Had to Replace Entire Keyboard

[sasha.danielle]

I had so many keys go spongey or dead on me -- especially oft hit ones like "delete", "enter", "shift", "space" and a couple letters.

I had to pull the cap off delete just to be able to write on the thing until I could bring it into the Apple Store. Let me tell you, the mechanism underneath is sub-par. It's a bendy plastic hinge and I can guarantee you there will be lots of problems with these keyboards. This is so disappointing.

Apple of course is replacing the keyboard, but on a three month old machine, this is preposterous. Even in good repair, the keyboard is lacking I feel. I liked it at first (I actually love the idea of keys with a small throw), but I have way too many misses on this keyboard.

I might have to think about trading in for a MBP in the spring..l

 

[ctyrider]

The OP is making a valid point. The "A" key just failed on me in the middle of an overseas business trip - the key works but it doesn't travel and it takes an extra hard press to use it. This makes typing on this keyboard an exercise in frustration.

The unreliable keyboards on rMB is concerning.

 

[polee]

This does not sound good. Worrisome!

 

[fanta88]

I really hope mine doesn't fail. I noticed a number of posts on the discussion boards at Apple.com mentioning key failure...after I had purchased my rMB of course. It does make me wonder whether the butterfly mechanism has been tested -- I just assumed it had.

Definitely something to watch.

 

[sasha.danielle]

Just go my MacBook back from the Apple Store! They replaced the entire top -- keyboard, trackpad & battery. This keyboard feels WAY better than my machine did out-of-the-box. This is the keyboard I was expecting in the first place. It's a dream. Hopefully it holds up. *fingers crossed*

If it does hold up, I think either my keyboard was a dud, or Apple saw a problem and made a replacement part that is far superior to the stock part.

My recommendation, if you're having trouble with your keys, see if you can get the whole keyboard replaced. The fact that I had many keys that were problematic seemed to make getting a full keyboard replacement easier. If they have made a replacement keyboard that's better than the out-of-the-box keyboard, then getting the keyboard replaced seems to make even more sense than getting the full machine replaced.

 

[polee]

Just go my MacBook back from the Apple Store! They replaced the entire top -- keyboard, trackpad & battery. This keyboard feels WAY better than my machine did out-of-the-box. This is the keyboard I was expecting in the first place. It's a dream. Hopefully it holds up. *fingers crossed*

If it does hold up, I think either my keyboard was a dud, or Apple saw a problem and made a replacement part that is far superior to the stock part.

My recommendation, if you're having trouble with your keys, see if you can get the whole keyboard replaced. The fact that I had many keys that were problematic seemed to make getting a full keyboard replacement easier. If they have made a replacement keyboard that's better than the out-of-the-box keyboard, then getting the keyboard replaced seems to make even more sense than getting the full machine replaced.

Good to know that you have gotten your keyboard replaced. May I know what is the full charge capacity (mAh) of your new battery? Thank you.

 

[mleok]

I find that minimal key travel means that the Macbook keyboard is extremely sensitive to even minute amounts of debris. I've had a few keys feel stuck, and I've often been able to recover functionality by sliding a piece of paper around the edge of the stuck key.

 

[sasha.danielle]

Good to know that you have gotten your keyboard replaced. May I know what is the full charge capacity (mAh) of your new battery? Thank you.

Where do I find that?

 

[polee]

Where do I find that?

Go to About this Mac. Then click System Report. Then click Power. If it is too much of a bother, it's okay. Not necessary to do it. Was just curious. Thank you.

 

[sasha.danielle]

My delete key on the replacement keyboard is already failing. This thing is getting sold.

 

[Max(IT)]

Wow, I usually keep my Mac for years (3 or more), and never saw a failing keyboard. Not a single one since 1989.
They've changed the mechanism on this new model. Maybe there's something wrong...

 

[maflynn]

My delete key on the replacement keyboard is already failing. This thing is getting sold.

I've seen a number of threads about the keyboard having various issues. This certainly gives me pause. Hopefully once it's repaired you'll not have any other issue

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I really hope mine doesn't fail. I noticed a number of posts on the discussion boards at Apple.com mentioning key failure...after I had purchased my rMB of course. It does make me wonder whether the butterfly mechanism has been tested -- I just assumed it had.

Well, you don't really think they just drew some schematics on paper, and then sent it of for production, do you?

No matter how much they test them, it won't ever compare with a full roll out where they produce millions of these keyboards.

But it is general common knowledge never to buy a generation 1 Apple product, exactly because of issues.. 8)

 

[sasha.danielle]

Well, you don't really think they just drew some schematics on paper, and then sent it of for production, do you?

No matter how much they test them, it won't ever compare with a full roll out where they produce millions of these keyboards.

But it is general common knowledge never to buy a generation 1 Apple product, exactly because of issues.. 8)

This is a bad argument. It's the consumer's fault for buying a gen 1 product? It's clearly Apple for putting a faulty product up for sale.

I've pulled the cap off a key to look at the mechanism (I don't recommend this, btw, because the clips break readily). But the mechanism inside is a single piece of plastic on either side of the key, which bends. There's no joint with a spring. It's simply a piece of plastic that will inevitably wear out the more times you use it.

I think it was the ifixit write up expressed uneasiness about it as well.

 

[Max(IT)]

Well, you don't really think they just drew some schematics on paper, and then sent it of for production, do you?

No matter how much they test them, it won't ever compare with a full roll out where they produce millions of these keyboards.

But it is general common knowledge never to buy a generation 1 Apple product, exactly because of issues.. 8)

I agree. That's the reason I bought a MBA in 2010, I skipped the Apple Watch and I recently opted for a 13" MBP instead of the more appealing 12" MB....

There are Apple products that you have to buy at "gen 1", like an iPhone (if you wish to buy one every year), but even in this case I usually wait 3-4 months after the launch before buying.

This is a bad argument. It's the consumer's fault for buying a gen 1 product? It's clearly Apple for putting a faulty product up for sale.

I've pulled the cap off a key to look at the mechanism (I don't recommend this, btw, because the clips break readily). But the mechanism inside is a single piece of plastic on either side of the key, which bends. There's no joint with a spring. It's simply a piece of plastic that will inevitably wear out the more times you use it.

I think it was the ifixit write up expressed uneasiness about it as well.

It's not customer's fault. It's Apple fault (if any), and you are "protected" by a warranty (especially here in Europe is 2 years) and a good customer care.
I'm always buying AppleCare with my Macs, to have them covered for 3 years.

 

[maflynn]

This is a bad argument. It's the consumer's fault for buying a gen 1 product? It's clearly Apple for putting a faulty product up for sale.

No its not the consumers fault and in a sense it isn't Apple's either. They can only do so much testing to ensure that it works as designed, but nothing compares to a full roll out and the keyboard is getting used extensively. I know that doesn't help you, but regardless of the manufacturer consumers need to be cautious about any gen 1 product

 

[sasha.danielle]

No its not the consumers fault and in a sense it isn't Apple's either. They can only do so much testing to ensure that it works as designed, but nothing compares to a full roll out and the keyboard is getting used extensively. I know that doesn't help you, but regardless of the manufacturer consumers need to be cautious about any gen 1 product

It's a plastic hinge that works by bending. Anyone can see how cheap that design is. It is def Apple's fault. My spacebar is totally busted now. I'm going lose a third day of work driving this POS into the nearest city to get it fixed.

 

[Max(IT)]

It's a plastic hinge that works by bending. Anyone can see how cheap that design is. It is def Apple's fault. My spacebar is totally busted now. I'm going lose a third day of work driving this POS into the nearest city to get it fixed.

Do you think Apple did purposely use a defective design in their product ? Do you knew how much it costs to them servicing your unit multiple time ?
It is not cheap by any means. Bad design ? We are going to discover in a while ...

 

[maflynn]

It's a plastic hinge that works by bending. Anyone can see how cheap that design is

Bummers man. Sorry that you're dealing with the problem. I've seen other people complain about the keyboard as I mentioned. While playing with it in the apple store it seemed solid enough but I guess the true test comes with usage.

 

[polee]

Do you think Apple did purposely use a defective design in their product ? Do you knew how much it costs to them servicing your unit multiple time ?
It is not cheap by any means. Bad design ? We are going to discover in a while ...

From the video on their website, I had the impression that a lot of thought has been put into the design of the keyboard and the macbook 2015 as a whole. This information comes across as disappointing. I have a macbook 2015 and hope that the keyboard will be solid enough to take a few hard knocks.

 

[maflynn]

This information comes across as disappointing. I have a macbook 2015 and hope that the keyboard will be solid enough to take a few hard knocks.

Disconcerting to be sure, especially since this design is being used in the iPad Pro's type cover. I think time will help uncover whether this is isolated or systemic.

FWIW, after playing with the MacBook in the stores, I keep getting tempted by it, but I'd have to sell my SP3 to justify its purchase - even then, I'm hoping to buy a 5K iMac later next year, so its hard to spend money on two computers in quick succession.

 

[Max(IT)]

From the video on their website, I had the impression that a lot of thought has been put into the design of the keyboard and the macbook 2015 as a whole. This information comes across as disappointing. I have a macbook 2015 and hope that the keyboard will be solid enough to take a few hard knocks.

I was tempted to buy one, before choosing a MacBook Pro, so I played with it for a while at several stores. The keyboard are a little bit hard , but overall I like it and I used it without a single miss. As of its durability we can't really say at this point.

 

[sasha.danielle]

I was tempted to buy one, before choosing a MacBook Pro, so I played with it for a while at several stores. The keyboard are a little bit hard , but overall I like it and I used it without a single miss. As of its durability we can't really say at this point.

When it works, the keyboard is perfect for me. I like it more than the pro.

Disconcerting to be sure, especially since this design is being used in the iPad Pro's type cover. I think time will help uncover whether this is isolated or systemic.

FWIW, after playing with the MacBook in the stores, I keep getting tempted by it, but I'd have to sell my SP3 to justify its purchase - even then, I'm hoping to buy a 5K iMac later next year, so its hard to spend money on two computers in quick succession.

My advice is to give it a generation. Hopefully any problems will be worked out and then you'll have enough money.

 

[whodatrr]

As someone who recently bought two of he new rMBs, threads like this always scare me a bit. But the look, feel, and surprising power of these things was too hard for me to ignore. Bought one for the woman, and then one for myself (she got tired of me stealing hers). So far, they've performed beyond our expectations.

Having said that, I tend to buy Applecare. This has paid for itself repeatedly, throughout the years. Yeah, it costs a bit, but I know that my keyboards, batts, etc will be solid for three years. Stuff breaks, it just happens.

Typing this on a late 2012 iMac 27 with a stand that just up and broke. Glad it's still covered under Applecare. Even fixing that thing would have cost a fortune.

 

[Max(IT)]

As someone who recently bought two of he new rMBs, threads like this always scare me a bit. But the look, feel, and surprising power of these things was too hard for me to ignore. Bought one for the woman, and then one for myself (she got tired of me stealing hers). So far, they've performed beyond our expectations.

Having said that, I tend to buy Applecare. This has paid for itself repeatedly, throughout the years. Yeah, it costs a bit, but I know that my keyboards, batts, etc will be solid for three years. Stuff breaks, it just happens.

Typing this on a late 2012 iMac 27 with a stand that just up and broke. Glad it's still covered under Applecare. Even fixing that thing would have cost a fortune.

I strongly agree about AppleCare, especially with first generation products. I can't remember the last Mac I bought without it