MBP vs 12" PB keyboard

I am fortunate enough to have a friend who let me borrow his 12" PB. I wanted to get a taste of OSX for a week or two before I decide to purchase my next laptop.

I've noticed the keyboard on the 12" PB is nicer than the keyboard on the MBP. There's more key travel and the keys do not feel "mushy" as on the MBP.

Have I just tried bad MBP samples, or has anyone else noticed this? It's not a huge deal, but the PB keys feel noticeably more solid.

 

I think you tried a bad one. My mbp keyboard is great

 

I have a 12" PB (2 years) and I have played with 3 different 15" MacBook Pros. I noticed no difference in the keyboards.

Peter

 

I just tried 2-3 MBPs today and my original observation still stands. It feels like the 12" PB had slightly more key resistance; I can feel a muted a click and a definite stop to the key travel. I would put money that there is a difference.

The MBP just feels, well, mushy. Hmm...wish I had never touched this amazing 12" PB. Apple better bring out a 12" or 13" MBP.

No news on a smaller MBP?

 

You must have very sensitive fingers

Apple never comments on products in the pipeline until it announces them. The rumours sites seem to be suggesting the 12" PB will not be replaced by a MBP but by a 13" iBook replacement (MacBook?). I hope this is not true as I love small-form factor machines and I would actually prefer something smaller than my PB.

Unless you really want the Intel processor you could consider buying a 12" PB with a 1.5GHz Power PC G4 processor. Apple still sells them.

That said, try a few more MBP keyboards. The mechanism is exactly the same as on the PB and I said, after 2 years of using my PB I don't feel any difference.

Peter

 

maybe there is a difference because of the size difference between the 12 in and 15/17 in??

 

I haven't really noticed a difference in the quality of keyboards when comparing the 12" PB and the 15" and 17" MBPs. I only noticed a difference in keyboard quality when I tried out the 12" iBook.

 

The keyboards are exactly the same on all 3 machines. Same size, same translucent keys, the only difference being the 12" doesn't have the backlighting.

Peter

 

okay, i figured as much, was just throwing out ideas.

 

I do have sensitive fingers

It's more of a pleasure to type on the 12" than on the MBP. I just feel less key travel on the MBP, but it's still a beautiful machine.

I would love to try one out of the box and see if it's just the wear and tear of a floor model.

I must be in love with the small form factor....**** apple for ditching the smaller PB in favor of an updated iBook.

 

Well, as I said, it's only a rumour. Let's give them a chance to complete the transition to Intel.

Peter

 

I agree - I think Apple will probably offer something in the MacBook Pro line that's on the smaller end (I'm guessing if they do release one, it'll be either a 12" or 13.3" model).

 

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/05/20060508164940.shtml

 

I tried a floor model of the MacBook Pro 15,4" and I must say I was left wanting by the keyboard. It just felt awful. I was afraid it was going to break under the weight of my fingers typing on it.

The only thing I can compare it to is my Logitech diNovo (basically a laptop keyboard for a desktop, really great). So my standards may be a bit on the high side but still . . .

To add salt to injury, they unit I tried did not even have a battery in it. Perhaps it was mooing and heating up like no other heh.