Apple Offering Free Smart Keyboard Repairs Under New 3-Year Policy

[gnasher729]

That product is nasty, and it's a shame Apple's sells it.

Have you ever used one, or do you just take the opportunity to mutter insults?
[doublepost=1494253340][/doublepost]

Here comes the negative apple comments. Tim Cook could cure cancel and he would be criticized for it..

Instead of curing cancer, he should make a new Mac Mini.

When Jesus walked on water, the MacRumors bunch would have complained that he can't swim.

 

[citysnaps]

It's an excellent keyboard for its intended use. Great that Apple is standing behind it. Typical that the usual sad take this good news as just another opportunity to whine on Apple.

 

[Nothlit]

Haven't experienced any typing issues with my 9.7" smart keyboard, and I generally like it overall, but I am annoyed that the seam around the edges of the keyboard has split/frayed.

 

[macduke]

I feel like all the reviews I see of this product are bipolar. Either people love it or hate it. I wonder if they had a lot of issues at first when it launched and those have been resolved silently because it seems like I remember a lot of hate when it first came out, and now there is this repair program.

That and the 2GB RAM is why I'm holding out for the second gen. I was hoping they would fix whatever keyboard issues by then and up the memory which is more necessary for Pro applications. Oh, and the lack of Pro applications. Forgot that one. Still kind of waiting—part of it is iOS' fault, part is the App Store needing a premium "Pro" section. Either way I'll be buying the next one because I want to draw and want more speed as my iPad Pro 2 has the occasional chug lately. It was especially bad vs. my iPhone 7 when it came to editing HDR bracketed photos taken on my iPhone in Lightroom Mobile.

 

[robjulo]

Why would the iPad Pro need a keyboard? Tim has been telling us for years that touchscreen laptops don't make sense. Why would anyone ever want to turn the iPad into a touchscreen laptop?

 

[drewsof07]

Haha "Repair"

 

[Brammy]

Mine has issues. The most annoying of which is that when folder back into book form, it will sometimes cause my iPad to act as though someone is stabbing jabbing the power button at break-neck speed. It's out of warranty so I was gearing up to replacing it with a logitech unit, but if this article gives me hope I might just be able to get it fixed.

I had the same problem. Mine was just out of warranty and I got them to replace it. One of the techs had seen the issue before. I was fighting them pretty hard that things should last more than 13 months and they relented.

This is good news, though, and one of the reasons I like Apple. They tend to stand behind their products more than other companies.

 

[Cory Bauer]

Strange, I've not seen many, if any, complaints on these forums about these issues, aside from software bugs.

Never had any issues with my own Smart Keyboards (both sizes, and I got new ones when they added international layouts).

After months of mine losing connection mid-typing, two weekends ago it stopped connecting altogether. The thing was out of warranty but they were nice enough to replace it anyhow. Apparently I'm not the only one who's had problem with their "smart" keyboards.

 

[charlituna]

Strange, I've not seen many, if any, complaints on these forums about these issues, aside from software bugs.

you probably haven't seen it because folks with the issue decided to go to Apple, who then replaced it under the warranty, rather than come here and gripe and moan. Which is actually as it should be

 

[Fozziebear71]

Another cruddy product with poor QA/QC. Pretty much what we have come to expect from Tim Kook's Apple.

Do you own the keyboard?

 

[citysnaps]

Why would the iPad Pro need a keyboard? Tim has been telling us for years that touchscreen laptops don't make sense. Why would anyone ever want to turn the iPad into a touchscreen laptop?

Because sometimes it's easier to type, especially with respect to lengthy documents, using a physical keyboard? Other times, particularly with short email or web responses, it's not necessary and actually cumbersome.

Sometimes I feel like interacting with a tablet and enjoy the lightweight no keyboard touch experience, but still have the option of using a keyboard when necessary. Other times in other situations I need my laptop or desktop computer.

Fortunately, Apple gives you choice. Need a keyboard? Simply purchase one. This has nothing to do with Tim Cook, though I understand your attempt at making it an oblique put-down.

 

[Traverse]

That product is nasty, and it's a shame Apple's sells it.

Nasty? It's pretty great in my opinion. I love how the keys feel, it's spill-proof, no cracks between keys, doesn't require Bluetooth (which wears down battery.) only complaint is it doesn't have function keys.

I agree, I think the Smart Keyboard is a wonderful iPad keyboard. Is it the best keyboard ever? No. But I've never been satisfied with any iPad keyboard until I tried the Smart Keyboard.

Nice and Clicky even with low travel. No batteries and no hassle.

 

[NT1440]

This.

The only thing that's bad is the price, otherwise, it's excellent!

There's no reason a keyboard should cost almost the same as an Apple TV.

Eh, given their pioneering technologies (specifically the user of electronic fabric internally) I'm not too bothered by the price. I see it as an upfront investment in avoiding the hassle of all the generations of iPad keyboards before.

 

[KPOM]

That product is nasty, and it's a shame Apple's sells it.

I like it. That said, I have had issues with the space bar being nonresponsive. I'll likely take it in for repair.

 

[Firelock]

I'll add my voice to those who love their iPad Pro smart keyboards. I have the 9.7" Pro with smart keyboard and pencil. I use the keyboard all day long, while I only use the pencil occasionally, though I am starting to use the pencil more and more for note taking and sketching. In any case I find both of these accessories to be excellent quality and are to me much better than all third-party alternatives. In particular the expensive Brydge keyboard had problems where keys repeated as I typed. Got a replacement and it had the same problem. Apple's Smart Keyboard on the other hand I've never had any issues with. The only problem is that some of they keys I use the most have the lettering rubbing off, specifically the "N" key." I touch type so this is not really a problem, just not asthetically pleasing.

 

[DrumApple]

I've always found the iPad's keyboard scratchy feeling to be like nails on a chalkboard. I just cannot use it, I HATE the feeling of it on my fingers.

 

[smacrumon]

Plastic junk from a multi billion dollar company that aparently prides itself on high design values and quality.

What an embarrassment, Apple.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

The 2016 MacBook Pro, though... when is the repair programme coming for that!

Seriously? Because every unit sold is still covered by the original warranty. If there's a defect then the company first ensures that newly-manufactured units no longer have it, and then, if necessary, extends coverage of those units that were made prior to the fix.

Why would the iPad Pro need a keyboard? Tim has been telling us for years that touchscreen laptops don't make sense. Why would anyone ever want to turn the iPad into a touchscreen laptop?

Clearly, you're not a touch-typist. If you don't look at your fingers/keyboard when you type, you need tactile feedback.

It's not about turning the iPad into a touchscreen laptop. It's about having a keyboard at those times when I have a lot to write. Most of the time I'm using the iPad purely as a touchscreen, with the Smart Keyboard folded neatly behind the device. If I just need to type a URL or other brief text, I use the virtual keyboard.

I stopped carrying a laptop about three months after I bought my first iPad. My reasons haven't changed - as long as I had access to a physical keyboard when necessary, I didn't need the weight and bulk of a laptop. That means I carry my iPad at times I'd never have toted a laptop, so I'm more likely be in a position to write/work when the inspiration strikes. I went through a succession of bluetooth keyboards with my first generation iPad. While some had better feel than the Smart Keyboard, the Smart Keyboard, for me, has been the best overall solution.

 

[BigDO]

Do you own the keyboard?

Are you the thought police? Is it a requirement to own one to have an opinion?

 

[Brookzy]

Seriously? Because every unit sold is still covered by the original warranty. If there's a defect then the company first ensures that newly-manufactured units no longer have it, and then, if necessary, extends coverage of those units that were made prior to the fix.

It was plainly a joke. But even if taken at face value, I posed a question of when such a programme would exist, not a complaint that it didn't already exist.

 

[Fozziebear71]

Are you the thought police? Is it a requirement to own one to have an opinion?

Just what I thought. You were offering an opinion on a product you don't own or have any experience with. Thanks for your response.

 

[BigDO]

Just what I thought. You were offering an opinion on a product you don't own or have any experience with. Thanks for your response.

Likewise, thanks for conforming to a stereotype.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

It was plainly a joke. But even if taken at face value, I posed a question of when such a programme would exist, not a complaint that it didn't already exist.

It was clear you were joking, but jokes often make a serious point, which is why I addressed it as such.

As to the meaning of your question, it could be read to mean either, "Why haven't they already done it," or "When will it happen?" I think my reply addressed both possibilities but it seems you misread my meaning, much as you feel I misread yours.

 

[wayoutwest5505]

I use Clam Case. Works pretty good.

 

[jgelin]

I love the sound the keys make on mine. The bloop bloop of the air moving inside the shower curtain-esqe fabric does something for my fingers.
Have not had, nor heard of any of the issues mentioned in the article or by Apple's memo.