2018 keyboards think you are better then 2016

[IngerMan]

Im typing on a 2016 from launch. I have not had any issues since. When I was at the apple store this week and typed on the 2017 nTb vs the 2018 TB I could not really feel the difference, nor a difference between my machine at home. Although I read big FEEL change difference between the 2016 - 2018 models. And after reviewing the iFixit for 2018 it seems to me the improvements for concern are very little change from 2016 to 2018.

I wonder how much keyboard error is self inflicted and how much is bad design. It will be interesting to see the threads in the near future for 2018 keyboard failing.

 

[Kitrik]

I just got my 2018 and already have a spongey key. (came from a 2016) Not happy. For $2800 this thing needs to be perfect for *at least* 6 months.

 

[Chad Brostorm]

Im typing on a 2016 from launch. I have not had any issues since. When I was at the apple store this week and typed on the 2017 nTb vs the 2018 TB I could not really feel the difference, nor a difference between my machine at home. Although I read big FEEL change difference between the 2016 - 2018 models. And after reviewing the iFixit for 2018 it seems to me the improvements for concern are very little change from 2016 to 2018.

I wonder how much keyboard error is self inflicted and how much is bad design. It will be interesting to see the threads in the near future for 2018 keyboard failing.

I'm glad your 2016 is working without any issues, but I'm going to disagree with you. The 1st and 2nd gen keyboards are prone to failure due to poor design. I have a 2016 15-inch MBP that worked fine until about a month ago. Then the N key started acting up: repeating letters or simply not registering. Had the Genius Bar clean it up, and it worked for three days before it started acting up again. In addition to the N key, my left CMD and UP arrow weren't functioning. Apple's doing a full top case replacement on it, and I'm hoping that it works out. In the meantime I'm using a 2018 15-inch MBP and there is definitely a difference as to how the keyboard feels. There is a little bit more travel, and the bottom-out isn't as harsh, most likely due to the silicone membrane.

I've always used a keyboard cover, use canned air to dust a few times a week, and don't eat around the notebook, but dust will make its way in. Enough of it, and it affects the butterfly mechanism. Will we see the same for the 2018s? Still too early to tell, but I'm hoping that they addressed the root cause of the issue.

 

[melb00m]

I just got my 2018 and already have a spongey key. (came from a 2016) Not happy. For $2800 this thing needs to be perfect for *at least* 6 months.

You expect 2800$ to give you just 6 months of worry-free? Wow. I would like to have you as a customer I would expect at least 3 years for that price.

 

[roxics]

Apple's doing a full top case replacement on it, and I'm hoping that it works out.

Are they replacing it with the same keyboard or the 2018 keyboard? My 2017 needs to go in for repeating keys and I'm not sure what I'll get back. Also not sure I should backup and wipe the drive first and take it in or just take it in because they aren't going to send it off, so the effort of backup and wipe would be pointless.

 

[Chad Brostorm]

Are they replacing it with the same keyboard or the 2018 keyboard? My 2017 needs to go in for repeating keys and I'm not sure what I'll get back. Also not sure I should backup and wipe the drive first and take it in or just take it in because they aren't going to send it off, so the effort of backup and wipe would be pointless.

They’re replacing it with another 2nd gen keyboard. 3rd gen keyboards are only for 2018 models.

 

[jerryk]

Are they replacing it with the same keyboard or the 2018 keyboard? My 2017 needs to go in for repeating keys and I'm not sure what I'll get back. Also not sure I should backup and wipe the drive first and take it in or just take it in because they aren't going to send it off, so the effort of backup and wipe would be pointless.

The keyboard will the same one your 2017 came with. The 2018 top case (keyboard, batteries, trackpad, Al upper case) will not fit because the batteries are different in 2018.

And while they should not destroy your drive, I would backup any data you cannot afford to lose in case there is a Opps.

 

[eagerwu]

I just got my 2018 and already have a spongey key. (came from a 2016) Not happy. For $2800 this thing needs to be perfect for *at least* 6 months.

Have you tried to pry off the key cap and clean it yourself yet? The design on 2018 mbp is easier for user to pry off for repairing.

 

[roxics]

They’re replacing it with another 2nd gen keyboard. 3rd gen keyboards are only for 2018 models.

So in other words they are not going to provide us with a permanent fix.

 

[DeanPSN]

So in other words they are not going to provide us with a permanent fix.

Nope, but you get 4 years of free keyboard replacements and lots of your time wasted without your computer...
I had 3 repairs done on my 2017 15 MBP, one key failed again shortly after the 3rd repair, then i contacted Apple and told them how disappointed I was, work problems due to having my MBP nearly a month away in service for repairs 3 times and they decided to offer 2018 MBP replacement.
So if you pass the 3rd repair, demand a replacement.