Home Forums Hardware Mac Desktops & Notebooks MacBook vs MacBookPro keyboards

I am considering the purchase of a Mac Laptop and am concerned about the built-in keyboards.

How does the function i.e. "feel" of the keyboards compare between these two models? I am NOT a fan of the membrane/silent touch type of keyboard, but want one which is closer to the action of a standard typewriter keyboard. (I like the clickety-clack sound and touch).

Are the MacBook and MacBook Pro similar to or different from each other in this respect?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Even if I had the experience of using both those models, any description would be purely subjective and not necessarily understood by anyone else. The best thing is to go to an Apple store and try them out. That way, you'll have first-hand information from the only person whose opinion matters, namely you.

Thanks for the response.

That's fine if one lives within a reasonable distance to try these out. However, we rural folks often rely upon ordering ONLINE from the Apple Store.

I am hoping that someone familiar enough with these keyboards would be able to describe the difference(s), if any, on how each keyboard "feels" under the fingers with the touch of the buttons.

Descriptions are always tricky and potentially misleading: hands-on experience remains the best way to compare. I cannot comment on current models, but FWIW the early 2008 MB and MBP models I have both sport a rather silent type of keyboard. Their action feels pretty much the same, with a decent tactile feedback. Apart from the MBP's keyboard backlight, the difference between these two is mostly the shape of the key surfaces. The MBP's are slightly concave, whereas the MB's are flatter.

My early 2009 White MacBook's keyboard's keys offer a fair amount of resistance to touch; from thinking back maaany years to the last time I used a Selectric I'd say that I think I have to hit the Mac's keys harder than I hit the IBM's (which I remember as being kinda hair-trigger).

I've spent no more than a coupl'a minutes at a MacBook Pro's keyboard, though, so I can't make a comparison.

FWIW:

I have discovered that ALL the keyboards on MacBook, MacAir, and MacPro have essentially the same keyboard in regards to the response and behaviour (i.e. touch and feel) of the buttons. The layout is also exactly the same among these models.

I personally don't like the latest "chicklet" flat topped keyboards. I'm going to miss the slightly concave design when I upgrade my mbp.

My fingers find it easier to orient themselves according to the gaps between the keys. (my typing posture is HORRID, I basically hunt and peck at about 90wpm)