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Comment by nsxwolf | Hacker News Reader

I get that they want a common design language and to simplify supply chain/manufacturing, but why take those compromised butterfly switches and make a desktop keyboard out of them?

The previous scissor switch keys were OK. A big improvement over their previous garbage membrane keyboards in fact. But the new keys are really a necessary evil to make thinner laptops - why hamper the desktop experience with them?

On the desktops they have the luxury of non-portability, so why not a new mechanical keyboard design for the iMac and Mac Pro?

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Why would Apple make a "mechanical" keyboard when there's already multiple vendors like Matias (http://matias.ca/tactilepro/) that make several models of that exact thing?

Personally I think the new keyboards are really good, there's a lot less travel on each key which makes typing more efficient. Going back to an old keyboard with full travel feels like hammering on a typewriter.

That Matias keyboard, quite frankly, looks like a piece of junk from the G3 iMac era.

Apple could build a mechanical keyboard with their characteristic design and build quality.

I think the new butterfly switch is useable, but I don't share your enthusiasm. I have not been able to fully adjust to them and I still make typing errors from my fingers sliding off more than I'd like.

Apple could build a lot of things, but they don't unless there's considerable demand, and mechanical keyboards have very narrow appeal.

Matias isn't the only vendor and that's not the only model of mechanical keyboard they make. If you're a mechanical keyboard enthusiast you're living in the golden age of options. You can custom-build your own keyboard, pick individual keycaps, switches, and more.

There's vendors like http://www.wasdkeyboards.com that are basically "Build-a-Bear" for keyboards.

It's true, and I love my HHKB2. But I'd love it more if Apple made it because its plastic enclosure leaves a lot to be desired.

HHKB is popular enough that metal replacement closures exist.

> That Matias keyboard, quite frankly, looks like a piece of junk from the G3 iMac era.

But it feels great and wears like iron. Source: I've used one for the past 7 years.

>so why not a new mechanical keyboard design for the iMac and Mac Pro

https://input.club/whitefox/ + http://pimpmykeyboard.com/dsa-think-different-keycap-set/

Why even bother begging Apple for this sort of thing when you can support independent creators happy to serve these niches.

I wish apple would rerelease their old ALPS SKCM keyboards. They were amazing. I really do not like the butterfly switches. https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCM_Salmon

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