I replaced my old Macbook Pro 13 non-TB 2017 model replaced with the 2019 TB model.
I didn't quite enjoy the sticky keys. I had a key that just fell off. What made me decide to buy a new one was the battery. After 250 cycles it was pretty much bust, giving only about 1 hour of usable time and a nice 'Condition: Service Battery' in the System Report.
After a few months, I finally found the time to bring the old one to a certified Apple repair center.
I knew about the keyboard replacement program but didn't expect too much out of it. But hey, never try never know.
The technician asked some standard questions about whether they could expect to find liquid damage and whether I had modified my machine.
He rebooted my machine into a diagnostic test. On their own computer it showed the progress. It confirmed my battery was bust.
A visual inspection of my unit showed a very shallow dent on one of the case edges. I hadn't noticed it before, it must have happened by putting the unit in my backpack. Then there supposedly was a minuscule scratch on the display glass. I really couldn't see it but tried to wiped it away with my shirt. Nonetheless it was written in the report.
My expectations were now below zero. Sure the replacement program looks good on paper, but surely they tried to find things/reasons to get out of it.
Or so I thought. I got an email telling me I was accepted into the keyboard service program:
Many people complained about the fact the keyboard, trackpad and battery being one part number. While I do agree with such grunt, for me it actually turned out to be beneficial.
My laptop has returned with a fresh new 'TOP CASE', giving me a fresh Macbook Pro with my 'old' screen, a new keyboard and brand new, zero charging cycle count battery.
Yes Apple f'ed up significantly with those keyboards. But the result is I'm now stuck with what is pretty much a brand new Macbook.
I don't know yet what I'm going to do with this unit; putting it up for sale or making somebody very happy.
I didn't quite enjoy the sticky keys. I had a key that just fell off. What made me decide to buy a new one was the battery. After 250 cycles it was pretty much bust, giving only about 1 hour of usable time and a nice 'Condition: Service Battery' in the System Report.
After a few months, I finally found the time to bring the old one to a certified Apple repair center.
I knew about the keyboard replacement program but didn't expect too much out of it. But hey, never try never know.
The technician asked some standard questions about whether they could expect to find liquid damage and whether I had modified my machine.
He rebooted my machine into a diagnostic test. On their own computer it showed the progress. It confirmed my battery was bust.
A visual inspection of my unit showed a very shallow dent on one of the case edges. I hadn't noticed it before, it must have happened by putting the unit in my backpack. Then there supposedly was a minuscule scratch on the display glass. I really couldn't see it but tried to wiped it away with my shirt. Nonetheless it was written in the report.
My expectations were now below zero. Sure the replacement program looks good on paper, but surely they tried to find things/reasons to get out of it.
Or so I thought. I got an email telling me I was accepted into the keyboard service program:
Code:
- LETTERS OR CHARACTERS REPEAT UNEXPECTEDLY. KEYS FEEL STICKY OR DO NOT RESPOND IN A CONSISTENT MANNER VERIFY INSPECT, CLEAN KEYBOARD, REMOVE KEYCAP, INSPECT, CLEAN, AND RESEAT KEYCAP
- RESET SMC USING PROCEDURE, RESET NVRAM BY HOLDING DOWN COMMAND-OPTION-P-R KEYS WHILE RESTARTING, TRY TO KNOWN-GOOD OS AND DISCONNECT CONNECTOR TOP CASE AND ANY PERIPHERALS PROBLEM STILL PERSIST
- VISUAL/MECHANICAL INSPECTION (VMI) GUIDE FOR MAC COMPUTERS WITH ARTICLE ID: TP1151 NO FOUND PHYSICAL DAMAGE, NO LIQUID CONTACT, AND NO MODIFICATION VERIFY ARTICLE ID: OP2007 ELIGIBLE KEYBOARD SERVICE PROGRAM
- PART NUMBER 661-07946 TOP CASE WITH BATTERY, ANSI, SPACE GRAY
- SN BAD TOP CASE WITH BATTERY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ,EEE CODE: GQT7, GQT8, H06F, H06K
- WAITING PART NO 14
- CARRY-IN REPAIR
Many people complained about the fact the keyboard, trackpad and battery being one part number. While I do agree with such grunt, for me it actually turned out to be beneficial.
My laptop has returned with a fresh new 'TOP CASE', giving me a fresh Macbook Pro with my 'old' screen, a new keyboard and brand new, zero charging cycle count battery.
Yes Apple f'ed up significantly with those keyboards. But the result is I'm now stuck with what is pretty much a brand new Macbook.
I don't know yet what I'm going to do with this unit; putting it up for sale or making somebody very happy.
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