Completely don't understand this post. I'm typing from a MacBook Pro (15" retina, bought it a month ago) and can't replicate the OP's experience. A light jab of the power button, like I would hit the delete key, doesn't do anything. Only a firm, solid press does -- and even then, any other key press brings it right back up from sleep in an instant.
On my 2012 rMBP on Mavericks, even a fast light tap on the power button sends it into sleep. You're right that it wakes up again very quickly, but it very annoyingly terminates some online connections (e.g. IRC)
Odd, on my Mid 2012 rMBP a quick press does nothing. Doesn't bother me though, I've never accidentally hit the power button, but my normal typing position keeps that whole row of keys outside my finger range.
That's what I was also wondering about. I suppose it should act a bit like caps lock key on Apple keyboards: quick tap does not trigger caps lock, only a slightly longer will do the trick. Would make sense for power button do the similar thing.
The way the caps lock button works is utterly broken. There's no way to get around the delay and it just punishes you for hitting it quickly.
I used to use the key as my primary way of switching case (not optimal, I know), but now it's useless to even remap it to something like Control because of the delay.
Mid 13 MacBook Air 11" ignores a short tap and turns off instantly at a longer press. I wonder if it's a machine thing or if it's a typing style thing?
