It was recently revealed that Apple keyboards would be added to the tech giant's 2019/2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The company previously used a butterfly mechanism in its previous keyboard designs. A representative of the company has indicated that Apple will bring new keyboards, which will follow a scissor-switch design. The new design will increase durability and offer longer key travel.
The company indicates that the previous butterfly design was costly to manufacture, because of lower yields than other designs. However the new design will be slightly more expensive per unit, but the keyboard's components are cheaper than the older design.
The design of the new Apple keyboards will feature glass fibers which will act to reinforce the keys. Keyboard function is a factor that many consumers value, and Apple's move will provide users with a better experience.
Image Credit: Apple
What's Driving This Trend
- Scissor-switch Keyboards
- The adoption of scissor-switch keyboards in Apple's 2019/2020 MacBook models presents an opportunity for other laptop manufacturers to explore this more durable and user-friendly design.
- Increased Key Travel
- The shift towards keyboards with longer key travel, as seen in Apple's new designs, could lead to a trend of more tactile and responsive keyboards across different industries.
- Reinforced Key Technology
- The use of glass fibers to reinforce the keys in Apple's new keyboards creates an opportunity for material manufacturers to develop innovative, stronger, and more resilient keyboard components.
Who This Affects Most
- Laptop Manufacturing
- The adoption of scissor-switch keyboards by Apple opens up opportunities for other laptop manufacturers to incorporate this keyboard design into their own products and differentiate themselves in the market.
- Keyboard Manufacturing
- The increased demand for keyboards with longer key travel, as driven by Apple's new designs, creates an opportunity for keyboard manufacturers to develop and supply more tactile and responsive keyboards to various industries.
- Material Manufacturing
- The use of glass fibers in Apple's new keyboards creates opportunities for material manufacturers to partner with keyboard manufacturers and develop stronger and more durable keyboard components, enhancing the overall user experience.
