First key of Macbook Pro 2018 is already chipping off

[appleino]

I just noticed that the first key of my new Macbook Pro's keyboard is chipping off. Basically, the black plastic is flaking off revealing the transparent layer underneath (with the backlight shining through). I've used the Macbook 90% of the time with an external keyboard, hence the new keyboards seem to be as crappy as the older ones. Looks like I have to visit an Apple Store, does anyone know whether single keys can easily be replaced?

 

[keysofanxiety]

They'll need to replace the whole top case. However it sounds like you've been unlucky - in my experience, flaking plastic isn't that common on the older or newer keyboards.

 

[Ploki]

huh. not a single key on my older ones chipped.
and the 2008 my GF used all the time on internal keyboard neither.

 

[deadworlds]

Go to or call apple, get it repaired. Easy peasy.

 

[appleino]

Thanks, none of my two 2012 machines flaked either but the keycaps of those were considerably thicker back then. Hopefully they do not have to replace the whole top case and can simply replace the chipped keycap. I made an appointment and will report back, the keyboard still seems to be of inferior quality than the old ones.

 

[Ploki]

My 2018 i9 didn't chip in the month that i had it... It had a double-stroking latter "i" tho

 

[appleino]

Sounds at least as bad

 

[lJoSquaredl]

Same, never had it happen in the decade or so i’ve been using MBPs but my A button is going...just a white triangle now:/

 

[appleino]

Oh dear, I expect lots of similar cases in the months to come... really disappointed in the quality of this keyboard, yesterday I noticed that another key seems to be slightly sticky, even though it hasn’t caused any trouble yet.

 

[appleino]

A quick update on this as promised: even though I had asked the support to give me an appointment at a store where the broken key is in stock, the store they sent me to didn't have the key after all. Three hours down the drain for nothing (travel and waiting time combined)... The only thing they did was acknowledging the issue and the key is now on order.

I need to get back again for the actual repair which should take less than an hour - however, they said it's likely that the technician will break the keyboard while trying to replace the key cap which would then result in them having to replace the complete top case. This in turn would take another week at least and I'd be without the laptop (which I can't afford since I earn my bread and butter on it).

How can a market-leading company produce such a crappy keyboard that even their well-trained technicians can't replace a simple key cap (something I've done for other people countless times in the last 15 years on their Macbooks) without the high risk of breaking the whole thing?

 

[some_apple]

I would not be surprised if they sent it into a depot for repair!

 

[csurfr]

I'm honestly surprised that Apple is willing to replace a key for a chipping coating at all. I figured they would call it "cosmetic damage" and not cover it under warranty.

 

[appleino]

The laptop is in pristine condition otherwise with not a single scratch and I've never had a chipping coating in the last 15 years. I think, they might have decided differently if the machine looked used but I clearly handled it with uttermost care (I paid over 5k for it, after all!) and the culprit is definitely their rubbish keyboard. I'm of course worried that the new key will chip off as well, maybe the new laptops can only be used wearing gloves? Need to check the box the machine came in, maybe I missed these

 

[olindacat]

Wow.

 

[internetrando]

Let's see a photo of this.

 

[appleino]

There you go

 

[SDColorado]

There you go

Man, that’s weird since the “m’s” are still visible over the chip. Is it actually a “chip” or are is the key delaminating underneath?

 

[csurfr]

Man, that’s weird since the “m’s” are still visible over the chip. Is it actually a “chip” or are is the key delaminating underneath?

I can't say, but that IS exactly like what was happening to my left command key. Hopefully I'll get lucky and Apple will replace my keyboard (A and R are a little wonky at times) while it's in for repair.

 

[cheddar-caveman]

Four months down the line and so far so good, no issues so fingers crossed

 

[appleino]

The replacement key cap is now available. I‘ll drop by the store in the next few days and hope they will replace it without breaking the whole keyboard. Fingers crossed the technician has a steady hand that day.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"How can a market-leading company produce such a crappy keyboard that even their well-trained technicians can't replace a simple key cap (something I've done for other people countless times in the last 15 years on their Macbooks) without the high risk of breaking the whole thing?"

The reason:
Thin, thin, thin!
Thin is in!
But you'll discover that
When it breaks,
There were design...
Mistakes!

 

[maflynn]

The replacement key cap is now available. I‘ll drop by the store in the next few days and hope they will replace it without breaking the whole keyboard. Fingers crossed the technician has a steady hand that day.

All but the space bar is replaceable, I guess the space bar cannot be replaced as it will break the plastic parts when someone tries to remove it.

 

[appleino]

While all keys but the space bar are replaceable indeed, they told me that there is a significant risk that they will break the whole keyboard during the repair. Apparently, some keys are very hard to remove / stuck and tend to break when you try to remove the caps. Once that happens, the whole top case needs to be replaced and the work order also clearly states that risk (including the 7 day repair it will take to replace the top case...).

 

[SDColorado]

While all keys but the space bar are replaceable indeed, they told me that there is a significant risk that they will break the whole keyboard during the repair. Apparently, some keys are very hard to remove / stuck and tend to break when you try to remove the caps. Once that happens, the whole top case needs to be replaced and the work order also clearly states that risk (including the 7 day repair it will take to replace the top case...).

I know MR hates it when you only post 1-word responses to posts, so unfortunately you have to type something longer when only SMDH is required

 

[appleino]

Got lucky with this one, phew. I made clear that I can‘t afford them breaking the keyboard and be without the machine for a week. They gave it to their most experienced technician and he managed to replace it just fine. The key‘s colour is slightly different from the other ones and also looks more matte, but this can of course be just the old keys having been used for a while now.