Despite keyboard, latest MBPs more reliable than previous generation

[poorcody]

I hesitate to post this for what kind of flame war it may start... but for those who are interested in actual numbers, AppleInsider has an interesting new article on the MacBook Pro keyboard repairs here:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...em-to-improve-reliability-and-thats-not-great

These numbers are based on actual data of repairs collected from Apple stores and other repair centers. Points of interest:

*Keyboard repair rates of MacBooks by model year:

2014: 5.6%
2015: 6.0%
2016: 11.8%
2017: 8.2%​

* So 2017 appeared to improve something, but still higher than average.

* Big BUT:
The total repair rate, even including keyboard problems, was lower for the 2016/2017 models in the first year than previous models... so the newer models appear more reliable overall.

 

[Painter2002]

I hesitate to post this for what kind of flame war it may start... but for those who are interested in actual numbers, AppleInsider has an interesting new article on the MacBook Pro keyboard repairs here:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/1...em-to-improve-reliability-and-thats-not-great

These numbers are based on actual data of repairs collected from Apple stores and other repair centers. Points of interest:

*Keyboard repair rates of MacBooks by model year:

2014: 5.6%
2015: 6.0%
2016: 11.8%
2017: 8.2%​

* So 2017 appeared to improve something, but still higher than average.

* Big BUT:
The total repair rate, even including keyboard problems, was lower for the 2016/2017 models in the first year than previous models... so the newer models appear more reliable overall.

This would somewhat coincide with many people (including myself) feeling like the 2017 keyboard felt different/better than the 2016 keyboards.

What I am really interested in is if Apple plans on using the new 2018 top case for future replacements on 2016-17 keyboard repairs. iFixit has already confirmed there is a rubber membrane added to the keys on these new machines. I doubt Apple will do that, but there’s always a chance.

 

[vaugha]

I read the news also. It's a positive sign and from what I've been reading, this year's keyboards could have even lower failure rates than the last 2 gens and finally worth buying.

 

[bd4]

But you have to put the numbers of total repair tickets into perspective to the sold units. It is possible that there were less 2016 and 2017 models sold because of the higher price and somewhat controversial design changes (e.g. USB-C, touchbar)? Without this context, the data is useless.

 

[poorcody]

But you have to put the numbers of total repair tickets into perspective to the sold units. It is possible that there were less 2016 and 2017 models sold because of the higher price and somewhat controversial design changes (e.g. USB-C, touchbar)? Without this context, the data is useless.

AppleInsider directly addressed this in the article by saying the unit volumes sold were basically the same year-to-year.