Noisy/loose keys on 2020 10th gen 13in Macbook Pro

[hungryappleuser]

Just received my new 10th gen Macbook Pro 13in. but was disappointed to discover that the keys felt loose. As soon as my fingers makes contact with the keys, they make a clackity chattering noise. Feels and sounds cheaply made. It's especially apparent if you run your fingers along the keyboard without pressing on the keys. My friend has the 2020 8th gen version which does not exhibit this problem at all. On their 8th gen version the keys felt nice and solid without any of the clacking noise.

Does anyone else have this issue? I'm wondering if all 10th gen versions are like this or if it's just mine in particular. Paid a lot more for the upgraded 10th gen model, so I was expecting the keyboard to at least be the same as the 8th gen version.

Video showing the difference between the two models:

 

[bag99001]

I don't notice any issues with the keyboard. I suspect the keyboards are identical on both models - so if it's REALLY bad, maybe you have a hardware fault.

 

[hungryappleuser]

I don't notice any issues with the keyboard. I suspect the keyboards are identical on both models - so if it's REALLY bad, maybe you have a hardware fault.

Thanks, good to know. And to confirm, you're referring to the 10th gen model right? I'll probably take it in after the stores open back up to see what they say. Here's a quick clip I recorded to show the difference:

 

[ignatius345]

Thanks, good to know. And to confirm, you're talking referring to the 10th gen model right? I'll probably take it in after the stores open back up to see what they say. Here's a quick clip I recorded to show the difference:

I think what he said was that there's no difference between the keyboards on different 2020 MacBook Pros, regardless of processor upgrades. When you think about it, why would there be?

 

[drxcm]

my 10th gen is like yours in the video

 

[hungryappleuser]

I think what he said was that there's no difference between the keyboards on different 2020 MacBook Pros, regardless of processor upgrades. When you think about it, why would there be?

Gotcha, that's also what I had assumed prior to purchasing it. The keyboard is the main reason I decided to upgrade from a 2018 13" model with butterfly switches, so it was disappointing that it doesn't sound or even feel the same as the 8th gen one I tried initially. I think it's pretty clear in the video that the 2nd one is significantly louder. Trying to find out if this is an issue with mine or if I'll need to switch to 8th gen in order to get that keyboard.

Internally, there are some subtle differences (# of fans, speakers, # of usb ports), so it's not impossible that they might have different keyboard part numbers as well.

my 10th gen is like yours in the video

thx for checking 👍

 

[jabbr]

here's a recording for some more data. First keyboard is the standalone magic keyboard you get with an iMac. Second keyboard is the one on my 10th Gen 13"

keyboardslol.wav

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

The standalone keyboard sounds harsher to me, I don't mind the sound of this MBP.

What concerns me is that you say they FEEL different. While I guess this is all subjective, it would really suck if 1/2 of these machines had worse feeling keys. Do you notice a difference in the stability of the spacebars on the 2 units? I have noticed that the standalone magic keyboard has a more stable feeling spacebar than my 13" 2020.

 

[hungryappleuser]

here's a recording for some more data. First keyboard is the standalone magic keyboard you get with an iMac. Second keyboard is the one on my 10th Gen 13"

keyboardslol.wav

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

The standalone keyboard sounds harsher to me, I don't mind the sound of this MBP.

What concerns me is that you say they FEEL different. While I guess this is all subjective, it would really suck if 1/2 of these machines had worse feeling keys. Do you notice a difference in the stability of the spacebars on the 2 units? I have noticed that the standalone magic keyboard has a more stable feeling spacebar than my 13" 2020.

Thanks for the recording. Those 2 sounds fairly similar relative to the difference between the two I tried. Based on that, it seems like the one on the 8th gen is much better than all of them. The keys barely make any noise when I run my fingers over them and have a solid thud when typing, almost thinkpad-like.

I don't notice anything specific about the spacebars between the two, the difference applies to all the keys. The best way I can describe it is, as soon as my fingers make contact on the 10th gen keyboard, even without typing, it makes a click (like plastic hitting plastic). It's as if there's a gap between the key cap and the key switch itself. Whereas on the 8th gen one, I can touch it without making any noise and it feels like the key caps are completely attached to the switches and they move as a single unit.

 

[jabbr]

The best way I can describe it is, as soon as my fingers make contact on the 10th gen keyboard, even without typing, it makes a click (like plastic hitting plastic). It's as if there's a gap between the key cap and the key switch itself. Whereas on the 8th gen one, I can touch it without making any noise and it feels like the key caps are completely attached to the switches and they move as a single unit.

hmmm interesting. Yea, I think I completely understand your description of the possible sound a gap between the cap and switch could make. My 10th gen sounds similar to yours in that regard. FWIW my 2017 with butterfly switches makes a similar amount of sound when just resting my fingers on the keys.

I have no doubt that there are multiple manufacturers of the keyboards, that just makes sense. It's too bad when they yield way different experiences though. You make me want to go test out an 8th gen in a store!

I was so delighted just to get away from the damn butterfly.

 

[hungryappleuser]

hmmm interesting. Yea, I think I completely understand your description of the possible sound a gap between the cap and switch could make. My 10th gen sounds similar to yours in that regard. FWIW my 2017 with butterfly switches makes a similar amount of sound when just resting my fingers on the keys.

I have no doubt that there are multiple manufacturers of the keyboards, that just makes sense. It's too bad when they yield way different experiences though. You make me want to go test out an 8th gen in a store!

For me, the 10th gen makes a lot more noise when placing my fingers on the keys than my 2018 w/ butterfly switches. It's impossible to touch these keys without making that noise even if I try to use as little pressure as possible.

I listened to your recording again and it seems like your 10th gen might sound more similar the 8th gen one I tried. Were you pressing down on the keys during the recording or just running your fingers over them?

Haha yeah I guess I'll just go check it out some demo units at the store and see what's up.

 

[jabbr]

For me, the 10th gen makes a lot more noise when placing my fingers on the keys than my 2018 w/ butterfly switches. It's impossible to touch these keys without making that noise even if I try to use as little pressure as possible.

Your 2018 does have that extra silicone membrane that cuts down on noise and gives a softer feel. My 2017 is ridiculously loud and brutal to type long sessions with, like some kinda angry mechanical board. It leaves a zingy painful feeling in my fingertips lol, and I'm a fairly light typer. It's so horrible I can't in good conscience sell it to anybody.

Were you pressing down on the keys during the recording or just running your fingers over them?

I was just running over them fairly quickly, no presses. Pressing has a satisfying thud sound.

 

[bag99001]

I just watched your video and I honestly don't hear it being that bad...but maybe personal sensitivity or maybe just what is conveying via video and not in person. I understand your concern but I think the 2020 model's slightly longer key travel and lack of membrane compared with the 2018 model is just going to make it slightly louder. You're of course welcome to try and see if it's just the specific Mac you got that maybe another 2020 model is not going to be as loud or maybe you're more sensitive to it than me, but I think that the noise your hearing is perfectly reasonable and not something most people would have enough of an issue with to return the Mac. I don't think it's a difference between the 8th generation CPU 2020 model or 10th generation 2020 model. I am not an Apple engineer but I have a hard time believing the keyboards are any different. It is more likely just the manufacturing tolerance allows some difference in sound between any MacBook made. If this were typical times I'd usually say go try it out in a store hands on to see if you notice a difference in display models but that's difficult or impossible to do with the current pandemic. With how expensive a MacBook is though, if it bothers you enough to not be usable for you, return the thing. Apple has a pretty lenient return policy.

I had a somewhat similar issue with the clickiness on an old iPhone SE (original 4" model) that had a very clicky home button. It bugged me...same with an old white MacBook, a metal "clunk" sound when using the trackpad. Probably functionally was within spec, but it did bug me, so I understand sound sensitivity. Good luck!

 

[benredacted]

So I also have a 2020 gen10 and gen8, which I have been comparing in other ways, but I saw this thread so I tried a more detailed comparison of the keyboards. I hadn't noticed any differences before, so not surprisingly I don't notice a significant difference between them even under closer scrutiny. The stability of the keys and the spacebar are similar, and the feel/sound are also nearly identical. I imagine there is some variation just due to manufacturing tolerances. If anything, my gen10 feels a little "tighter," but only just barely, and it's so slight that it could very well just be in my head. Just another data point for you!

 

[iRun26.2]

So I also have a 2020 gen10 and gen8, which I have been comparing in other ways, but I saw this thread so I tried a more detailed comparison of the keyboards. I hadn't noticed any differences before, so not surprisingly I don't notice a significant difference between them even under closer scrutiny. The stability of the keys and the spacebar are similar, and the feel/sound are also nearly identical. I imagine there is some variation just due to manufacturing tolerances. If anything, my gen10 feels a little "tighter," but only just barely, and it's so slight that it could very well just be in my head. Just another data point for you!

Why do you have both?

 

[jabbr]

So I went to my local apple store and checked out all of the keyboards on the different MBP models. All the display models had really great, firmer keys that feel super comfy.

I ended up returning my 10th gen 2020 on the spot because it obviously doesn't have the same keyboard. I want to thank you OP, for starting this thread and bringing this issue to my attention. Apple is clearly using multiple keyboard manufactures and there is a bit of a lottery going on.

There really shouldn't be this kinda obvious discrepancy, especially when the keyboard is being touted as being so amazing.

 

[grator]

I currently have 2 2020 10th gen, both same specs. And they definitely don't have the same keyboard.
Problem is: the one with the weakest keyboard has a better screen than the other one (less banding, less dse).

 

[roy61]

I have a Macbook Pro 13 2020 i7 which just arrived a few days ago. This thread got me thinking about returning it. The sound of the keyboard is similar to the one the OP is experiencing. Also my keys are quite wobbly too. I uploaded a video. Is this the normal amount of wobble??

I also have the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and was expecting the feel of the new keyboard on the MBP to be solid like that one but like the OP I was disappointed that it feels "loose"

 

[benredacted]

There are probably a couple different things going on here. One is manufacturing variation, which @jabbr has seen firsthand at the Apple store. That is certainly an issue, although you'd think Apple would have worked out any manufacturing issues since the same keyboard (presumably) was in the 16" MBP and the wireless Magic Keyboard for quite a while now.

The other, separate, issue is the switch back from butterfly to scissor switches. Scissor switches are just inherently less stable (and therefore "wobblier"). How many of you are coming from a butterfly switch laptop? For all its other faults, the butterfly switches did provide much more stability to the keys. I'm coming from a 2015 MBP 13" (the last scissor switch model) and the keys on it are significantly wobblier and more noisy than any of the examples posted in this thread. I mean significantly. It's like shaking a can full of marbles in comparison to my 2020 MBP 13".

 

[grator]

You are right. I have a 2015 MBP 13 too, and as I said, 2 2020 MBP 13 (10th gen). And yes, the 2015 is way more wobbly than both 2020. It's definitely like night and day.
But, I guess there are multiple manufacturers for the scissor mechanism, and my 2020 don't share the same keyboard. One is way more wobbly than the other, and even the Touch ID key doesn't have the same aspect.

 

[hanzallausman]

hi guys did any of you contact apple regarding this were they of any help? Sucks to spend such an amount of money and get a loose/faulty keyboard

 

[roy61]

hi guys did any of you contact apple regarding this were they of any help? Sucks to spend such an amount of money and get a loose/faulty keyboard

I ended up returning mine and purchasing a replacement which was much better but not dramatically better.