You just contradicted yourself there. The debris under the keyboard is the exact issue that everyone is talking about which did not happen on the 2015 and older machines.
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POLL: How severe is the 2016/2017 MacBook Pro keyboard issue
- Thread starter Cristim74
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You just contradicted yourself there. The debris under the keyboard is the exact issue that everyone is talking about which did not happen on the 2015 and older machines.
as someone with a professional background in online sampling, i agree that this poll may not be perfectly scientific (I found this thread, for example, because it's amongst the top search results when i google "2017 macbook pro keyboard issues."
but that's no reason not to still do it - it's still interesting and instructive in some ways.
anyhow, i have twice repaired my seven-month-old 2017 13" macbook pro for variations on the same issue - keyboard issues. first, the spacebar. and now, the shift key. sigh.
but that's no reason not to still do it - it's still interesting and instructive in some ways.
anyhow, i have twice repaired my seven-month-old 2017 13" macbook pro for variations on the same issue - keyboard issues. first, the spacebar. and now, the shift key. sigh.
That might be me you’re thinking of. I’m not in IT but I was getting a new Dell setup from our IT department and when I went in we were talking and I mentioned I had wanted a MBP but my sup said no. They told me they weren’t surprised, sups were steering their direct reports towards dells because #1) the cost and 2) the keyboard failure rate for our 2016/2017 MBP’s was at about 7%.
I work for a Corp with about a 35k global headcount. I’d say about 10k are probably are engineers, rest are management and factory workers. I’m not sure how many MBP are actually in circulation so 7% could be irrelevant to knowing the sample size.
And actually about as of a month ago, our MBP purchasing freeze became permananent and we are dropping all Apple desktop support (MBP and iMac) internally.
Honestly can’t blame them. From a purely cost perspective, they’re a really bad deal compared to the deal we have with Dell. The cost of my new Dell was half of the nearest comparable MBP, which my Dell still has a leg up on. Multiply that saving across a workforce of at least 10k that get new laptops every 3-4 years... it adds up. Plus in the engineering we do, most of our software is internally created or is windows only.
For us, its exactly the other way around. We have to spent so much more time on supporting Windows machines, and hardware support is so bad that even with their higher price, Macs end up to be significantly cheaper for us. Granted, we are not a big organisation (its an education/research unit), so we can't really afford to have a proper IT. Costs of labour are very high here, so its cheaper for me to buy a new computer than to hire someone to offer proper hardware support. And we have a great Mac service provider as a partner. Dell and Lenovo, on the other hand were beyond terrible, with repairs taking over a month...
I went through 4 15" MacBook Pro 2016s with keyboard issues, they eventually upgraded me to a 2017 model and it has been around 7-8 months and I haven't had any of the same issues I had with the 2016 (or any of the other issues, with speakers or creaking).
But I do know a fair few people who have had issues with the keyboard on the 2017 too, so it still seems fara from a solved problem.
But I do know a fair few people who have had issues with the keyboard on the 2017 too, so it still seems fara from a solved problem.
Hello everyone. Would really appreciate your opinion.
As someone else stated, I too purchased a new Macbook pro because of the recent Best Buy sale. I cannot afford applecare and have never needed it or regretted not purchasing it on the MANY apple products owned since 2006.
Mine is the entry level 13 inch. It was manufactured exactly 90 days ago in 2018.
I still have one week for a full refund.
I'm completely in love with this machine - it is replacing a 2009 macbook pro that still works fantastic almost a decade later (but nothing like this thing).
But I read an article in Forbes 3 days ago about the keyboard possibly being the biggest blunder in Apple history - and began reading the forums furiously. I'm shocked and saddened. Oh man.
If my keyboard failed out of warranty - that'd be a disaster.
Should I return it and wait for the next model? I suppose I could make do with an imac but I really wanted a mbp.
How about a really expensive keyboard cover/protector. Has anyone heard or know if that would help?
Any opinions are appreciated.
As someone else stated, I too purchased a new Macbook pro because of the recent Best Buy sale. I cannot afford applecare and have never needed it or regretted not purchasing it on the MANY apple products owned since 2006.
Mine is the entry level 13 inch. It was manufactured exactly 90 days ago in 2018.
I still have one week for a full refund.
I'm completely in love with this machine - it is replacing a 2009 macbook pro that still works fantastic almost a decade later (but nothing like this thing).
But I read an article in Forbes 3 days ago about the keyboard possibly being the biggest blunder in Apple history - and began reading the forums furiously. I'm shocked and saddened. Oh man.
If my keyboard failed out of warranty - that'd be a disaster.
Should I return it and wait for the next model? I suppose I could make do with an imac but I really wanted a mbp.
How about a really expensive keyboard cover/protector. Has anyone heard or know if that would help?
Any opinions are appreciated.
If you love it, it might be wiser to just buy Apple Care for it and be done with it. There's no promise that Apple will actually care enough to fix this in June.
2016 13" nTB. Babied its entire life. Still get a crumb or dirt under the keyboard from time to time and have to dust it out. Also my #8 key gets "clicky" if the system gets hot.
Keyboard is loud, cheap sounding.
I need a quad core in the 13" and I need a USB-A port.
Keyboard is loud, cheap sounding.
I need a quad core in the 13" and I need a USB-A port.
My 2017 MBP 13 nTB (2018 build date) is currently with Apple for a minor keyboard issue. The F1 key was stuck at an angle. It worked, sort of, if I pressed harder than I should have had to. The Apple store said - might be able to fix the individual key but we'll order a replacement top plate in case the key can't be repaired. What sort of design requires the entire top of the machine with an entirely new keyboard to be replaced because one key has a butterfly mechanism issue? Talk about absurd waste! I didn't realise the keyboard was such an issue. 7% failure rate? I'm beginning to think a 2nd hand older machine might be a better choice.
OzH1 wrote: (in 31 above):
"Should I return it and wait for the next model? I suppose I could make do with an imac but I really wanted a mbp."
You asked, so I'll answer.
I'd advise you to either:
1. Get AppleCare for it (will extend warranty to 3 years)
or
2. Get a refund and wait for the 2018's, or get the iMac instead.
DON'T use a "keyboard cover". It has a high likelihood of contacting the display surface and damaging the fragile sprayed-on antiglare coating. Read up on "StainGate"...
"Should I return it and wait for the next model? I suppose I could make do with an imac but I really wanted a mbp."
You asked, so I'll answer.
I'd advise you to either:
1. Get AppleCare for it (will extend warranty to 3 years)
or
2. Get a refund and wait for the 2018's, or get the iMac instead.
DON'T use a "keyboard cover". It has a high likelihood of contacting the display surface and damaging the fragile sprayed-on antiglare coating. Read up on "StainGate"...
My 15" 2017 TouchBar MacBook Pro had a failing "N" key at around six months. I took it back, the repair took 3 days through the local Apple Store. The key failed when the MacBook Pro got warm/hot during usage, was fine while it was cold.
The replacement keyboard has been fine for a few months now. I have AppleCare+ on the MacBook Pro.
My guess is there was a defect in manufacturing that reveals itself after a few months. If I never have another issue, I'm happy.
The replacement keyboard has been fine for a few months now. I have AppleCare+ on the MacBook Pro.
My guess is there was a defect in manufacturing that reveals itself after a few months. If I never have another issue, I'm happy.
Take it back and wait for the 2018 model, plus a few months for people to try them out.
It sounds like you have a good machine you can use in the meantime. The additional time will also let you save a bit more to get AppleCare, which unfortunately I consider to be a must with the 2016 and later MacBook Pros
It sounds like you have a good machine you can use in the meantime. The additional time will also let you save a bit more to get AppleCare, which unfortunately I consider to be a must with the 2016 and later MacBook Pros
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My first 2016 TB MBP was replaced because of a bad keyboard one week after I bought it. That one lasted about five months before having to be sent out for an entire top case replacement. It came back with the 2017 keyboard and it's now been about four and a half months with only very intermittent glitches (compressed air and/or just waiting for it to work itself out has worked in these instances).
My husband bought a 15" TB MBP in January. Sent out for top case replacement in February. Keyboard/TB completely died about a month ago and the entire machine was swapped out by a very sympathetic Genius at the Bar who was more than happy to share that Apple is well aware of the issue.
If I had a chance to go back to May 2017 knowing what I know now and buy it again, I wouldn't. I would've gotten the 13" 2015 while it was still available. (And if I hadn't knocked an iced tea on my 13" 2013, I'd STILL be using that - and a day doesn't go by that I don't wish I just spent the money to get it repaired.)
I appreciate all the replies - thank you.
This stinks - it's gratitude for the present vs fear of the future.
I've spent every single moment since purchase customizing/learning/working/making progress on this machine.
My old mac is VERY slow now that I've been on this one. I prefer the old keyboard but I've gotten used to this one much faster than I thought I would.
I'm leaning toward just "turning this mac into a desktop" when the keyboard fails after warranty as it seems it certainly will. Already have a monitor, magic mouse and apple wireless keyboard on standby.
It's ridiculous, but there it is.
This stinks - it's gratitude for the present vs fear of the future.
I've spent every single moment since purchase customizing/learning/working/making progress on this machine.
My old mac is VERY slow now that I've been on this one. I prefer the old keyboard but I've gotten used to this one much faster than I thought I would.
I'm leaning toward just "turning this mac into a desktop" when the keyboard fails after warranty as it seems it certainly will. Already have a monitor, magic mouse and apple wireless keyboard on standby.
It's ridiculous, but there it is.
You guys have probably already heard that Apple has announced a free fix for the butterfly keyboard problem on a case by case basis (people who spilled liquid on it will likely be denied) - but I thought I’d post just in case one of you hasn’t and could benefit. I would also be interested in hearing experiences as they develop.
https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro/
They are even offering retroactive refunds to those unfortunates who have already paid the heavy out-of-warranty payment.
This is certainly welcome news for me. If you’ll recall, I spent 2 excruciating weeks in April deciding whether to return my beloved new MacBook Pro. Ultimately, I decided I'd keep it and cross any future bridges when reached. I figured I could turn it into a desktop mac if the keyboard failed. It sucked but returning it would have sucked even more (especially since a new one was NOT announced in June as many expected).
Apple's recent announcement definitely provides at least SOME level of peace of mind (notably absent before). The announcement says the service will be for " 4 years from the model's release date." So mine was released in June of 2017 (I purchased mine in April 2018) so the keyboard will be fixed or replaced for free until June 2021 - my last mac lasted a decade but this is still good enough for me.
I’m on day 69 and all is well with my keyboard. I’ve even gotten used to it and seem to type faster than before, due to the previously despised 'less key travel' I’m now accustomed to.
BUT.
There was ONE incident however. About a month ago, my right side ‘Control Key’ began to feel sticky…
Aw man, I thought. This is it. I should have listened to everyone and taken it back.
But I remembered suggestions on a youtube video I’d seen - and it worked for me.
The video advises to flip the macbook upside down and lightly tap it so the key pops out (if it’s sticky and stuck in), then it advises to gently massage the key. I was skeptical but it worked for me, and the comments indicate it has worked for many others. Here's the link:
Of course, I tried at the first sign of sympton - some of you may have had problems for months but hey, give it a shot - you never know...
But yea, your mileage may vary with the above advise so take it it to Apple
To be clear, none of this changes the fact that the keyboard design is a MAJOR defect and completely unacceptable - but I feel things are much better than before.
Also, I can't find drop/torture tests on the new macbook pros on youtube whereas they used to be in abundance (and did remarkably well).
I did however, find one video, featuring the current macbook pro being dropped a thousand feet out of a helicopter. I was expecting a minor explosion - it survived instead. Touche Apple.
Ok fine, so an external monitor is needed. Give it a break, it just fell a thousand feet from a freakin' helicopter!
I now believe I made the right choice in keeping this machine and it has been a joy since day 1 (dongles aside).
It is my hope and wish that Apple’s recent announcement alleviates the painful frustrations I’ve read on these forums or that perhaps just the youtube video that helped me might help someone else. Spread the word - many are suffering.
https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro/
They are even offering retroactive refunds to those unfortunates who have already paid the heavy out-of-warranty payment.
This is certainly welcome news for me. If you’ll recall, I spent 2 excruciating weeks in April deciding whether to return my beloved new MacBook Pro. Ultimately, I decided I'd keep it and cross any future bridges when reached. I figured I could turn it into a desktop mac if the keyboard failed. It sucked but returning it would have sucked even more (especially since a new one was NOT announced in June as many expected).
Apple's recent announcement definitely provides at least SOME level of peace of mind (notably absent before). The announcement says the service will be for " 4 years from the model's release date." So mine was released in June of 2017 (I purchased mine in April 2018) so the keyboard will be fixed or replaced for free until June 2021 - my last mac lasted a decade but this is still good enough for me.
I’m on day 69 and all is well with my keyboard. I’ve even gotten used to it and seem to type faster than before, due to the previously despised 'less key travel' I’m now accustomed to.
BUT.
There was ONE incident however. About a month ago, my right side ‘Control Key’ began to feel sticky…
Aw man, I thought. This is it. I should have listened to everyone and taken it back.
But I remembered suggestions on a youtube video I’d seen - and it worked for me.
The video advises to flip the macbook upside down and lightly tap it so the key pops out (if it’s sticky and stuck in), then it advises to gently massage the key. I was skeptical but it worked for me, and the comments indicate it has worked for many others. Here's the link:
Of course, I tried at the first sign of sympton - some of you may have had problems for months but hey, give it a shot - you never know...
But yea, your mileage may vary with the above advise so take it it to Apple
To be clear, none of this changes the fact that the keyboard design is a MAJOR defect and completely unacceptable - but I feel things are much better than before.
Also, I can't find drop/torture tests on the new macbook pros on youtube whereas they used to be in abundance (and did remarkably well).
I did however, find one video, featuring the current macbook pro being dropped a thousand feet out of a helicopter. I was expecting a minor explosion - it survived instead. Touche Apple.
Ok fine, so an external monitor is needed. Give it a break, it just fell a thousand feet from a freakin' helicopter!
I now believe I made the right choice in keeping this machine and it has been a joy since day 1 (dongles aside).
It is my hope and wish that Apple’s recent announcement alleviates the painful frustrations I’ve read on these forums or that perhaps just the youtube video that helped me might help someone else. Spread the word - many are suffering.
Yup, its on our front page
Apple Launches Repair Program for Faulty MacBook and MacBook Pro Keyboards