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I'm planning to pre-order the new M4 MacBook Pro and noticed that I’m prompted to select a single language for the keyboard during the ordering process. I’ve always wanted a keyboard that supports both English and Arabic.
Is there a way to request a bilingual English-Arabic keyboard for my MacBook Pro when placing a pre-order in the US? Any guidance on how to achieve this would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
There's no such thing as a "bilingual" keyboard. The physical keyboards are for a single language as identified. What that means is you will get a keyboard with printed characters and layout for the selected language. It may offer secondary characters for English printed on the keys though this has no effect on the actual input language when actually typing.
It also does not prevent the keyboard from being used with multiple other languages.
You can in the OS Settings add additional input languages and layouts, so the keyboard types characters in those languages.
If you select the physical Arabic keyboard, but then add the English input language in System Settings, the keyboard layout can be changed on the fly from Arabic to English by pressing the fn key. That changes what characters keys type when pressed.
click here ➜ Write in another language on Mac - Apple Support
There's no such thing as a "bilingual" keyboard. The physical keyboards are for a single language as identified. What that means is you will get a keyboard with printed characters and layout for the selected language. It may offer secondary characters for English printed on the keys though this has no effect on the actual input language when actually typing.
It also does not prevent the keyboard from being used with multiple other languages.
You can in the OS Settings add additional input languages and layouts, so the keyboard types characters in those languages.
If you select the physical Arabic keyboard, but then add the English input language in System Settings, the keyboard layout can be changed on the fly from Arabic to English by pressing the fn key. That changes what characters keys type when pressed.
click here ➜ Write in another language on Mac - Apple Support
Just order Arabic and you will have what you want. All non-Latin keyboards also have English printed on the keys. See
Apple Hardware Keyboards for Non-Latin Sc… - Apple Community
qusaii wrote:
Thank you Phil0124 for your reply! My primary concern is the printed letters on the keyboard, not the ability to type in different languages.
That said, the picture you provided is exactly what I'm looking for. Just to clarify, if I select the "Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID - Arabic," will my keyboard look as shown in the image you shared? I want to ensure that it won’t only have Arabic letters, as I’d like it to include both English and Arabic characters.
Yes, you should probably get that, when buying from the US store.
I ordered the MBP 16" and i received it last week, I ordered the Arabic Keyboard, and i asked 2 different and separate Apple consultants if the Arabic keyboard would be the US layout or the EU layout, they both assured me it will be the US layout 100%. Guess what, when I picked it up it was the EU keyboard layout. I am thinking to return it and oder the US keyboard and get a keyboard cover for Arabic Lang. which will in turn kill the backlit feature. It was more difficult to sell my other mbp while it had the arabic keyboard.
Yes, sure- loooks like Arabic is one of the keyboard options for the United States of AmericA.. for the 14 inch MacBook Pro, and the 16 inch one ( all chips) .. backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ( Arabic) … that’s one of the keyboard options for when you’re pre-ordering and buying your new M4 MacBook Pro… they are all made built to-Order… in the picture you have provided, Arabic is one of the keyboard options …second one down… so as you’re customizing your new M4 MacBook Pro… choosing screen size, storage, type of chip in it, etc… then you pick your keyboard Language Option and then say “yes” or “Ok” or “finished/done” when you are 100% satisfied/done… then you place your order for it , send in your order… then you pay for it… then you go pick it up at that Apple Store in the USA…
whew !!!
John B
Thank you Phil0124 for your reply! My primary concern is the printed letters on the keyboard, not the ability to type in different languages.
That said, the picture you provided is exactly what I'm looking for. Just to clarify, if I select the "Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID - Arabic," will my keyboard look as shown in the image you shared? I want to ensure that it won’t only have Arabic letters, as I’d like it to include both English and Arabic characters.
DamianLAX wrote:
i asked 2 different and separate Apple consultants if the Arabic keyboard would be the US layout or the EU layout, they both assured me it will be the US layout 100%. Guess what, when I picked it up it was the EU keyboard layout.
Wow, sorry to hear you had such clueless consultants! Pictures of Apple's Arabic keyboard are easily found on the internet, and there is an image of one right here in this discussion. All keyboards sold for Europe, Middle East, and Africa have the European ISO layout with the extra key next to Z and the vertical Enter key. Only keyboards sold for the US, Latin America, and Asia have the US ANSI layout. Hopefully you can find a good keyboard cover for your purposes.
Thank you for your reply; I know what that keyboard looks like because my last purchase of a Macbook Air 15" had the Arabic keyboard with EU layout, and the reason I asked was to check if there is an option to have it in US-layout. Now I picked up my 16" M4 MAX; within one hour, the battery went down to %75, and maybe it is in the learning phase. I am so tempted to return it and get the US keyboard. For $7K, I need to get everything I want.
thank for your input! Based on what you shared I’m abandoning the arabic keyboard idea & sticking with the original one.
How to Request a Bilingual Keyboard for the New M4 MacBook Pro?
