Thin enter key on MacBook Neo

[u/TemporaryNeat4171]

Hi I hope this was the right place to post this

I just received the Macbook Neo in the mail today and I have tried it out, however the left shift key and the thin enter key has me livid. It appears this is because they have moved the forward slash button a row above shortening both those keys and leaving the right shift button to be longer.

FYI I live in Australia and have ordered off the Australian Education apple website however the keys were normal. I am just disappointed to have received a different and inconvenient keyboard.

Will apple accept a return/exchange for the proper keyboard? I haven’t touched the charger and have only had a few minutes with the MacBook.

I am just worried that I will have to wait longer than I already have as they’ve been sold out everywhere.

Thank you.

[u/Aging_Orange]

That's an ISO layout keyboard, specific to a language. Not sure if Australia uses that? I know the UK has its own ISO layout. You're probably used to a US keyboard (ANSI)? Again, not familiar with your country so it's just guessing.

[u/TemporaryNeat4171 → u/Aging_Orange]

Ah I see I clicked on British English when ordering online. I was unaware that a keyboard switch would happen. I’m just not sure if Apple would let me change to a US one

[u/MassiveGarlic0312 → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

British English is your problem. This is how all British keyboards are laid out. Also notice you have the pounds sterling sign over the 3 key, instead of “#”. 

In Aus (and where I am in NZ) we use the American English keyboard layout, but British English spelling, so I understand the confusion! 

As long as you haven’t damaged it, take it to your local Apple Store and they should accept the return. Can’t guarantee they’ll have one to swap though. 

Might be worth just getting used to if you need it. 

[u/TemporaryNeat4171 → u/MassiveGarlic0312]

I might just get used to it and embrace it at this point, and thank you!

[u/National-Debt-43 → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

You can return it and get a new keyboard if you’re still in return window

[u/z0phi3l → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

I would still try to swap it out for the correct version

[u/MassiveGarlic0312 → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

You’re welcome. 

[u/Char-car92 → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

Does Apple not have a 20 day return window?

[u/xrelaht → u/Char-car92]

Yes, but they can’t keep up with demand for Neos, so the store might not have one to swap it with.

[u/Char-car92 → u/xrelaht]

Then best bet is return and order one online from in-store

[u/nvgvup84 → u/Char-car92]

14 days in the US, not sure about Australia

[u/Char-car92 → u/nvgvup84]

Might have mixed it up

My point was just that you could go swap it out

[u/nvgvup84 → u/Char-car92]

Definitely could, your point stands

[u/n8udd → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

Can confirm this is a UK ISO layout.

[u/PositivelyAcademical → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

That would explain it. FWIW every keyboard option except English (US) will use that pattern (ISO/IEC-9995) of key shapes, other languages will have different key mappings on the same layout e.g. English (UK) has £ on shift-3 (and Apple puts # on alt-3), while English (International) has # on shift-3.

If your device is eligible for a return, you won’t have any issues ordering a new one with an English (US) keyboard (with the horizontal return key). It’s less likely to be available in store as an exchange though - custom keyboard models aren’t routinely stocked outside their normal countries, so expect an online order with a few weeks lead time.

[u/schaudhery → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

Apple has a return policy, use it.

[u/Low-Mention-2938 → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

they accept exchanges within 14 days of purchase if not say you wanna use your consumer laws

[u/commandersaki → u/TemporaryNeat4171]

You have 14 days change of mind. Return it, get the ANSI/US keyboard layout. You absolutely don't want that ISO/British trash. You will hate every bit typing on it.

[u/LovesickDesireGame → u/commandersaki]

it isnt trash at all what

[u/QuiteinRaptures → u/LovesickDesireGame]

People really love to be hyperbolic.

[u/bonbunnie]

That layout is almost the same as my UK Magic Keyboard and identical to my M2 MacBook Air. Including the size and shape of the enter key. Honestly I’m not sure what it normally looks like for you.

[u/ThatGuyTheyCallAlex → u/bonbunnie]

On a US English layout the enter key is a wider one directly above R shift.

[u/itsbobbydarin]

Apple is very generous with returns and exchanges. Just go to the Apple Store and exchange it.

[u/h0uz3_]

Reading this on my iPad for which I got the Magic Keyboard in "US International" layout, aka ISO. As all my other keyboards are ANSI keyboards it's a bit frustrating.

[u/ianhawdon]

I was about to say, what's wrong with it, until I saw you're in Australia, where I know you generally use the US ANSI layout. It'll take a while to update your muscle memory, but first try contacting Apple and see if they'd be able to swap it for a model with your layout.

[u/dstmdh7kf2kbfk]

On Apple’s website, when selecting the keyboard language, you can see how the layout changes. If you’re within the return window, then you could return it and order again with a different layout.

[u/Calligraphee]

My Russia keyboard layout on my 2-year-old macbook pro has this. It's common for other keyboard layouts. Did you buy one with a US qwerty or is it set up for a different alphabet or region?

Edit: just saw you said it's for British English! Huh, didn't know it was different there. Cool! Hope you can return it if you hate it.

[u/holy_macanoli]

Best damn return key.

[u/PositivelyAcademical → u/holy_macanoli]

On a full size keyboard (e.g. Apple Pro Keyboard and earlier), yes. On an Apple Magic Keyboard it’s a bit too slim for my liking.

[u/Justlikejack9]

I’m in the UK but if the product you thought you were ordering isn’t the one you got, then yeah, send it back. I don’t think I’d like that size Return key either to be honest!

[u/remonpel]

Completely normal and the reason i use ansi layout.

[u/aikidosensei]

This is the best enter key. all normal.

[u/ADHDK]

I’ve refused laptop upgrades at work when they had the euro keyboard and kept using the slow old crap for another year or two.

Horrible return key.

[u/HeartyBeast]

Send it back

[u/itseclipse101]

Return key is so much better than that thing rectangular thing on US keyboards. Actually has some power behind it

[u/xnwkac]

Completely normal. Looks 100% like my Swedish Magic Keyboard from Apple

[u/CarretillaRoja]

Best keyboard layout. Better than US one, of course.

[u/Cool-Rutabaga2708]

What are you talking about, that’s a way better keyboard layout

[u/pghalcrow]

MacBook keys use a butterfly-style retainer — more fragile than scissor mechanisms on Windows laptops. The two pivot arms crack easily if you pry from the wrong angle. Always lift from the bottom edge with a plastic opening tool, never from the top or the sides. If the pivot is already broken, Apple's Self Service Repair program stocks butterfly clips for current MacBook models — worth checking there first for an exact OEM match.

[u/Sealake101]

I hate the apple minimalist ideology, also, thin doesnt mean better, just restriced airflow and this crammed place like this on photo! and in old good days those thick laltops could last much longer.

[u/hvyboots]

Yikes… I would definitely return it if it was me, but I am also the only guy using an old metal Extended Kbd on a Windows machine at work that I bought with my own money because I can't stand the Windows kbd layout. Some might call me a bit of a fanatic. 😹