Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

The Apple keyboard layout (with Cmd and Opt keys) is a feature that other commenters on this thread haven't yet discussed.

The major producers of keyboards with the Apple layout include "Keychron" and "Royal Kludge," but the brands aren't well-known to most consumers in contrast to Logitech. Each brand also has some reports of minor problems with build quality from forum discussions on Reddit, though it remains to be seen if the Logitech keyboard will be much better.

You could use a Windows-first mechanical keyboard for MacOS, but the layout is slightly different (the Windows key as Cmd and the Alt key as Option are in different positions than on a Mac-first keyboard). Fixes to remap the keys (example solution: https://superuser.com/questions/158561/how-can-i-remap-windo...) can cause problems for users who work with virtual Windows machines after swapping the keys.




OSX is 15% market share? Why would they make an entirely separate version on a new line of products just to cater to that, considering the fix you mentioned works for, well anyone not using VMs. (Typed this on a Ducky remapped for OSX)


It's certainly not 15% marketshare among premium corporate users. I bet if you condition on the company spending at least $700/unit on laptops for their employees, Apple's marketshare is more like 70%.


> condition on the company spending at least $700/unit on laptops for their employees

Did you miss a digit there? Seems like a very low bar. Every non-tech company I am aware of spends well more than that on laptops for very basic computer uses.

Where I work, Apple is a choice, but very few people have them. The only people I know who go for them are designers.


I've worked in a couple non-tech places, usually either everyone has crappy $300 bargain bin laptops, if the laptop is just used for a frontdesk role or for accessing some websites, or everyone has something similar to an Inspiron or IdeaPad with an i5 caliber CPU (almost surely less than $700 looking at current prices). In the latter case usually the executives/managers have Macbooks.

I know both my GP doctor (hospital) and specialty doctor (private practice) use bog standard midrange Windows laptops that can't possibly cost more than $700. Once you get past the $700 mark you're entering premium territory like XPS/Spectre/ThinkPad.


You're fortunate.


And they're buying the shitty Apple keyboards to go along with them. It's not realistic for Logitech to target the "we screwed up where the modifier keys are" aka "Apple layout" market on their first launch.


Targeting Apple users is effectively part of what they are doing with their launch. From the images in the submitted link, the keys also have labels for the Apple modifier keys in their default positions (that is, with Cmd next to the space bar).


Interesting, I wonder if it requires remapping or if the Logitech software does it for you? Previously they released a special layout just for OSX with "MX Keys for Mac" (not mechanical)

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/keyboards/mx-keys-ma...


The Apple keyboards in my experience are pretty nice. I often use it as it is easier on my fingers and causes less joint pain.


Vs mechanical? Apples and oranges, not totally relevant to the GP. (Prefer my Magic A1843 no other non-mechs though I guess).




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: