how did apple screw up this bad. seriously.

[firelighter487]

Ok, so this is just a rant. you have been warned lol.

a bit of backstory first. I've owned various Apple laptops, the newest daily driver I've had until a month ago was a 2012 MBP. then, someone I know was complaining about her 2017 MBP and said she wanted a Windows laptop. I had a nice one laying around, so we traded.

from that point on, a month, I used the 2017 MBP. and holy **** the amount of problems is crazy.

in no particular order:

1. the z and x keys have problems. I was able to fix the x with compressed air but the z key is still broken.
2. I can't upgrade the ram or storage. I will complain about that. ram is not that much of an issue, but the ssd? come on!
3. I can't plug anything into it. sd cards? nope. usb sticks? nope.
4. the battery is ****ed. it's only 3 years old, and it's totally broken. the laptop shuts off at like 45%. I contacted apple and the battery needs to be replaced. that wouldn't be a problem if they didn't GLUE IT TO THE F*CKING CASE!!! I could have easily swapped it myself otherwise but no, it needs a whole new top case.
5. the usb-c randomly disconnects when charging if it moves like a millimetre. MagSafe was a perfected system and worked super well, why did they get rid of it?

all in all, I've had more problems with this computer in the 3 weeks that I've actually used it (this week was just troubleshooting the battery) than I've had in 1.5 years using my 2012 MacBook Pro.

how did apple screw up this bad? their laptops used to be the absolute best that you could get on the market. now it's just nothing but frustrations and problems.

I will be selling the 2017 MBP for parts, and I hope I can get enough for it to buy an older 13" retina, because the retina screen was awesome to have.

thanks for coming to my ted talk.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I read the whole thing, and my takeaway is: you traded for a laptop that someone was already complaining about, didn't research the model's limitations whatsoever before trading (all your complaints would have been addressed with an hour of research as none are new), and now you are also complaining about it?

The USB-C models are notorious for keyboard failure, so much so that Apple has a quality program for them. See if they will fix yours, as that will also get you a new battery.

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro - Apple Support

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro

support.apple.com

 

[Fishrrman]

It's been well-known amongst Mac users since the 2016 MacBook Pros were introduced, that there were serious problems with them that still remain unresolved. They remained that way right up until last December, when the 16" MBP was introduced that fixed the keyboard woes.

I have no proof, but I suspect the MacBook Pro keyboard failures (and other problems) were one of the primary reasons why Jony Ive no longer works at Apple.

That gal who traded with you may have gotten the better part of the deal...!

 

[firelighter487]

I read the whole thing, and my takeaway is: you traded for a laptop that someone was already complaining about, didn't research the model's limitations whatsoever before trading (all your complaints would have been addressed with an hour of research as none are new), and now you are also complaining about it?

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro - Apple Support

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro

support.apple.com

I didn't find the battery problem when researching. I didn't think the keyboard would be that much of a big deal, since I could use an external keyboard if I came to that, I accepted that. the battery is a bigger problem. I need it to be reliable lol..

It's been well-known amongst Mac users since the 2016 MacBook Pros were introduced, that there were serious problems with them that still remain unresolved.

I know lol, but I didn't think much of it. my dad has a 2018 15" and he hasn't had a big issue with it. and me, on a 2012 MBP naturally trouble free, so my thinking was how bad could it be...

 

[chabig]

The battery is a bigger problem. I need it to be reliable lol..

$199 gets you a new battery.

 

[mtneer]

I attribute many of these design struggles to that washed-up bald design guy with his feeble minded focus on trading features for thinness. Now that he has been unceremoniously kicked to the curb, there is hope for the future.

 

[firelighter487]

$199 gets you a new battery.

I don't have that. besides, that's an insane price. I can get a new battery for my 2012 MBP for €30 and fit it myself.

 

[chabig]

I can get a new battery for my 2012 MBP...

Maybe so, but that is irrelevant.

 

[chrfr]

I don't have that. besides, that's an insane price. I can get a new battery for my 2012 MBP for €30 and fit it myself.

If you take the computer in under the extended keyboard repair warranty (4 years from original purchase date,) you'll get a new battery too. (the entire top case, including battery, keyboard, and trackpad are all replaced when the keyboard is changed.)

 

[InuNacho]

If you take the computer in under the extended keyboard repair warranty (4 years from original purchase date,) you'll get a new battery too. (the entire top case, including battery, keyboard, and trackpad are all replaced when the keyboard is changed.)

Jesus, thats like replacing half an engine on your car when you need an oil change.

 

[Sterkenburg]

Keyboard can be swapped under the replacement program for free, and that will also net you a brand new battery. That would already solve the two major problems you have. Obviously, there is no guarantee that the new keyboard won't develop the same issues in the future, as the design is inherently flawed. Still, even in case you decide to sell the laptop, it's clearly a good idea to repair it for free beforehand.

As for the other points... well, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm sure you realize it would have been a good idea to do some more research on the design of the machine before taking the plunge.

 

[firelighter487]

Jesus, thats like replacing half an engine on your car when you need an oil change.

I KNOW RIGHT!!!!

Still, even in case you decide to sell the laptop, it's clearly a good idea to repair it for free beforehand.

yeah, I'll get that done for sure. I will still sell it and buy a different laptop that doesn't have a butterfly keyboard, because the keyboard makes my hands hurt. I didn't know it would and it only happens if I type for a while, but it still happens so I don't want a butterfly keyboard Mac.

As for the other points... well, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm sure you realize it would have been a good idea to do some more research on the design of the machine before taking the plunge.

yeah, you're right. but I was blinded by the reliability of my 2012. because it's been so trouble-free I thought how bad could it be. I learned now that I shouldn't have blind faith in Apple, even though my 2012 is fantastic.

 

[profcutter]

I don't have that. besides, that's an insane price. I can get a new battery for my 2012 MBP for €30 and fit it myself.

Ok but a £30 battery will last for maybe a week. You can’t get a real Apple OEM battery for that price. The 2017s are not great. I think getting the topcase swapped is a great idea, you’ll basically have a new machine after that.

 

[jerryk]

You could sent the unit in for a faulty keyboard. They would likely do a top case replacement (battery, keyboard, trackpad, and Al case where your hands rest). And likely as part of the keyboard recall program.

The ports can be solved with a $20 dongle/adapter.

Magsafe was a terrible port. Cable frayed easily. USB-C is a much better solution and you can plug in to many chargers.

 

[workerbee]

I don't have that. besides, that's an insane price. I can get a new battery for my 2012 MBP for €30 and fit it myself.

True. Still, I‘d like to point out that I probably broke my beloved 2012 rMBP‘s keyboard by doing exactly this. Not saying Apple‘s current path towards disposable computers is a good one, far from it, just that DIY does have its drawbacks.

 

[golftime]

In OP's defense, if you needed a laptop at that time, your choices were limited. The sound card in my 2012 died, and I hesitated to buy my 2018 MBP, but after reading multiple reviews, many of which stated the keyboard really wasn't that bad, I pulled the trigger. Unfortunately it was that bad. I could type a document quickly until I got that keyboard. And it has only gotten worse with sticking and dead keys. The keyboard replacement deal is probably the best option and get a new battery the same time. As for the USB-C, the adapter cord hanging out of it is a real pain, but it doesn't affect actual performance so I live with it.

 

[firelighter487]

True. Still, I‘d like to point out that I probably broke my beloved 2012 rMBP‘s keyboard by doing exactly this. Not saying Apple‘s current path towards disposable computers is a good one, far from it, just that DIY does have its drawbacks.

retina's were different internally to the Unibody MBP form 2012, which is the one i have. Unibody's are so much easier to work on. just compare a battery swap guide for a Unibody to a Retina.

In OP's defense, if you needed a laptop at that time, your choices were limited. The sound card in my 2012 died, and I hesitated to buy my 2018 MBP, but after reading multiple reviews, many of which stated the keyboard really wasn't that bad, I pulled the trigger. Unfortunately it was that bad. I could type a document quickly until I got that keyboard. And it has only gotten worse with sticking and dead keys. The keyboard replacement deal is probably the best option and get a new battery the same time.

well, looking back i could have refused to trade, sooo.

As for the USB-C, the adapter cord hanging out of it is a real pain, but it doesn't affect actual performance so I live with it.

when i use my laptop in my lap, where it most often gets used, the connector puts irritating strain on the port and it annoys me, because it pokes into my leg. it's silly.

 

[ha1o2surfer]

wow blaming the users for apples mess up. lol

i "live" with issues on a 400 dollar PC, not with a 3000 dollar macbook lol...

 

[throAU]

Whilst I agree with the keyboard issues - the batteries in apple hardware have been officially non-user-replaceable for almost a decade a this point.

With regards to the USB-C dongle thing... use airdrop. If its to a PC, use sharedrop.io. Or upgrade to USB-C compatible thumb drives. They aren't expensive and do exist - some are even USB-A/USB-C on either end.

Every device is/should be transitioning to USB-C for the advantages it provides so yes, dongle city unless you upgrade or use wireless transfer but personally I think that's an excusable thing to push the industry forward.
[automerge]1587183939[/automerge]

Magsafe was a terrible port. Cable frayed easily. USB-C is a much better solution and you can plug in to many chargers.

Two MacBook pros here, both MagSafe, one from 2011, one from 2015. Both original chargers are still fine.

I've got no idea what some people do to their cables....

As far as USB-C goes - I like the port, but convenience wise it isn't a patch on MagSafe. Maybe apple should chamfer the holes a little to make the cables easier to guide into place without worrying about scratching up the side of your MacBook, that would help somewhat.

 

[firelighter487]

Whilst I agree with the keyboard issues - the batteries in apple hardware have been officially non-user-replaceable for almost a decade a this point.

"officially" yes. but on Unibody's it was super easy.

With regards to the USB-C dongle thing... use airdrop. If its to a PC, use sharedrop.io. Or upgrade to USB-C compatible thumb drives. They aren't expensive and do exist - some are even USB-A/USB-C on either end.

Every device is/should be transitioning to USB-C for the advantages it provides so yes, dongle city unless you upgrade or use wireless transfer but personally I think that's an excusable thing to push the industry forward.

for some things like a camera it's not practical. SD cards are the standard. I would be fine with type-c only if I also got an sd card slot.

I've got no idea what some people do to their cables....

same. the only problem I have with MagSafe is that it sometimes doesn't connect properly and I have to unplug it and plug it in again, but in it's defense, my 2012 MBP is 8 years old, I've had it for 1.5 years and in those 1.5 years it went with me to school and basically everywhere else in a dusty backpack sooo I can forgive it for having dirty contacts after that.

 

[smbu2000]

Wow, quite a rant.

I'm not sure why you are complaining about the computer having only usb-c/Thunderbolt3 ports since you knew what it had before hand. MBPs have only had those ports since 2016. Use an adapter or get a cable with usb-c connector on one end.

MBPs have only been able to have their RAM upgraded (soldered in) since the Retina models released in 2012. Not sure why you expected to be able to upgrade that. SSDs since 2016 and even before then the retina models have used propriety SSDs and it hasn't been until relatively recently that adapters for nvme drives have become available for the 2013-2015 models.


Batteries can be unreliable especially if they've been used a lot or kept plugged in all of the time.
I've had batteries swelling on Retina MBPs and batteries fail on Windows laptops. My 2017 15" MBP battery has been doing fine since I bought it. Meanwhile the battery on my 2019 Razer Blade 15 Advanced has already failed and holds no charge at all. If I unplug the power cable then it shuts down.
Stuff can fail.

I've swapped out batteries on retina MBPs with adhesive holding the battery in place, although it does take a bit more time. In your case getting your keyboard swapped out would be the best option as you are having keyboard issues since that will give you a new battery as well.