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Khaleal

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 24, 2013
186
80
Hey

My "return" key started playing funny recently, sometimes it would get stuck until I smash it a few times to release it, and sometimes it would double click.

Did anyone replace their 2018 MacBook Pro/Air keyboard and got the new keyboard with the new "material"? and how may I know if I'm getting the new one or the same faulty 3rd gen keyboard?
 
apple stated all 2018 replacement will get the 2019 keyboard, the only way you can tell is if you click on the replacement and see if you hear a subtle difference.
 
apple stated all 2018 replacement will get the 2019 keyboard, the only way you can tell is if you click on the replacement and see if you hear a subtle difference.
I’m aware of Apple’s statement.
But the real question is: since 2019 models are relatively new, and stores already have 2018 3rd gen keyboards inventory, would they throw away their stock of 2018 keyboards and instead start installing 2019 keyboards? This doesn't make any sense from the company’s prospective
 
I’m aware of Apple’s statement.
But the real question is: since 2019 models are relatively new, and stores already have 2018 3rd gen keyboards inventory, would they throw away their stock of 2018 keyboards and instead start installing 2019 keyboards? This doesn't make any sense from the company’s prospective

We don’t know.

It’s also possible that they had already started silently phasing them in. There are no plainly obvious markers.
 
I’m aware of Apple’s statement.
But the real question is: since 2019 models are relatively new, and stores already have 2018 3rd gen keyboards inventory, would they throw away their stock of 2018 keyboards and instead start installing 2019 keyboards? This doesn't make any sense from the company’s prospective

Makes perfect sense. They no longer make the old keyboard in manufacturing, the assembly machines have likely been updated to the new keyboard. The Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) containing the keyboard is a top case (top AL plate, keyboard, trackpad, and battery) from here on out contain the new keyboard. Apple has state they changed their repair process to be much faster and they likely did this based on the latest FRUs.

There is a cost to switch, but is negligible compared to enabling getting the units repaired faster and engender customer goodwill.
 
Makes perfect sense. They no longer make the old keyboard in manufacturing, the assembly machines have likely been updated to the new keyboard. The Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) containing the keyboard is a top case (top AL plate, keyboard, trackpad, and battery) from here on out contain the new keyboard. Apple has state they changed their repair process to be much faster and they likely did this based on the latest FRUs.

There is a cost to switch, but is negligible compared to enabling getting the units repaired faster and engender customer goodwill.
Do you think that 15" 2017 machines also receive an updated keyboards?
I am trying to figure our why my recently replaced keyboard is SO much more comfortable than the one they replaced a year ago!
 
Do you think that 15" 2017 machines also receive an updated keyboards?
I am trying to figure our why my recently replaced keyboard is SO much more comfortable than the one they replaced a year ago!

On keyboard replacements it is likely they went with the latest items they had in stock. These would likely have the 2018 keyboard.
 
Its been ages, but I vaguely remember that the new keyboards from 2018 onwards wouldn't physically fit in the older MacBook Pros.
 
I’m aware of Apple’s statement.
But the real question is: since 2019 models are relatively new, and stores already have 2018 3rd gen keyboards inventory, would they throw away their stock of 2018 keyboards and instead start installing 2019 keyboards? This doesn't make any sense from the company’s prospective
They didn't even start repairing them in-store until the middle of this year. Before that they were sent to service depots.

Besides, Apple doesn't keep large amounts of parts in stock.
 
Do you think that 15" 2017 machines also receive an updated keyboards?
I am trying to figure our why my recently replaced keyboard is SO much more comfortable than the one they replaced a year ago!
The 2018s will get the 2019 keyboard, and anything earlier than 2017 will get the 2017 keyboard, but there's no upgrade for the 2017 keyboards.
 
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