First key of Macbook Pro 2018 is already chipping off

[Hakiroto]

Ah, yeah, the whole cleaning products and nail length thing. For some context to my situation, I have super short nails, don’t use hand cream or anything like that, and never clean my keyboard with anything but a dry microfibre cloth every now and then. I know many people will think it’s my fault and that I chipped it with something but I can’t emphasise enough how “normal” my usage is. As I said, I’ve used MacBooks for over 10 years now (most of that time at home with my own and at work with another) and I’ve never seen anything like this.

Doing a bit of research, though, shows I’m definitely not alone. As I said, I’m travelling at the moment and won’t be able to go to a store until mid-August but once I do I’ll report back.

 

[SDColorado]

Yeah. Definitely not cleaning product. Not hair or skin product. They simply wear.

Really bizarre to me since I also have a almost 2 year old Surface Pro 2017, that I actually use more and it doesn’t show any wear and that’s just a relatively cheap type cover. If I had to replace that keyboard cover. Eh so what. Never had this issue with any of my previous MBP keyboards and have a couple ancient Dells that look better.

Really no excuse for it and Apple *should* do the right thing and replace them. The question is... will they? I have seen posts where people have said they have denied warranty claim on the basis of it being cosmetic

 

[H2SO4]

I’m definitely going to try taking it to Apple once I’m home in a couple of months. I know most people will say it’s only cosmetic (and the person at Apple might say the same) but for a 6 month old 3000€ computer I find this completely ridiculous. I’ve been using MacBooks for over 10 years now and have never had this before.

That would really burn me as you’d be looking at it constantly.
Be one of those things that bugs you and you can see in the corner of your peripheral vision.

 

[Hakiroto]

That would really burn me as you’d be looking at it constantly.
Be one of those things that bugs you and you can see in the corner of your peripheral vision.

Yeah, it's exactly that. Actually, it's much worse today. The space without the black is probably twice the size. I've worked on it for about 2 hours today. Short nails again, etc. By the time I'm back from this trip in August the whole key will likely be white.

I just wish I could tell/show Apple now as opposed to waiting another couple of months. Oh well.

 

[H2SO4]

Yeah, it's exactly that. Actually, it's much worse today. The space without the black is probably twice the size. I've worked on it for about 2 hours today. Short nails again, etc. By the time I'm back from this trip in August the whole key will likely be white.

I just wish I could tell/show Apple now as opposed to waiting another couple of months. Oh well.

Sorry to hear that. Trouble is if Apple don't come through, spending the cost of a top case for a worn key is a decision for those with strong stomachs.

 

[Hakiroto]

Sorry to hear that. Trouble is if Apple don't come through, spending the cost of a top case for a worn key is a decision for those with strong stomachs.

Haha. Yeah, for sure. There's no way I'd pay for all of that. It'd be nice if they could just replace one key. One can wish.

 

[dhruveonmars]

I had my keys replaced on the spot. The guy just had a look and said yeah that shouldn't normally happen. I only went in for the Command key, and he noticed that it started happening on the A key too and replaced both.

Maybe say that you've got another MacBook and this hasn't happened once in years to the other one. I have a 2012 (Pre-retina) one and haven't had this issue and told him so.

 

[Hakiroto]

I had my keys replaced on the spot. The guy just had a look and said yeah that shouldn't normally happen. I only went in for the Command key, and he noticed that it started happening on the A key too and replaced both.

Maybe say that you've got another MacBook and this hasn't happened once in years to the other one. I have a 2012 (Pre-retina) one and haven't had this issue and told him so.

Thanks for letting me know. Yeah, I'll definitely give it a go when I'm back in Germany. I've always had good experiences with Genius Bar appointments so fingers crossed this will be the same. Did they replace the keys there and then?

 

[smirking]

Mine looks like this. Not bad *yet*, but still disappointing for 6 months old. I have a number of other laptops far older, including a couple of Dell garage machines that are about 12 years old, that look better

The kind of plastic used for the Mac keycaps is pretty bad. I wish they used shine resistant PBT, but maybe you can't make PBT caps that thin.

 

[dhruveonmars]

Thanks for letting me know. Yeah, I'll definitely give it a go when I'm back in Germany. I've always had good experiences with Genius Bar appointments so fingers crossed this will be the same. Did they replace the keys there and then?

Yup, the genius guy came over, had a look at it (for probably less than a minute) and said he'd replace it. Then he had a look at the other keys to see if any others needed swapping so I wouldn't have to come back - the 'A' key did. I hadn't even noticed that myself. Think in total it took less than 10 minutes.
And he said if it happens to any other keys, just come back and they should replace them

 

[Hakiroto]

Yup, the genius guy came over, had a look at it (for probably less than a minute) and said he'd replace it. Then he had a look at the other keys to see if any others needed swapping so I wouldn't have to come back - the 'A' key did. I hadn't even noticed that myself. Think in total it took less than 10 minutes.
And he said if it happens to any other keys, just come back and they should replace them

That’s great to hear. Thanks. That at least gives me some hope. This was with one of the newer MacBooks with the new style of low-travel keys, right? Thanks again.

 

[dhruveonmars]

That’s great to hear. Thanks. That at least gives me some hope. This was with one of the newer MacBooks with the new style of low-travel keys, right? Thanks again.

Yup, the 2018 15" MacBook Pro

 

[SDColorado]

I had my keys replaced on the spot. The guy just had a look and said yeah that shouldn't normally happen. I only went in for the Command key, and he noticed that it started happening on the A key too and replaced both.

Maybe say that you've got another MacBook and this hasn't happened once in years to the other one. I have a 2012 (Pre-retina) one and haven't had this issue and told him so.

I was finally able to get in with mine and had the same experience. She said it definitely should not have happened, especially at 6 months. Replaced the key caps and cleaned around it.

Asked if there was any way to prevent it from happening again shy of one of those dreadful silicone c̶o̶n̶d̶o̶m̶ covers. Her reply was honest.

“Unfortunately not. It is a manufacturing defect. Everyone hates these keyboards, but bring it back. Cap replacements are free.”

 

[Hakiroto]

I was finally able to get in with mine and had the same experience. She said it definitely should not have happened, especially at 6 months. Replaced the key caps and cleaned around it.

Asked if there was any way to prevent it from happening again shy of one of those dreadful silicone c̶o̶n̶d̶o̶m̶ covers. Her reply was honest.

“Unfortunately not. It is a manufacturing defect. Everyone hates these keyboards, but bring it back. Cap replacements are free.”

That's really great to hear. One of the first things I'll do then when I'm back home in August is get to my local Apple Store and get this key replaced. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[SDColorado]

That's really great to hear. One of the first things I'll do then when I'm back home in August is get to my local Apple Store and get this key replaced. Thanks for sharing your experience.

It is good that they do it.

The downsides of course is it was (a) an hour and a half spent in commute and repair for something that shouldn’t have happened on a 6 month old laptop of that price and (b) that it will almost certainly happen again.

 

[Hakiroto]

It is good that they do it.

The downsides of course is it was (a) an hour and a half spent in commute and repair for something that shouldn’t have happened on a 6 month old laptop of that price and (b) that it will almost certainly happen again.

Yeah, good point. Coincidentally, mine started coming off my left Command key as it was pretty much exactly 6 months old as well. Anyway, I'm glad you got it sorted.

 

[dhruveonmars]

Yeah, good point. Coincidentally, mine started coming off my left Command key as it was pretty much exactly 6 months old as well. Anyway, I'm glad you got it sorted.

Sounds to me like the left-command key is the most common key to have this issue. Mine was replaced in December from a different defect, so about 6 months as well!

Annoying that this is happening, but glad they're replacing the caps for free and not making it out to be user wear and tear.

 

[hzc71]

Just happened to my left command key too on my 2019 MacBook Pro that I've had for less than 3 months!!!

In contrast, I've never had this happen to me on my 2012 MacBook Air that I've only stopped using this year. Apple is definitely using a poorer quality process in the manufacturing of these new keyboards. So disappointing, especially since this is my most expensive Apple MacBook to date.

Thanks to everyone for all the great info in this thread. Looks like I'll be visiting the Apple Store soon.

 

[Hakiroto]

Just happened to my left command key too on my 2019 MacBook Pro that I've had for less than 3 months!!!

In contrast, I've never had this happen to me on my 2012 MacBook Air that I've only stopped using this year. Apple is definitely using a poorer quality process in the manufacturing of these new keyboards. So disappointing, especially since this is my most expensive Apple MacBook to date.

Thanks to everyone for all the great info in this thread. Looks like I'll be visiting the Apple Store soon.

Be sure to report back and let others know how they handled it in the store. I haven't yet had chance to go and get mine sorted.

 

[throAU]

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.

I'm not. I've yet to have a keyboard from any computer i've owned in the past 30 years exhibit this issue. I've used model M IBM keyboards from the 80s that are still fully intact (and fully functional, for that matter).

I think it is more than reasonable to expect the key labels to still be present and in perfect condition after less than 2-3 years of ownership.

 

[pshufd]

I'm not. I've yet to have a keyboard from any computer i've owned in the past 30 years exhibit this issue. I've used model M IBM keyboards from the 80s that are still fully intact (and fully functional, for that matter).

I think it is more than reasonable to expect the key labels to still be present and in perfect condition after less than 2-3 years of ownership.

I agree. I have laptops from 2008 where the keyboards are still fine.

 

[csurfr]

I'm not. I've yet to have a keyboard from any computer i've owned in the past 30 years exhibit this issue. I've used model M IBM keyboards from the 80s that are still fully intact (and fully functional, for that matter).

I think it is more than reasonable to expect the key labels to still be present and in perfect condition after less than 2-3 years of ownership.

While I no longer have the 2018 macbook pro that had this issue (among many others), sending it in to apple yielded no results.

 

[pshufd]

While I no longer have the 2018 macbook pro that had this issue (among many others), sending it in to apple yielded no results.

That's sad to me. I can understand them not wanting to replace a $700 part for a key but they designed and built the faulty keyboard in the first place. And this explains why so many are waiting to upgrade.

 

[throAU]

While I no longer have the 2018 macbook pro that had this issue (among many others), sending it in to apple yielded no results.

I'm glad that in Australia we have merchantability and fitness for purpose laws that trump apple's warranty terms.

Over here, you'd be able to demand replacement; 1 year before degradation of a super-premium priced laptop is not reasonable (and not comparable to every other premium machine on the market), and the ACCC would back you up on that.


https://www.accc.gov.au/media-relea...misleading-consumer-guarantee-representations

cliffnotes:

Background

Under the Australian Consumer Law:

• when consumers buy products, they come with a number of guarantees, including a guarantee that they will be of acceptable quality and a guarantee that they will be reasonably fit for any disclosed or represented purpose.
• the consumer guarantees are in addition to any manufacturer’s warranty;
• the consumer guarantees are not limited to the period of the manufacturer’s warranty. In many cases, they will apply for longer than the manufacturer’s warranty;
• if the product is not of acceptable quality or fit for purpose, consumers are entitled to remedies, which may include a refund, replacement or repair, at no cost to the consumer.

 

[GoldfishRT]

I never had a problem on my 12" MacBook but these MacBook Pro keys seem to get shiny real fast. Reminds me of old ThinkPad keyboards. But the lettering should never fade - this is supposed to be built to a better standard than my friends 2006 Pontiac.

*The buttons in that Pontiac wore through to the translucent layer in like a year