Gen 3 butterfly keyboard

[Falhófnir]

See that's the problem with the TB. Unlike say USB C, which many may dislike but will probably agree that it gets better in the future and has some really useful applications, the TB doesn't get better in the future - and there's literally no way to make it more useful.
If you want to slide/scroll - the wonderful trackpad is better
If you want to press - the function keys or actual shortcuts are better
If you are touch typing - the keys are again better since you don't have to look at them
If you want more battery life - the keys are again better
If you want a functional ESC key - they keys are again better

The only way I could see it somewhat useful if they made it under the trackpad, then you would be able to utilize it somewhat for scrolling certain things without stretching your fingers to the top of the keyboard.

I'll honestly just say it's a matter of opinion - personally I don't have a strong one either way, but you and many others do seem to have a very strong negative opinion whereas I've only ever really encountered mildly positive ones (no one saying they really couldn't go back to function keys for e.g.)

2014/15 non-dGPU 15” was the best damn developer laptop of all time! Couldn’t even complain about price for what you was getting.

At the time it was pretty much a no brainer, maybe £2-300 more expensive than rival machines, with a better screen for the price (4K was still a pretty expensive niche on windows at the time), unrivalled design/ size, useful port selection for now not some nebulous point in the future and even the starting 256GB storage wasn't as tight back then as it is now (with 4K60 video, live photos, larger app sizes etc).

 

[Jinx Mac]

It’s just so nice being on my 2015 15” that gives me exactly zero problems, ever.

So, I am buying a used, mint condition MBP today. I am on my 5th, yes 5th 2018 MBP (256 with TB). I got the 5th computer on Wed. and today the E key started repeating. For me, it always starts with the E key.
There is NO WAY that this is just happening to the few of us here. I am so dismayed that Apple refuses to fix this issue. I fixed typos above but below is a sample from this AM. Please, be very aware if you buy any new Macbook (they now all have this keyboard) that they fail.

ekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekekeekeekekekeekekekekeekekeekekekekeekeke
ekeekekeekekekekekekeekekekekekekekekekeekeekeekekekekeekekekeekekekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekek

elelelelelelelelelelelekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekeekekeekeekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekeekeeekeekeekeekekkekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekek

E keeay on the neewe 2018 macbook Pro

 

[537635]

I alredy settled on getting a second MBP when keyboard dies on this one (2018 15''). Then I'll just keep alternating the two devices.

So far for me Apple has replaced 4 topcases and an entire laptop in the end. If everybody keeps pushing for topcase replacements, eventually they will have to do something because of sheer $ amount. I am pretty sure 4 topcases alone ate all their profit for a single 2016 MBP.

 

[raqball]

So, I am buying a used, mint condition MBP today. I am on my 5th, yes 5th 2018 MBP (256 with TB). I got the 5th computer on Wed. and today the E key started repeating. For me, it always starts with the E key.
There is NO WAY that this is just happening to the few of us here. I am so dismayed that Apple refuses to fix this issue. I fixed typos above but below is a sample from this AM. Please, be very aware if you buy any new Macbook (they now all have this keyboard) that they fail.

ekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekekeekeekekekeekekekekeekekeekekekekeekeke
ekeekekeekekekekekekeekekekekekekekekekeekeekeekekekekeekekekeekekekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekek

elelelelelelelelelelelekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekeekekeekeekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekeekeekeeekeekeekeekekkekekekekeekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekekek

E keeay on the neewe 2018 macbook Pro

I didn't have much faith that Apple fixed the issues with the 3rd gen so I just bought a 2017 nTB.. At least with it, I get 4 years of KB warranty.. I wonder if Apple will also be forced, at some point, to offer the same on the gen 3 KB's?

 

[SDColorado]

I didn't have much faith that Apple fixed the issues with the 3rd gen so I just bought a 2017 nTB.. At least with it, I get 4 years of KB warranty.. I wonder if Apple will also be forced, at some point, to offer the same on the gen 3 KB's?

With the number of people who have reported issues with one or more of these Gen 3 Keyboard... if I had a Magic 8 Ball I think it would come up “Signs Point to Yes.”

 

[ebolo]

I have had to bring mine (maxed out version of 2018 15") twice to a local AASP for repairs. The letter "O" and the spacebar repeat themselves twice or more times with just a single keystroke, normal typing. The letter "O" has that issue consistently while the spacebar has it randomly.

The first time (whole last week), the AASP reset whatever it is per Apple's instructions (that's what they told me). And the problem still happened just after couple of days receiving it back. The second time has been for 4 days without response yet.

I'm out of business for 2 weeks now and I don't know what to do about it (suing them is not an option for me lol, because I'm living in one of those third-world countries atm).

TLDR, they didn't fix their keyboard problems with that condom.

I have an update regarding to this issue.

First, I want to recap the story of my repair. It took me 5 weeks with the AASP to have the whole top case replaced! Thankfully, Apple helped me to have words to the AASP to let me keep my laptop for the last 2 weeks while waiting for the part (the top case) to come.

However, after replacing the whole top case, the issue returned after just a week :|. This time, it happens only with the space bar key. Tomorrow, I'm going to bring mine to the AASP again. This time, Apple told me that they assigned a senior advisor to follow my case along with the AASP tightly. Let's see how it goes. I'm too tired with these traveling and time wasting that has prevented me to have my work done. I'm kinda regret buying this laptop now, especially when I bought the maxed-out one.

As you can see, there are several double spaces within this post. I don't even care to correct them anymore, too many of them to correct!

Edit: seems like MacRumours auto corrected my double spaces when display the post publicly. How convenient!

 

[maxgts]

The problem is the replacement doesn’t fix the problem. They’re replacing the poorly designed faulty keyboard with a new poorly designed keyboard. It’s just a matter of time before the replacement also fails.

 

[navaira]

So, I am buying a used, mint condition MBP today. I am on my 5th, yes 5th 2018 MBP (256 with TB). I got the 5th computer on Wed. and today the E key started repeating. For me, it always starts with the E key.

Same with me if I recall correctly. The last one for sure E key, then space, then I got a Yoga c930.

I miss the feel of the keyboard a lot though. Curious how it will work in new Airs. Not that their prices make me want one...

 

[stratokaster]

Why is it always the E key? Is it located on top of some particularly hot component, like the CPU, for example?

 

[navaira]

Why is it always the E key? Is it located on top of some particularly hot component, like the CPU, for example?

I also wondered, but couldn't figure it out.

At this point they should do a recall before more and more faulty units are produced IMO.

 

[SDColorado]

I also wondered, but couldn't figure it out.

At this point they should do a recall before more and more faulty units are produced IMO.

That is an interesting question being raised. The troublesome keys I had were also right in that area E,S,R,D. I also had a sticky 8 key, but that was the only sticky key and probably unrelated to the issue with the others.

Edit: If they do a recall/repair program, I am betting it won't be until after the holiday sales period and into the new year.

 

[raqball]

How many KB replacements does it take before they give you a new machine or a refund offer?

 

[537635]

It was 4 for me.

 

[navaira]

The reseller store I used was happy to continue replacing them for me indefinitely, I think. I just gave up after four and bought the Yoga C930 instead.

I have a strange feeling like there are actually not so many of us that have problems with those keyboards, but once one of us gets this problem we can go through the entire stock and not find one that actually works 100% for longer than two weeks. Or do most people just grind their teeth, install Unshaky, blame themselves for the typos or slam the keys harder in the "you're typing on it wrong" way?

 

[SDColorado]

The reseller store I used was happy to continue replacing them for me indefinitely, I think. I just gave up after four and bought the Yoga C930 instead.

I have a strange feeling like there are actually not so many of us that have problems with those keyboards, but once one of us gets this problem we can go through the entire stock and not find one that actually works 100% for longer than two weeks. Or do most people just grind their teeth, install Unshaky, blame themselves for the typos or slam the keys harder in the "you're typing on it wrong" way?

Your blowing on it wrong. You let a crumb get in there and you aren't holding it the correct way and using the proper motion when blowing it out. It's all your fault!

Don't deny your experiences, the keyboard is a mess

 

[Falhófnir]

How many KB replacements does it take before they give you a new machine or a refund offer?

Considering a keyboard replacement is a whole new top case (so practically the entire computer anyway!) I don't think it's going to make a lot of difference which they offer you...

 

[raqball]

Considering a keyboard replacement is a whole new top case (so practically the entire computer anyway!) I don't think it's going to make a lot of difference which they offer you...

Not at all what I asked..................... But thanks for your .02

 

[Falhófnir]

Not at all what I asked..................... But thanks for your .02

Well, between a new computer and a top case replacement, the only difference is you get a new screen with the new computer. Considering we're talking about the keyboard here, if you get 3 top case replacements and all of them result in you getting a dodgy KB, then it's very unlikely effectively a 4th top case replacement that happens to also come with a screen replacement will yield a different result. It's not a matter of me giving my opinion, it's pointing out there is literally no reason there would be any difference as far as this thread is concerned.

 

[raqball]

Well, between a new computer and a top case replacement, the only difference is you get a new screen with the new computer. Considering we're talking about the keyboard here, if you get 3 top case replacements and all of them result in you getting a dodgy KB, then it's very unlikely effectively a 4th top case replacement that happens to also come with a screen replacement will yield a different result. It's not a matter of me giving my opinion, it's pointing out there is literally no reason there would be any difference as far as this thread is concerned.

Okay, if you say so it must be true [/s] but still NOT what I asked........

 

[8SlaiN8]

With the number of people who have reported issues with one or more of these Gen 3 Keyboard... if I had a Magic 8 Ball I think it would come up “Signs Point to Yes.”

Now i'm here with you guys as well
was quite good for the first 2 months, now starting to get double strikes here and there. still, not really severe, but I'd expect it to get worse with time...
dammit

 

[scrappygolucky]

Have there been any rumors about improving the keyboard for say 4th gen? I want to get a macbook but I do a ton of typing and I don't want to be stuck with something that drives me crazy.

I can wait up to six months.... maybe they'll update the Macbook 12 inch?

 

[537635]

Not at all what I asked..................... But thanks for your .02

Just tell them why you asked .

After 3-4 topcase replacements:

1. The computer has been disassembled and reassembled that many times. They scratch the case, they scratch the display (at least in my case), misalign the hinge so it creeks. As everybody most probably knows by now - Apple devices are not meant to be opened and fixed. A new device will remedy all of that.
2. Enough time will have elapsed that there will be a newer model out, most probably with a revised keyboard (which unfortunately is still garbage).

 

[navaira]

Have there been any rumors about improving the keyboard for say 4th gen? I want to get a macbook but I do a ton of typing and I don't want to be stuck with something that drives me crazy.

I can wait up to six months.... maybe they'll update the Macbook 12 inch?

They just released Airs with 3rd gen and the Apple person who called me actually said "but our engineers said it will be fine now!" so I'd assume not yet...

 

[interessiert]

Have there been any rumors about improving the keyboard for say 4th gen? I want to get a macbook but I do a ton of typing and I don't want to be stuck with something that drives me crazy.

You're right with this intention, because most important is our workflow without obstacles...

I can wait up to six months.... maybe they'll update the Macbook 12 inch?

If you are venturesome then take the MB 2018 and keep it away from any dust and dirt – but be aware there have been a lot of failures not caused by dirt (reason has not been cleared up to now, maybe signal/contact problems). If you decide to buy, then wait anyway, because a chip update is probably coming soon (but when?).

We bought in August the Mac Book Air 2017 i7 with 512GB, because we realized that Apple will keep the butterfly keyboard 3rd gen. (too slow for a quick redesign and too obvious with big consequences to the other MB and MBP 2018).

Works perfect with a soft keyboard and besides a good pricing!

It's a bit heavier than MB but no problems in sight

The turn is on Apple to make a redesign on the whole laptop row – when? Depends on how serious they are...

 

[Falhófnir]

You're right with this intention, because most important is our workflow without obstacles...


If you are venturesome then take the MB 2018 and keep it away from any dust and dirt – but be aware there have been a lot of failures not caused by dirt (reason has not been cleared up to now, maybe signal/contact problems). If you decide to buy, then wait anyway, because a chip update is probably coming soon (but when?).

We bought in August the Mac Book Air 2017 i7 with 512GB, because we realized that Apple will keep the butterfly keyboard 3rd gen. (too slow for a quick redesign and too obvious with big consequences to the other MB and MBP 2018).

Works perfect with a soft keyboard and besides a good pricing!

It's a bit heavier than MB but no problems in sight

The turn is on Apple to make a redesign on the whole laptop row – when? Depends on how serious they are...

I just can’t see that they don’t eventually dump the butterfly keyboard - it must be costing them a fortune, both in replacements and goodwill! With the 2020 redesign of the MacBook Pro I see them going one of two ways - a ground up redesign of the keyboard that’s called ‘gen 4 butterfly’ or similar to save face, or they go to a touchscreen design with haptic feedback. The former would be the best way out of this for everyone, but I unfortunately feel the latter is more likely