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Comment by peterjonesio | Hacker News Reader

As a developer the new keyboards have ruined macbooks for me - I find my macbook pro quite comfortable to type on for longer periods when I am away from my desk. I feel like the new keyboards are not practical for real use and it doesn't sound like the new models will greatly improve that which is a shame because I would love an upgrade.

I think those keyboards are great on the smaller more portable macbooks but I don't understand why the 'pro' models are favouring a couple of mm in size over a more practical keyboard designed for 'pro' use.

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(I assume that you meant uncomfortable instead of comfortable based on context.)

Counterpoint: I'm also a developer, and I love the 2017 MBP keyboard. I'm of course disappointed to hear that they fail so regularly and that the repair process is so absurdly sledgehammery, but I think they feel amazing to type on and the recall replacement program satisfies my failure concerns.

Chiming in with more annecdata - I love the feel of the new-style keyboards. Sure, it took a little bit to get used to, but now I can't stand the old keyboards - they feel so soft, mushy and inprecise.

The part where they're completely unreliable though, I hate.

Ditto, I work on one most of every day and the overall design is fine and works well for me. The occasional "double press" and having to blow out the keyboard with air, though, annoying. I hope the re-engineering on this new one resolves most of the issues.

"... so many reports that it can be rendered inoperable by a grain of sand and that is incredibly difficult and expensive to repair or replace. This new third-generation keyboard wasn’t designed to solve those issues, Apple says."

Comfortable was referring to my current (2015) macbook pro keyboard. I wouldn't say I find the newer keyboards 'uncomfortable' so much as just lacking travel which I generally prefer.

Based on yours and other comments, perhaps I need to find an opportunity to use the newer keyboard a little more than I have to see if I get used to it.

Same. I often take work from my work-provided 2015 MacBook Pro to my personal 2017 just for the keyboard. I didn't like the 2017 at first, but after a bit of using it, the 2015 feels sluggish, squishy, and effortful.

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