New MacBook Air and Base 13-Inch MacBook Pro Have Same Keyboard as Higher-End 2019 MacBook Pros

[hotdwag]

Even if the 2019 fixes actually resolve the issues, it will be awhile before there's trust. The only thing that will really show is time and occurences. Would have been nice to see additional modification to the design such ability to remove keys and have the keyboard detachable from the upper case.

I have the 2016 "esc" and have had 0 keyboard issues, though one shouldn't have to wonder if / when their keyboard might fail. Problem might be fixed with 2019, though the design's reputation has one nasty black eye.

 

[Citimedic]

Well, you know, everyone wants to feel as though they are Tim Cook themselves, so all of the individuals who had no plans of purchasing anything in the first place have to let us know loudly what they “absolutely under no circumstances” aren’t going to purchase

 

[ryannel2003]

For what it’s worth I had the keyboard replaced on my 2016 Pro with the updated 2017 unit last year and haven’t experienced any problems since. Hopefully they’ve solved a lot of the issues with this latest revision.

 

[Analog Kid]

They're probably using up their remaining stock of keyboards before they switch to the new ones.

I don’t think it works that way. There’s not a warehouse of “keyboards”, there’s a supply chain of parts that typically arrive just in time to be assembled.

My suspicion is that they’re still using the current keyboard because they know it’s not as bad as the comment section would have us believe (Apple Insider’s most recent data indicates, that the latest generation keyboard has no more failures than the 2015) and releasing a new design without sufficient testing can only make things worse.

 

[JPack]

They're probably using up their remaining stock of keyboards before they switch to the new ones.

The new scissor keyboard would clearly need a chassis redesign. Second, Apple is probably testing the new scissor design to extreme lengths to avoid a similar fiasco.

 

[GtrDude]

This is "Good News"?

How in the world of non-Apple kool-aid drinkers can this possibly be considered "good news"?

 

[Dented]

Well, you know, everyone wants to feel as though they are Tim Cook themselves, so all of the individuals who had no plans of purchasing anything in the first place have to let us know loudly what they “absolutely under no circumstances” aren’t going to purchase

In all seriousness the computer I'm typing on right now is a 13" MBP from 2009. It works perfectly in every way and runs well after an SSD and ram upgrade a few years ago, but in any ordinary universe I'd probably have upgraded it by now. However, due to the fact that we've fallen into an alternate timeline where Apple can no longer produce a notebook keyboard that doesn't feel horrible or require an ongoing maintenance programme, I've every intention of hanging on to it for another couple of years, and have just put High Sierra onto it to stay a little more current.

Whoever dreamt up the butterfly keyboard has cost Apple dearly I think.

 

[iMi]

I have had the original MacBook 12 inch with the first generation keyboard and had it replaced once. Worked fine since. I have zero problems with my 2018 MacBook Pro and rather like the shallow key travel. I type fast. What the hell are people doing with their keyboards? Maybe don’t eat pizza while typing? I don’t really get it... how widely spread is this issue and does it really persist with the latest version?

 

[rjp1]

The keyboard on my 2012 MBP works great. In fact, every keyboard on every other computer I’ve used works great.

What exactly were they trying to accomplish with this redesign? Just go back to the 2012 keyboards and put this issue to rest already.

 

[surfzen21]

How widespread are these keyboard issues, really? I'm acting as local IT in my department, we have tons of MacBook 12-inches, tons of MacBook Pro 13-inches and a few MacBook Pro 15-inches all with these keyboards. None are newer than mid-2018 models so no one is having the latest revision of these keyboards either and all machines are being used daily, most of them a lot "on-the-road" and there has been zero issues with the keyboards?

I do agree that they aren't the best to type own, you need a certain amount of travel and these are just not providing it. But in-terms of reliability we haven't had any issues. I understand that Apple has return programs for them, so there are obviously some issues but as soon as Apple starts with these return program's it seems like everyone and their mother starts to act like every single keyboard is bad which is clearly not the case.

Appreciate this info.

I had the opportunity to use a 2019 15" MBP and I actually like the key throw. If people start selling them cheap, I would buy a used one for the right price.

I'm still on a 2010 13" MBP with an SSD swap I did. Its definitely at its end of life.

 

[iMi]

Eliminating the 12 inch MacBook was an obvious move. I’m surprised the new Air wasn’t introduced as replacement for both models to start. I also like the addition of Touch Bar across the entire range of pro MacBooks. Good move. It should encourage developers to take full advantage. I know many despise the Touch Bar but I like it.

 

[nexusrule]

How widespread are these keyboard issues, really? I'm acting as local IT in my department, we have tons of MacBook 12-inches, tons of MacBook Pro 13-inches and a few MacBook Pro 15-inches all with these keyboards. None are newer than mid-2018 models so no one is having the latest revision of these keyboards either and all machines are being used daily, most of them a lot "on-the-road" and there has been zero issues with the keyboards?

I do agree that they aren't the best to type own, you need a certain amount of travel and these are just not providing it. But in-terms of reliability we haven't had any issues. I understand that Apple has return programs for them, so there are obviously some issues but as soon as Apple starts with these return program's it seems like everyone and their mother starts to act like every single keyboard is bad which is clearly not the case.

Same here. I am a designer in a very big tech company, +20.000 employees, we use this notebook and there is no
keyboard epidemics. And many are developers so the use they keyboard a lot. I am sure there is a tiny percentage of people affected by the issue, mass production doesn’t mean all pieces are created equal and probably a tiny fraction comes out of the factor weaker than the rest, causing this issue. I mean since 2016 Apple has sold tens of millions of this keyboard, even at 5% failure rate it would mean hundreds of thousands of broken machines and it would be very noticeable online, in mass media and so on.

But this is the internet and we are in the era where the internet is dumb, constant whiners, conspiracy theorist and haters are having the time of their life, let them enjoy it until it lasts

 

[mikes63737]

How widespread are these keyboard issues, really? I'm acting as local IT in my department, we have tons of MacBook 12-inches, tons of MacBook Pro 13-inches and a few MacBook Pro 15-inches all with these keyboards. None are newer than mid-2018 models so no one is having the latest revision of these keyboards either and all machines are being used daily, most of them a lot "on-the-road" and there has been zero issues with the keyboards?

Pretty widespread in my division... we've got 7 of these machines (15" Pro) and 3 have keyboard issues. 1 has had the keyboard totally fail, 1 had frequent "r" key issues (press "r" and get 0, 1, or 2 r's) and the last has occasional issues with a few keys. Mix of 2016 and 2018 machines.

Small sample size, for sure... but I have not had a single MacBook Pro with key issues before this 2016+ generation... probably about 2 dozen at work and 2 personal machines.

 

[rosegoldoli]

I realize they keyboard may still suck, but I'm starting to regret my 2018 MacBook Air purchase 6 months ago.

you can get your keyboard upgraded to the 2019 version for free. That's what they are going to do for me as soon as I hand my laptop in

 

[dguisinger]

How widespread are these keyboard issues, really? I'm acting as local IT in my department, we have tons of MacBook 12-inches, tons of MacBook Pro 13-inches and a few MacBook Pro 15-inches all with these keyboards. None are newer than mid-2018 models so no one is having the latest revision of these keyboards either and all machines are being used daily, most of them a lot "on-the-road" and there has been zero issues with the keyboards?

I do agree that they aren't the best to type own, you need a certain amount of travel and these are just not providing it. But in-terms of reliability we haven't had any issues. I understand that Apple has return programs for them, so there are obviously some issues but as soon as Apple starts with these return program's it seems like everyone and their mother starts to act like every single keyboard is bad which is clearly not the case.

My 2018 MBP is scheduled for an appointment this week for a second topcase/keyboard replacement. Such amazing quality from a $5000 laptop.

 

[Classic_Rock]

Rock breaks scissors, scissors cut butterfly, butterfly doesn't rock.

OK - that was creative.

 

[definitive]

You're saying "good news", but I don't think it means what you think it means.

 

[aylk]

How widespread are these keyboard issues, really? I'm acting as local IT in my department, we have tons of MacBook 12-inches, tons of MacBook Pro 13-inches and a few MacBook Pro 15-inches all with these keyboards. None are newer than mid-2018 models so no one is having the latest revision of these keyboards either and all machines are being used daily, most of them a lot "on-the-road" and there has been zero issues with the keyboards?

I do agree that they aren't the best to type own, you need a certain amount of travel and these are just not providing it. But in-terms of reliability we haven't had any issues. I understand that Apple has return programs for them, so there are obviously some issues but as soon as Apple starts with these return program's it seems like everyone and their mother starts to act like every single keyboard is bad which is clearly not the case.

You sir, have an extremely lucky IT department. Congrats.

 

[aimbdd]

I liked the old keyboards better feel wise, but have no issues with reliability so far. We have a 16’ and 17’ 13 inch that are abused, and 18’ 15 inch that’s is handle roughly and a 19’ that’s babied. They were all bought shortly after they were released. Zero keyboard issues to date. It seems like these issues are being blown out of proportion.

 

[SneakerXZ]

How widespread are these keyboard issues, really? I'm acting as local IT in my department, we have tons of MacBook 12-inches, tons of MacBook Pro 13-inches and a few MacBook Pro 15-inches all with these keyboards. None are newer than mid-2018 models so no one is having the latest revision of these keyboards either and all machines are being used daily, most of them a lot "on-the-road" and there has been zero issues with the keyboards?

I do agree that they aren't the best to type own, you need a certain amount of travel and these are just not providing it. But in-terms of reliability we haven't had any issues. I understand that Apple has return programs for them, so there are obviously some issues but as soon as Apple starts with these return program's it seems like everyone and their mother starts to act like every single keyboard is bad which is clearly not the case.

Isn't it related to how people use them? I thought the issue is caused by dust, so if people travel with them more often or they eat at them, the chance of experiencing this issue is higher.

 

[goobot]

This is "Good News"?

How in the world of non-Apple kool-aid drinkers can this possibly be considered "good news"?

It’s a better keyboard than the last gen. How is that bad news.

 

[Rogifan]

I doubt Kuo's note from 5 days ago was referring to this MacBook Air. He was likely talking about the 2019 MacBook Air to be launched later this year, perhaps in October.

So Apple is updating the MBA in July and then going to announce a new one in September/October? How often have they done that?

My guess is if this new keyboard is a thing it’s for this rumored 16” model. It’s possible that will be a hi end pro machine sort of the Mac Pro of the laptop line. Maybe the keyboard design will trickle down to other products over time. But this year?

 

[BigBoy2018]

So Apple is updating the MBA in July and then going to announce a new one in September/October? How often have they done that?

My guess is if this new keyboard is a thing it’s for this rumored 16” model. It’s possible that will be a hi end pro machine sort of the Mac Pro of the laptop line. Maybe the keyboard design will trickle down to other products over time. But this year?

To think that we have to wait for a reliable keyboard to 'trickle down' to the entire laptop line is laughable ... but it's where we are at the moment.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

MacRumors would do the community a great service by compiling what statistical data is out there on the keyboard performance. Not cataloging YouTube or forum member complaints, but digging up broad unbiased data such as that from Consumer Reports, Which?, or other sources.

Neither of those are unbiased sources of data.

 

[Mainsail]

Do we know for a fact that the fourth iteration didn’t solve or substantially reduce the problem? Just wondering? I understand that the prior versions have proven to be unreliable. But, I thought the jury was still out on version 4.