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Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

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Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Glass touchpad with multi-touch is infinitely better than synaptics plastic trash with "somewhere on the right side we'll pretend there's a scroll bar".

Nearly all touchpads support multi-touch, this includes Synaptics "plastic trash". You just need to enable things like two-finger scroll and three-finger-click (etc). If you're using an older version of Windows you might need to update the driver, those who use Linux generally get this out of the "box" and can just enable the required options. Having both two-finger-scroll and side-scroll enabled is possible and quit…

But the precision and comfort of tracking between the "plastic textured" pad v. the etched glass top that macs use is light years apart, even if it's possible to spend an hour and tweak the plastic one to have the same functions and behaviour.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#282
I have a 2015 MacBook and also use a HHKB Pro 2 Type S; both wildly different keyboards.

I think the MacBook keyboard is wonderful, though I prefer my HHKB. It requires a different method of hitting the keys, but I have no problem going between the two, or to any of the other keyboards I use.

I recall when Apple first came out with the thin aluminum keyboards that it took me some time to adjust from what I was using at the time, a Microsoft Ergo something or other with huge key travel and vague key actuation feel.

If you get pain while using any keyboard you should look into how you're using it, and why you're getting that pain.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#283

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Glass touchpad with multi-touch is infinitely better than synaptics plastic trash with "somewhere on the right side we'll pretend there's a scroll bar".

Nearly all touchpads support multi-touch, this includes Synaptics "plastic trash". You just need to enable things like two-finger scroll and three-finger-click (etc). If you're using an older version of Windows you might need to update the driver, those who use Linux generally get this out of the "box" and can just enable the required options. Having both two-finger-scroll and side-scroll enabled is possible and quit…

How many hours have you logged on an Apple touchpad in the past 5 years or so?

What you say is technically correct, but you can enable all those things and Synaptics still is miles behind Apple in accuracy, comfort, additional possible gestures (I use "pinch" "four finger up" and "get outta here" gestures frequently).

Sometimes the Synaptics just doesn't recognize what I'm doing with simple two-finger scroll. That literally never happens with Apple hardware.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#284
post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been wanting to do this for ages, but I can only find the volume slider! Could you tell me how to put Volume Up and Down buttons on there please?

It's hidden weirdly.... go to "Keyboard" prefs pane and "Keyboard" tab (initial one shown when you bring it up. At "Touch Bar shows".... change that from "App Controls with Control Strip" to "Expanded Control Strip". Then you will see the individual buttons. You can then further "Customize Control Strip..." and you will now see more buttons. But you will also loose "App Control". Of course, why can't those specific b…

> But you will also loose "App Control".

For fuck's sake... Thanks for the "upgrade", Apple.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#285

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nearly all touchpads support multi-touch, this includes Synaptics "plastic trash". You just need to enable things like two-finger scroll and three-finger-click (etc). If you're using an older version of Windows you might need to update the driver, those who use Linux generally get this out of the "box" and can just enable the required options. Having both two-finger-scroll and side-scroll enabled is possible and quit…

How many hours have you logged on an Apple touchpad in the past 5 years or so? What you say is technically correct, but you can enable all those things and Synaptics still is miles behind Apple in accuracy, comfort, additional possible gestures (I use "pinch" "four finger up" and "get outta here" gestures frequently). Sometimes the Synaptics just doesn't recognize what I'm doing with simple two-finger scroll. That li…

More than a thousand I'd guess, why do you ask? I use a 'magic touchpad' (first generation, a bit of a battery eater) with some stationary machines. The thing works, sure. It is rather big which - in my opinion - is not all positive. The clickpad-function can sometimes be handy but one annoying thing about it is the fact that it takes more force to click on the back side than the front, this due to the way they implemented this function. Touch gestures are not really my thing as I tend to use the keyboard for those things reached throgh gestures - maybe I need to add that I use a tiling window manager?

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We voted with our money that we didn't give a damn about quality hardware or software.

Ehhh, we voted with our money that we trusted Apple. Their hardware design has been quality until the new keyboard. This ignores whether you want more ports or faster processors, of course.

IMHO the hardware has been shit since the AMD disaster.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#287
post #267

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's possible for it to be a hardware design error and user error. Or just an impedance mismatch between a particular piece of hardware and a particular user. I agree that the new Macbook keyboards aren't for everyone. Some people, like my girlfriend take to them right away. Others will never adjust. And that's fine . You don't like it? Don't use it. Return it for something else. But I think there's a large middle gr…

I encourage you to spend time with a pianist. Your comparison is not supporting the point I think you're trying to make. I encourage you to differentiate between someone who diddles the keys for 10 minutes once a week vs. someone who dedicates 90+ hrs per week and whose livelyhood depends on quality and precision of the tools they use. If it's consumer trash then take it to windows-craptop land. I thought Apple made…

Dude, you can "encourage" me all you want, but I'd understand you better if you simply made your point directly.

Midi keyboards with unweighted keys aren't "consumer trash." Their are plenty of professional musicians who use them on a daily basis. They are merely different from pianos with weighted keys, which require more force to play. Some prefer one, some the other. It's largely a matter of which you were exposed to first.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#288

So glad someone called this out. A single key on my MBP broke and Apple wanted $500 to "fix" it, even with AppleCare. Fuck that.

Wait you had paid for Apple Care and yet they wanted $500? Why is Apple so sacred with so many people?

This is correct. Not the first time Apple Care has screwed people.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wait you had paid for Apple Care and yet they wanted $500? Why is Apple so sacred with so many people?

Because this isn't the typical experience for most? I've had nothing but good things to say about Apple's repair policies. If it's in warranty, wander into an Apple Store, explain the issue, come back an hour or two later for your free fix or replacement. Done and done. I've also heard horror stories, but they're a pretty big company. I'm not surprised it's a mixed bag. I can say that there are almost no companies th…

They consider the broken key to be "accidental damage" which puts the user at fault. Therefore, no warranty.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#290
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your story resonated with me because I had the same experiences with a 12” MacBook. While I can’t really use you as an example, since you kind of need a Mac for a lot of the work you do specifically, I’ve heard the same complaints about Apple hardware from other long-time Mac users that don’t actually need to have a Mac. I am curious how many of those of us that don’t need macOS day to day have voted with their walle…

Also migrated to a Dell XPS 15 as new Macs stopped exciting me. No coil whine in mine, but it was hell finding just the right bios version so sleep would work. And if you don't use a specific Intel you driver version you get screen flicker. Le sigh.

Hey, but at least your computer is exciting now, right?
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