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Kajje

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 6, 2012
722
958
Asia
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:

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.
 
Last edited:

smbu2000

macrumors 6502
Oct 19, 2014
467
218
Glad to hear that things worked out for you.

I had picked up a good deal on a used 2017 15" awhile back. It had some keyboard marks on the screen and some of the keys were a bit sticky. The battery also needed servicing. I took it in for the keyboard issue and for the screen coating problems. Apple replaced the display and the Topcase on it, which also gave me a new battery for it. Very nice bonus.

I didn't end up keeping it, but I'm sure the person who bought it was happy with the like new MBP that they got.
 
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D_Apple

macrumors newbie
Nov 21, 2016
29
15
Similar experience with a late 2016 15” that was out of warranty with no AppleCare. Took it in for a swollen battery and mentioned the keys. The keyboard replacement program and associated parts left me with a like-new machine.

Apple trade-in value for swollen battery/warped case = recycle. My Apple trade-in value for the repaired machine = $910.
 
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robertcoogan

macrumors 6502a
Apr 5, 2008
842
1,252
Joshua Tree, California
I'm glad things worked out for you as well. My 2016 MBP is currently back in for repair after having its top case and battery repaired. Not two weeks after having it replaced by an Apple Store tech. Now the new keyboard has an almost unusable W key, and the spacebar and the right command key (which I almost never use) are at best 50% working. :(
 
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Appledoesnotlisten

macrumors 6502a
Dec 2, 2017
505
208
I have been a big fan of the butterfly keyboard and like their replacement program, BUT have now started experiencing problems with a recently replaced keyboard and am kinda upset about it.

The reason is - I have a back up MacBook and a time machine to get by while they are replacing the faulty one, but I will lose my custom keyboard stickers - will have to reorder them, wait, stick them on, etc. Big work ((
 
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