I can't take it anymore, I'm jumping ship.

[0989383]

Well guys, my MacBook Pro is officially getting in the way of the tasks I need to get done.

macOS is brilliant, and I'm very much working well within the iPhone/Mac ecosystem, same with iCloud. The Mac is quick enough, and the screen / hardware - if it worked correctly - is still also excellent..

The Problem
Starting with the D key, the keys are rapidly getting weaker and falling off. I can type pretty damn fast and the keys are starting to suffer as a result. I replaced the keyboard with a 'genuine' and 'new' eBay part, which, in fact turned out to be not genuine and not new at all.. stopped working 2 minutes after installation intermittently. NO genuine or NEW Apple branded keyboards for the MBP are on eBay. I know this, because I sent a PM to every seller of one in the UK eBay listings and not one replied to confirm that they were - this was two weeks ago. So I will NOT find a good quality, replacement keyboard. I don't think a used one from a donor Mac will last much longer. More keys are starting to fall off, and whilst so far they'll go back on for a few days, its not going to fix itself. The charger is also on its way out, bit annoyed it's now £80 and not £60.. not like there was any new R&D costs needed in a product which has remained the same since 2006 (MagSafe 1 in my case). I love the charger on the Mac, and MagSafe, quite disappointed that the new MacBooks aren't going in this direction. The battery is also now well over 1000 charges and needs replaced. It won't even last for a 2 hour lecture running only Microsoft Word on the lowest brightness. Only Apple can really provide solutions to all of this, and at a high cost. They may also refuse, I am told, as I've upgraded to a 1TB SSHD and 8GB of RAM.. ridiculous IMO.

The Solution?
This is why I'm posting here. Not simply a rant. I'm getting rid of this Mac. It's 3 years old this month and whilst I'd happily use it for 5 it's going to cost a fair bit to keep running 'well' enough for prime, everyday use. It's also struggling to do things like Minecraft due to the 2012 hardware so there may be more reasons to move on. I can't afford a new MBP, I'll probably be graduated by the time I can now since Apple have priced the new models ridiculously high with no real reason.. I can't afford any new Mac really.

This Mac, at best, will fetch £500 on eBay due to the SSHD and RAM. So, after fees, £450. Add the £100 I'd have spent on a charger and stuff there's £550.

I can just about stretch to a Surface Pro due to its high end build quality, but only the Core M3 model which not many people deem fit for purpose. I know as a Mac user, paper spec lists don't mean much in the real world, but going for a non-Surface means I'm back to the 2008 and before build quality and workmanship of Windows laptops. Not a great place to be. Even at £1,000+ their Mac competitors are a joke in at least one way or another.

I can get 30% off at HP, and 10% off at Dell for a new laptop since I'm a student. So if those brands can offerr something good for £550, let me know!

Some things about Windows I'm not looking forward to are a fragmented ecosystem between Apple (for my iPhone) and Windows for the laptop. Then there's the washed out screen with poor colour depth. The sh*tty charger that isn't magnetic.. (though a new MBP has that these days too). Clunky, plastic casing with spontaneously placed ports - I SAW ONE WITH A VGA PORT WTF .. anyway, there will be compromises. THE MOUSE PAD MOSTLY WOULD BE HELL.

I was even contemplating going to the real dirt cheap likes of the Inspiron 15 and HP 250 etc, and saving some money for the future. Or using it to fit an SSD and tonnes of RAM to make those basic machines perform well. Not sure what this would mean in reality. Or perhaps a 'midrange' Windows laptop, offering an i5 or i7, 8/16 for RAM and a mediocre 15'6" screen and few other bad touches...

What do you recommend?
- Surface Pro with the M3
- Dirt cheap Windows PC, with SSD and RAM and pocket the rest
- Mid range, best I can afford Windows PC

and do you know of a £550 Windows laptop with a non crappy touch pad and decent battery?

 

[NT1440]

Personally, if I HAD to leave the Mac, I'd go with one of the higher end Asus's out there. I trust their build quality (when the machine is actually metal) but like any of the Windows OEM's I'd nuke the Windows install immediately and install a clean copy without all the crapware on it.

 

[0989383]

I'll be installing clean Windows no matter what. Thank god. I feel bad for people who are genuinely unaware they can do that, as Windows itself isn't to bad and that's always been my view! Even with Vista!

 

[invisibleshoes]

How about the XPS 13? Not sure if the UK offers it but try the Dell Outlet. Back in September 2016, I chatted with a rep. and haggled my way upon a brand new XPS 9350 FHD model - for $650USD. Had it for about 4 months before going back to OS X, but build-quality and trackpad were both impressive (just didn't like Windows).

 

[sdwaltz]

Everything Windows sucks, tbh. Windows 10 is a train wreck, and even though the hardware is much better than it was 5-10 years ago, it's still not up to Apple's level. Just bite the bullet and buy a new MBP. As hard as you apparently treat your equipment, a Windows laptop won't last you very long at all.

 

[willmtaylor]

Personally, I wouldn't jump ship.

However, if you're dead set on it, I'd go with Asus, Dell XPS 13, or the Acer Aspire E5-575G-53VG.

Best of luck in the open seas.

 

[0989383]

Also, Does anyone here know the UK price for replacing the Keyboard, Battery and then new Charger in the UK by an Apple Retail Store?

It REALLY sucks that even over the phone they won't tell you..

 

[Sanpete]

Check with Apple to see how much the repairs would be first. As hard as you are on keyboards, I don't know what your best alternative is. I doubt cheap will serve you well, except only that you'll be able to replace again more cheaply.
[doublepost=1485982358][/doublepost]

Also, Does anyone here know the UK price for replacing the Keyboard, Battery and then new Charger in the UK by an Apple Retail Store?

It REALLY sucks that even over the phone they won't tell you..

They won't tell you? Can you go into the store, then? They told me whatever I wanted to know.

 

[ZapNZs]

Have you written to Apple corporate regarding the keys? If your computer has been cared for, it should not have keys falling off at this age. If you have AppleCare (and you bought the computer at a late enough date where it is still active), you can probably get the entire keyboard replaced. If not, Apple might still do something.

I have a Surface Pro 3 with the i7 and I like it a lot. I'm also a fan of Windows 10. However, my 15-inch 2011 MacBook Pro runs circles around it in terms of CPU performance (and for that matter it is also faster than the current Surface Book and 13-inch MacBook Pro w/ Touchbar.) The Core m3 version is going to be a significant downgrade in terms of performance compared to the i5/i7 offerings used in the 2012 MacBook Pro 13-inch, and might or might not be substantial enough for your needs.

Asus' Flip Chromebook is extremely portable, has outstanding battery life, uses an aluminum case, and only costs about $200-250. If you do not want to spend much money and can get by using a Chromebook, it is a great computer.

 

[0989383]

Check with Apple to see how much the repairs would be first. As hard as you are on keyboards, I don't know what your best alternative is. I doubt cheap will serve you well, except only that you'll be able to replace again more cheaply.
[doublepost=1485982358][/doublepost]

They won't tell you? Can you go into the store, then? They told me whatever I wanted to know.

The only store in N. Ireland is 70 miles from me. I don't mind going there, but I'd like to have the money with me etc and make one trip if possible. I'll try again tomorrow via the phone for a rough guide.

Have you written to Apple corporate regarding the keys? If your computer has been cared for, it should not have keys falling off at this age. If you have AppleCare, you can probably get the entire keyboard replaced. If not, Apple might still do something.

I have a Surface Pro 3 with the i7 and I like it a lot. I'm also a fan of Windows 10. However, my 15-inch 2011 MacBook Pro runs circles around it in terms of CPU performance (and for that matter it is also faster than the current Surface Book and 13-inch MacBook Pro w/ Touchbar.) The Core m3 version is going to be a significant downgrade in terms of performance compared to the i5/i7 offerings used in the 2012 MacBook Pro 13-inch, and might or might not be substantial enough for your needs.

It's almost 3 years old, they'll just say it's out of warranty :-/ Do you think I still have a chance? I have a friend with a 2009 15" MBP and his still works fine. Though he also has an iMac and probably doesn't use the MacBook Pro as heavily as I would. I don't have Apple Care :-(

 

[snaky69]

Also, Does anyone here know the UK price for replacing the Keyboard, Battery and then new Charger in the UK by an Apple Retail Store?

It REALLY sucks that even over the phone they won't tell you..

I believe they change the whole topcase when changing the battery, which basically means you'd get a new keyboard.

I'm surprised your machine has trouble with its keyboard, I have an '08MBP sitting next to me that's been used A LOT, and is still in use today, with no visible wear, let alone damage to the keyboard. What do you do to them? Hit them with a hammer?

 

[ZapNZs]

It's almost 3 years old, they'll just say it's out of warranty :-/ Do you think I still have a chance? I have a friend with a 2009 15" MBP and his still works fine. Though he also has an iMac and probably doesn't use the MacBook Pro as heavily as I would. I don't have Apple Care :-(

If you had AppleCare it would still be under warranty as it extends coverage for 3. In that case, I would be all but certain Apple would replace your keyboard if it was defective or just didn't have the best QA when brand new.

Even without AppleCare, if you have taken care of the machine and the keys are not failing from hard use, misuse, or lack of care, I don't think it will hurt to write them. I wouldn't expect anything, but it can't hurt to let them know if you feel this is related to the initial quality of the keyboard. Macs usually have outstanding durability, and Apple has a history of helping customers when something isn't quite right, even if the warranty has expired, so you never know.

 

[0989383]

I believe they change the whole topcase when changing the battery, which basically means you'd get a new keyboard.

I'm surprised your machine has trouble with its keyboard, I have an '08MBP sitting next to me that's been used A LOT, and is still in use today, with no visible wear, let alone damage to the keyboard. What do you do to them? Hit them with a hammer?

I've never had this problem with a Mac before, but then again, I've never had a single Mac for 3 years before. I am aware that sometimes with fast typing, my fingers can catch on keys in-between, though wasn't aware how it could result in this problem! The new MB butterfly key mechanism might actually be a response to this, if Apple have had complaints from other people. After all, I personally believe the Unibody was sparked by the cracking problems on the white MacBooks casing.

If you had AppleCare it would still be under warranty as it extends coverage for 3. In that case, I would be all but certain Apple would replace your keyboard if it was defective or just didn't have the best QA when brand new.

Even without AppleCare, if you have taken care of the machine and the keys are not failing from hard use, misuse, or lack of care, I don't think it will hurt to write them. I wouldn't expect anything, but it can't hurt to let them know if you feel this is related to the initial quality of the keyboard. Macs usually have outstanding durability, and Apple has a history of helping customers when something isn't quite right, even if the warranty has expired, so you never know.

In the future, I might invest in Apple Care. I will be sure to write an email to Apple, though if you know which address to use please let me know as I'd hate to spend time only for it to be ignored by the wrong department :-/

 

[SpitUK]

Cant you pick up a 2nd hand 2012-2013 retina MacBook Pro?

 

[ZapNZs]

In the future, I might invest in Apple Care. I will be sure to write an email to Apple, though if you know which address to use please let me know as I'd hate to spend time only for it to be ignored by the wrong department :-/

This is for general feedback to the MacBook Pro
https://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

However, you may want to send an actual letter to their Cupertino address, to the ATTN of Customer Relations/Service. I've always found that sending a professional hard-copy letter on nice paper in block tends to be overlooked less often than electronic messages.

 

[lobo1978]

Starting with the D key, the keys are rapidly getting weaker and falling off

Could you please post pics of your destroyed keyboard?

Unless you are typing with a hammer, it is not possible to wear off keyboard to the point that keys are falling off even in +10 years old mac.

 

[lite426]

I have a new Surface Pro M3 that I'm actually looking to get rid of for £550, it includes the Type Cover. So I'd have to say go with the Surface

 

[0989383]

Cant you pick up a 2nd hand 2012-2013 retina MacBook Pro?

I don't think that other hardware of a similar age would necessarily be any better. Aside from what I know is wrong with my Mac, the rest of it to me, is 100% fine and untampered with. Plus, another used Mac of a similar age may not be far off developing the same problems.

Could you please post pics of your destroyed keyboard?

Unless you are typing with a hammer, it is not possible to wear off keyboard to the point that keys are falling off even in +10 years old mac.

I will post a picture of this in the coming days. But, yes, it is possible, because that is what has happened here.. Perhaps it's because it's the US layout model - not the UK local type. I also got it from a dodgy, small camera shop in England who was selling it for a steal of £849 at the time! That company now no longer exists for some reason. As i type this, the 'E' key keeps popping off.

I do care for the Mac well, before it arrived, a Speck Clear case awaited it. Every month I took it out and cleaned it with Brasso and microfibres. I'm also not an idiot, I've the technical knowledge and experience to replace the keyboard myself and successfully did so, although the non genuine part stopped working minutes after .. :-/
[doublepost=1485985583][/doublepost]

I have a new Surface Pro M3 that I'm actually looking to get rid of for £550, it includes the Type Cover. So I'd have to say go with the Surface

Quite tempting. Is it on eBay? After a phone call to Apple tomorrow I'll be able to let you know more in regards to whether or not I'd be into buying it from you!

 

[bcave098]

Also, Does anyone here know the UK price for replacing the Keyboard, Battery and then new Charger in the UK by an Apple Retail Store?

It REALLY sucks that even over the phone they won't tell you..

Phone support doesn't have the prices for anything other than what's on the Apple website.

 

[mcomp112]

I've used the XPS 15 and would advise everyone to avoid it since it is incredibly buggy and very overpriced for the quality that you get (ghosting screen, constant coil whine, sticky keyboard, 5 hours battery life, awful speakers which crackle when changing volume, Windows OS that can be used on any machine unlike MacOS, lack of full product support from Dell, etc.).

The MacBooks might have their issues but Apple's customer service, the pure joy of using MacOS vs the mess that is Windows (+ the option of Boot Camp or Parallels to smoothly run any Windows app), and overall superior build quality is why the MacBook Pros will always be solid buys.

PS: Don't let the random internet hatred for Apple's laptops sway your decision (that and wanting to save $600 swayed me to buy the XPS 15 and I regretted it). Most people complaining about the MacBook Pros are young students, who can't afford them and are directing their anger at Apple for that reason.

 

[TechZeke]

I also find keys falling off a 2012 machine odd. My father was using a 2006 White MacBook until 2014. A 2012 with extra RAM and an SSD should be running perfectly fine.

Switching to an m3 SP4(I love my SP4, but my 8GB/i5/256GB model is the config lowest I'd go and is pretty much the sweet spot) or cheap Windows PC wouldn't be worth it to me over fixing my MacBook Pro.

 

[getbretweir]

I had to replace my 2009 MBP keyboard about 6 months ago. My precious little son put it right next to a space heater and half the keys melted off. Luckily there was no damage internally. Apple quoted me $250USD but I took it to a local repair shop and they did it for $190. The keys are from Apple (or so I was told). Anyway, it's my son's computer now and it looks and works like new.

BTW, I bought an XPS 13 ... Don't fall for the MBP hate or impressive specs the Windows laptops are putting out. It was awful. As another reader said, coil whine, buggy, plus the trackpad is awful. I just picked up my MBP this week and couldn't be happier (and I'm not an Apple die-hard. I have a Nexus 6p and hate iPhones, but for laptops, nothing comes close).

Good luck pal.

 

[Sensamic]

How old is your laptop?

Laptops don't last forever.

That's why I'm hesitant to buy one. My iMac is 7 years old and works perfectly and will last another 5 years or more. No problems with batteries like in laptops.

The keyboard breaks? I can buy a new one. Very easy.

 

[getbretweir]

How old is your laptop?

Laptops don't last forever.

That's why I'm hesitant to buy one. My iMac is 7 years old and works perfectly and will last another 5 years or more. No problems with batteries like in laptops.

The keyboard breaks? I can buy a new one. Very easy.

He said it's a 2012.

 

[coolbreeze]

As hard as you are on keyboards

Lenovo X260, the end.