352: No One Else Had Calipers

Keyboard Evolution

The evolution of keyboard design in Apple's laptops has been a significant journey, particularly with the transition from the butterfly to the scissor mechanism. Marco Arment expresses relief at the return to scissor mechanisms, noting that it feels like "the dawning of a new day" as it resolves many frustrations users had with the butterfly design 1. Casey Liss shares his hopes for future innovations, such as Face ID on laptops, now that the basic keyboard issues are resolved 2. The new design, referred to as the "Magic Keyboard," is praised for its improved key stability and feedback, marking a return to a more reliable and user-friendly experience 3.

   

Performance Boost

The new MacBook Pro's keyboard design also brings notable performance improvements. John Siracusa and Marco discuss the enhanced thermal architecture, which includes a bigger heat sink and improved fans, allowing for better cooling and sustained workloads 4. This upgrade is part of what Marco describes as the "iMac proification" of the MacBook Pro, offering a quieter and cooler experience even under heavy loads 5. The laptop's performance is likened to a mini iMac Pro, capable of handling demanding tasks with ease, such as driving multiple Pro Display XDRs at full resolution 6.

   

Design vs. Function

Balancing design aesthetics with functional improvements has been a challenge for Apple, particularly with the keyboard layout. Marco and Casey discuss how the new design prioritizes usability over aesthetics, breaking away from the form-over-function approach of the past 7. Casey hopes for further innovations, such as more versatile keyboards in larger laptops, while Marco remains skeptical about significant changes to the current design mold 8. The new keyboard is seen as a step forward, addressing reliability issues and potentially boosting Apple's sales as users seek more dependable machines 9.