Apple Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over 'Defective' Keyboards in Recent MacBook, MacBook Pro Models

[yg17]

I've heard $800 mentioned. For comparison, that's the price of a new Thinkpad laptop with keyboard that's known to last a decade or longer.

That $800 ThinkPad could be tossed outside an 11th story window, run over by a Mack truck, be put back together, and it would still work.


I just spend 3 grand on a new 15" MBP last week, this is all very reassuring At least AppleCare was part of that 3 grand.

 

[haydn!]

With most class actions against Apple, I just roll my eyes and move on (especially with todays sue first, think later culture!) but I'm going to play close attention to this one and Apple's 2018 notebooks. The keyboard complaints have been a big contributing factor to me holding out updating my notebook. If the reliability is not resolved in the 2018 I'll have no choice but to ditch Mac OS as I don't think my current machine will hold out any longer!

 

[KGB7]

8 pages of arguments in 3 hours. That’s amazing!

 

[ChrisChaval]

No prblems whtsoevr wit my keybrd

 

[solrunner]

2016 nonTouchBar MBP 13", several keys failed, took to apple and they fixed them but spacebar still feels mushy. not happy, joining lawsuit. Apple needs to fix this at no cost even if 1-year warranty expired.

 

[caskin8a]

If you've got a 2016 MacBook Pro with Function Keys, there's a battery replacement program that necessitates an entire top case replacement including keyboard, if you're interested/eligible: https://www.apple.com/support/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement/

Mine was replaced last week and the new keyboard feels a lot more responsive. All up really disappointing that it had to be replaced only a year in. These are premium priced machines.

 

[WillNN]

About 3-5 months ago, I had the non-responsive problem with the 'J' key. I searched for information and found the usual noise on the Apple user Forum. Apple was mum. Typical, typical. Before slogging through the 'Genius' appointment stuff, trying to find parking near the Apple Store.... I fiddled around and 'flossed' the edge with a toothpick. That fixed it.
Sure it should never have happened, but it does happen--it's just that Apple seems to think pretending it didn't happen is a solution. It's bad practice.
I spent $4k on the top of the line computer from the top of the line company, and when I had a (by then) well known issue...Apple's solution is I could chat with a bunch of people with the same problem none of whom had a solution?
"Hey my plumbing is leaking! Great, we're going to let you talk with dozens of other people who also don't know how to fix leaking plumbing."

After I fixed my 'J' key, I didn't jump on the blog to share my 'fix'. It worked for me but should I recommend people to pole around their keyboards with a sharp stick?
The people still there were fumbling around -- with no help from Apple. (But apparently eager lawyers)
These are tools not pretty little fetishes, if they don't work, they aren't so pretty. (I've had a chronic problem with the trackpad since June 2016-- the only solution is one I came up with. Apple after two weeks swapped the machine, but it too had the same exact problem.)
Apple needs to lead, send us updates on these problems as they spread. I don't know if the air blaster solution works, but that's what I'd do if it happened again.
I don't want another $2 check postcard for a class action. I want Apple to step up and be the company I believed in, purchased from and invested in.

 

[Appleaker]

I hope Apple Engineering is working on a fix for future generations.

They have a fix.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

It's about time.

Consumers are losing their trust with Apple.

Apple has been known for their quality and reliability, but they've been lacking lately. Don't screw up the most fundamental part of a laptop, the keyboard is what makes or breaks your product.

 

[Dan Holmstock]

Watever, aters gonna ate

Ok that was very good! lol

 

[lamerica80]

I actually just had a strange failure of the keyboard on my last gen 13 TB. The "A"-key has lost some of the black coating in and around the A. I have no idea what caused this.

 

[Apple blogger]

IF they’re not honouring warranty, there’s something really bad going on.. also, regarding macrumors take, I do not think, that a company needs a “program” to repair defective products. It’s their duty.

 

[LuciusMalfoy]

Entitled much?

2) You could have waited for Kraby Lake, you chose not to.
3) You didn't buy AppleCare, thus your fault. Apple warrants for 12 months. All that is required.
4) If you took it back before AppleCare had expired, they would have been more than happy to replace the keyboard for you. Two friends have had their keyboards replaced under warranty, and the issue has never returned.

Is this where we are at now? That you NEED to buy AppleCare with every Apple product purchase. Since we can't trust the device to work past 12 months. Come on what mental gymnastics are you trying to do here? This is straight up unacceptable.

 

[DevNull0]

8 pages of arguments in 3 hours. That’s amazing!

Imagine how many pages we'd be up to if so many of the MBP users weren't struggling with defective keyboards.

 

[AnthonyHarris]

I saw one guy complaining about his sticky keys and he took one off and was scraping lumps of brownie out from underneath it.

Maybe don't consume your cakes and French toast over your computer and try to use compressed air once in a while?

 

[sracer]

I wonder how many of those people actually try to get in contact with Apple for a reasonable solution before they take part in the lawsuit.

Yeah I wonder that too. How many people are sitting around with malfunctioning keyboards twiddling their thumbs wondering when a class-action lawsuit is going to be brought forward.

 

[citysnaps]

Am I the only person that has ZERO issues with the butterfly keyboard on the Pro? Was it a process getting used to it from my old Air? -Yes. Was it difficult? -Not really. Granted I've only had my new Pro for a little over a year, but I have not experienced any issues with the keyboard at all. I also eat constantly while using it so chances are crumbs are dropped all over the keyboard almost daily. I guess I'm lucky?

No issues here, either. My 2017 MBP has been excellent. After coming from a MBA and other keyboards, I'd never go back.

Typing speed on my MBP has increased, along with better accuracy.
[doublepost=1526316706][/doublepost]

Some of the keys on my MacBook Pro 2017 get stuck everyday, it's really annoying...

Have you brought your MBP in for service?

 

[pat500000]

For a company that is nearing $1 trillion market value in spite of a focus on quality, fit, and finish, quality becomes an unnecessary expense. What has been consumer response to the numerous hardware issues with the Macbook Pro over the past 6+ years? Ditch the problematic unit and buy another Macbook Pro. View attachment 761713

This issue, as with all of the others, will soon pass and fade away as everyone gets spun up with excitement for the next WWDC.

Man....I have mbp 2011 late, and the keyboard is awesome. I can't see myself buying another mbp. Why fix something that ain't broken. remember the mag safe?

 

[magicschoolbus]

These new laptops are garbage. I never thought I would see the day where a Windows machine was designed better and more functional than a mac.

 

[Septembersrain]

The thing that really eats at people, I believe, is that in the USA the warranty is only a year. It seems that the problem is showing up for some right after this period.

I've got a 6 year old laptop that's a bit slow, it's Windows, and it's not going to do much heavy lifting.

But to imagine only one year in that one of the most important, if not one of the most vital, hardware components stopped working properly?

I'd have been livid!

Especially with how much these cost. They aren't my $500 HP. Yet my keyboard is still like the day I bought it. I feel for you guys.

 

[Ries]

Of course. At the same time Apple has the data on how many are affected. And people who have issues are going to be vocal about it which could make it look like the problem is more wide spread than it really is.

What’s the last class action lawsuit against Apple that went anywhere?

2011 GPU and staingate.

 

[Col4bin]

My work-issued, mid-2015 MBP is due for an upgrade next year. Since IT stocks MPB's from the previous generation for cost reasons, hoping those being produced this year are okay.

 

[69650]

Three grand for a laptop that stops working after a few months is disgraceful.

I will not buy another MB until they fix this problem.

 

[weckart]

They have a fix.

Indeed. The new MacBook Pro 20xx. The best MacBook ever.

Repeat annually until bankrupt.

 

[LordVic]

Is this where we are at now? That you NEED to buy AppleCare with every Apple product purchase. Since we can't trust the device to work past 12 months. Come on what mental gymnastics are you trying to do here? This is straight up unacceptable.

Used to be you could buy an Apple computer, without extended warranty and have a very good chance that it still works 10 years later. Heck, I've got an old 2011 MacBook air, that aside from me breaking the screen, still works perfectly.

Fast forward and since early 2000's, more and more of APple's products REQUIRE additional warranty to just cover off known defects. If you need to purchase an extended warranty because your faith in the product lasting are so weak, than I would seriously consider recommending picking a product line that doesn't elicit such anxiety.


Combined with the astronomical prices for the computers, and having tested the new keyboard mechanism, I wouldn't touch the newer MacBook Pro's with my money. in Fact, I just bought a new NON Apple laptop because of it. i NEEDed a replacement for the MacBook Air, but I couldn't justify a computer that has a keyboard that I despise (as in one of the worst experiences typing I've ever had), and a $1729CAD entry price. I was able to get a near parity (if not better equiped) Razer for $1400CAD. the identical specced 13" MBP is $2675CAD