Has anyone had any keyboard issues with the MacBook Air 2018?

[turbineseaplane]

Just coming back to say I officially retract every positive thing I said about this keyboard. You guys told me so, and here I am with a little egg on my face....

No egg...and super props to you for circling back and being so honest about it all.
It takes a big person to do that - very impressive.

I have no doubt there are ample “former butterfly evangelists” on the forum who got burned but were too small to come back and admit the truth. It’s a flawed design that will likely bite, it’s just usually a matter of “when” and not so much “if”.

 

[sracer]

Just coming back to say I officially retract every positive thing I said about this keyboard. You guys told me so, and here I am with a little egg on my face....

Spacebar and shift keys are getting wonky. Sometimes they double press in response, sometimes they don't respond. And my local AASP just shut down their entire Apple service department because of untenable terms. Not terribly thrilled rn... if Apple is going to dump off in quality like this (while screwing independent AASPs) and Windows is still going to be Windows underneath, I'm not real sure where to go other than ChromeOS or Linux. Today it's the keyboard that sucks; what will it be tomorrow?

Wow. Sorry to hear that you are now experiencing that issue. As @turbineseaplane said, no egg on your face... I re-read your posts in this thread and you were reasonably optimistic without denigrating those who said that the keyboard is flawed. Reasonable people can reasonably disagree.

I don't know what the specs were of your old 2017 MBA, but this 2017 i7/8GB/128GB MBA that I recently bought is quite the little workhorse. It has allowed me to press pause on my exodus from Appleland. I already have a PixelBook, a Windows notebook (that I "locked down" to prevent the Win10 nonsense from disrupting my work), and another notebook that I wiped and installed (Peppermint) Linux on. As much as I enjoy Chrome OS, if I had to replace my MBA today, it would be a Linux notebook. Peppermint has baked-in support for web apps that allows it to act like a chromebook in some respects... basically the best of both worlds.

What are your options with this new MBA? Can you return it?

 

[DJLC]

What are your options with this new MBA? Can you return it?

I'll have to check out Peppermint! That sounds neat...

Ultimately since this was purchased and is owned by my employer, I'll go the AASP route to get it repaired first. Should that fail, I'll try the "iMessage our Apple Education rep until he gets sick of me and trades it out" route. Already way out of the return period, but I've got AppleCare...

 

[Mainsail]

Unless Apple comes up with a permanent fix to this keyboard fiasco in the next year or so, I will probably replace my 2014 MBA with a 2017 MBA. I can probably get one on sale for less than $800. That should buy me 4 years or more. If Apple can't figure this out in the next 5 years, then it will be time to move on.

It's just such a shame. This 2014 MBA is such a wonderful machine.....so reliable. I love the integration between my iPhone and MBA. I love the Apple ecosystem and MacOS. I am trying to stick with Apple, but they aren't making it easy.

 

[Cassady]

What good is the software if the hardware is unreliable? And you're paying a premium for that hardware? And depending upon what specific software is being used, switching OSes isn't a hardship. What software do you use that is a must have that doesn't exist for Windows?

Of course - depending on the use-case, switching could be easy. If you only use your laptop for basic document editing, or web based activity, or emailing through G-Suite or MS Office related applications etc., then one would presumably be fine switching as one saw fit - and effectively follow the hardware. But surely that’s a pretty significant caveat? And it’s hardly ever mentioned in these types of reviews, hence my post.

As for software, it’s far more than that. The level of integration between efficiency enabling applications and the core of macOS is simply unparalleled. Windows is light years behind. I spent close-on 25 years in Windows, and only 7-odd in OSX/macOS, and there is no comparison. So I cannot make a switch based on hardware alone, which means I am staying away from upgrading my laptop until Apple sorts this out properly.

 

[DJLC]

As for software, it’s far more than that. The level of integration between efficiency enabling applications and the core of macOS is simply unparalleled. Windows is light years behind. I spent close-on 25 years in Windows, and only 7-odd in OSX/macOS, and there is no comparison. So I cannot make a switch based on hardware alone, which means I am staying away from upgrading my laptop until Apple sorts this out properly.

Most of my Bachelor's degree was about Windows administration. I know Windows very well. And with that knowledge in hand, I have absolutely zero desire to use it ever. You hit the nail on the head — Windows 10 is really pretty and all, but it's still light years behind — it's still Windows underneath. IMO the future is on the web, and Google is really hitting it with ChromeOS.

Small update: Apple Support had me reset the SMC, which actually DID help a little. We'll see how it goes... I made it through the whole post without a messed up space!

 

[ryan mark]

Unshaky app worked for me. I was sceptical but went ahead and installed. 2 days in and all my issues have been resolved. My keyboard started repeating 'e' and that problem moved onto the a and o keys, and sometimes the space bar would double space. Installed Unshaky and followed the short tutorial youtube vid and it worked instantly. Would recommend to anyone having similar issues. It also shows you how many times it blocks double presses.

 

[Scriabin]

Unshaky app worked for me. I was sceptical but went ahead and installed. 2 days in and all my issues have been resolved. My keyboard started repeating 'e' and that problem moved onto the a and o keys, and sometimes the space bar would double space. Installed Unshaky and followed the short tutorial youtube vid and it worked instantly. Would recommend to anyone having similar issues. It also shows you how many times it blocks double presses.

[doublepost=1553735938][/doublepost]Just to reply to original thread--my 2018 MacBook Air has already had its keyboard replaced due to a completely jammed spacebar. The spacebar became unusable. (This is after TWO keyboard replacements in one year for my 12" MacBook). The biggest inconvenience is having to erase all the data, backing it up, setting up an appointment, driving to the apple store, being without a computer 3-4 days, and then reloading all resettings. All told, a total loss of many hours of valuable time. There was no apology, or replacement machine during that time.

Being a dedicated apple user, this is really unacceptable quality control and design from my vantage point.

 

[DJLC]

Update: I did email our Apple Education rep., essentially along the lines of, "we love macOS as an organization, but what are we supposed to do if the entire product line has bum keyboards now?" And of course they can't give an official Apple response, but I got the impression this wasn't the first time they got this feedback...

They suggested I put a note in to the product team, which I did here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/. The SMC reset still seems to have helped; I'm still having some issues, but they're not nearly as bad as they were. I'll end up shipping it off for repair at some point I'm sure... Just glad we only own ONE of these vs. the 120 or so 2012-2017 MacBook Airs we have. We'll stick with the 2017 model as long as it remains available; after that, we'll probably be talking about moving to ChromeOS if Apple hasn't resolved this by the time we need to refresh.

 

[ryan mark]

Update: I did email our Apple Education rep., essentially along the lines of, "we love macOS as an organization, but what are we supposed to do if the entire product line has bum keyboards now?" And of course they can't give an official Apple response, but I got the impression this wasn't the first time they got this feedback...

They suggested I put a note in to the product team, which I did here: https://www.apple.com/feedback/. The SMC reset still seems to have helped; I'm still having some issues, but they're not nearly as bad as they were. I'll end up shipping it off for repair at some point I'm sure... Just glad we only own ONE of these vs. the 120 or so 2012-2017 MacBook Airs we have. We'll stick with the 2017 model as long as it remains available; after that, we'll probably be talking about moving to ChromeOS if Apple hasn't resolved this by the time we need to refresh.

Have you tried the Unshaky app? I had key repeat issues, installed this app (was skeptical) and it completely resolved my issues...

 

[Corsig]

I'm so glad I saw this thread. I absolutely can't type on this MBA. My last one was perfect this one is so impossible. It's one typo after another. I hate it.

 

[DJLC]

Have you tried the Unshaky app? I had key repeat issues, installed this app (was skeptical) and it completely resolved my issues...

Just installed it! Thanks for the tip. I'm hopeful... .

Did you set every key to 40ms as suggested, or have you found different settings that work better?

 

[ryan mark]

Just installed it! Thanks for the tip. I'm hopeful... .

Did you set every key to 40ms as suggested, or have you found different settings that work better?

I was really skeptical to begin with... thought it wouldn't work (as I thought it might've been a hardware problem), but it solved my issue completely. I didn't set every key to 40ms, just the keys that have been double typing: A, O, R and spacebar so far. I did set my E key to 45 though.. as this key was double typing the most.

I really hope it works for you too!

 

[Horney]

My keyboard issues have returned after about month after apple cleaned the keyboard. I've downloaded the unshaky app and so far so good!

I'll still be putting mine in for repair though as it's my daily work machine and I need to work properly and bloody well should do for the amount of money it cost me (Bring your own device policy at work).

 

[ryan mark]

My keyboard issues have returned after about month after apple cleaned the keyboard. I've downloaded the unshaky app and so far so good!

I'll still be putting mine in for repair though as it's my daily work machine and I need to work properly and bloody well should do for the amount of money it cost me (Bring your own device policy at work).

If Unshaky works - working brilliantly for me! - then does this point to an issue with the software rather than a fault with the hardware? It would be interesting to see if other people have similar positive results from using it... might help Apple solve the issue!

 

[dagored]

If Unshaky works - working brilliantly for me! - then does this point to an issue with the software rather than a fault with the hardware? It would be interesting to see if other people have similar positive results from using it... might help Apple solve the issue!

Someone in another thread raised the question of heat. Are the people having problems also running intensive heat generating apps?

A design flaw in the machine itself. You know, too thin.

 

[ryan mark]

Someone in another thread raised the question of heat. Are the people having problems also running intensive heat generating apps?

A design flaw in the machine itself. You know, too thin.

I did notice that the laptop can heat up on occasion. I use mine for a lot of word processing mainly - but since installing Unshaky I have no problems with repeating keys, even when the laptop does become warm. I have noticed that when the laptop does begin to heat up, the fan kicks into action and cools it down – I don't usually hear it otherwise.

 

[DJLC]

Anyone else note that installing Unshaky + setting the spacebar to 40ms causes Cmd-Space to stop working to summon spotlight?

I'm between a rock and a hard place! I can either use the shortcut I've used for a decade, or I can have a working keyboard. Someone shoot me.

 

[auxbuss]

I'm curious: What are folk running to make the fan kick in? (Excluding video rendering.)

I've only heard the fan once, which was during the first macOS update. The thing barely gets warm here.

 

[ryan mark]

Anyone else note that installing Unshaky + setting the spacebar to 40ms causes Cmd-Space to stop working to summon spotlight?

I'm between a rock and a hard place! I can either use the shortcut I've used for a decade, or I can have a working keyboard. Someone shoot me.

I can still summon spotlight with cmd-space so I don't think it's Unshaky. Have you tried both command buttons?

How is Unshaky working for you so far?

 

[BuCkDoG]

My keyboard has been perfectly fine so I have gotten the machine without any issues.

 

[Horney]

I can still summon spotlight with cmd-space so I don't think it's Unshaky. Have you tried both command buttons?

How is Unshaky working for you so far?

Just tried this and I also can no longer do command + Space for spotlight

 

[ryan mark]

I know it's not ideal, but have you tried changing the shortcut command? So you could have it as Command+s instead? Or does it need to be command+space?
[doublepost=1554381126][/doublepost]

Anyone else note that installing Unshaky + setting the spacebar to 40ms causes Cmd-Space to stop working to summon spotlight?

I'm between a rock and a hard place! I can either use the shortcut I've used for a decade, or I can have a working keyboard. Someone shoot me.

See my post above - not ideal but it could be a work around?
[doublepost=1554381497][/doublepost]

Just tried this and I also can no longer do command + Space for spotlight

See my post above - could that work instead?

 

[joeswamp]

My wife just started a new job and was issued a 2017 MacBook Air (the one with the old keyboard). The IT guy said that they've had so many problems with the new keyboards that they've switched to the old machines.

 

[DJLC]

Will experiment with a different shortcut... but tbh, if I have to learn new shortcuts, I'm just going to switch to something else.

We're discussing internally where we want to go as a company / institution. But I'll tell ya this: I'm not ordering 60+ new MacBooks for our employees if the keyboards don't work. Apple has 1-2 years tops to fix this before my hand is forced.