iFixit Finds 2019 MacBook Pro Keyboard Has 'Subtle' Changes to Membrane Cover and Switches

[nordique]

If Apple insists that there isn't anything wrong with the keyboard, why has it been redesigned so many times?

The old keyboard managed to go between 2006 and 2015 without controversy.

Not only without controversy, it was the gold standard in the industry for keyboards.

Since 2016 Apple has no longer been the gold standard for keyboards. Only trackpads now. But type on any older macbook, the XPS or X1 Carbon or really any other high end laptop - significantly better and more enjoyable typing experience.

 

[Rogifan]

Complete tear down is on the ifixit website. Changes are pretty subtle. Apple must have a better long term idea - sometimes a design is just bad.

I think it’s quite obvious whatever their next iteration of the Mac laptop is it’s not ready yet. Maybe we get a vision of the future with this rumored 16” OLED device. Note too that the 12” MacBook hasn’t been updated either. Perhaps that deceive will become Apple’s first ARM laptop.

These keyboard tweaks are a band-aid.

 

[realtuner]

If I follow your immaculate logic to the same conclusion, then Apple does not have "actual engineers, but merely repair technicians." [After all, we are now on the fourth "refined" edition of the butterfly keyboard.]

You obviously don't follow my logic.

 

[linxy33]

The second they dropped Computer from their name that was obvious!

Microsoft and HP don't have computer in their name..

 

[chewbaka]

Remember the days when Apple was producing laptops with reliable keyboard?

View attachment 838811

Shouldn’t we wait to see if it works before passing judgement?
[doublepost=1558717863][/doublepost]

From the best technical analysis I have seen thus far, the 2016-2018 Macbook Pro keyboard issues were related to the metal dome. If Apple did indeed do something to improve the metal domes, this could be a complete fix.

Take your appropriately measured optimism out of here! This is Macrumors!

 

[gsurf123]

Pardon the digression.

In defense of repair technicians. I worked as a medical device service tech in a hospital for many years. I can recall some new whizzo design from a vendor that would quickly fail because they didn't take into consideration real life circumstances. We had a defibrillator vendor who changed the button covers from thick silicone to thin vinyl. Gee, some nurses have long nails and punch right through the thinner buttons. Just as we thought.

Nurses with long nails is disgusting and unsanitary.

 

[MengkeMary]

What they need to do is introduce a "MacBook Pro Classic." Basically the same as the old design but with upgraded internal hardware. They can keep selling their new designs.

This is what the Coca-Cola people did after the new coke formula turned out to be a disaster. Everbody bought Coca-Cola Classic, and eventually the new coke formula was phased out.

I like this idea. But I think Apple would worry about minimal sales of new MBP due to the availability of classic ones, which again suggest that the hefty price increase does not bring significant improvement.

 

[DanBig]

I wonder if Apple is going to call iFixit and ask them to remove the teardown from the website?

/s

Why? Its an honest review of the system and keyboard. Having a one sided opinion (Apples PR machine) does not protect us from dis or mis information!

 

[Rogifan]

I'm probably not the only one who thinks that with the way Apple never likes to go back on their designs they've essentially engineered themselves into a corner here. To fix they problem they'd have to make thicker laptops or have them carry smaller batteries and that's just a choice they don't want to make.

Then again I may be slightly biased in favor of the earlier chiclet type keyboards seeing how I prefer them so much over the newer designs that when I needed to replace my work machine's and then my home machine's keyboard last year I first went with an old stock and then a second hand one. That and buying a second hand Macbook Pro when I could easily afford a brand new one partially because I get the really thin design these fixes have been versions of.

Except there are laptops as thin or thinner than the MacBook that don’t have keyboard issues.

 

[Glockworkorange]

It’s frustrating that they won’t just admit the butterfly design was a mistake. It’s ok, companies make mistakes. But stubbornly sticking to it after years of failure and consumer dissatisfaction is stubborn.

They admitted the Mac Pro was a mistake two years ago. They don't want to admit too many screws up in such a short period of time.

 

[Rogifan]

Yeah, I don't see why they can't switch to a regular keyboard now, provided that all the windows laptops using it (XPS, Spectre 360, etc) are just as thin as the MBP, there is no advantage to the butterfly keys at all.

Anyway, I'm waiting to see what the paying testers of beta 4 will have to say.

What is a “regular keyboard”?

 

[Peperino]

4th time the charm?? How pathetic of Apple trying to fix 4times something that does not work.

Not to mention that still is the same old same disposable appliances -bad design- with all soldered and glued components.
So basically, same old 2018 MBP with a processor upgrade.

And Apple is so confident about the fix that they already included the 2019 MBP in the repair program...what a joke...

Apple
Yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices!
[doublepost=1558719321][/doublepost]

Sounds like they can go ahead and add the mid-2019 to the keypad repair program as well then.

They did already...LOL

 

[barmann]

If Apple insists that there isn't anything wrong with the keyboard, why has it been redesigned so many times?

The old keyboard managed to go between 2006 and 2015 without controversy.

Since when has Apple's motto been 'It just works ' ?

Oh, wait ...

 

[Peperino]

The old keyboard was too thick to fit in the current MacBook Pro case.

The cynical part of me also thinks that the older keyboard was too reliable and not generating enough repair income .

Now at the WWDC conference Tim Cook is going to mention the Macbook Pro fastest MBP ever...
With new function, you can fry eggs if you get the keyboard to work!!

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I think they are now over a barrel. If they go back to the classic design/keyboard, it’s basically a concession that the current design was flawed. They should listen to popular demand, but they would probably have to throw a bone to their butterfly customers, like offering a better trade in value. I think thicker is needed anyway if they are going to try to cool 8 core CPUs without excessive throttling.

 

[iShater]

The second you realize that Apple is a lifestyle and design company masquerading as a computer company, it all starts to make sense.

Absolutely. But the issue was the spacing between the keys, getting used to that. In terms of the comfort, feedback, and reliability, I don't recall that being an issues.

 

[indiekiduk]

a new low for Apple to release a laptop and its design flaw repair program on the same day

 

[joueboy]

subtle doesn't sound re-assuring

The only reassuring we get from Apple every year is a price increase and calling it a new product.

 

[linxy33]

lets just cut off the ******** on Apple.

Plenty of people haven't had issues with their keyboard and to be fair I love the travel it has but I'm also weary of damage and breaking. But apple has the repair program for a reason - to reassure customers they're just THAT confident in it and if they aren't they'll fix it.

I don't see them beefing up the keyboard in MBP models and leaving butterfly in MacBook and MacBook airs.. They need something that will fit in all their devises.. thus butterfly (for the thinness of the MacBook).

Companies that big also don't just release something without careful careful EXTREMLY careful considerations and discussion on how it will project to their earnings and PR. Apple released this 2019 model with a plan.. and im sure none of us have any clue what that entails.. 16" at WWDC, Mac Pro delay, future constant updates to the MacBook pro? no one knows but them. Keep calm.

 

[Trusteft]

When I think of durability and longevity, one material comes to mind, naylon!
I hope this works in the long run.

 

[myrtlebee]

Give it 6 months to a year and let me know how it goes.
[doublepost=1558720754][/doublepost]

lets just cut off the ******** on Apple.

Plenty of people haven't had issues with their keyboard and to be fair I love the travel it has but I'm also weary of damage and breaking. But apple has the repair program for a reason - to reassure customers they're just THAT confident in it and if they aren't they'll fix it.

I don't see them beefing up the keyboard in MBP models and leaving butterfly in MacBook and MacBook airs.. They need something that will fit in all their devises.. thus butterfly (for the thinness of the MacBook).

Companies that big also don't just release something without careful careful EXTREMLY careful considerations and discussion on how it will project to their earnings and PR. Apple released this 2019 model with a plan.. and im sure none of us have any clue what that entails.. 16" at WWDC, Mac Pro delay, future constant updates to the MacBook pro? no one knows but them. Keep calm.

Is that the same “plan” they had the last 2 times they released a “fix” for this design?

 

[zifty]

If they finally bring back the pre 2015 keyboard, can they also bring back the non-glossy screen option too?

 

[farewelwilliams]

If Apple insists that there isn't anything wrong with the keyboard, why has it been redesigned so many times?

The old keyboard managed to go between 2006 and 2015 without controversy.

because issue has been overblown by the media which has affected sales and the macbook brand

 

[sub150]

Except there are laptops as thin or thinner than the MacBook that don’t have keyboard issues.

Do they have good battery life though? The "Pick 2 of 3" here is key travel, laptop thickness, and battery life. They all exist on the height axis, and it's impossible to have a thin laptop, thick battery (battery is limited in by standard width/length laptop chassis), and "classic" style laptop keys.

Idk how many people care about thickness over weight at this point. Give me the 2015 MBP thickness at a lighter weight due to new materials. It's much better than having a thinner laptop at more weight.

Dream laptop. 2015 MBP chassis. Classic keyboard (T arrow keys) w/ long battery life. 4+ TB3 ports. Minimal bezel around screen. FaceID/TouchID. No Touchbar.

 

[Dave-Z]

My god. Looking back, those non-Retina MBPs were disgusting.

Funny. I look at those older machines and think, "Wow! Look at all those ports. And magsafe, too!" The magsafe connector was great. Ethernet was great. And the keyboard was great. I'd easily trade a bit of weight to have those features back.

Thankfully, I more or less can. I bought a Lenovo and now I have tons of ports, a great keyboard and it even has a touchscreen.

Edit: I should add that I'm not criticizing your opinion that the old machines were ugly. I'm just pointing out that my, personal, opinion differs. Your thoughts about the design are equally valid.