MacBook Neo's Keyboard Can Be Replaced Individually

[mlayer]

I am hoping the Neo 2 keyboard will be the same part. Then I can buy the Neo 2 with the keyboard of my choice, swap keyboards with my current Neo, and give away the older model to a relative.

I would be careful not to confuse repairable with modular. Apple =/= Framework

 

[seek3r]

YES!

Repairable and replaceable components are how a computer should be designed.

Across all the Macs, let's get back to slotted SSDs as well. 🙏

FWIW the mini, studio, and mac pro all have slotted storage (though it's just the NAND, the controller is part of the SoC)

 

[alphaod]

I never realized Apple posts their repair manuals now even for their older Macs.

 

[jdclifford]

Could they possibly retrofit a backlit keyboard for Neo?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Lol wöt no way what’s apples obsession with screws

It's Apple's subtle way as saying "screw you" to the Neo haters.

 

[ChrisH3677]

Excuse the cynicism, but did they only do this to save costs? It would seem cheaper to build something that doesn’t have to consider unrepairability.
Is unrepairability another “tax” we’ve been paying?

 

[sbuntin]

​

For the MacBook Neo, there are separate Keyboard, Keyboard with Touch ID, and Top Case parts, and Apple shows how to replace the keyboard individually. While there are still more than 40 screws involved to replace the keyboard on its own, the process is much easier than replacing an entire Top Case, which requires lots of disassembly.

This is misleading and lazy writing. Someone did not read the actual support articles.

Replacing the top case requires exactly the same steps as replacing the keyboard. The last two steps of the top case replacement are "remove keyboard" and "reassemble".

It is exactly as difficult to replace the top case as to replace the keyboard.

It is less expensive, but the time and effort is identical.

 

[sevoneone]

The secure enclave does more than touch ID. It holds the keys for encryption and whatnot so it's still present on both models.

It's part of the SoC. Would be really hard to just leave it out.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

can you not replace the keys individually on a more modern MacBook?

The individual keytops yes, but not the individual keyswitches under them, since they're all incorporated into a single rubber membrane.

 

[anshuvorty]

Could they possibly retrofit a backlit keyboard for Neo?

Do it - someone try and hack this thing....let's go!!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Do it - someone try and hack this thing....let's go!!

I won't be surprised if something like that pops up on the tube.

 

[Equals42]

I won't be surprised if something like that pops up on the tube.

I was expecting someone to have plans for better thermal sink and keyboard backlighting. Expectations half met.

 

[StevesBobs]

Will it even break before it's obsolete?

 

[svish]

Will be easier to repair and that is excellent news. Hopefully repair costs also will be lower.

 

[Happy_John]

This is misleading and lazy writing. Someone did not read the actual support articles.

Replacing the top case requires exactly the same steps as replacing the keyboard. The last two steps of the top case replacement are "remove keyboard" and "reassemble".

It is exactly as difficult to replace the top case as to replace the keyboard.

It is less expensive, but the time and effort is identical.

If there’s no adhesive, only screws, it’s a lot easier.

 

[ricketysquire]

That's bad for those that used to get a new battery with keyboard replacements 😛

 

[TVreporter]

Apple clearly surveyed teachers and parents asking how many times has a kid spilled chocolate milk over the keyboard.

Tim always playing chess while we play tic tac toe!

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

Shame about the latest MBP but good news for the Neo

I hope this is the start of a trend rather than a special consideration for the cost conscious offering, everyone benefits from more modular designs

 

[typecase]

This may be Apple's best product in a while. Great price. Great colors, repairability. Damn.