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dangerfish

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
584
133
The "D" key on my MBP has suddenly stopped working normally. It will type if I press firmly in the center of the key and it seems to work with normal force if you hit the key on the very corners but a normal press in the center of the key does not work. I popped the key off to see if I could clean it and that didn't help so I popped it off again and then popped off some other keys and noticed a difference. Please see the attached photo. The D key is missing the black part that is present on the other keys. What is that? Where could it have gone? Can the entire butterfly assembly be replaced?

TIA
 

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Is it still under warranty? If so take it to an Apple store, they will replace the entire top case, to include the battery. If not, it is a $700 fix. Also do not tell them you removed the keys or they will not repair it under warranty. I don't know about your specific issue but the keyboards seems to have a high rate of failure on the 2016 models, less so on the 2017 models. If they do replace the top case, you may get a 2017 keyboard.
 
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No, its no longer under warranty and I don't have the protection plan. I've never felt a need to buy them and have never needed it in 15 years. Oh well.
 
No, its no longer under warranty and I don't have the protection plan. I've never felt a need to buy them and have never needed it in 15 years. Oh well.

Check your country's consumer law. Apple products in Australia have 3 years warranty. Maybe your country has some sort of protection plan as well.
 
I've got an appointment to take my computer in this Friday to have it looked at with a Genius at the Apple store. I can't live with a key not working properly. But I did some research and found some good news. I bought the computer with the 0% interest financing offer from Barclays and it automatically doubles the manufactures warranty. I have all the proper documentation so I'll give them a call this week and start the process.
 
So I took my MBP in to Apple on a Friday afternoon and it was back to me the following Monday. I was impressed with how quickly they turned it around. They initially told me it would be $500ish to replace the top case but it ended up being only $285. I know a lot of people get bent out of shape when stuff breaks out of warranty but I'm fine with it. Apple laptops have been my primary computer for over 10 years. I've never purchased Apple Care and this is the first time I've had to take one back in to have something fixed. So over all, I'm VERY happy with my long term experience with Apple. On top of all of that, the Barclay card I used to buy this computer, doubles the standard warranty. I've already filed a claim and I expect to be reimbursed.
 
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So I took my MBP in to Apple on a Friday afternoon and it was back to me the following Monday. I was impressed with how quickly they turned it around. They initially told me it would be $500ish to replace the top case but it ended up being only $285. I know a lot of people get bent out of shape when stuff breaks out of warranty but I'm fine with it. Apple laptops have been my primary computer for over 10 years. I've never purchased Apple Care and this is the first time I've had to take one back in to have something fixed. So over all, I'm VERY happy with my long term experience with Apple. On top of all of that, the Barclay card I used to buy this computer, doubles the standard warranty. I've already filed a claim and I expect to be reimbursed.

I agree. I also have never purchased Apple Care. As someone mentioned earlier, in some countries consumer laws mean the goods must be of sufficient quality to last for a reasonable period of time so I don't see the need to buy it.

As you say, even if someone didn't have those laws they may decide to just average out the cost over 10 years and decide they will probably save by not buying Apple Care. It's an insurance product and like all insurance it is up to the individual to assess their risk tolerance.
 
Was the computer out of warranty? Was this the 15 inch model?

I'm going back to my Apple store to complain. Thanks for the receipt!
 
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It's sad to see that with every new Mac purchase, the consumer has to purchase apple care+, it's like buying an FCA vehicle, except that Apple is the most valued company in the world. I hope this issue is fixed in 2018, I appreciate my 2015 more and more every day.
 
It's sad to see that with every new Mac purchase, the consumer has to purchase apple care+, it's like buying an FCA vehicle, except that Apple is the most valued company in the world. I hope this issue is fixed in 2018, I appreciate my 2015 more and more every day.

Well, if you read my post, I've never purchased Apple Care in over 10 years for any of my laptops and this is the first time I've needed an out of warranty repair. I would have spent WAY more on Apple Care had I been purchasing that for all the laptops I've owned (at least 5). I'm not saying some people wont find it valuable but its not something I've ever felt I've needed. Also, Apple Care+ covers accidental damage if I remember correctly. If you think you are going to accidentally break your laptop, then yes, you should buy the coverage. Apple shouldn't need to be responsible for accidental coverage should they?

My laptop is a 13" tbMBP, 2016 model. What is it that you are going to complain about at the Apple Store, Natzoo?
 
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