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Comment by frereubu | Hacker News Reader

I can't see what the arrow key layout is on the narrower (non-numeric-keypad) version because a hand is over it. It looks like there's a big key where there would be space above the left / right keys on the most recent one. I've got one of the interim ones where the left / right keys are full size so it's difficult to know where they are by touch, and I'm still irritated by that. I hope they haven't gone back again.

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The arrow keys on the smaller model are unfortunately full-sized (like the older Magic Keyboard 2).

I created an image gallery where you can see all 3 keyboard layouts shown in the keynote video today:

  - Magic Keyboard 3 (lock button)
  - Magic Keyboard 3 (Touch ID)
  - Magic Keyboard 3 (Touch ID and numeric keys, inverted T layout)

https://gist.github.com/spiritphyz/bac975617d513b5b4010a6828...

I guess I'm getting a MK 3 (TouchID + number keys). Too bad they aren't in the store yet. Hopefully they will be available separately!

What I want is pretty much the exact same keyboard that is in my MacBook Air, but as an external one. TKL, small inverted T layout, TouchID.

With USB-C charging

Unfortunately the shot I saw showed the same big left right arrow keys. Small improvements to the over all design but that is still a huge tactile wart for me as well.

If I end up using one of those keyboards I'll probably replace the larger arrow keys with something that has the top half recessed, or just add a dimple/bar over them for a similar sensation.

Yeah it's really strange, because all their other new keyboards have inverted T…

I think it's because of the more rounded corners - hard to see how they could have a shallow right arrow key with that corner radius. Sigh. Two steps forward, one step back.

Even trimming a little off the top of the side arrows would have been a major improvement.

Probably the designer just didn't want any empty space for aesthetics.

Ugh, yeah - first image down on https://www.apple.com/uk/imac-24/ That's a real shame after they temporarily rowed back on both the touch bar and the full-height left / right arrow keys.

If you search for the heading "All-New Design Enabled by M1" (near the beginning), then there is an image that shows the layout of the small keyboard. Further down, under "Touch ID Comes to iMac, Along with Color-Matched Accessories", there is a gallery, and the third image is of a full-size keyboard.

Wow, the function keys go up to F19.

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