Apple to stop using butterfly keyboards in new MacBook: report
New MacBook models will incorporate a scissor-switch keyboard design in place of the butterfly keyboard
It was reported that Apple is shifting from its butterfly keyboard design to a new one using scissor switches in its later MacBook models.
The butterfly keyboard was revealed in 2015 but has since been complained of having issues in it. Apple is getting rid of these by cancelling the keyboard altogether.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the Cupertino brand will incorporate a scissor-switch keyboard design in its upcoming MacBook models, beginning with a relaunch of the MacBook Air sometime this year with the new design installed.
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The glass fibre reinforcement will make the keyboard more long-lasting. Longer key travel can be expected too, which could enhance the typing experience. Kuo stated that the new design isn’t as slim as the original one, but “most users can’t tell the difference.”
Although the scissor-switch keyboard is expected to be a part of the 2019 MacBook Air, the same cannot be said about the MacBook Pro models of the same year, specifically the 16-inch MacBook Pro that is said to be released in September. Nevertheless, 2020 MacBook Pro units are believed to be accompanied by it.
Apple may launch new MacBook Pro this fall
Kuo mentioned that the new design will be beneficial for both the users and the company as not only does it provide better user experience, but it is also more profitable, which is the main reason that Apple decided to discontinue the butterfly keyboard.
Since its debut, the butterfly keyboard gave way to constant issues such as repeated and skipped key presses, which forced Apple into a large scale repair program in 2018.
Apple launched its fourth-generation butterfly keyboard with its new 2019 MacBook Pro lineup, so as to decrease the occurrences of these issues. Shortly after this, iFixit looked into the notebook and found only subtle changes to the keyboard's build, giving it a reparability score of 1 out of 10.
This article originally appeared on Tech Times.
The butterfly keyboard was revealed in 2015 but has since been complained of having issues in it. Apple is getting rid of these by cancelling the keyboard altogether.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the Cupertino brand will incorporate a scissor-switch keyboard design in its upcoming MacBook models, beginning with a relaunch of the MacBook Air sometime this year with the new design installed.
Design chief departure adds to uncertainty at Apple
The glass fibre reinforcement will make the keyboard more long-lasting. Longer key travel can be expected too, which could enhance the typing experience. Kuo stated that the new design isn’t as slim as the original one, but “most users can’t tell the difference.”
Although the scissor-switch keyboard is expected to be a part of the 2019 MacBook Air, the same cannot be said about the MacBook Pro models of the same year, specifically the 16-inch MacBook Pro that is said to be released in September. Nevertheless, 2020 MacBook Pro units are believed to be accompanied by it.
Apple may launch new MacBook Pro this fall
Kuo mentioned that the new design will be beneficial for both the users and the company as not only does it provide better user experience, but it is also more profitable, which is the main reason that Apple decided to discontinue the butterfly keyboard.
Since its debut, the butterfly keyboard gave way to constant issues such as repeated and skipped key presses, which forced Apple into a large scale repair program in 2018.
Apple launched its fourth-generation butterfly keyboard with its new 2019 MacBook Pro lineup, so as to decrease the occurrences of these issues. Shortly after this, iFixit looked into the notebook and found only subtle changes to the keyboard's build, giving it a reparability score of 1 out of 10.
This article originally appeared on Tech Times.