Apple Butterfly Style Keyboard for PC/Mac

studentl0an on 17/11/2021 - 15:59
Last edited 17/11/2021 - 16:00

I've been using mechanical keyboards since getting a Logitech G710+ in 2012. I've gravitated towards smaller TKL style keyboards since then with my current main keyboard being a Keychron K1V4 which I really like for the low profile keys and switches, even with the flaky bluetooth.

I had always thought the modern Macbook keyboards (2015+ for Macbook, 2016+ for Macbook pro) with their ultra low profile butterfly switches would have been bad for me. I took note how people clamored for the older style scissor switch keyboards and also all the issues with the keyboards failing as proof that I would not want one. That turned out to be false when I recently used one and found that my typing accuracy and speed was close to if not the best I've ever had and that was the first time using it. Apart from the tactile feel I also really like the sound it makes.

I am set on getting one to replace my K1V4.

Does anyone know of a cheap (>$100) wireless butterfly keyboard that can be used with PC/Mac? The official apple one is extremely expensive and I don't need a fingerprint scanner. I don't need backlit keys either, although that would be nice to have.

Computing Computer Peripheral Keyboard

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 17/11/2021 - 16:41
    +1

    https://linustechtips.com/topic/1287100-is-there-a-usb-keybo…

    I have not heard of a USB keyboard that uses Apple's butter fly switch mechanism.

    Even the new Apple Magic keyboards made in the last 3 years have scissor switches, not butterfly.

    • studentl0an on 17/11/2021 - 17:15

      Thanks for the link - I know exactly what OP in that thread is going through lol. I didn't know that the Apple keyboards had gone back to scissor mechanisms. I knew the butterfly had issues and had I not tried it recently I would have been fine thinking they were a disaster across the board.

      That last link was super useful. It looks like the biggest difference between switch feel is that stainless steel dome on the butterfly switches vs the traditional membrane on the scissor switch.

      Have you used one of the butterfly keyboards or the newer scissor switch ones? If so do the newer scissor switch ones feel crisper than older mac scissor switch keyboards such as the 2015 and prior Macbook Pros? If by chance you have used both - do the newer scissor switches feel close to the butterfly ones, or closer to the older scissor switch ones?

  • freefall101 on 17/11/2021 - 18:11

    Haven't used a butterfly one much, but the Cherry 6000 is about the closest I know of to what you want. A little over your budget of $100 (I assumed you mean <$100 not >$100?) but a lot cheaper than an Apple keyboard.

    The butterfly keyboards feel fine but they broke really easily and were hard to fix. It may feel good but if you get one you're in for a world of pain later down the road when you get some dust in it and a key breaks.

    Anything particularly wrong with the K1? I've been thinking about getting a K4 and only heard good things, unless you really want super slim it doesn't seem like much of an upgrade.

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