Returned 2017 MBP due to keyboard fault

[steinrr]

Got my brand new 13 inch 2.3 GHz MBP non-TB yesterday. I am a PC user wanting to try Mac, and the MBP felt just amazing when I started using it. Really a nice computer.

But after maybe 30 minutes I noticed that some of the keys started to give a very high pitch clicking noise. The same as when you crunch a plastic bottle. The sound disappeared when it cooled down a bit again.

This was very strange, so I googled and found a lot of persons having the same issues with this. One thread is e.g.:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...high-pitched-keyboard-clicking-sound.2022399/

Seems that there are no solution, and there is no use swapping it for a new one. I would probably get a new one with other keys acting like this. I am now returning it for a refund.

This is really a shame. Purchasing a premium product with such a elementary design issue.

Anyone knows when Apple plans to fix this keyboard issue? Must I wait for a 2018 model?

 

[wiffle]

From what I've seen, the issue is a lot less prevalent on the 2017s compared to the 2016s. I went through 2 different 2016s with the same issue but the first 2017 I picked up (and am still playing with while my 2016 gets fixed) has no issues in addition to a noticeably improved keyboard. I say give a replacement one more chance as long as an Apple Store is near you (minimize the hassle)... and see if you get the issue again. If not, great. If so, then return and all the power to you!

 

[Queen6]

Disappointing, previous to the new design I don't recall much issue with the MBP and keyboards. I did rather hope Apple would have recognised if this is a prevalent issue. Admittedly only Apple knows the extent and the numbers, equally the forums do tend to indicate the new design is less reliable and more prone to issue.

Q-6

 

[ZapNZs]

I was hoping they would have fixed this with the 2017 models. For those who get systems with this problem, it is a very big deal considering it is hugely annoying and that $150 Chromebooks don't have this issue.

 

[paging_dr]

From what I've seen, the issue is a lot less prevalent on the 2017s compared to the 2016s. I went through 2 different 2016s with the same issue but the first 2017 I picked up (and am still playing with while my 2016 gets fixed) has no issues in addition to a noticeably improved keyboard. I say give a replacement one more chance as long as an Apple Store is near you (minimize the hassle)... and see if you get the issue again. If not, great. If so, then return and all the power to you!

Are you absolutely sure your 2017 is fine when operating hot? My 13" 2017 I bought a week ago has the high-pitched keyboard issue with E, N and L keys. Exchanging for another one and hope I get lucky like you... otherwise I'm going back to the 12".

 

[wiffle]

Are you absolutely sure your 2017 is fine when operating hot? My 13" 2017 I bought a week ago has the high-pitched keyboard issue with E, N and L keys. Exchanging for another one and hope I get lucky like you... otherwise I'm going back to the 12".

Yeah, I'm positive. I've had my nightmares with the 2016 so the first thing I checked when I picked up a 2017 to use while my 2016 was being repaired was the quality of the keyboard. I found two things in mine: noticebly more sturdy and rigid design on the 2017, and no keys that exhibited stickiness/high-pitched clicking/change in feel upon high usage. Nevertheless all these experiences are anecdotal and individual.... so idk if it's an actual fix or if the gods just finally gave me a working unit

Exchange and see what happens....

 

[hectorvs]

I JUST came back from the store with a non TB 13 pro... with the initial setup, the laptop gets considerably warm and the bad clicking keys showed up (del, caps, tab specially).

I didn't know this was a thing!

Do the new MacBooks have the same issue? I was on the fence between the 13 non TB or the new MacBook.. this might make or break the decision.

The clicking is soooo bad... very unlike apple to ship these machines with such a glaring defect.

 

[paging_dr]

I JUST came back from the store with a non TB 13 pro... with the initial setup, the laptop gets considerably warm and the bad clicking keys showed up (del, caps, tab specially).

I didn't know this was a thing!

Do the new MacBooks have the same issue? I was on the fence between the 13 non TB or the new MacBook.. this might make or break the decision.

The clicking is soooo bad... very unlike apple to ship these machines with such a glaring defect.

I had a similar experience when I picked up my 2017 non TB a couple weeks ago... seems like all the new Macbook Pros have this defect but perhaps the general public isn't really attentive to it and take notice (and perhaps that's what Apple is counting on). Honestly I think this need to be made a bigger deal so the higher-ups at Apple can be aware and make some changes.

 

[Truefan31]

I'm this close to buying a 2017 13" w/tb too......

 

[ZapNZs]

I JUST came back from the store with a non TB 13 pro... with the initial setup, the laptop gets considerably warm and the bad clicking keys showed up (del, caps, tab specially).

I didn't know this was a thing!

Do the new MacBooks have the same issue? I was on the fence between the 13 non TB or the new MacBook.. this might make or break the decision.

The clicking is soooo bad... very unlike apple to ship these machines with such a glaring defect.

The MacBook doesn't have the click, but seems to have more issues with specific keys bottoming out permanently and then having absolutely zero travel - sometimes from foreign objects, and sometimes from mechanism failure.

Some Users have reported that the clicky issue you have is sometimes resolved with repeated usage, and you could try pressing the key(s) repeatedly to break them in. However, for those with that issue, this is certainly not very reassuring given the cost of the investment, how annoying the sound is, and how the older keyboard design did not suffer from this issue.

 

[hectorvs]

The MacBook doesn't have the click, but seems to have more issues with specific keys bottoming out permanently and then having absolutely zero travel - sometimes from foreign objects, and sometimes from mechanism failure.

Some Users have reported that the clicky issue you have is sometimes resolved with repeated usage, and you could try pressing the key(s) repeatedly to break them in. However, for those with that issue, this is certainly not very reassuring given the cost of the investment, how annoying the sound is, and how the older keyboard design did not suffer from this issue.

I've demoed the old macbooks at bestbuy and some of the keys have completely gone flat. I don't think it's an issue with the new ones though.