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Apple Says Third-Generation Keyboards Exclusive to 2018 MacBook Pro

TheShadowKnows! said:
Dude, you have just underscored the differences among:
  1. a replacement (a swap) versus
  2. a recall (a fix)
Will we have, eventually, a recall? That is for the civil courts to (eventually) decide.
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Apart from huge extra costs and logistic complications, a full recall would mean
1. Public recognition of failure
2. A loss of face for the Board

This is what they will avoid at any cost.
This is where the Ford Pinto scandal (from my earlier post) comes in.
It will only happen if unavoidable, by legal of publicitary action.
It may even require a mass procession of American customers in revolt to Cupertino...

Randall2018 said:
It’s quieter.
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So this is why the silicone membrane got added proposedly “to reduce clicksound”: if it were to protect the mechanism against dirt that would be an indirect concession of flawed design - an invite for legal action.
 
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"It wouldn't really make sense for Apple to replace keyboards with ones that are just as prone to break again"

Well they replaced defective GPU's with new defective GPU's across multiple devices for years. It might not make sense to you and me, but if you don't value your customers and want the cheaper option then it makes sense.

Thats why I hope they get screwed over this keyboard issue. First they refuse to acknowledge an issue, then 3 more keyboard revisions and multiple lawsuits later there is both an obvious problem and an obvious fix.

A broken keyboard in itself isn't a costly fix, but Apple glued a lot to the top case and as such a simple replacement becomes a costly endeavour. One that Apple was happy for consumers to pay, so im glad now things have gone sour and they have to pay for their own customer hurting design and repair policies.
 
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Bring back the ports, magsafe, and phone jacks on phones. Admit their removal was a mistake. Bring back the old keyboard design. Get rid of Jony and stop with the anorexic fantasies. The die-hard Apple fans will like your decision anyhow - they'd like you if you said the earth was flat - and the disillusioned Apple customers of the last several years would come back into the fold.
 
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curtvaughan said:
Bring back the ports, magsafe, and phone jacks on phones. Admit their removal was a mistake. Bring back the old keyboard design. Get rid of Jony and stop with the anorexic fantasies. The die-hard Apple fans will like your decision anyhow - they'd like you if you said the earth was flat - and the disillusioned Apple customers of the last several years would come back into the fold.
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I support that.
May I suggest a mass procession of all Americans customers in revolt to Cupertino ?
The Butterfly Keyboard Iconoclasm with spears and lances...nothing else will work.
 
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Randall2018 said:
I’m not sure how I could be any more clear. It’s hard to simplify it down below a two word post...
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Correcting an error isn't an "upgrade" except in the most generic sense. A true upgrade would be to make the keyboard better than the ones in place before the faulty ones were introduced.
 
So I dump $4000 USD on a top of the line 2017 MBP to be told it may need its keyboard replaced only to find it maybe replaced by the same faulty part meanwhile a new model comes out months later with the problem solved where if I were to upgrade to ‘fix it’ it would cost me atleast another $1000.

To say that’s screwing someone over is an under statement.
 
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Randall2018 said:
There’s obviously always a chance that there could be another defect, but it is unlikely as long as the replacement has passed quality control. And if the replacement fails again then Apple replaces it again.
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And you get the side benefit of being aerobically fit making repeated trips to the Apple repair shop.
 
narcolpetic-haze said:
Honestly as much as I want to finally jump in with a mac, even with the "new" keyboard, I think it's just too much of a risk (the Macbook Pro 15" commands a $1000 premium over a similarly spec'd XPS 15 laptop), especially if the 2018 model doesn't get added to the extended warranty program. I think Apple needs to do more to address people's trepidations about the subject rather than just coming out with an updated keyboard which is merely described as "quieter".
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Vote with your wallet and buy the XPS 15. Not only is it cheaper, but its keyboard works and it has a bunch of needed ports. There is no other solution. Apple counts money; Apple follows Jony; Apple is deaf to anything else.
 
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I'm currently on my 4th keyboard. Does this mean that if it goes again I can request a new laptop - as I'm sure there was something a couple of years ago where they would only fix the same issue 2 times, and then replace the entire item?
 
Well, a few class action lawsuits may change their mind,bought a 2017 macbook pro without touch bar 6 months ago, just once had sticky key issue but with some compressed air it came back to normal.
But from what i read many other people have problems with the keyboard.
So if there is an improvement on the keyboard why not replace the faulty ones with the improved ones.
 
CWallace said:
It does not benefit Apple from either a PR or a financial standpoint to continue to manufacture 2016 and 2017 series keyboards for repairs if the 2018 model is a "drop in" replacement should it prove to be more resilient and robust.

In such a scenario, it may just be a case that once Apple has exhausted their existing stock of replacement pre-2018 keyboards on repairs, the standard for all three series when it comes to repair will be the 2018 series keyboard.
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I don't know how many percent of users are having their keyboards serviced right now but that number could potentially grow significantly if word got out that their keyboards are faulty and Apple is replacing them with good ones free of charge.
 
fcolinares said:
Ugh.. After 30 years of owning Apple devices I am really starting to hate Apple... If I only knew they were going to launch these models... but I just got a MacBook Pro 2017 from an online retailer four weeks ago and now I am not elegible for an exchange!
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you could've anticipated it tbh... I waited.
 
randyhudson said:
Apple are stupid. Why are they fixing a keyboard that has no problems. People who complained about the keyboard were just old and uncomfortable with change. All changes are always for the better.

Steel is a terrible metal for an iPhone body. They were so smart to switch to softer aluminum with the iPhone 5. Nailed it. Why have they switched back to steel again for the iPhone X?
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I’ve had the IPhone X since launch day and love he build and have had 0 problems
 
The 2018 Version doesn't get extended warranty coverage on keyboard?

Sigh.... How long do I have to wait to get a new MacBook.
 
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MacRumors said:
It wouldn't really make sense for Apple to replace keyboards with ones that are just as prone to break again, especially if the third-generation keyboards offer a fix.
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Then you haven't been paying attention during the last few years.

The keyboard is actually one part of a larger component called the "top case," which has a glued-in battery, and this part may have changed slightly in 2018 models.
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Now, that sounds like apple alright.
 
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Dydegu said:
I still don't understand this argument. There is a repair program in place. There is a silicone barrier under the new keys of the 3rd gen keyboard. How is that not an admission that there is at least a possible flaw in the keyboards?
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Apple calls this the 3rd Generation keyboard for the new MBP so it would skirt around the admission there was problem with the older ones.
 
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CWallace said:
It does not benefit Apple from either a PR or a financial standpoint to continue to manufacture 2016 and 2017 series keyboards for repairs if the 2018 model is a "drop in" replacement should it prove to be more resilient and robust.

In such a scenario, it may just be a case that once Apple has exhausted their existing stock of replacement pre-2018 keyboards on repairs, the standard for all three series when it comes to repair will be the 2018 series keyboard.
Click to expand...

According to the article Apple specifically said that won't happen. They're basically telling 2016-17 owners that 'though we have a better version of a flawed design, you're not eligible to get a permanent fix, only a temporary one until the repair program expires'. That's bull and I hope they get called out on it in court. Way to treat the customer; some of whom paid ridiculously high prices for this so-called 'Pro' laptop, for the 2016 model especially.
 
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