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I was at an Apple Store today here in Toronto to compare the 12" MacBook and 13" MacBook Pro. I decided that I'd prefer the 13" MBP. Then I decided to compare the 13" to the 15", and after that wanted to check on refurb prices and configurations at refurb.me. I type in refurb.me on the 13" and end up at refur.com (after redirect) ... okay... typo... my bad. I type in refurb.me again... and again end up at refur.com... I type in refurb.me a third time and carefully watch what I'm doing and get refur.me... backspace... B... B! B! B! B! B! B! B! B!. I finally hit it hard enough to give me a "B". That's how I ended up on this forum. Not impressed. Seriously reconsidering buying ANY MacBook with this keyboard on it. (And if I do I'll be getting AppleCare and taking it in for repair every time it has any kind of keyboard issue.)
 
B... B! B! B! B! B! B! B! B!.
Seems that most of the keyboard issues/failures involve the B key crapping out. I wonder whether the central position of the key on the laptop's top case has something to do with it, e.g. making the mechanism more susceptible to deformations due to heat or something like that.
 
My B, E, G, and J keys are all starting to exhibit the symptoms described in here; double presses are the most common, but occasionally it won't work at all and requires an incredibly hard press.

A frustrating development considering my MBP is only 2 and bit months old. I've tried cleaning it with compressed air (as per the Apple support document) but that did nothing. Time for a Genius Bar appointment!
 
Man, every once in a while I wonder if I made the right decision jumping ship and buying a Dell XPS 15 after owning dozens of Apple machines. It's threads like this that confirm my choice. I can't believe that Apple is being that hard-arsed on customer repairs - it never used to be that way. I remember a day when I would never get the Apple care, because I never needed it - all my machines just worked (I still have a 2006 Mac mini that works perfectly). Now I wouldn't dare buy an Apple without the extended warranty. With the 2016/2017 models, even that's not enough protection. My Dell I didn't have to buy an extended warranty either as most of the parts are not soldered in, and quite user-replaceable.

I really hope Apple turns it around but somehow, without Steve, I don't think it's going to.
 
yes ive got the same problem one month out of warranty back to the shop in leeds and guess what £ 460.00 for a new keyboard thats really bad for a machine that cost £1700.00 just over a year ago bad show apple

Make a claim under UK consumer law and ask for a refund. You have up to six years to make a claim, all you have to do is prove the issue is a design fault and considering the volume of cases of faulty keyboards, some of which ore out of the box, this should be easy.
 
Apple has not, to my knowledge, given any hint of the commonality of the keyboard failing. Understandably so.

However, a brief review of threads in Apple support indicates it is relatively common. In my most recent communications with Apple, each person I spoke or chatted with has said keyboard issues are much more frequent than in the past. Only one person, at an Apple store, was willing to put a number on it; he suggested that he sees approximately 1 failure per 5 machines. I have no way of evaluating the veracity of that statement, but from my personal experience that seems low - as noted above, I'm on my third keyboard with this machine, and I'm headed to Apple on Saturday to insist on a replacement.

The fact that the keyboard has been replaced twice suggests that the keyboard is either a defective design, or that something else is going on with my particular MBP. Neither is acceptable.
did you get another keyboard today?
 
I just got the 2017 MacBook pro and came across this thread googling about what people have said on possible issues... I was just wondering, it might sound silly but could this problem be avoided by using a keyboard protector? Does anyone here use one or has tried one? I know that isn't a true solution but maybe its one way to prevent it from happening? If not then I honestly feel like returning it and just trying to find a refurbished 2015 version.
 
My B, E, G, and J keys are all starting to exhibit the symptoms described in here; double presses are the most common, but occasionally it won't work at all and requires an incredibly hard press.

A frustrating development considering my MBP is only 2 and bit months old. I've tried cleaning it with compressed air (as per the Apple support document) but that did nothing. Time for a Genius Bar appointment!

#1
If you feel you key get stuck, Just PRESSS THE KEY HARDER AND HARDER to get rid of the dust stuck underneath.
 
I just got the 2017 MacBook pro and came across this thread googling about what people have said on possible issues... I was just wondering, it might sound silly but could this problem be avoided by using a keyboard protector? Does anyone here use one or has tried one? I know that isn't a true solution but maybe its one way to prevent it from happening? If not then I honestly feel like returning it and just trying to find a refurbished 2015 version.
We discussed this here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...r-prolong-mbp-tb-keyboard-durability.2103136/

TL;DR: no, I don't think it's a good solution, or at least it didn't work for me.
 
Quite honestly there are only two "solutions":

1. Roll the dice and hope your keyboard doesn't act up. If it does, deal with the headache of repair. Rinse and repeat. Spring for AC as it is a necessity for this product.

2. Wait for the 2018 MBP and see if they've fixed the issue. If they have, a) sell your MBP for a loss, buy the 2018 and enjoy your new laptop with functioning keyboard, or b). POTENTIALLY get that POTENTIALLY problem-free 2018 topcase slapped on your 2016/17 MBP when you take it in for repair after the new MBPs are released.
 
I just got the 2017 MacBook pro and came across this thread googling about what people have said on possible issues... I was just wondering, it might sound silly but could this problem be avoided by using a keyboard protector? Does anyone here use one or has tried one? I know that isn't a true solution but maybe its one way to prevent it from happening? If not then I honestly feel like returning it and just trying to find a refurbished 2015 version.
I just bought a new mbp about a week ago and have had a keyboard cover on since the second I first turned it on and my b key is starting to double press already :( Really bummed about this. Especially since it's still in the 14 day return window. IDK if I should return and reorder the same computer and hope for better luck or start going down the repair path....
 
I just bought a new mbp about a week ago and have had a keyboard cover on since the second I first turned it on and my b key is starting to double press already :( Really bummed about this. Especially since it's still in the 14 day return window. IDK if I should return and reorder the same computer and hope for better luck or start going down the repair path....

If it is that new I would take it back. No use starting with a defective system.
 
If it is that new I would take it back. No use starting with a defective system.
Yeah this is just really inoportune. I have two technical interviews this week I need the computer for and also work. Just a big pain really to have to go through the return process to just reorder the same computer.
 
I just bought a new mbp about a week ago and have had a keyboard cover on since the second I first turned it on and my b key is starting to double press already :( Really bummed about this. Especially since it's still in the 14 day return window. IDK if I should return and reorder the same computer and hope for better luck or start going down the repair path....
Bummer... yes, no point in starting with a day-one defective keybboard. Unfortunately the b-key double press is often the #1 symptom of the issue, so there's no mistaking it. Just take it back even though it's a pain in the neck, hopefully if it's not a customized model it won't take long. Good luck for your interviews!
 
I would like to join the club. Same issue with the B key, which is ridiculous. Can the B key be replaced, or the entire keyboard needs to be replaced?

Really ridiculous. I miss my old Retina MacBook Pro :(
 
I would like to join the club. Same issue with the B key, which is ridiculous. Can the B key be replaced, or the entire keyboard needs to be replaced?

In their unlimitless wisdom while developing new MBP's, Apple decided that you have to replace the entire top, so no... You can't even replace just the keyboard, let alone just one key.

Funny, isn't it? :D
 
I had the issue with the "e" key on my 2016 15" tMBP. As it was having the issue right away when I got it, in addition to a fan rattling issue, I sent it back and it was replaced. It took them 4 weeks as I was among the first to get it back in November 2016.

This thing was so annoying that my friends started sending me messages with the hashtag #eeee. That's all they remember about the MacBook Pro and keep making fun of it o_O

Luckily, since the replacement everything has been fine. So far.
 
I'm writing this on a 2012 15" rMBP. I've used it pretty extensively over almost 6 years and it works perfectly. The keyboard is wonderful and the screen perfect. I was going to upgrade to a new 2017 15" MBP, but now am waiting to see what 2018 brings. The way things are going I may be using my 2012 machine 5 years from now. Hard to believe Apple screwed up like this. Imagine paying almost $3000 for a laptop and then having to use a bluetooth external keyboard. And then there is the added expense of AppleCare, which apparently is indispensable on the new machines. And what do you do if you're traveling and your keyboard suddenly craps out? That means if you have a 2016+ MBP, you need to carry a spare external keyboard with the extra weight and hassle. Obviously Apple was anxious to shave a few millimeters and ounces off their machines and so designed and used an unreliable keyboard. I hope they are forced to replace for free any malfunctioning keyboards out of warranty/AppleCare.
 
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I'm writing this on a 2012 15" rMBP. I've used it pretty extensively over almost 6 years and it works perfectly. The keyboard is wonderful and the screen perfect. I was going to upgrade to a new 2017 15" MBP, but now am waiting to see what 2018 brings. The way things are going I may be using my 2012 machine 5 years from now. Hard to believe Apple screwed up like this. Imagine paying almost $3000 for a laptop and then having to use a bluetooth external keyboard. And then there is the added expense of AppleCare, which apparently is indispensable on the new machines. And what do you do if you're traveling and your keyboard suddenly craps out? That means if you have a 2016+ MBP, you need to carry a spare external keyboard with the extra weight and hassle. Obviously Apple was anxious to shave a few millimeters and ounces off their machines and so designed and used an unreliable keyboard. I hope they are forced to replace for free any malfunctioning keyboards out of warranty/AppleCare.
Apple has decreased their quality and performance of their new MBP. The Radeon graphics are not the best (2015 is probably the same if not better), then the keyboards are bad and sometimes the speakers are bad also. If you are going to purchase a 2016/2017 MBP, buy applecare+ it is a must not an option. And nop after the warranty, you got to pay for the new top case, even though its a defect and they are just going to replace it with the same defective keyboard.
 
Apple used to produce great computers for it's customers, today Apple is totally self serving with designs that are fundamentally hostile to the customer requiring extended warranties by default due to the ridiculous repair costs. The MBP is now closer to being an appliance than a computer. A disposable purchase that now requires additional purchases for many just to regain basic functionality, solely due to Apple's nickel & diming of it's customers.

Reliability is also clearly compromised, just exactly why didn't Apple fully qualify this new design of keyboard, cost, time or general lack of interest? All rather inexcusable really, yet two years on. When I decided to look at Windows 10 I purchased a cheap 2 in 1 for the grand sum of $315 and even this bargain basement no-name hardware has a vastly superior keyboard and most importantly reliable.

We can all only hope Apple changes direction for 2018, equally I have little hope, 2020 MBP probably even worse. Apple's most renowned CEO once said Apple would never produce garbage...

Q-6
 
I have seen this in the wild myself a few times. My issue is the replacement cost of the keyboard out of warranty. How could I possibly purchase a computer knowing that I have a known probability of having to replace a keyboard for $700. To be honest, I'm not impressed with Apple products my iPhone 7 Plus has had issues, My family members 2015 MacBook Pro 15 motherboard has to be replaced. AppleCare has so many tiers of support now it's disappointing. My son's iPhone 7 sent to apple for warrant repair and they tried to say physical damage because of a hairline scratch on the back that was 1/2 inch long, i crap you not $375 repair. Thankfully "Senior Apple Adviser" looked at images from Depot and saw the light and actually had to override the fee.

APPLE IS A DIFFERENT COMPANY NOW. IT'S NOT THE SAME COMPANY IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO. I HAVE MOVED ON PURCHASED A DELL AND CONTENT.

I wonder what is a good solution to those who still enjoy the OS X ecosystem ?
 
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