MacBook Pro 2018 Keyboards - Reliable?

[tangfish]

What he said ^

My 2016 MBP went 9 months before it had a problem. Then I suffered through 3 top case replacements in the following 9 months before giving up and upgrading to the 2018 version (at a $2,000 loss). The 2018s haven’t been out for long enough to really judge whether the problem has truly been fixed or not.

 

[Queen6]

I have a feeling we are only seeing the beginning of the keyboard problems. Rather than truly fix the issue, I think Apple delayed the inevitable with the keyboard condoms. So now they aren't failing as quickly, but the failures are beginning to roll in. Kind of like standing under a water-resistant tarp in a rainstorm. It will keep you dry longer than no-tarp, but once the water starts to leak through, your gonna get wet.

Apple will just do what it always does; leave it's affected customers to wallow in the mire until Apple knows that it will definitively loose in a court of law. Come up with the cheapest option to appease any potential court action. Above anything else Apple will ensure it's reputation is not tarnished...

Apple has done this over and over, what is impressive is the manipulation of the customers and Apple's ability to blatantly lie and get away with it. Small wonder why so few professional's remain on the platform, undoubtedly another figure Apple wont be disclosing anytime soon...

Q-6

 

[navaira]

I have a feeling we are only seeing the beginning of the keyboard problems.

I agree. I was among the pioneers ;P because I type a LOT and I had various deadlines – having to switch laptops every three weeks while you're on a deadline is a fantastic experience I expect to get having paid Apple tax /s But there are more problems appearing, as the apple.com thread linked earlier shows. I think the 3rd gen is the worst they produced so far – quiet, comfortable (IMO), broken from the start.

 

[SDColorado]

I agree. I was among the pioneers ;P because I type a LOT and I had various deadlines – having to switch laptops every three weeks while you're on a deadline is a fantastic experience I expect to get having paid Apple tax /s But there are more problems appearing, as the apple.com thread linked earlier shows. I think the 3rd gen is the worst they produced so far – quiet, comfortable (IMO), broken from the start.

The fact that Apple had to publish such ridiculous keyboard cleaning instructions, right down to the 75 degree angle (not 70 or 80 or your blowing it wrong) is imho an admission of failure to the design.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662

 

[Ma2k5]

The fact that Apple had to publish such ridiculous keyboard cleaning instructions, right down to the 75 degree angle (not 70 or 80 or your blowing it wrong) is imho an admission of failure to the design.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662

That is indeed hilarious.

They did historically get people to drop their desktop computers a few inches to pop components back in place, or ask users to hold their phones differently - so not that surprising .

 

[SDColorado]

That is indeed hilarious.

They did historically get people to drop their desktop computers a few inches to pop components back in place, or ask users to hold their phones differently - so not that surprising .

What other computer have you owned that requires such antics to clean the keyboard? I have already heard stories of people popping off the keys with canned air and you can't always put them back in place when they do pop off (again thanks to the design), but now I am waiting to hear tales of Macs being accidentally dropped while doing this nonsense.

Next Apple will be requiring you to perform a banishing ritual to rid the home of dust demons

 

[Ma2k5]

What other computer have you owned that requires such antics to clean the keyboard? I have already heard stories of people popping off the keys with canned air and you can't always put them back in place when they do pop off (again thanks to the design), but now I am waiting to hear tales of Macs being accidentally dropped while doing this nonsense.

Next Apple will be requiring you to perform a banishing ritual to rid the home of dust demons

I think most keyboards have enough under the key's to make up a dinner plate, and still function.

 

[SDColorado]

I think most keyboards have enough under the key's to make up a dinner plate, and still function.

Right? You could shake them out like a toaster, yet they continue to work through it all. Now days if you report a keyboard failure you get asked how dusty the work environment is and if you have ever used it outside.

 

[2027376]

glad I waited on upgrading my mbp. I hope a re-design is in the works...

 

[SDColorado]

glad I waited on upgrading my mbp. I hope a re-design is in the works...

Maybe not. What we may see instead is the "Apple Cleaning Stand." A laptop stand that clamps your MBP in, can be raised and tilted to the perfect 75-degree angle and allows you to rotate it left and right for that perfect clean every time.

Another marketing opportunity for Apple.

Edit: In all seriousness, I think the next overhaul will include a taptic keyboard, at least as an upgrade option.

Perhaps the pricing will be as such. Standard keyboard no additional charge. Semi-reliable keyboard +$250, Haptic Keyboard +$400.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

The fact that Apple had to publish such ridiculous keyboard cleaning instructions, right down to the 75 degree angle (not 70 or 80 or your blowing it wrong) is imho an admission of failure to the design.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662

Wonder if they would cover damage if the user dropped it from those instructions due to all the weird angles and they didn’t have AppleCare plus. Lol

 

[mmmatei]

I got a MBP 15' 2018 in September. A couple of days ago I've sent it back to Apple repair because of double lettering. Very frustrating, especially when you do a lot of writing on a brand new +2000$ machine.

Just my luck, my first Apple laptop and it's a key faulty one.

If the problem comes again, I'll sell it and buy a Surface Book. I like macos more than Windows, that's for sure, but this type of hardware issues are unacceptable for that price.

 

[SDColorado]

Wonder if they would cover damage if the user dropped it from those instructions due to all the weird angles and they didn’t have AppleCare plus. Lol

Right? Another reason that Apple Care + is becoming a requirement. That and maybe we will see the Apple Cleaning Stand at a store near you. Someone should beat Apple to the punch and patent one.

 

[p4stoboy]

Hi guys,

First post, first time Mac owner;

I have a 2018 13" w/ touchbar (2-3 months old). Just started getting double hits on my 'o' key last night (probably 1/10 - 1/15 depressions at this point). I haven't tried the NVRAM reset or the SMC reset yet (I've seen a few people saying this solved their issue). I don't have Apple Care but this will be covered under warranty if neither of those solutions work. My questions are:

a) Is there another thread for this discussion anywhere yet? Or are these issues still relatively uncommon with the 18 model?
b) Compressed air? Worth a go?
c) Is it worth losing my laptop for a week only to risk it happening again? Or should I just run with Unshaky?

To say I'm pissed off is an understatement. I shouldn't have to lose access to a product I use every day that cost $2500 just to have the keyboard replaced.

I've spoken to Apple Support who are calling me tomorrow to see what Apple Care packages I may be eligible for; if I can get some cover like that I might just use unshaky until it's convenient for me to take it in for repair.

This really sucks though..

Edit - I also have portables cover on it under my home and contents insurance so I'm not quite sure if doubling up with the Apple Care is even worth it?

 

[turbineseaplane]

As I sit here typing on my spouse's standing desk setup and her Magic Keyboard (connected to her clamshelled, sticky space bar, 2016 MBP), I find myself wondering why Apple had to "out think the room" here.

This Magic Keyboard would have been perfect in the 2016+ laptops and it's the totally proven and reliable scissor switches under there.

So frustrating when they take design too far "just because".

 

[navaira]

a) Is there another thread for this discussion anywhere yet? Or are these issues still relatively uncommon with the 18 model?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gen-3-butterfly-keyboard.2127111/

I think the lack of issues is relatively uncommon with the 18 model.

Is it worth losing my laptop for a week only to risk it happening again? Or should I just run with Unshaky?

Personally I decided there is no way I am going to pay 2989 euro for a laptop that requires a freeware app which might stop being developed a week from now to function correctly.

So frustrating when they take design too far "just because".

Check out my signature.

 

[SBruv]

Hi guys,

First post, first time Mac owner;

I have a 2018 13" w/ touchbar (2-3 months old). Just started getting double hits on my 'o' key last night (probably 1/10 - 1/15 depressions at this point). I haven't tried the NVRAM reset or the SMC reset yet (I've seen a few people saying this solved their issue). I don't have Apple Care but this will be covered under warranty if neither of those solutions work. My questions are:

a) Is there another thread for this discussion anywhere yet? Or are these issues still relatively uncommon with the 18 model?
b) Compressed air? Worth a go?
c) Is it worth losing my laptop for a week only to risk it happening again? Or should I just run with Unshaky?

To say I'm pissed off is an understatement. I shouldn't have to lose access to a product I use every day that cost $2500 just to have the keyboard replaced.

I've spoken to Apple Support who are calling me tomorrow to see what Apple Care packages I may be eligible for; if I can get some cover like that I might just use unshaky until it's convenient for me to take it in for repair.

This really sucks though..

Edit - I also have portables cover on it under my home and contents insurance so I'm not quite sure if doubling up with the Apple Care is even worth it?

Essentially, you can’t really win. You can get it fixed, which might take a week, and then look forward to it inevitably happening again. There’s no good news.

 

[Plutonius]

Hi guys,

First post, first time Mac owner;

I have a 2018 13" w/ touchbar (2-3 months old). Just started getting double hits on my 'o' key last night (probably 1/10 - 1/15 depressions at this point). I haven't tried the NVRAM reset or the SMC reset yet (I've seen a few people saying this solved their issue). I don't have Apple Care but this will be covered under warranty if neither of those solutions work. My questions are:

a) Is there another thread for this discussion anywhere yet? Or are these issues still relatively uncommon with the 18 model?
b) Compressed air? Worth a go?
c) Is it worth losing my laptop for a week only to risk it happening again? Or should I just run with Unshaky?

To say I'm pissed off is an understatement. I shouldn't have to lose access to a product I use every day that cost $2500 just to have the keyboard replaced.

I've spoken to Apple Support who are calling me tomorrow to see what Apple Care packages I may be eligible for; if I can get some cover like that I might just use unshaky until it's convenient for me to take it in for repair.

This really sucks though..

Edit - I also have portables cover on it under my home and contents insurance so I'm not quite sure if doubling up with the Apple Care is even worth it?

Follow Apples support document on cleaning your keyboard with air. You shouldn't be required to but it will probably work.

 

[SBruv]

Follow Apples support document on cleaning your keyboard with air. You shouldn't be required to but it will probably work.

Er, no, it won't work. You've not been keeping up with this thread, clearly…