Dan Pražák Apple is said to be ditching its infamous butterfly mechanism keyboards and planning to switch back to a scissor type. The first computer with an old-new keyboard should be the updated MacBook Air, which is scheduled to debut later this year.
When Apple launched the 2015-inch MacBook in 12, it also introduced a completely new keyboard based on the so-called butterfly mechanism. Over time, it became a standard for Apple laptops, and in the coming years all MacBook Pros and finally last year's MacBook Air offered it.
Unfortunately, it was the keyboards that became the most faulty part of Apple notebooks, and various improvements, for example in the form of a special membrane that was supposed to prevent dirt from entering under the keys, did not help.
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After four years, Apple finally came to the conclusion that it makes no sense to continue using the butterfly mechanism, not only from the point of view of frequent failures, but also allegedly due to high production costs. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company plans to return to scissor-type keyboards. However, it should be an improved version that will use glass fibers to strengthen the structure of the keys.
Kuo claims that Apple engineers have managed to design a scissor-type device that is very similar in its properties to the butterfly mechanism. So although the new keyboard won't be as thin as it is now, the user shouldn't notice a difference as a result. The keys themselves should have a slightly higher stroke, which will only be beneficial. Above all, however, all the ailments that afflict the current generation of keyboards in MacBooks should disappear.
Apple should benefit twice from the new keyboards. First of all, the reliability and thus the reputation of his MacBooks could be improved. Secondly, the use of scissor type for Cupertino will mean a reduction in production costs. Although, according to Kuo, the new keyboards should be more expensive than the standard keyboards in notebooks of other brands, they will still be cheaper to manufacture than the butterfly mechanism.
Along with this, the company and supplier will change - while until now Wistron supplied the keyboards, they will now be manufactured for Apple by the Sunrex company, which ranks among the specialists in the field of laptop keyboards. Even this change indicates that better times are indeed on the horizon.
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David Hanak The first MacBook with a new keyboard already this year
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the new keyboard will be the first updated MacBook Air, which should see the light of day already this year. The MacBook Pro is to follow, but the scissor type keyboard will only be fitted next year.
It is the information that the MacBook Pro will come second in line that is quite surprising. Apple is widely expected to launch a 16-inch MacBook Pro this year. A more modern keyboard would be tailor-made for the new model. Its subsequent expansion to other MacBooks would be considered a completely logical step.
source: Macrumors
Come on, all that's left is:
– Get rid of the horror called TouchBar and bring back the normal F1-F12 keys
– Bring back normal USB ports (at least 3, last generation)
– Bringing back the great MagSafe
– Make the MacBook Pro a bit thicker and heavier to accommodate a larger battery and to carry better
– Bring back the ETH port
– Bring back the HDMI port
– Leave the touchpad as it is
– Bring back the 17” version
– Stop playing the luxury overpriced brand
Since I hope Johny Eva won't mess with them anymore, it should hopefully be possible to turn it into a usable product again...