Apple's new M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models feature a subtle but noticeable keyboard change: several common keys now display glyphs instead of text labels. The shift affects keys like tab, caps lock, return, shift, and delete, replacing their traditional text with symbols that match those used in keyboard shortcuts.

This change standardizes Apple's keyboard design across its product lineup, aligning MacBooks with iOS and iPadOS keyboards that have used similar symbols for years. The move also brings US keyboards in line with international layouts, where this glyph-based approach has been standard for some time. The MacBook Neo already features this design, suggesting Apple is moving toward a unified keyboard aesthetic.

While some users may need time to adjust, the change reflects Apple's broader design philosophy of visual consistency across devices. The function, control, option, and command keys retain their text labels alongside symbols. For longtime Mac users accustomed to seeing words on these keys, the shift might feel jarring initially, but Apple clearly sees value in creating a more cohesive user experience across its ecosystem.