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2016 MBP arrow keys "pressing without triggering"

inket

inket

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 23, 2009
151
102
On the new MacBook Pro, try this:

- Open an app where pressing up/down changes something (maybe a text document with multiple lines)
- Rest your finger on the arrow up or down key
- Start increasing the force you're applying to the key until it "goes in" and basically gives you feedback
- Did the onscreen cursor move? Meaning, did it register as a press?

It seems that you need to apply a greater force on the key than what's required for the feedback to make it count as a press. Once you notice it, it's really easy to replicate.

Note that this does not happen on the arrow left/right keys, only up/down.

Are other people having the same issue?
 
I noticed this too and it hasn't been a big issue for me. I like the new keyboard a lot but my one main complaint is that I wish they would have made the up and down keys a little bigger. The right and left keys seem too big and the up and down ones are too small.
 
Hm. You're right, I can reproduce that behaviour. The action on the up/down keys is a little different than any other key. I wonder why.
 
It happens with mine too.

Another thing I have noticed is if I press the "caps lock" key real quick it does not register. No problem if the same speed is applied to any other key and it actually has caused mistakes in real time usage.
Can anybody else confirm this too?
 
inket said:
On the new MacBook Pro, try this:

- Open an app where pressing up/down changes something (maybe a text document with multiple lines)
- Rest your finger on the arrow up or down key
- Start increasing the force you're applying to the key until it "goes in" and basically gives you feedback
- Did the onscreen cursor move? Meaning, did it register as a press?

It seems that you need to apply a greater force on the key than what's required for the feedback to make it count as a press. Once you notice it, it's really easy to replicate.

Note that this does not happen on the arrow left/right keys, only up/down.

Are other people having the same issue?
Click to expand...
I started a thread either this exact issue earlier. See link below. I just left the Apple Store and the genius agreed that while the display units had the same issue for some reason mine was more pronounced and recommended an exchange. Haven't set the new one up.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-pro-13-tb-keyboard-question.2016457/#post-23953459
 
I'm not a robot said:
It happens with mine too.

Another thing I have noticed is if I press the "caps lock" key real quick it does not register. No problem if the same speed is applied to any other key and it actually has caused mistakes in real time usage.
Can anybody else confirm this too?
Click to expand...

This happens on every apple keyboard I've ever tried, I believe it's to avoid accidentally enabling caps lock.
 
Definitely having this issue on my 15" TB model. I used to use the up/down arrow keys all the time on my 2014 13" MBP, and now not only are they so freaking small it's hard to tell which one you're touching without looking, but they only register if you press them hard enough and in the center of the already tiny button. Just one more reason I'll be exchanging this for a 13" non-TB
 
inket said:
Pretty sure the 13" non-TB has the same keyboard so it'll have the same issue.
Click to expand...

All new MBP have a similar issue, I confirmed this in store today with the demo units. My 13 TB down arrow was practically inoperable in comparison to the demo units. So it seems like the severity varies. Genius recommended I exchange which I did. It seems to be much better on the new unit.
 
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benz240 said:
Definitely having this issue on my 15" TB model. I used to use the up/down arrow keys all the time on my 2014 13" MBP, and now not only are they so freaking small it's hard to tell which one you're touching without looking, but they only register if you press them hard enough and in the center of the already tiny button. Just one more reason I'll be exchanging this for a 13" non-TB
Click to expand...

I have this same issue on my 13 inch with TB. The up arrow key has to be smashed too hard to register. You can take the key off easily by just prying it off. It looks all fine and normal. I bet the part is slightly flawed and just doesn't press down right. Since others have the same issue I think I won't ask for a replacement right now.

(So far AppleCare has been oblivious of this as a known issue.)
 
benz240 said:
Tell me what is normal about pressing a key, feeling the "click", and not having the action registered?
Click to expand...

Agree: tactile feedback is "tactile" because you feel the "click" -- if you feel the click, it should register a keypress. The newest MB-Pro machines appear to have defective up/down arrow keys -- I've had my hands on four different machines now, and ALL of them exhibited the same behavior. My also-new 12" Macbook with similar butterfly keys does NOT do this, nor has any other machine I've ever owned. Apple has a serious issue on their hands. "KeyGate" begins...
 
Yes, and it happens so badly on my particular machine that I consider it a defect. I'll be sending mine in for a replacement. Very annoying when gaming. It isn't this bad on store models I tried out, at all.
 
Cool find. Have this too. Not a hindrance. Crying won’t help.

Extra: function keys (nTB) show same behavior with similar smaller form factor. Different mechanism?
 
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