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the lifespan of silicone

That depends on the silicone but generally it can withstand high heats for long times (provided they selected a correctly rated silicon. no longer a given, sadly)

http://www.j-flex.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/SILICONE-RUBBER-WHATS-THE-STORY.pdf

Screen Shot 2018-07-19 at 3.20.11 PM.png
 
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Thank goodness.

But seriously, how does this happen? I keep my place spotless, always have clean hands (or wash them before I open my clamshell), and don’t use my MBP outdoors.

Are users, in general, slobs? Do people really have filthy houses and live in dust/dirtbowls? Do people really eat while typing on a multi-thousand dollar investment?

These are all questions that both fascinates and disgusts me.

People are different. I take care of everything I own meticulously - I just got this keyboard cover for my 2018 13" MBP yesterday:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRKLH27/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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Bonus considering Apple devices are almost thin enough to cut lines with.

Quote of the week !!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

The old keyboards were hands down some of the most tactile and durable in the whole notebook market. Love the design of their machines. But the fact that you cant replace the keyboard if the worst happens just sucks donkey balls. It's really turning me off buying any new mac notebook. I know I could go the external keyboard route, but at that stage I lose the benefit of the trackpad which I love so much. :(

I did have to replace my 9 year old MacBook Pro keyboard when CMD, V and C stopped working due to proper excessive use (Logic/Photoshop/Web-Dev) - but I KNOW i'm abusive to machines. Grit and dust was never a problem though.

These low profile ones freak the hell out of me when I read the articles.
 
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So the takeaway is to avoid using your MacBook in the middle of dust or sand storms? I'll try to remember that.

Not quite: it's buy one but don't actually use it. In fact, keep it unopened in the original box.

For added protection, keep it in box in the original Apple draw-string bag. Draw the string tightly.

Then upgrade with another collectable in this line about every 2.5 years... not because you need a new one... but because Apple made one. And ideally, pay the highest possible price you can when you buy... even send extra cash as a tip to Apple to vote with your wallet as a sign of love for the company.

All ;)
 
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So we have to choose between a working keyboard and throttled CPU performance, or a non-working keyboard with better CPU performance. OKAY.

⬅ But just look at how cute that Jony Ive emoji is to the left!

Sometimes Apple sucks. Often great, but when they suck they suck hard.

You could go with another laptop manufacturer where everything is perfect and choices don’t have to be made. Right?
 
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Does anyone think that they’re intentionally sabotaging their 'MacBook' product line so people move over to iOS?

That would be stupid. Apple would just stop selling the machines if they wanted more iOS users so badly.
 
Good info. So this should theoretically help w/ the kb failures under load that people had prior issues w/.

Provided they implement it correctly, heat and lifespan shouldn’t be a major consideration.
 
Doesn’t the keyboard serve as another cooling vent for hot air to escape through? I wonder if this silicone layer disturbs airflow just enough to contribute to the throttling issues.

Nope.

The keyboards are backed with a black and white covering between the keyboard assembly, adhered around the edges, to provide even light distribution for the backlit keyboard. But it also means there are no gaps for air to pass through, either in or out.

It's been like this since the introduction of the Unibody in 2008, however even pre-Unibody models had a similar stick-on covering that inhibited airflow through those keyboards too.

It's a myth that someone started, and the community ran with it. if you think about it, the keyboard would make for an awful intake, sucking dust from the surrounding air directly into the key mechanisms and switches.


2010:

fixedbyvonnie-macbook-pro-mid-2010-top-case.jpg


2013:

A1425-topcase.jpg


2017:

SKU133624.jpg
 
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Does anyone think that they’re intentionally sabotaging their 'MacBook' product line so people move over to iOS?
This is a possibility too. What really pisses me off is their intentional total ignorance of those small,but highly requested features which make huge difference between a pleasure to use and a total annoyance (e.g. missing magsafe -WHY? did you do it to us??, 1xUSB-A .. yes, there is still plenty of vertical width to put it in and even newest accessories are still being sold with USB-A, they just don't want to add it; SD card reader becomes more and more useful nowadays with high speeds and capacities). And smaller bezels 4K HDR screen, a bit better keyboard, optional touchbar and a bit smaller touchpad would make a lot of people screaming in joy. I would not hesitate a second, instead of this I'm pissed off again and likely skipping this release again :-/
 
What I can't believe that instead of just fixing this keyboard with a normal one they actually re-engineered the crappy design that everybody hates to stick a silicon diaper on it. They actually made the anemic keys thinner. LOL. Someone needs to show them a thinkpad X1 carbon keyboard.
 
What I can't believe that instead of just fixing this keyboard with a normal one they actually re-engineered the crappy design that everybody hates to stick a silicon diaper on it. They actually made the anemic keys thinner. LOL. Someone needs to show them a thinkpad X1 carbon keyboard.

You didn't read did you? They made it thicker not thinner, to allow for the membrane.
 
I would like to point something out to people here.

I have kids. Their keyboards are full of all kinds of crap. They use thinkpads, macbook airs and alienware computers. Never had a keyboard fail. I also repair macs for a guy that owns a hanger full of airplanes. He uses them in the shop and every time he brings me a broken one to fix I have to hold it over the garbage can and unleash pounds of crud from his keyboard. He has never brought me a macbook pro with a bad keyboard, it's always something else.

So I don't agree with ifixit that the older ones will lock up with sand too first of all and this silicone diaper won't stop this keyboard from failing. Might stop 50% of the crud but since it only takes one piece of dirt under one key to ruin a whole macbook pro now, what's the point. Everybody needs to wait for the redesign. Vote with your wallet.
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You didn't read did you? They made it thicker not thinner, to allow for the membrane.

I think you can't read pal.

"The keycaps on the keyboard have also been slightly redesigned, measuring in at 1.25mm thickness compared to 1.5mm thickness in the 2017 MacBook Pro, which iFixit suggests is to give the keys room to travel with the addition of the membrane."
 
iFixit does it again, however you can't prevent dust from getting into anything unless you have protections in place. or a very clean room.
 
Does anyone think that they’re intentionally sabotaging their 'MacBook' product line so people move over to iOS?

Today I had an experience that made me to feel the same way. I need to use a third-party (Western Digital) piece of data management software for work. I can access everything I need to via the iOS app, but via Mac OS I could not navigate to the directories I need to access even though I have full permissions. This is anecdotal, but it was strange to feel like my iPad Pro actually was more capable than my MacBook Pro.
 
Thank goodness.

But seriously, how does this happen?
Because it is a flawed design.
I keep my place spotless, always have clean hands (or wash them before I open my clamshell), and don’t use my MBP outdoors.
Same with my 2016 MBP. Keys Fail randomly. Contrary to my disgustingly dirty 2011 MBP. And the thousand of keyboards I saw an pre 2015 models. Pre 2016 models very rarely had any keyboard issues And most times it was corrosion from acidic liquid damage.

Are users, in general, slobs? Do people really have filthy houses and live in dust/dirtbowls? Do people really eat while typing on a multi-thousand dollar investment?

These are all questions that both fascinates and disgusts me.
Yes, yes and yes. However this was also the case in 2015 and all the years before. People didn’t change all of a sudden. The keyboard design did.
 
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Doesn’t the keyboard serve as another cooling vent for hot air to escape through? I wonder if this silicone layer disturbs airflow just enough to contribute to the throttling issues.

I am sure it would increase throttling in 2016 MBP you can feel the airflow over the keyboard.
 
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People are different. I take care of everything I own meticulously - I just got this keyboard cover for my 2018 13" MBP yesterday:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRKLH27/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have a few membranes as well!
This is a possibility too. What really pisses me off is their intentional total ignorance of those small,but highly requested features which make huge difference between a pleasure to use and a total annoyance (e.g. missing magsafe -WHY? did you do it to us??, 1xUSB-A .. yes, there is still plenty of vertical width to put it in and even newest accessories are still being sold with USB-A, they just don't want to add it; SD card reader becomes more and more useful nowadays with high speeds and capacities). And smaller bezels 4K HDR screen, a bit better keyboard, optional touchbar and a bit smaller touchpad would make a lot of people screaming in joy. I would not hesitate a second, instead of this I'm pissed off again and likely skipping this release again :-/
This mentality baffles me.

Why would we step back into USB-A, when C is not only the future, but the now?

Why would I want MagSafe, when it is far better and more convenient to be able to charge from any port, from either side... not to mention blisteringly fast charging!

Who would want a 15” 4K screen, when their display is perfect for the size? Do you really want another $500-$1k option or price hike?

I love the touchbar. Makes timeline navigation, browsing, media playback, and office suites more fluid when you develop a relationship and workflow with it.

I can’t imagine not having that giant trackpad. It’s awesome.

The only thing I agree with is a possible SD card slot, but why bother when the (photography) industry has been going wireless?

Let’s look at it like this... Do you really think progress should reverse itself? Do you think 9-speed transmissions are ridiculous, and we should just go back to 5-speeds? What about cassette players? Should we waste space and development resources to still include those in vehicles?

Do you even own a ‘16-‘18 MacBook Pro?

It seems like macrumors is crawling with people who are certainly not compliant with paying-to-play for the latest and greatest. Product evolution can be both frustrating and freeing. The best thing about this? You don’t have to pay to play! Apple kept a 2015 model, first introduced in 2012, for 3 YEARS! Believe it or not, used models exist as well!

In summary, your opinion is null and void at this juncture. Anybody who willfully trolls these forums in 2018 complaining about 6 year old features is a tarnish on our technological future’s fine finishes.
 
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I have a few membranes as well

This mentality baffles me.

Why would we step back into USB-A, when C is not only the future, but the now?

Why would I want MagSafe, when it is far better an more convenient to be able to charge from any port, from either side?

Who would want a 15” 4K screen, when their display is perfect for the size? Do you really want another $1k option or price hike?

I love the touchbar. Makes timeline navigation, browsing, media playback, and office suites more fluid when you develop a relationship and workflow with it.

I can’t imagine not having that giant trackpad. It’s awesome.

The only thing I agree with is a possible SD card slot, but why bother when the (photography) industry has been going wireless?

Let’s look at it like this... do you really think progress should reverse itself? Do you think 9-speed transmissions are ridiculous, and we should just go back to 5-speeds? What about cassette players? Should we waste space and development resources to still include those in vehicles?

Do you even own a 16-18 MacBook Pro?

It seems like macrumors is crawling with people who are certainly not compliant with paying-to-play for the latest and greatest. Product evolution can be both frustrating and freeing. The best thing about this? You don’t have to pay to play! Apple kept a 2015 model, first introduced in 2012, for 3 YEARS!

In summary, your opinion is null and void at this juncture. Anybody who willfully trolls these forums in 2018 complaining about 6 year old features is a tarnish on our technological future’s fine finishes.

Sounds like for what you use a computer for an ipad would be all you need. If you can't understand what people are talking about then best to stick to just smirking at what you read instead of replying.
 
I have a 2015 macbook, and I am for sure having issues with my keyboard. I want to get it replaced but it feels pointless if Apple aren't going to upgrade it to the newer model that fixes the issue. Not sure if it's even possible on this particular machine...
 
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