Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MBP 13" 2018 noisy keys on the right side

K

kvirkel

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 30, 2018
14
0
Sweden
Hey,

Just got my brand new MBP 13" (i5/16/512) 2018 and overall really happy with it except for this one thing that bugs me. Especially the backspace key, but also the enter key and up/down arrow keys, produce a way more clicky/hollow sound than the other keys. No additional friction etc and functions fine though. I could certainly live with the arrow keys but backspace/enter are used so frequently..

I recorded a short video that demonstrates the noise compared to some other keys:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vp6pljh128i13u6/VID_20180801_191148.mp4?dl=0

Anyone else with similar experience or that can share some advice?

Updates:
  • More customers are affected, also see this other thread about the same issue
  • It seems like it affects EU keyboard layouts
  • I'm now waiting for an exchange unit under the 14-day satisfaction policy
 
Last edited:
Newtons Apple said:
Mine seem to click the same, maybe the space bar is a bit more loud but compared to the 2017 units, they are much improved.
Click to expand...

"the same" as in consistently or as how I described mine?

I have no experience with earlier units to compare with unfortunately. Reviews describe the new as roughly as loud as previously but more muffled, which I find much more pleasant.
 
My 2018 15" seems much quieter then prior models. The older versions of the butterfly keyboard were quire klacky.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezcompane
kvirkel said:
"the same" as in consistently or as how I described mine?

I have no experience with earlier units to compare with unfortunately. Reviews describe the new as roughly as loud as previously but more muffled, which I find much more pleasant.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I meant all the keys sound the same except for maybe the space bar. A non-issue for me, the 2018 keyboard is much more quiet than what I remember my 2017 was.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kvirkel
maflynn said:
My 2018 15" seems much quieter then prior models. The older versions of the butterfly keyboard were quire klacky.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I find the keyboard very nice on mine too - except for the mentioned keys on the right side which are very "klacky" compared to the rest.
 
I think what your noticing is a very minor difference due the keys being different shapes/ sizes. This will cause a slightly different sound for each. Especially if you push the key in a different area or with a different amount of force.

Mine’s the same in this respect. I also have the problem of noticing every small detail. Which can drive your crazy...

What you need to do is chill out and enjoy your new MBP :) It’s not faulty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigMcGuire
Mine's the same as well - louder Delete, Return, and top/bottom arrow keys. The MBP I just returned to Apple also had the same "issue". It's normal behavior and I wouldn't worry about it.
 
One of the biggest downsides with the butterfly keyboard is that the sounds of the keys are highly dependent on their shape and so the noise varies, especially on ISO keyboards with the vertical L return key.

I have also noticed that the up/down arrow keys are much louder on the third generation keyboard and I think this is due to the silicone membrane being shared between the two keys.
 
Yep, I have the same thing as OP on mine. The thing that killed me for the longest time when I’ve first made a major purchases is the OCD that came with it. Unfortunately it took enough away from the enjoyment of my new purchase to where I finally forgive the small things.

It’s not that much louder, just a little different so I hadn’t really thought much about it.
 
After just replicating what the video you posted shows, i do not have this issue.

2018 13" MBP, english keyboard, i7/512gb/16gb
 
Got a Macbook Pro 2018 i7 2.6 ghz with the 3. butterfly keyboard. The keyboard makes a high frequencie pitch sound when pushed down. The sound is easier to make happen when pushing on the bottom part of each key.

Video here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jwvf89xtcdg1gvy/video-1533120646.mp4?dl=0

After examning 2 different macbook pro 2018 editions at the Apple Store I found out that 1 had the exact same sound on all keys, when pushing down. The second one had the same sound at just some of the keys.

Is this how it is supposed to be? Not sure I see the point of taking it back when I found the 1 at the store had the same sound on all the keys, and the other one had it at some of the keys, but not on all the keys.
 
Tried on mine and can hear a similar difference as in @danieleilertsen 's video - though the difference is much lesser than the keys on my far right side and not affecting the same keys. I wouldnt be concerned about that since it's not audible under normal usage (which my backspace/enter keys are :/)
 
Just curious, but are you right handed? I am, and hit keys harder and quicker (I use noisy mechanical keyboard and can hear the difference) with my right hand.
 
kvirkel said:
Good to hear that others experience the same, I'm not going crazy here and felt just like @DougFNJ above. I guess I'll (have to) learn to live with it.

Recorded a short video that demonstrates the, to me, pretty big difference:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vp6pljh128i13u6/VID_20180801_191148.mp4?dl=0
Click to expand...

I am on hold for the moment regarding purchasing a MacBook Pro 2018 for just the reasons mentioned above. IMO you should NOT accept it but get Apple to fix it.

I really think this butterfly mechanism is a bad and noisy clack solution. Apple should do something about it and about your concrete Mac, IMO when listening to your video I really think that such a clicking noise is both unacceptable and distracting. I think Apple must/should make a better product that this - to say it in a simple way. They have really done it before, before 2015/6 regarding the laptop keyboard, which is a very important part of the product.
 
Last edited:
jerryk said:
Just curious, but are you right handed? I am, and hit keys harder and quicker (I use noisy mechanical keyboard and can hear the difference) with my right hand.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm right handed, but it doesn't explain the few keys that stand out - and I also hit these keys with my pinky and therefore significantly softer than other fingers.

mortenandersen said:
I am on hold for the moment regarding purchasing a MacBook Pro 2018 for just the reasons mentioned above. IMO you should NOT accept it but get Apple to fix it.

I really think this butterfly mechanism is a bad and noisy clack solution. Apple should do something about it and about your concrete Mac, IMO when listening to your video I really think that such a clicking noise is both unacceptable and distracting. I think Apple must/should make a better product that this - to say it in a simple way. They have really done it before, before 2015/6 regarding the laptop keyboard, which is a very important part of the product.
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming my sanity @mortenandersen. I'll get in touch with Apple and let you guys know here how it goes. Luckily I have an Apple store in the city where I live so I'll try there.
 
I have the standard layout keyboard, the only keys audibly louder than the others are the up arrow and down arrow

It's slightly annoying but not enough to return. I wish I'd tried on the MBP I received that was damaged out of the box, as I read on another thread the up/down arrow share the same membrane so might explain the sound difference compared to others
 
I went to Apple in Robina and on 3 of their 2018 models the arrow keys were louder.

You could hear the difference in noise despite being a noisy environment
 
Last edited:
Been in contact with Apple phone support and the local Apple store. The former didn't really lead to anything (wanted me to reboot - hilarious!) and wanted me to wait and call back for an appointment at the local store (fully booked).

So I called the store directly and the guy was much more helpful and offered to look at it outside of registered appointments. He suspected missing/broken silicone membrane for the keys which makes sense. I'm heading there tomorrow morning with my fingers crossed..
 
kvirkel said:
Been in contact with Apple phone support and the local Apple store. The former didn't really lead to anything (wanted me to reboot - hilarious!) and wanted me to wait and call back for an appointment at the local store (fully booked).

So I called the store directly and the guy was much more helpful and offered to look at it outside of registered appointments. He suspected missing/broken silicone membrane for the keys which makes sense. I'm heading there tomorrow morning with my fingers crossed..
Click to expand...
The membrane is one single piece so it is unlikely to be missing form some keys:

cQGSFmsJPLA3cVcE.huge.jpeg


Also most repair components for the new MacBook Pros won't start arriving until September, and until then service providers will just be arranging full unit replacements. So if this continues to be an issue for you I think going down the refund/exchange route is probably the best idea.
 
Brookzy said:
The membrane is one single piece so it is unlikely to be missing form some keys:

Also most repair components for the new MacBook Pros won't start arriving until September, and until then service providers will just be arranging full unit replacements. So if this continues to be an issue for you I think going down the refund/exchange route is probably the best idea.
Click to expand...

Well the sheet could be broken or incorrectly assembled, not sealing off correctly.

Interesting what you mentioned about the spare parts. The authorized service center I talked to before contacting Apple directly said the same. The guy in the store insisted that they had spare parts already when I mentioned that though.

I guess I'll find out tomorrow. In the end I don't really care if it's a repair or exchange unit to get rid of the noise, and will pursue the latter if necessary.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back