MacBook if the reason is "more portability". Dimension wise, the MacBook isn't that much less wider or deeper than the MBP (and in fact it is 0.08" thicker). And in terms of weight, it's only slightly heavier by .4 pounds (or .2 pounds in the case of the new MBP's).

I mean, it's slightly smaller than a MBP, but I just don't see it as dramatically small enough that it would make much difference in terms of travel, etc. (especially once you take a carrying case into account, where whatever slight portability advantage of the MB would disappear anyway).

 

posting pictures .. (i.e. the narrow enter key & wide enter key layout) ..

most of the pictures that I'm seeing are of the "wide" enter key, actually ..

I have used the Macbook .. I found the keyboard is little "different" .. but I'm sure I could get used to it ..

you're right about the very small difference in weight and size .. damn! .. I'm trying very hard to justify buying a Macbook .. just think they're so cool! ..

Bilal

 

That first one looks like it must be an international keyboard of some sort or other (I noticed also that the numbers are at the top of the number keys and the special characters are beneath the number). I've seen alternate keyboard layouts like that before with some other laptops as well.

Pretty sure all US MacBooks at least have the standard layout (like the one in the second pic).

Yeah, not saying it's not worth getting a MacBook if you really want one - just that I wouldn't necessarily get one expecting it to be significantly more portable.

For what it's worth, I had an SZ460 too (because I also really wanted the most portability I could get in a form factor that was still large enough to be useable), but I sold it because I decided that the MBP was still the best laptop for me. One thing with the SZ is that the benefit of the portability of the laptop itself got outweighed for me by the clunky AC adapter (I really wish more laptops had a power adapter like the MB and MBP). And once I got a case for it, it wasn't really that much practically more portable than my older MBP had been (I had returned the old MBP because I wasn't happy with the screen, and wanted to wait for Apple to release an LED-backlit model, which they finally did).

Of all the various laptops I've tried, the MBP has become the closest thing to the perfect laptop for my own needs (the space and power of a full 15.4" machine, but only 1" thick and 5.4 pounds so it isn't such a pain to carry around).

I do like the MacBooks as well, but I would always choose one or the other; I just wouldn't personally see a huge benefit in owning a MacBook and a MacBook Pro.

-Zadillo

 

One thing, if you can wait; there have long been rumors of some sort of so-called "Macbook Thin"; some sort of re-entry by Apple into the ultraportable market. I don't know if this thing is really ever coming out or not, but if it does, it sounds like it will be something along the lines of a significantly thinner and lighter weight MacBook (not sure if it would be "pro" or not in terms of materials, etc.).

If it does come out, it's probably going to be later this year or maybe even at Macworld in January. But if I was someone with a MBP who also wanted a second more "portable" Mac, I'd probably hold out for whenever this thing finally makes its debut.

 

Zadillo .. thanks for your input! ..

you're right .. the MacBook is not going to be of any help .. since it's still 5lbs .. and only marginally smaller than the MBP .. I don't know if I'd be able to work with lesser screen real-estate .. I like to be typing a document, and seeing what's happening in the background .. either if I'm downloading a file or something .. I've never used anything smaller than a 15" notebook .. the MBP is actually 15" inch laptop, out there .. it's the thinnest and lightest .. yet still packs the graphics card and all ..

the Vaio SZ is so in the past .. I don't want to go back to Windows .. don't need applications crashing on me and all that crap! ..

Bilal

 

i swear I remember seeing a Macbook in the Apple store with the tall narrow Return key when they first came out, but I could be mistaken.

no, no I am not, you are completely right with you original post. maybe this is a UK keyboard layout though? hmm





ahh yes, both of these reviews are coming from the UK, so there is your answer.

i do know that Japanese keyboard layouts use the tall narrow enter key