MBP Keyboard is a total FAIL

[maflynn]

Some people can only learn "the hard way".

Where there is smoke, there tends to be fire. I noted last year and this year the high volume of people posting about keyboard issues. My opinion was marginalized and belittled, I was told because I was not an owner I had no right to criticize the keyboard. Nothing I've seen so far has deterred me in my opinion that there are design flaws in the keyboard. That's too bad, because the new MBP is a beautiful machine. I can deal with the port issue (no SD, no HDMI), but the keyboard problem is a show stopper for me.

I really hope Apple is taking the issues with the new MBP seriously.

If the percentage of failure is high enough they are taking note. Hopefully we'll see something different in 2018. I'm probably going to book an appointment with an Apple Genius and look to get my 2012's MBP battery replaced. That will buy me at least another year or two. I'm looking to do that before Apple deems that model obsolete. My battery is still in decent shape but I don't want to lose out on getting it replaced.

 

[PBz]

Where there is smoke, there tends to be fire. I noted last year and this year the high volume of people posting about keyboard issues. My opinion was marginalized and belittled, I was told because I was not an owner I had no right to criticize the keyboard. Nothing I've seen so far has deterred me in my opinion that there are design flaws in the keyboard. That's too bad, because the new MBP is a beautiful machine. I can deal with the port issue (no SD, no HDMI), but the keyboard problem is a show stopper for me.


If the percentage of failure is high enough they are taking note. Hopefully we'll see something different in 2018. I'm probably going to book an appointment with an Apple Genius and look to get my 2012's MBP battery replaced. That will buy me at least another year or two. I'm looking to do that before Apple deems that model obsolete. My battery is still in decent shape but I don't want to lose out on getting it replaced.

I think it is very high. I think Apple knows. I think they are working on it but not sure it will be resolved. When the repair depots don't have parts that fix the issue... WTH?

I have a shiny new 2017 15" and it's nice.. but after lots of testing during my repair time.. I lean more and more towards the old keyboard. Tried and tested and reliable.

IMO, Apple will never announce anything. No way. What they are doing now is Red Alert phase IMO. You have Tim Cook sending people new laptops. You have repair depots leaving the tests running on repaired machines. You have replacement parts not working and adding to the repair cycle. It's bad. I am not sure I have seen it this bad. The issue is real.

What is irking me is my shiny new 15" is feeling like my shiny new 2016. There are words I type with double letters and the second letter doesn't register but autocorrect picks it up. Am I rushing that letter or is it the key that is 2mm high. More of a statement than a question. As I type on this K811, I am not having the same issue..

 

[magbarn]

Unfortunately, given Apple's past behavior, the only way they'll announce something publicly is another stupid class action lawsuit that really just benefits lawyers...

 

[Ma2k5]

They keyboard is probably 80% of the reason I haven't dropped £3,000 on a new machine (soldered SSD and reduced battery capacity (99.5wh-->74wh) didn't help either - and yes I am aware of the energy saving by the screen and newer CPU's).

 

[_Kiki_]

keyboard is fine, I don't see any problem with any keys on my MacBook Pro 15 2016

also I have a MacBook Pro 13 2016 TB and keyboard is perfectly fine

 

[maflynn]

keyboard is fine, I don't see any problem with any keys on my MacBook Pro 15 2016

also I have a MacBook Pro 13 2016 TB and keyboard is perfectly fine

Nor did the OP for many months. I'm not saying you'll definitely run into problems, but there does seem to be a high occurrence of failure.

 

[wgr73]

Autocorrect and Touch ID for admin PW is hiding instances of this issue.

Lol, just no.... Just because you use a PW and you happen to have issues with the specific keys in your password doesn't mean apple made a bad batch of kbs

And I surely hope apple doesn't autocorrect admin passwords lol. Lots of stolen computers in the immediate future if all one has to do is get close to the correct PW

 

[PBz]

Lol, just no.... Just because you use a PW and you happen to have issues with the specific keys in your password doesn't mean apple made a bad batch of kbs

The failing key was in my admin password. The key failed per Apple diagnostics. They keyboard failed and repaired keyboards failed. I have the screenshots and video of the actual tests left on my repaired machine. My point was for many, if there is a key that occasionally fails but you use Touch ID for login/admin 90% of the time.. one won't know the specific key is failing.

 

[wgr73]

The failing key was in my admin password. The key failed per Apple diagnostics. They keyboard failed and repaired keyboards failed. I have the screenshots and video of the actual tests left on my repaired machine. My point was for many, if there is a key that occasionally fails but you use Touch ID for login/admin 90% of the time.. one won't know the specific key is failing.

Those who have touchID mbps, right? A lot of people don't even have a TBmbp, so where does that leave them?

 

[PBz]

Those who have touchID mbps, right? A lot of people don't even have a TBmbp, so where does that leave them?

Not sure I follow but if they don't have Touch ID they are likely to see the issue earlier IMO. I never said it was all. I say it is a lot.
Autocorrect will also mask the double-tap of a key but only 1 letter being registered.

 

[CaptRB]

I couldn't tell from your original post. Are your units first get or second gen keyboards? 2016 models or 2017? Just curious.

1st gen, but my friend in NY is experiencing same issues with 13" 2nd gen.

R.

 

[CaptRB]

Apple rep. readily ADMITTED to the keyboard issue as a serious design flaw that they were working on. We'll see what they'll do, but I made it clear that I do NOT want a replacement with the same issues. It's just a matter of time before it happens again.

I was shocked, but pleased that the rep admitted to the issue. He said "we're getting a LOT of calls on this." And then he added, "they needed to test these more."

My case was escalated and they want me to bring the machine to another store. My position is simple. Take the machine BACK and I will purchase a iMac 27 and a MacBook Air. Once the dust settles and the keyboards are safe, I will happily buy another MBP.

We'll see what happens, but I'm a very unhappy camper.

R.

 

[AJB1971]

It sounds like we’ll have to wait and see what the third-generation butterfly mechanism brings.

Some of these machines will be out of warranty shortly, it will be interesting to see what approach Apple takes then. I would hope that they extend coverage to deal with these issues.

I had been considering replacing my late 2013 MacBook Pro with a 2016 or 2017 model, but there's no way I'm doing that until there's evidence that this problem has been resolved.

 

[PBz]

It sounds like we’ll have to wait and see what the third-generation butterfly mechanism brings.

Some of these machines will be out of warranty shortly, it will be interesting to see what approach Apple takes then. I would hope that they extend coverage to deal with these issues.

I had been considering replacing my late 2013 MacBook Pro with a 2016 or 2017 model, but there's no way I'm doing that until there's evidence that this problem has been resolved.

I was 4 months away from being out of warranty. THAT is why I went full-bore for a solution.

 

[Glass]

I love that keyboard.

 

[jerryk]

I love that keyboard.

A lot of people like the feel and action of the keyboard (and some people hate it). It is the reliability that is at issue.

 

[seadragon]

First off, thanks for the update and honest feedback. The new MBP is an absolute disaster. I was all set to spend almost 6K on one (in Canada) and then started reading about the keyboard issues. I knew in my gut that this was more than just a few people complaining on a forum. Then I started reading about Apple sticking shims under the keys to "fix" them. Well, thats a duct tape repair in my books. I'm glad I listened to my gut and didn't spend the money.

I'm still using a 2010 13 inch MBP and keep hoping the "next one" will not have these issues. So far, I see no evidence that this has changed.

Really really disappointed with Apple over this. They are putting quantity over quality which is the opposite of how the company used to be. Shame on them!

And to those that continue to defend this keyboard, just wait. It's a ticking time bomb as the OP found out.

 

[stevemiller]

ugh.

I'm still using my 2013 MacBook Pro. This is actually the longest I've gone without updating my system in, well... forever. My laptop is my workhorse, so its generally always been worth it to keep pretty up to date, but Apple just hasn't managed to offer up anything worthwhile, and instead seems to be going in the opposite direction of making their new machines more of a liability.

I really hope they get their act together early next year. I *really* don't want to have to go back to windows.

 

[ChiSouthernGirl]

ugh.

I'm still using my 2013 MacBook Pro. This is actually the longest I've gone without updating my system in, well... forever. My laptop is my workhorse, so its generally always been worth it to keep pretty up to date, but Apple just hasn't managed to offer up anything worthwhile, and instead seems to be going in the opposite direction of making their new machines more of a liability.

I really hope they get their act together early next year. I *really* don't want to have to go back to windows.

I'm with you. I have a mid-2012 that ran out of SSD space a year ago...I've moved so much stuff off, but I still keep running out. I rely on external drives but performance suffers when you run at 99% full. I'm still on Yosemite because I'm afraid to update. (I had a bad experience when I updated the OS on my 2008 MBP.) I don't want to go back to Windows, either. I have lots invested in software and the ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AppleTV). I'm looking at a replacement SSD drive because of this keyboard debacle, to see if it can help me gut it out long enough for Apple to get their act together.

 

[Mefisto]

First off, thanks for the update and honest feedback.

Yes, this is why message boards in general are useful, if those two criteria are indeed met. And I'm not saying they aren't in this case, but rather that based on OP's past posts it's admirable that he is able to reverse his stance in light of new evidence. As an adult should be expected to.

The new MBP is an absolute disaster.

This, though, is a bit much. And what constitutes "new" at this point? 2015, 2016, 2017? Considering they all have more or less the same style of keyboard?

And to those that continue to defend this keyboard, just wait. It's a ticking time bomb as the OP found out.

Indeed. I, for one, will not hold my breath, but will remain vigilant none the less. Let's see what happens. What I do know is that there's nothing at all to be gained by distressing over a hypothetical worst case scenario, when there's actual work to be done.

But that's just me.

 

[polbit]

I have to say, I went from hating the new keyboard at first touch, to loving it enough to buy the '17 MBP 15. I've had it for a month, and I really can't stand any other keyboard, this one just feels so good. If it turns out that these keyboards just don't last, I'll be very disappointed...

 

[lyngo]

Slightly off topic, my favorite keyboard EVER by Apple was the PowerBook 12” G4 keyboard.

 

[Rockadile]

Maybe a few people will recall that I was a staunch defender of the new Touchbar machines, especially their new keyboards. For a few months it was a total love affair with my 15" and 13" units.

I'm a writer and photographer, so these things are used professionally. I also have several clients including a fellow using 4 of the 15" models for editing. So let's get to the juicy part.

BOTH keyboards have failed. And THREE out of four of my friends machines have had the same kind of issues. My friend in NY (Board of Ed) uses these machines and she says MANY of the staff units are plagued with keys that don't work, loose their "click" or double type.

In my case the B key double types and the right side of the space bar doesn't work at all-15" model. On the 13" it's the F key, also double typing. My friend has dumped ALL of the machines and wants to sue Apple, though that's not my business.

Now I know someone at Apple and this is the issue. The new keyboards cannot handle dust or debris of ANY kind. Naturally it's a matter of time before this issue will appear. Apple says they'll fix my machines and offered no other solution. I will sell them and buy an iMac. Sadly I will now replace the notebooks with Dell or something without this fatal flaw.

FYI. Discussion with Genius Bar here in LA confirmed this. In fact, as soon as they saw it they said there was nothing to do but send it to their facility because their attempts to clear out the keyboards has not worked.

5 grand worth of notebooks and they're junk. Right in the middle of a movie shoot and they tell me to buy a new one while I wait for a repair.

Goodbye to the MacBook Pro.

(and my apologies to folks who had this issue and were given short thrift by me. You guys were apparently right and I was wrong).



R.

You should be getting a Mac Pro with a proper monitor (Eizo, NEC, etc.) instead.

Why does your friend have four laptops for editing?

Good to see Apple employee has acknowledged the KB issue at least.

 

[Closingracer]

I have to say, I went from hating the new keyboard at first touch, to loving it enough to buy the '17 MBP 15. I've had it for a month, and I really can't stand any other keyboard, this one just feels so good. If it turns out that these keyboards just don't last, I'll be very disappointed...

I am with you on this. Besides the noise the new keyboard makes I love it. I hated the first gen on the MacBook and the key travel has to get used to but I find these to be quite good. Too bad I can't return mine since my Box and everything is at home while I am on vacation in Florida atm and I bought it 13 days ago. Oh well. Glad I bought Apple care for it at least.Just have to get used to having a 15 inch on my lap vs my old 13.

 

[CaptRB]

You should be getting a Mac Pro with a proper monitor (Eizo, NEC, etc.) instead.

Why does your friend have four laptops for editing?

Good to see Apple employee has acknowledged the KB issue at least.

I own a NEC, but any good 4K calibrated monitor can do a great jobs with D810or even medium format files.

Small to medium budget out here in LA often edits on location. 4 machines is nothing. A Mac Pro is not needed to edit feature work.

I've had a resolution with Apple and will post on it after it's complete. I'm a much happier camper now!


R