How bad/widespread are these MBP problems?

[Yebubbleman]

I'm currently saving up for a new 13" MacBook Pro (frankly, I'm too displeased with the sacrifices Apple felt they had to make with the 15" model to feel like that machine would be worth saving that much more for).

There are a few known recurring problems with this current design generation that worry the crap out of me, or at least give me pause before I spend $2500+. They are:

1. The Keyboard losing effectiveness
2. Flexgate
3. The tendency of the USB-C connectors of the Thunderbolt 3 ports to weaken over time.

How prevalent are these issues?

For context, I will likely be taking this Mac with me often (pretty much anywhere I'd want to carry around a 12.9" iPad Pro) and only charging it when the battery gets to 50% or less.

How much should these issues give me pause before spending that kind of money?

[I'd opt to just buy the 2017 TouchBar-free 13" MacBook Pro (and save that much more money) were it not more likely to suffer all the more from these issues. And no, the 2018 MacBook Air doesn't interest me.]

 

[creativesmith]

No Flexgate— probably because this MacBook Pro is left open 99.99% of the time.

Yes— to keyboard and port problems. On this MacBook Pro, both have been replaced, yet the problems have returned. This unit has been returned to Apple three times for service. We wish they'd accept that this is a lemon, and issue us a replacement.

Disappointing and frustrating. And sad. Have lost enthusiasm for Apple hardware.

 

[Yebubbleman]

No Flexgate— probably because this MacBook Pro is left open 99.99% of the time.

Yes— to keyboard and port problems. On this MacBook Pro, both have been replaced, yet the problems have returned. This unit has been returned to Apple three times for service. We wish they'd accept that this is a lemon, and issue us a replacement.

Disappointing and frustrating. And sad. Have lost enthusiasm for Apple hardware.

Which generation/size is said MBP of yours?

 

[StuKatz1]

While the size is still anecdotal, on my side, out of 18 2016-2017 MacBook pros, 14 were either refunded under EU consumers law due to faulty keyboards, flexgate or both, or have had at least one repair under the keyboard service program.

 

[dstraigh]

I've stuck with my 2015 MacBook Pro and have no plans on buying a 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019 MBP. I need all the ports that my 2015 has and I especially need a functioning keyboard. I'm not convinced the 2019 MBP keyboard is any better - time will tell of course. But, even so, I'm not fond of the large trackpad (I'd rather not spend $6000 only to find out palm rejection is iffy). I also don't like the gimmicky TouchBar. I still love my 2015 MBP though - seems like things came together right with that model. If you do move forward with your 13" MBP be sure to get Apple care.

 

[jerryk]

Out of 45 or so 2018 15" MBPs in my daughter's group at work they have had zero returns for these issues since upgrading last summer. They did have a couple people trash them. One in a car wreck and one dropping it from a balcony.

 

[Pangalactic]

I'm currently saving up for a new 13" MacBook Pro (frankly, I'm too displeased with the sacrifices Apple felt they had to make with the 15" model to feel like that machine would be worth saving that much more for).

There are a few known recurring problems with this current design generation that worry the crap out of me, or at least give me pause before I spend $2500+. They are:

1. The Keyboard losing effectiveness
2. Flexgate
3. The tendency of the USB-C connectors of the Thunderbolt 3 ports to weaken over time.

How prevalent are these issues?

For context, I will likely be taking this Mac with me often (pretty much anywhere I'd want to carry around a 12.9" iPad Pro) and only charging it when the battery gets to 50% or less.

How much should these issues give me pause before spending that kind of money?

[I'd opt to just buy the 2017 TouchBar-free 13" MacBook Pro (and save that much more money) were it not more likely to suffer all the more from these issues. And no, the 2018 MacBook Air doesn't interest me.]

1. The keyboard losing effectiveness - and more specifically failing or stuck keys - has been a major problem throughout the history of this generation, and I personally doubt Apple has fixed it with its 4th(!) redesign attempt.

2. Haven’t heard anything about Flexgate with the new MBPs, they seem to be pretty solid

3. Yes, but it’s not just the MacBooks. For example, my galaxy s9 got a very loose port by the end of its lifecycle, so that I event couldn’t charge it without forcefully holding the cable in my hand.

Honestly, I would put my money elsewhere. I don’t think it’s worth having all these risks for $2500.

 

[DougFNJ]

I'm currently saving up for a new 13" MacBook Pro (frankly, I'm too displeased with the sacrifices Apple felt they had to make with the 15" model to feel like that machine would be worth saving that much more for).

There are a few known recurring problems with this current design generation that worry the crap out of me, or at least give me pause before I spend $2500+. They are:

1. The Keyboard losing effectiveness
2. Flexgate
3. The tendency of the USB-C connectors of the Thunderbolt 3 ports to weaken over time.

How prevalent are these issues?

For context, I will likely be taking this Mac with me often (pretty much anywhere I'd want to carry around a 12.9" iPad Pro) and only charging it when the battery gets to 50% or less.

How much should these issues give me pause before spending that kind of money?

[I'd opt to just buy the 2017 TouchBar-free 13" MacBook Pro (and save that much more money) were it not more likely to suffer all the more from these issues. And no, the 2018 MacBook Air doesn't interest me.]

1. For what it’s worth and what I’m reading, the 3rd revision apparently has far less people coming in for service or replacement than generation 1 or 2. People seem overly concerned with Apple putting the 2019 keyboard on the extended replacement program, I see it as being proactive. Had they NOT put it on the program, the first issue someone had, people would be complaining asking why it wasn’t on it. Apple was put in a no win there. Either way, if for some reason you DID have a problem, they can now fix or replace in store in less then 24 hours.

2. Flex gate was fixed. The problem was apparently a the cable was too short, so closing and opening the lid over time put too much wear and tear. They replaced it with a longer, more durable cable.

3. I have never had issues with my ports weakening over time, and I’m not seeing an alarming increase of threads and posts complaining about it.

It was posted in another thread which I agreed, this version should be the best version of this model being overwhelmingly complained about issues appear to be addressed or resolved.

Ultimately, what are you using it for? If it’s just light use, you might be better off going with the non touchbar. If you have a lot of uses that demand power and storage, go for the 2019. And AppleCare Plus is never a bad thing, especially if you travel a lot. Got that accidental damage portion, and the warranty portion addresses your long term concerns.