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Donnation

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Original poster
Nov 2, 2014
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Can someone verify that this is normal with the 16” MacBook Pro? There is quite a bit of light leakage around the keys, sort of like the older 2015 and below. I don’t mind it but just waned to make sure what I was seeing is normal. Thanks!
f60de8a2f4f63518d6b5447e85c5a794.jpg
 
Yeah, I just came here to see if it was just me. My 2016 MBP did not have this problem. It's not a real big deal but it was immediately noticeable to me. I'll take a more reliable keyboard with light leakage versus A less reliable keyboard with no light leakage.
 
Looks very much in keeping with my original 15" Retina MPB, and the 17" before that. I was always a little uneasy with the wonky look that the light leakage afforded the space bar (I see they haven't fixed that). Personally I much prefer the butterfly keyboards in all aspects of function and aesthetics, but I understand that is probably a contentious point on these boards 😇
 
Mine looks okay. Seems fine to me.
 

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As an aside to this, I am now reminded of my biggest and single most irritating gripe with my MacBook Pro (2017 15" if it matters). When I power on or restart the machine - not wake from sleep - why does the keyboard backlight not function until after logging in? It's all very well being able to use your computer in low light, but it's seriously annoying when the keyboard is a sea of blackness when trying to type in the login credentials. It continues to infuriate me that a company like Apple doesn't see an issue with this. Perhaps there is a technical limitation that prevents illumination before logging in at power-up, but I find it difficult to believe that it couldn't be overcome even if this were the case.

Sorry for the off-topic rambling...
 
I think it looks good. Reminds me of my first Mac - the MBP - Santa Rosa model.
 
As an aside to this, I am now reminded of my biggest and single most irritating gripe with my MacBook Pro (2017 15" if it matters). When I power on or restart the machine - not wake from sleep - why does the keyboard backlight not function until after logging in? It's all very well being able to use your computer in low light, but it's seriously annoying when the keyboard is a sea of blackness when trying to type in the login credentials. It continues to infuriate me that a company like Apple doesn't see an issue with this. Perhaps there is a technical limitation that prevents illumination before logging in at power-up, but I find it difficult to believe that it couldn't be overcome even if this were the case.

Sorry for the off-topic rambling...
“FileVault” is what is preventing the keyboard illumination before logging in. If you turn FileVault off the keyboard backlight will function from system boot. Your decision. I often work in subdued lighting and trying to sign in with the keyboard not lit was unacceptable. I turned FileVault off.
 
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It definitely leaks, but the keys have higher travel as a result of raised keys.

Another side effect I would imagine is it's easier to get dust out of a keyboard where this much of the backlight visible.
 
I noticed the light leak when I got my 16"

It seems more than my 2019 base model butterfly

Whatever 🤷‍♂️
 
“FileVault” is what is preventing the keyboard illumination before logging in. If you turn FileVault off the keyboard backlight will function from system boot. Your decision. I often work in subdued lighting and trying to sign in with the keyboard not lit was unacceptable. I turned FileVault off.

Aha! Thanks for that. Strikes me as a problem which shouldn't be impossible for Apple to overcome, but at least I now know there is a reason, of sorts. I value FileVault too much to disable it, but thanks again anyway. Appreciated.

As you were, folks...
 
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