Bought a new MBA. Advice.

[Clockworkz]

So I bought the new MBA on Monday and I am absolutely loving it so far, battery life is good and I am loving MacOS so far considering that this is my very first macbook and using macOS even.

After reading the butterfly keyboard issues I'm a little concerned with durability. Is there any real concern about keeping it if I also have apple care +? and if any issues do show up is there an updated keyboard that they install on these like the 2019 version I read about with the Macbook pro?

I guess I'm just looking for reassurance and to be told I'm going to be alright

 

[0906742]

I don't think keyboard is anything to worry about. I read on Apple site that they are offering extended 4 year warranty for keyboard in this model, so you don't need even Apple Care for that.
So far I like Air 2018 keyboard a lot. It is absolutely joy to type if you are used to type with short stroke keyboards.
It is even not that loud if you just slide your fingers on keys and then just press the keys and not hit them with the same force you would traditional desktop keyboard. I sure there will be problems if someone wants to bash keys the same force they do on traditional keyboards.

I'm like you, this is my first Mac OS device ever. For a Windows user it takes some time to get familiar with Mac OS tricks.
So far I have found many things I like about Air but there are some negative points too. I just noticed that display does not handle some dark image color gradations without noticeable banding.
Also battery gives me some indications it might not be in best possible condition since capacity has already dropped below design capacity.

Also build in webcam is the worst camera I've ever seen. Image quality is very grainy, it is about equal to first separate webcams that were sold some 20 years ago. I don't have much use for that anyway, so I probably won't let it bother me. That was just something I was not expecting to see in expensive Apple notebook.

 

[Clockworkz]

I don't think keyboard is anything to worry about. I read on Apple site that they are offering extended 4 year warranty for keyboard in this model, so you don't need even Apple Care for that.
So far I like Air 2018 keyboard a lot. It is absolutely joy to type if you are used to type with short stroke keyboards.
It is even not that loud if you just slide your fingers on keys and then just press the keys and not hit them with the same force you would traditional desktop keyboard. I sure there will be problems if someone wants to bash keys the same force they do on traditional keyboards.

I'm like you, this is my first Mac OS device ever. For a Windows user it takes some time to get familiar with Mac OS tricks.
So far I have found many things I like about Air but there are some negative points too. I just noticed that display does not handle some dark image color gradations without noticeable banding.
Also battery gives me some indications it might not be in best possible condition since capacity has already dropped below design capacity.

Also build in webcam is the worst camera I've ever seen. Image quality is very grainy, it is about equal to first separate webcams that were sold some 20 years ago. I don't have much use for that anyway, so I probably won't let it bother me. That was just something I was not expecting to see in expensive Apple notebook.

Yeah that is one thing I noticed with the keyboard, I've been hitting them pretty softly compared to my desktop or any other keyboard I have and use.

What do you mean about the battery? I wasn't tracking with what you were talking about.

 

[nouveau_redneck]

Enjoy your new machine. The keyboard has had issues in the past, but for the vast majority of people it has been trouble free. The 2019 version has some improvements in the materials used, which Apple believe resolve the issues. Time will tell, but early indications appear good.

Also, if there is an issue, Apple will take care of it at no charge for 4 years from your purchase date, with or without current AppleCare.

 

[lambertjohn]

The 2018 Air, yours, has the gen 3 keyboard not the gen 4. Only the new Pro's have the gen 4 keyboard. With that being said, if your keyboard does fail, Apple will replace it with a gen 4 keyboard. On the 2018 Air, they are interchangeable.

 

[nouveau_redneck]

The 2018 Air, yours, has the gen 3 keyboard not the gen 4. Only the new Pro's have the gen 4 keyboard. With that being said, if your keyboard does fail, Apple will replace it with a gen 4 keyboard. On the 2018 Air, they are interchangeable.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[Clockworkz]

Thank you guys for the words, like I said before, I love the air and I can’t wait to actually use it more.

The redeeming factor for the keyboard issue seems to be the fact that they will eventually fix it.

 

[0906742]

What do you mean about the battery? I wasn't tracking with what you were talking about.

You'll find more information about that in another thread where I posted my findings and some tips how to check battery condition https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-macbook-air-2018-battery-health.2187495/

 

[DJLC]

I love my 2018 Air other than the keyboard. Some days it works fine; other days, the spacebar, E, and left shift keys stop working. It's unpredictable and beyond annoying.

There is the extended keyboard repair program. But thus far, I haven't sent mine in. Resetting the SMC clears up the issue for a few days. Part of me wonders if half the problem is actually software.

All that said: I'm keeping my 2018 MacBook Air. It's a great machine other than this. But am I ordering more of them at work in my capacity as an IT Director? Absolutely not. We're looking at Chromebooks with reliable keyboards. Sorry, Apple.

 

[dogslobber]

Still got a few days to take it back for full refund.

 

[Clockworkz]

So far I'm liking the air, no issues but ive only had it for around 1.5 weeks. I'll probably end up keeping the laptop and of course buy the applecare in a week or so.