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Keyboard Survey: rMB

Trey M

Trey M

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 25, 2011
971
368
USA
So back around April of last year I picked up a rMB at the Apple Store around the first few weeks they were launched. Took it home, and 2 of the keys were defective and didn't respond similarly to other keys (bottomed out feedback). Thought I just got a defective device. Took it back and swapped it for the same machine, and still had a single key on that machine respond similarly (defectively). Upon returning to the Apple Store, 3 of 4 rMBs I played with on display exhibited the same behavior on some random combination of keys for each model. At that point I felt that I didn't want to pay such a premium for a device that has clearly lacked the appropriate QA as far as manufacturing and assembly. I love Apple, but I felt I'd have a better experience waiting for the next gen model when the problem would hopefully not be an issue.

Just received my 2016 rMB yesterday, and I'm happy to report that none of my keys exhibited the defective behavior. Love the machine; fanless, a large SSD, and so light and small. Ideal for me.

Back around April of last year, several people echoed similar sentiments regarding the defective key issue on at least 1 key on their laptop. I know friends personally who complained of the issue on their machines, etc. I'm wondering what other people's experiences are with the quality of all keys on your rMBs, especially the 2016 models. Would be interesting to preview, collectively, if the issue seems to have gotten better for the majority of users of 2016 models.
 
My esc key looks like a fulcrum, with the right side being slightly raised, and the whole row of keys from F1 through (|) seem to be slightly raised away from screen. However, they all respond with similar pressure, and I have no complaints for orientation (i.e., if it ain't broke, don't fixit). I can understand your concerns, however, and it is too expensive a machine to expect any kind of variance that should have been worked out. It wasn't a major issue enough for me to return though, and it helped saving $500 on purchase.

Not sure if noticeable in pics, but posted anyways.

PS, happy mom's day, errybody
 

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Charadis said:
My esc key looks like a fulcrum, with the right side being slightly raised, and the whole row of keys from F1 through (|) seem to be slightly raised away from screen. However, they all respond with similar pressure, and I have no complaints for orientation (i.e., if it ain't broke, don't fixit). I can understand your concerns, however, and it is too expensive a machine to expect any kind of variance that should have been worked out. It wasn't a major issue enough for me to return though, and it helped saving $500 on purchase.

Not sure if noticeable in pics, but posted anyways.

PS, happy mom's day, errybody
Click to expand...

Interesting, I've seen other similar pictures of the keys being slanted like that before. Since there are also reports that it's possible for these to somewhat bend upon applying a lot of pressure, I wonder if that might be the culprit.

Did you buy the machine used or open box? Jw since you saved so much money . Other than that, don't think that issue would bother me much either as long as the keys were equally as responsive.
 
no issues for me yet (2015 model). With the warranty and AppleCare, this is something I won't worry about much.

Hope the 2016 model brings a more consistent experience for people...
 
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Coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the RMB, no issues, very happy with the keyboard.

BJ
 
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Shift key on my 2015 macbook died after about 3 months. The entire right side of the key was "stuck" down so I had to press hard in the middle of the key to get it to actually actuate. Apple store replaced it for free but they had to send my laptop in.

I'm hoping I don't run into any more issues with it, as I actually do really like the keyboard on there (Going back to my rMBP the keys just feel mushy and imprecise.)
 
2015 and no issues with the keyboard, in fact it just took me a while to get used to it.
Interestingly enough, it's now with my iMac's extended (usb) keyboard that I'm having problems adapting to... lol. My fingers just seem to have gotten used to the new way of typing - so much more comfortable.
 
jclardy said:
Shift key on my 2015 macbook died after about 3 months. The entire right side of the key was "stuck" down so I had to press hard in the middle of the key to get it to actually actuate. Apple store replaced it for free but they had to send my laptop in.

I'm hoping I don't run into any more issues with it, as I actually do really like the keyboard on there (Going back to my rMBP the keys just feel mushy and imprecise.)
Click to expand...

Sounds like the same issues exhibited by the 2 rMBs I returned last year. You had to be more precise when typing on the defective keys; 'stuck' is a good way to describe it.
 
Just bought my second MacBook. Well, first I bought a 256 GB, then I returned it for a 512 GB. The second keyboard definitely has something wrong with it. The bottom row of keys feel mushy. The spacebar definitely doesn't pop up as much and isn't as clicky. I can press it in certain spots without activating it too. Genius Bar appointment tomorrow. We'll see what happens.
 
Trey M said:
Interesting, I've seen other similar pictures of the keys being slanted like that before. Since there are also reports that it's possible for these to somewhat bend upon applying a lot of pressure, I wonder if that might be the culprit.

Did you buy the machine used or open box? Jw since you saved so much money . Other than that, don't think that issue would bother me much either as long as the keys were equally as responsive.
Click to expand...


Dude! It was open box at Best Buy. Got it when they dropped the price on the MacBooks a month ago. Had 6 charge cycles, and AppleCare reset the warranty to my purchase date (had been activated 2 months earlier) so it was enough for me to keep. Otherwise, I would have returned and picked up one of the base models which have gotten down pretty cheap lately!!!!!
 

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Charadis said:
Dude! It was open box at Best Buy. Got it when they dropped the price on the MacBooks a month ago. Had 6 charge cycles, and AppleCare reset the warranty to my purchase date (had been activated 2 months earlier) so it was enough for me to keep. Otherwise, I would have returned and picked up one of the base models which have gotten down pretty cheap lately!!!!!
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Congrats, hell of a deal. That's why I love Apple: no other company would reset your warranty.

Funny thing is I was so close to pulling the trigger on an open box from Best Buy a month or so ago. Same configuration as you- 512/1.2 2015. I was even going to use a 10% movers coupon. It was a great deal they had going on; I just couldn't pull the trigger without seeing what the Skylake update would bring. The difference isn't as big as I would've liked, but it all worked out in the end because I got a fantastic deal on mine myself.
 
Had a 2015; the left Command key was a bit noisy (kind of "crunchy" sounding) but it worked fine. This new 2016 has no issues or noisy keys. Otherwise, it feels the same as the 2016... and I love it just as much. my favorite keyboard of all past and present Apple MacBooks (Airs and Pros too)
 
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