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Had to Replace Entire Keyboard

whodatrr said:
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.
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This is a matter of design though, not something breaking outside the standard warranty period.
 
I had to get mine warrantied about a month ago since one side the spacebar no longer clicked (you could still get it to activate, but it didn't spring back after pressing it, zero click). Genius bar representative didn't even bother inspecting it himself, and had full keyboard and top replaced. During diagnostic before returning it to me that also found that the speaker assembly was broken, I think a problem with the speaker wire according to the repair description they included. Thus, the speakers were replaced as well. Hopefully this is a one-off thing and issues don't crop up again in a few months.
 
So the guy at the Apple Store said there were crumbs in the keyboard. I'm not sure I believe this. Not only is the gap between the keys and the metal top super tight on these machines, but I eat a super limited diet of green vegetables. I don't eat food that would make crumbs that could get in here. Plus I'm super careful when I'm eating around the machine anyway. Further, he said they shook out a bunch of crumbs, but I know this isn't true because I tried doing the same to see if any debris was inside the machine.

I had been asking them what Apple would do if the keyboard goes a third time, if they would replace this with a different kind of MacBook. They told me that they would only replace it with the same machine. When I asked them how this would solve the problem if it was a design problem with this machine, the person looked nervous and didn't know what to do. When he came from the back with the computer he had a convenient story about crumbs.

Anyway, they're replacing the top again, but I don't know what will happen if it needs replacing again. I almost want to sell it and just buy a pro (which I probably should have done in the first place).
 
sasha.danielle said:
So the guy at the Apple Store said there were crumbs in the keyboard. I'm not sure I believe this. Not only is the gap between the keys and the metal top super tight on these machines, but I eat a super limited diet of green vegetables. I don't eat food that would make crumbs that could get in here. Plus I'm super careful when I'm eating around the machine anyway. Further, he said they shook out a bunch of crumbs, but I know this isn't true because I tried doing the same to see if any debris was inside the machine.

I had been asking them what Apple would do if the keyboard goes a third time, if they would replace this with a different kind of MacBook. They told me that they would only replace it with the same machine. When I asked them how this would solve the problem if it was a design problem with this machine, the person looked nervous and didn't know what to do. When he came from the back with the computer he had a convenient story about crumbs.

Anyway, they're replacing the top again, but I don't know what will happen if it needs replacing again. I almost want to sell it and just buy a pro (which I probably should have done in the first place).
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I went through three rMB's which needed keyboards replaced. Finally on the third one they just gave me a 13" Pro instead.
 
matt2053 said:
I went through three rMB's which needed keyboards replaced. Finally on the third one they just gave me a 13" Pro instead.
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I hope they do the same for me. I have no confidence in this machine.

Did you ask them to our did they just do it?
 
matt2053 said:
I went through three rMB's which needed keyboards replaced. Finally on the third one they just gave me a 13" Pro instead.
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Wow, really that's disheartening. Did all three suffer from the same issue?
 
I will say applecare is a must for a first generation machine. I am very happy with my second one (been going strong for months now), but the first one did have a faulty keyboard. I have had great experience with getting applecare on macs. They will either fix the problem or give you a new machine. You may get lucky and get a new 2nd generation machine if it comes to that point. Either way, apple will take care of you based on my experience and many others.
 
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I agree about AppleCare being a must for a gen 1 product, but I also think it's no way to compensate for a product that you know is going to fail.
 
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sasha.danielle said:
I agree about AppleCare being a must for a gen 1 product, but I also think it's no way to compensate for a product that you know is going to fail.
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I definitely will not argue that point. I also love the laptop. It is my favorite mac I have owned, and I have had at least 6.
 
Me too! That's what frustrates me so much. As a writer, this machine is *perfect* for my usage, except that it keeps breaking...
 
Couple months ago I was so excited to get my new MacBook. Hunted one down when they were hard to find in stores...and the first one had a terrible delete key right out of the box. That one key had totally different feedback than any other key.

So same day I take it in for a replacement, and my second laptop also exhibits less than ideal key feedback on 3 keys (though none were nearly as bad as the first MacBook). After a few days, I decided this must be an gen-1 issue since I'd seen posts on these forums as well about the same issue.

I really liked the MacBook a lot (especially space gray), but I decided since the keyboards seemed faulty and likely to fail, and with Skylake only a few months away hopefully, I decided I'll get one next gen around. Hopefully they have corrected these keyboard issues, otherwise I might just look at another Mac option. They have to know there's an issue based on all the returns and repairs they've already had to do; hopefully Apple isn't too proud to admit a mistake and will reconcile this very serious issue with the main input on the device.
 
im starting to worry about the keyboard... im finding my left command key not so responsive...
i really love the machine.... i returned my air 11 for this... i still have 11 days to decide ill keep it or just return again.....

im doing a lot of keyboard activity on this... coz im typing and gaming .. thats why i bought this machine....
 
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