2018 MacBook Pro Has 'Quieter' Keyboard, But Unclear if Sticky and Unresponsive Key Issues Addressed

[3167]

I had a 2015 MacBook and had no keyboard issues. I bought the new 2018 MacBook Pro on release day, and two keys started to stick already. Brought it back to Apple and they are great as always, but had to return the first purchase and repurchase a new 2018 MacBook Pro as a replacement. It’s frustrating to have to start over with the computer, yes it’s backup up etc., and worry about it happening again.

Was hoping the keyboard V3 would have solved the sticky issue, but o for 1 on my end.

 

[groove-agent]

Oh dear, that's bad news indeed.

I had a 2015 MacBook and had no keyboard issues. I bought the new 2018 MacBook Pro on release day, and two keys started to stick already. Brought it back to Apple and they are great as always, but had to return the first purchase and repurchase a new 2018 MacBook Pro as a replacement. It’s frustrating to have to start over with the computer, yes it’s backup up etc., and worry about it happening again.

Was hoping the keyboard V3 would have solved the sticky issue, but o for 1 on my end.

 

[antonis]

I had a 2015 MacBook and had no keyboard issues. I bought the new 2018 MacBook Pro on release day, and two keys started to stick already. Brought it back to Apple and they are great as always, but had to return the first purchase and repurchase a new 2018 MacBook Pro as a replacement. It’s frustrating to have to start over with the computer, yes it’s backup up etc., and worry about it happening again.

Was hoping the keyboard V3 would have solved the sticky issue, but o for 1 on my end.

That is very unsettling. Funny thing is that Apple would agree with you as they claim that the purpose of the membrane in the V3 is only to make keys more quiet. I hope that this was an isolated unlucky incident.

 

[cmaier]

That is very unsettling. Funny thing is that Apple would agree with you as they claim that the purpose of the membrane in the V3 is only to make keys more quiet. I hope that this was an isolated unlucky incident.

The Apple repair bulletin that was leaked said the membrane was also to prevent dust ingress.

 

[antonis]

The Apple repair bulletin that was leaked said the membrane was also to prevent dust ingress.

Of course it says so since it is the truth, but it was leaked. Publicly, Apple still claimed that this is not the case. It's because of the lawsuits and the fact that they don't replace failed keyboards with the 3rd gen mechanism, but with newer faulty ones.

 

[cmaier]

Of course it says so since it is the truth, but it was leaked. Publicly, Apple still claimed that this is not the case. It's because of the lawsuits and the fact that they don't replace failed keyboards with the 3rd gen mechanism, but with newer faulty ones.

Sure. My point was “it really is supposed to fix it. But it doesn’t. Because the design sucks.”

 

[ls1dreams]

What year do you think we'll get a fully redesigned body/keyboard? I'm not touching a macbook until the keyboard is completely redesigned.

In the past it seems like they go 3 or 4 years per chassis, so I'm hoping next year will finally bring that change. I realize that all of the tooling is expensive so they can't simply swap out every year, but this keyboard issue is horrible.

i.e. retina macbook pro series = 2013, 2014, 2015, then change at 2016
previous model was around 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, change at 2013

Given that pattern 2019 or 2020 seem likely to be when the update is. Maybe i'll just try to time it when they have a new model + AV1 hardware decode support.

 

[oneMadRssn]

What year do you think we'll get a fully redesigned body/keyboard? I'm not touching a macbook until the keyboard is completely redesigned.

In the past it seems like they go 3 or 4 years per chassis, so I'm hoping next year will finally bring that change. I realize that all of the tooling is expensive so they can't simply swap out every year, but this keyboard issue is horrible.

i.e. retina macbook pro series = 2013, 2014, 2015, then change at 2016
previous model was around 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, change at 2013

Given that pattern 2019 or 2020 seem likely to be when the update is.

The first-generation Macbook Pro aluminum design was a sold 2006-2008, but it was pretty much an Intel version of the Aluminum PowerBook G4 which was sold 2003-2006. So I would say this body design lasted from 2003-2008. 5 years.

The second-generation unibody Macbook Pro was sold 2008-2012. 4 years.

The third-generation retina Macbook Pro design was sold 2012-2016. 4 years.

The fourth-generation touch-bar and USB-C Macbook Pro design launched in 2016. So your estimate of a redesign in 2020 sounds about right.

I would note though that the overall update cycle of laptops and desktops has slowed significantly, so I would actually expect the next body re-design to be more incremental and perhaps come a little later. Perhaps they'll rearrange the ports, redesign how the battery fits, redesign the cooling, and continue to improve the keyboard; but I doubt the next body design will be as drastic of a difference as previous design changes were. Also, I bet it will come later than 2020 - maybe 2021?