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loud click- clacking spacebar?
- Thread starter Bokes
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have you tried comparing it to the ones in store? If they don't act like yours then you might want to get an exchange.
I literally just came on here to complain about the spacebar too and saw this thread.
I absolutely love everything about my new 13" 2011 mba, except this spacebar. Like you said, it is really loud, but even more than that, it just doesn't feel right when I type. There is almost not enough resistance and "bounce-back" if that's the right choice of words, so it seems like it takes too long for the space bar to return to it's original position after hitting it. I have a hard time typing as quickly as normal because the spacebar feels "mushy." And it's really loud.
I previously had the 2010 11" mba, and had no problems with the keyboard whatsoever. I'm going to check out some models at the store and see if mine is defective or if they are all like this.
I absolutely love everything about my new 13" 2011 mba, except this spacebar. Like you said, it is really loud, but even more than that, it just doesn't feel right when I type. There is almost not enough resistance and "bounce-back" if that's the right choice of words, so it seems like it takes too long for the space bar to return to it's original position after hitting it. I have a hard time typing as quickly as normal because the spacebar feels "mushy." And it's really loud.
I previously had the 2010 11" mba, and had no problems with the keyboard whatsoever. I'm going to check out some models at the store and see if mine is defective or if they are all like this.
I had the same kind of thing with my 2010 MBA. Space bar was kind of loose and sometimes if I wasn't careful it didn't register presses.
On my 2011 MBA it's alright.
On a friend's 2010 MBA it is the trackpad that is a bit loose and the bottom left corner creaks when you hold it. Probably some screws that need to be tightened. I know it would make me crazy.
On my 2011 MBA it's alright.
On a friend's 2010 MBA it is the trackpad that is a bit loose and the bottom left corner creaks when you hold it. Probably some screws that need to be tightened. I know it would make me crazy.
Just to follow up, I stopped by an Apple store today and tried typing on several display 13" mba's, and the spacebars felt exactly like mine, so I guess the problem here is just me haha. That being said, I typed on a display 2011 11" and it felt the way I remember my 2010 11" did, and I liked it better. Oh well, I'll take the faster processor and larger display and get used to how this spacebar feels.
I have the same problem but for my "U" button, it types completely different than the rest of the keys. It's very "clacky" while the other keys are soft and smushy. I don't want to return it because I just got this one set up exactly the way I want it! 
Popped into the Apple store and checked this out.
I tried three 13inch MacAir's.
All the Spacebars were solid and none had the crackle sounds I'm getting.
figures. (I almost hoped they would have the issue- so i could get over it.)
So I walked up to the genius bar- no one was waiting so they took a look at my MacAir's spacebar.
Of course the guy thought I was nuts. He tapped on it a bunch of times and said it's normal. He asked me if it sticks. I said - no. He told all was fine go home and enjoy.
Now - I know there is a snappy,crinkle,crackle to my spacebar- but I felt like a fool trying to explain it.
I also have the Toshiba SSD and the LG Display- so according to this site I really got a lemon.....and complaining here is easy.
but try to explain these silly, small issues to a real person face to face. You soon realize how ridiculous and overly obsessive we can be about these things.
GL
I tried three 13inch MacAir's.
All the Spacebars were solid and none had the crackle sounds I'm getting.
figures. (I almost hoped they would have the issue- so i could get over it.)
So I walked up to the genius bar- no one was waiting so they took a look at my MacAir's spacebar.
Of course the guy thought I was nuts. He tapped on it a bunch of times and said it's normal. He asked me if it sticks. I said - no. He told all was fine go home and enjoy.
Now - I know there is a snappy,crinkle,crackle to my spacebar- but I felt like a fool trying to explain it.
I also have the Toshiba SSD and the LG Display- so according to this site I really got a lemon.....and complaining here is easy.
but try to explain these silly, small issues to a real person face to face. You soon realize how ridiculous and overly obsessive we can be about these things.
GL
Yes, some spacebars are loose and clacky. Not a satisfying feeling when you press on it. But that's luck of the draw, and many people are unlucky in my opinion. I just think about how fast these things are flying past the assembly line made by people who don't have a vested interest in the company. And then chalk it up to a lesson: c'est la vie and that's about it.
There always seem to be some sort of issue in a otherwise perfect computer around here in the forums lol The ratio of people having small minuscule issues here is like 10:1 vs. a person you meet in real life.
The ratio of people having small minuscule issues here is like 10:1 vs. a person you meet in real life.I wish I had a loud and clacky space bar - mine is dead like a sack of spuds. I miss the springy clackiness of my macbook pro 2010. My new MBA13 2011 is definately a step back in the keyboard department - but the model in the store seems pretty similar, so I dont think it makes much sense to try and send it back - we only have Apple Auth retailers here, no Apple stores, so sending it back via mail would be a hassle.
Still Im surprised that many of the reviews state that teh keyboard tactile feel is the same between the Pro and the Air. The travel is significantly less on my Air, and the keys feel "mushy", and squeek under certain circumstances, but I guess that's the price one pays for such a thin machine?
Still Im surprised that many of the reviews state that teh keyboard tactile feel is the same between the Pro and the Air. The travel is significantly less on my Air, and the keys feel "mushy", and squeek under certain circumstances, but I guess that's the price one pays for such a thin machine?
My 13'' has this 'problem' too. When you move one finger around it while pressing it, the sound it produces is like if it had a thin plastic film and it's irritating when typing when there's no ambient noise. I went to the store and found out that they have this weird sound too, so I guess it must be normal. It isn't a big deal anymore, the machine has a perfect screen and everything works great, no problems whatsoever.
I have the same exact issue. If I click the button on the right or left side it's fine. But right in the middle I get a (relatively) louder sound like the click clack mentioned here. Also if I push down on the key and more my finger side to side I hear the plasticky sound mentioned above. The best way to describe it is it sounds like the spacebar is taped down and the tape isn't sticking so it makes a sound. I don't think there's actually any tape under it but there are some metal braces that are probably click-clacking around.
I want to take it back to the store and get it replaced but it seems like everyone has some sort of issue with their keyboard. Has anyone been successful in fixing it through replacement? or DIY mods?
I bought a Air thinking the MBP's build quality and quality control would carry over. Not so it seems...
I want to take it back to the store and get it replaced but it seems like everyone has some sort of issue with their keyboard. Has anyone been successful in fixing it through replacement? or DIY mods?
I bought a Air thinking the MBP's build quality and quality control would carry over. Not so it seems...
Sorry for reviving this thread but I just got this problem on my MBP 2012 and I fixed it by snapping the white plastic tabs back on.
The important part is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIpgG9fHcHw&t=7m12s
The important part is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIpgG9fHcHw&t=7m12s
I got a replacement MBA and returned it because the keys were making a lot of noise and eventually couple of them popped out.
So when I looked at the bed, it was just a soft plastic used in a collapsible ladder like structure that was giving you that springy action.
You can easily pluck one apart and then just place it correctly and press it firmly till it clicks in place.
My guess is only one side of the key is being held by the springy mechanism in your case.
I wiped my keyboard with a micro fibre towel and a couple of them popped out. So it should not be that hard.
As always use caution, if its too hard to pry, leave it.
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Frankly after only having this Macbook Pro for a day, and having payed all that money, I'm not particularly wild about the idea of having to pry the thing apart.
I suspect Apple could say that "they all do this" but I simply can't bring myself to believe that, given how the Mac people go on and on about how much energy they put into engineering their products to be so much better than everyone else's.
My POS old PC was quiet as a mouse with it's keyboard, and this thing is driving me nuts.
Would something like this fall under the warranty, do you think ?
It really seems like a manufacturing defect to me.
I suspect Apple could say that "they all do this" but I simply can't bring myself to believe that, given how the Mac people go on and on about how much energy they put into engineering their products to be so much better than everyone else's.
My POS old PC was quiet as a mouse with it's keyboard, and this thing is driving me nuts.
Would something like this fall under the warranty, do you think ?
It really seems like a manufacturing defect to me.
I returned mine because of the noisy keyboard. I had another one to compare so I wasn't being picky. But mine was new and under the 14 day period, so no issues with the return.
If you are under warranty, I think you can tell them to replace the keyboard if its too noisy.
Just call Apple and ask them about it and see what they say.
loud spacebar on MBP 13" mid 2012
just brought a 2 day old MBP after breaking my previous one... eventually got round to using the space bar a few times & i was very concerned by the noise, it is like it's extra loose and when you hit it you get a rattle. After reading other posts i now know this is a design fault because all the other keys are fine & almost silent. I really want to take it back but not sure whether i will get the same again.
just brought a 2 day old MBP after breaking my previous one... eventually got round to using the space bar a few times & i was very concerned by the noise, it is like it's extra loose and when you hit it you get a rattle. After reading other posts i now know this is a design fault because all the other keys are fine & almost silent. I really want to take it back but not sure whether i will get the same again.