2016 MBP Owners: Are some of your keys more "clicky" than others?

[justinf77]

On my 13" MBP I noticed that the keys in the center of the keyboard are very clicky and responsive, like the G, H, and J keys, whereas a lot of the keys on the perimeter of the keyboard (A, S, O, P) have more of a soft, spongy feel to them without that same satisfying click.

Does anyone else notice this lack of uniformity in keyboard clickiness?

I wouldn't care normally but I'm noticing that it causes me to miss certain keys when I'm typing because I don't get the same feedback on all keys and it throws me off.

 

[dark_mark]

On my 13" MBP I noticed that the keys in the center of the keyboard are very clicky and responsive, like the G, H, and J keys, whereas a lot of the keys on the perimeter of the keyboard (A, S, O, P) have more of a soft, spongy feel to them without that same satisfying click.

Does anyone else notice this lack of uniformity in keyboard clickiness?

I wouldn't care normally but I'm noticing that it causes me to miss certain keys when I'm typing because I don't get the same feedback on all keys and it throws me off.

I have exchanged my 2016 15" twice due to unrelated to keyboard issues.

The first one had an earlier build date and had very cloud and clicky keyboard. None of the keys had uniform feel.
The second with a later build date had a very quite and really good keyboard. Unfortunately the second one had a piss yellow screen, so I exchanged for my final machine.

The machine I have now has a perfect screen but has a very loud and clicky keyboard, it also has an earlier build date.


I am thinking that Apple have quietly improved the keyboard with later builds, which is confirmed by the fact that my wifes laptop has quite and uniform keyboard and has a late build date.

Or maybe Apple is using different suppliers for keyboards.

 

[EvSween]

I haven't noticed the problem you're describing, but my "e" key has begun responding intermittently. How long was the turnaround between returning the malfunctioning computer and receiving a new one?

I have exchanged my 2016 15" twice due to unrelated to keyboard issues.

The first one had an earlier build date and had very cloud and clicky keyboard. None of the keys had uniform feel.
The second with a later build date had a very quite and really good keyboard. Unfortunately the second one had a piss yellow screen, so I exchanged for my final machine.

The machine I have now has a perfect screen but has a very loud and clicky keyboard, it also has an earlier build date.


I am thinking that Apple have quietly improved the keyboard with later builds, which is confirmed by the fact that my wifes laptop has quite and uniform keyboard and has a late build date.

Or maybe Apple is using different suppliers for keyboards.

 

[dark_mark]

I haven't noticed the problem you're describing, but my "e" key has begun responding intermittently. How long was the turnaround between returning the malfunctioning computer and receiving a new one?

I exchanged it at Apple Store immediately. That's because my machine is not BTO. It's 2.7/512/455.

 

[EvSween]

I exchanged it at Apple Store immediately. That's because my machine is not BTO. It's 2.7/512/455.

Gotcha, thanks. Mine is BTO

 

[yuvster]

I just wrote a separate thread about the up/down keys not working when you edge press them. Was wondering if other people have had the same issue.

 

[blairian89]

My keys seem to be pretty uniform in function; no spongy feeling or lack of feedback across the board.

 

[DMoggo]

Mine all work fine but some are slightly more clicky than others, also the longer keys vary in sound if you push one side or the other, doesn't bother me really though.

 

[All1g8r]

I have exchanged my 2016 15" twice due to unrelated to keyboard issues.

The first one had an earlier build date and had very cloud and clicky keyboard. None of the keys had uniform feel.
The second with a later build date had a very quite and really good keyboard. Unfortunately the second one had a piss yellow screen, so I exchanged for my final machine.

The machine I have now has a perfect screen but has a very loud and clicky keyboard, it also has an earlier build date.


I am thinking that Apple have quietly improved the keyboard with later builds, which is confirmed by the fact that my wifes laptop has quite and uniform keyboard and has a late build date.

Or maybe Apple is using different suppliers for keyboards.

I have similar issues. The keys on the left side of the keyboard are not uniformly responsive. There are times when I can l press the "a" key repeatedly and it won't activate whether I press it softly or forcefully. Other times, I will softly press it and three "a"s will activate. The "1" and "!" keys also activate only intermittently. This is really a pain when those keys are in various passwords and are getting me locked out of applications.

I would like to exchange my BTO for this reason. Does anyone know if Apple will let me hold on to my current until I receive a replacement BTO model?

 

[darkside flow]

I just wrote a separate thread about the up/down keys not working when you edge press them. Was wondering if other people have had the same issue.

My 15" up/down keys are like this and so is my enter key. They don't "click" like the others. I'm planning on returning it for a different one once I get the chance. I also had a 13" that didn't have that problem before I returned it so it's definitely a quality control issue with the keyboards.

 

[EvSween]

I have similar issues. The keys on the left side of the keyboard are not uniformly responsive. There are times when I can l press the "a" key repeatedly and it won't activate whether I press it softly or forcefully. Other times, I will softly press it and three "a"s will activate. The "1" and "!" keys also activate only intermittently. This is really a pain when those keys are in various passwords and are getting me locked out of applications.

I would like to exchange my BTO for this reason. Does anyone know if Apple will let me hold on to my current until I receive a replacement BTO model?

If it's BTO, Apple will ask you to initiate a return-for-exchange order. So no, you probably won't be able to hold onto it. I'm going through the same thing right now. I've heard from others, however, that a lot of these key issues will work themselves out. My "e" key has been malfunctioning for five days with little improvement.

 

[aevan]

I just wrote a separate thread about the up/down keys not working when you edge press them. Was wondering if other people have had the same issue.

I just tried mine and yes, they don't work if you edge press them lightly, like, if I try to press them more lightly than I usually do. Even with lightest touch other keys always work, but the up and down don't work with a slight press to the side. Again, I have to intentionally try to press them this way.

I just tested it on my Magic Keyboard and it works in a similar way. I think it's fine.

 

[All1g8r]

If it's BTO, Apple will ask you to initiate a return-for-exchange order. So no, you probably won't be able to hold onto it. I'm going through the same thing right now. I've heard from others, however, that a lot of these key issues will work themselves out. My "e" key has been malfunctioning for five days with little improvement.

If I have to wait another 5 weeks (probably longer now) and have to surrender my current laptop, I will be tempted to tell Apple they can keep my new laptop. It's very frustrating to spend that much money, wait an extended period of time for the MBP to arrive, only to have the keyboard fail. As of now, the 1!, Q, A and Z keys do not work at all. I have resorted to using an external keyboard, which to me makes a laptop somewhat pointless. I'm halfway tempted to find a fully loaded refurbished 2015 model at half the price or wait for a mid-year refresh if this is the keyboard you get with the first iteration of the 2016.

 

[EvSween]

If I have to wait another 5 weeks (probably longer now) and have to surrender my current laptop, I will be tempted to tell Apple they can keep my new laptop. It's very frustrating to spend that much money, wait an extended period of time for the MBP to arrive, only to have the keyboard fail. As of now, the 1!, Q, A and Z keys do not work at all. I have resorted to using an external keyboard, which to me makes a laptop somewhat pointless. I'm halfway tempted to find a fully loaded refurbished 2015 model at half the price or wait for a mid-year refresh if this is the keyboard you get with the first iteration of the 2016.

I feel your pain. I can say two things, though: first, return-for-exchange orders are given priority over normal shipments, so you'd probably receive your computer in two weeks or so (at least that's what I was told). Second, a lot of people (myself included) have gotten their keys to work better by simply using them for an extended period of time (I literally sat down and pressed my "e" key hundreds of times, and now it's working about 90% of the time). If multiple keys just flat-out won't work, though, I would definitely return or exchange your machine. My "e" key would work maybe 50% of the time.. it never outright failed. Good luck!

PS- I totally share in your frustrations though. That I would have to sit in front of my new $2,000 computer and press something hundreds of times just to get it to work after 2 weeks is incredibly frustrating.

 

[All1g8r]

I feel your pain. I can say two things, though: first, return-for-exchange orders are given priority over normal shipments, so you'd probably receive your computer in two weeks or so (at least that's what I was told). Second, a lot of people (myself included) have gotten their keys to work better by simply using them for an extended period of time (I literally sat down and pressed my "e" key hundreds of times, and now it's working about 90% of the time). If multiple keys just flat-out won't work, though, I would definitely return or exchange your machine. My "e" key would work maybe 50% of the time.. it never outright failed. Good luck!

PS- I totally share in your frustrations though. That I would have to sit in front of my new $2,000 computer and press something hundreds of times just to get it to work after 2 weeks is incredibly frustrating.

Thanks! Good to know returns at least get priority.