I wonder what are they going to say during the actual announcement? They absolutely MUST feature at least a few slides that clearly shows the new keyboard fixes without a doubt the issues the current one has, but what will be the typical apple spin to absolve themselves of their design crimes?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Gen 3 butterfly keyboard
- Thread starter Lastgreen
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I wonder what are they going to say during the actual announcement? They absolutely MUST feature at least a few slides that clearly shows the new keyboard fixes without a doubt the issues the current one has, but what will be the typical apple spin to absolve themselves of their design crimes?
They will probably have come up with a new design and spin it as "better than ever" they will talk about it for a while to make sure people know that the issue has been fixed. It's the reason that they are probably bringing he new design of the Macbook Pro forward to this year.
All this talk about keyboard problems is getting me worried. For the record - feedback from my 8 months using a 15" MBP - I have had no keyboard issues, or otherwise. I often eat when using my mbp and regularly flick or dab crumbs (with a moist finger) off my keyboard, and wipe off light food marks. So far I haven't noticed any problems.... im surprised I haven't had issues yet as im prime candidate <fingers crossed>...
My bet is touchscreen e-ink keyboard in the next model, resolving all dust issues, waterproof, featuring Apple Haptic Feedback Engine 2.0 SE+, making the laptop 0.08 mm thinner, base model i3/8 GB RAM/128 GB SSD.
I waited to post this until April 2, because I'm not joking.
I waited to post this until April 2, because I'm not joking.
Not every keyboard will be affected, but the number seems to be higher than I should be. Apple need to fix it, the only way to do that seems to be a complete redesign of the keyboard. I think Apple will release a new MacBook Pro later this year with a new design and keyboard.
I'm sure that some sort of glass keyboard with haptic is the future, but not for this revision and not in the MBP first. I'd say that's 5+ years off, but I do wonder if they'd considering something like that on the next major revision of the MacBook line, especially if it moved to ARM as well.
[doublepost=1554203629][/doublepost]They absolutely have to mention the keyboard as part of any new product launch, especially after the Wall Street Journal coverage on top of all the tech journalist coverage over the last couple of years.
There does seem to be no predictability about the keyboards though. I had issues with a 2018 Air, but I've recently picked up a 2017 MBP and am having zero problems at all with it.
They'll go OLED, not e-ink. E-ink isn't their style. The Touch Bar is indicative of (and a low stakes test) of what they want to do (with added haptic feedback with a full touch keyboard). This will allow them to charge even more. (I don't see this happening for 3-5 years, though.)
Guys, Does putting a keyboard cover upon purchasing a Macbook pro will resolve the keyboard problem?
I’m not sure it would, at this stage I don’t think we know what’s causing the problems. It was mentioned that it’s dust, but Apple put a membrane inside which doesn’t seem to have helped.
It probably helps if it doesn't invalidate AppleCare. (just kidding a day late)
You guys have me thinking of actually buying a 2018 as I use an external keyboard 90% of the time. But my 2014 and 2015 MBPs are so good and they do everything I need them to. Getting a 2018 would just be want/not need.
Very unlikely. It seems like heat expansion is responsible for some of the problems and a cover is only going to make it worse.
Sounds like you are docked most of the time. In that case, you should just continue to use your existing systems until their is some true need since things like better display, bright enough for outdoor viewing, smaller chassis would have less impact.
Last edited:
They could solve the problem by removing the keyboard and providing an external bluetooth keyboard. It would be a lot cheaper than the one they put in now as far as repairs go. Kind of like the original Compaq portable computer.
Never a fan of BT keyboards. I tried them with my iPad and desktop PC and in both cases, there were delays and occasionally missed keys. To fix this in the iPad I upgraded to an iPad Pro which has a physical connection (smart connector) for a keyboard.
I haven't had this problem with the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard. All of my others are wired keyboards. I'd guess that the Logitech dongle wireless keyboards are really good too. Things may improve when the keyboards and computers support Bluetooth 5.
I can only hope not, what a complete slap in the face that would be for people who actually use their mac to type things. I can also see a significant technological snag in getting the feedback to register in a fraction of a second and stop in time for the next stroke. We're talking the Taptic engine having to produce distinct feedback for several strokes per second for fast typists. It would have to detect your press, generate the feedback, and stop again in the fraction of a second your finger is in contact with the key.
They could put smaller multiple Taptic electromagnets in various locations. In fact they would probably need them for proper feedback because of the size of the device.
This whole situation is just ridiculous. The technology is out there to build a conventional keyboard that does not suck. Why can't one of the richest companies on the face of the earth get it right? Damn it Apple. I just had to vent because I bought a 2018 MBP BTO, over the holidays, with Applcare, and I'm literally afraid to break the factory seal. I saved for a long time, and I know I'll be really pissed if I start having the issues that are plaguing this machine. A friend of mine recently told me that he is having keyboard problems on his 2017 MBP - despite me asking several times before I purchased the 2018 model - thanks for letting me know... lol
Definitely I think they'd need at least one in each corner, but I think it's going to be tough to reliably generate feedback for a keystroke where your finger is only in contact with the surface for a fraction of a second - surely by the time you've activated the TE, your finger will be leaving to perform the next stroke? Maybe they could get around it with some clever predictive algorithms, but seems like an awful lot of effort and expense for something that's going to be divisive at best. Another instance of solving a problem that only exists because they made it exist. I also dread to think how much all that would further inflate prices!
Yep it's amazing they've engineered themselves into an artificial position like this that had no need to exist. The magic keyboard is almost as low profile and still manages to feel better and doesn't seem to have any issues like the butterfly designs have. It's definitely an issue when you feel the need to baby a machine rather than just using it, and that's a key reason I'm so loathe to part with such a chunk of cash for one. The thing for me is they are still really nice/ desirable machines otherwise, and part of me is always tempted to just jump in and take my chances it won't happen to me. But then that's not really something you should have to think about at any price point, let alone for such a premium product.
Its unacceptable that the issue has gone on for so long. And its beyond embarrassing that Apple has managed to make one of the most reliable components of the personal computer (since its inception), unreliable.
And I go back to.... their Magic Keyboards are brilliant and very reliable, so why did they not just put one of those in there?
And I go back to.... their Magic Keyboards are brilliant and very reliable, so why did they not just put one of those in there?
How recently?
(No sarcasm, it's just that this thread has multiple posts along the lines of "there are no keyboard problems – I've been using mine for six days and everything works fine".)
Because the magic keyboard isn't thin enough for Jony to shave with? Going for the absurd reasons as I'm out of rational ones.
You can buy 2017 models here, same as 2016 Macbooks – could be a refurb as well, etc.