Should Keycaps Use Text or Glyphs for Delete, Return, Tab, Caps Lock, and Shift? (macrumors.com)
- Reference: 0180986818
- News link: https://apple.slashdot.org/story/26/03/14/1818213/should-keycaps-use-text-or-glyphs-for-delete-return-tab-caps-lock-and-shift
- Source link: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/10/macbook-keyboard-change/
> On the U.S. English version of the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps now have glyphs on them. On previous-generation models, these keys are labeled with text instead... Given the U.S. English keyboard layout is the default option for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Neo models sold in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, this change effectively extends to those countries and a few others.
"Apple already uses glyph-based key labels on several European keyboard layouts," [2]notes The Mac Observer , "including British English versions of the MacBook. Because of this, the design will feel familiar to many users outside the United States."
The change was [3]noticed last week by Chicago-based X.com/YouTube user " [4]Mr. Macintosh ", who makes how-to videos about now and old Macs.
[1] https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/10/macbook-keyboard-change/
[2] https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-replaces-text-labels-with-glyphs-on-new-macbook-keyboards/
[3] https://x.com/ClassicII_MrMac/status/2028869838870069447
[4] https://mrmacintosh.com/
Who cares? (Score:3)
I haven't looked at my key caps since 1982. I'd buy a keyboard with Mayan script.
Re: (Score:3)
Who cares? Question, go back in your head to 1982 and ask yourself how well you understood the function of those keys? The answer to who cares is everyone who isn't an old grumpy neckbeard who has spent their life with computers and for some reason thinks newer generations don't actually exist or that people at some point in their life will see keyboards for the first time.
Re: (Score:3)
I actually had a typing class. These were on IBM Selectric I with no lettering on the keys. You didn't get into the computer room until you knew how to type.
Re: (Score:1)
I had a nun with a ruler and I remember dipping the girls hair in front of me into the ink well. It was just a joke but I never made that same mistake again. I was sent to the dungeon to repent for my sin.
Symbols are fine (Score:2)
Not sure why this is an issue, we use non-language specific symbols on many things.
Re: (Score:2)
Precisely!
Laptops keys should be labeled in ENGLISH (Score:3)
Just like God and Abraham Lincoln intended.
Keycaps should be replaceable (Score:2)
And if not, you should be able to replace the whole keyboard for moderate cost and effort. Then everybody can get what they prefer.
Re: (Score:2)
Ideally the key switches should also be replaceable so you can get your preferred feel. I'm glad to see that trend in USB keyboards.
Re: (Score:2)
Get an old Model M. The key caps were replaceable.
Re: (Score:2)
Better idea - every country/language could come up w/ its own keyboard, w/ an USB connection that can be plugged into any computer. That computer's system language can be set to that language, and then one would have a computer that's completely native to that place. The computer makers needn't do anything, but locally, that country can manufacture keyboards for its own scripts - be it Mandarin, Japanese, Tagalog, Thai.... and those keyboards could be computer independent, working w/ any computer that has
Will anyone notice? (Score:2)
I couldn't have told you which mine had without looking.
Glyphs are (generally) universal. (Score:5, Informative)
Besides snarky commentary about falling literacy rates, I think the old keyboard with the written labels looks classier.
Glyphs are language-agnostic, but they ate a language of their own people have to learn. I'm sure all of us have dealt with a person who doesn't recognize the combined Play/Pause icon, know what a pencil button represents, or know what a menu of three vertical dots is for, because they are not a frequent user of devices or apps that have them.
Re: (Score:1)
Fuck it, I don't even know half of the hieroglyphs kids use these days instead of words.
Re: (Score:2)
...or a 3.5 disk icon to "save"
IMHO (Score:3)
This conundrum is the poster child of First World problems.
But what am I do do when... (Score:2)
asked to hit 'any key'????? Oh the horror!
Another debate for Humanity? (Score:2)
The title sounds like a line right out of "Silicon Valley".
Re: (Score:2)
They were right about white space.
Glyphs are for kids. (Score:4, Funny)
It is an Apple product, so the correct answer is: whatever is prettier.
Re: Glyphs are for kids. (Score:3)
Don't you mean it should only have one key?
Re: (Score:2)
They already make a computer with a single key. It's in ipad where the entire screen is a key
Glyphs are for low cost (Score:1)
It's a $600 product, those keys are one less thing to localize. Simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs. One of thousands of small things that gets the price down to $600.
Re: Glyphs are for low cost (Score:2)
If Apple was serious about simplifying manufacturing and lowering costs on that end they would have used an existing 13" laptop chassis for the Neo, instead of designing one just the model and making a bunch of color options. Not like a case designed to handle the cooling solution on a higher performance M-series Macbook couldn't work with the A-series iPhone chip.