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The Keyboard Problem on MBP

Sdahe

Sdahe

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 26, 2007
1,723
23
San Juan, PR
Hello,

So I got a new 15" Macbook Pro a couple of days ago and now Im seeing everywhere about the keyboard problem.. It makes me think if I should return it or buy Apple Care to be safe.. the problem is that these MBPs are not cheap and now Im thinking on spending more money for Apple Care...

A bit frustrating...
 
Sdahe said:
Can't select Apple Care only... its just Apple Care+
Click to expand...
If you want the regular AppleCare you either need to call Apple and order it via phone, or (what I would suggest) look for it it at reputable third-party retailers and then just activate it for your product afterwards. Advantage of the second method is that they oftentimes have it on offer cheaper than Apple has.

If you don‘t have any issues right now then I definitely wouldn‘t return it over the theoretical chance that you might get some issues down the road – it‘s a great machine and if you‘re otherwise content with it, keep it. With AppleCare you should be pretty safe in case any issues do pop up outside of the 1-year warranty.
 
afir93 said:
If you want the regular AppleCare you either need to call Apple and order it via phone, or (what I would suggest) look for it it at reputable third-party retailers and then just activate it for your product afterwards. Advantage of the second method is that they oftentimes have it on offer cheaper than Apple has.
Click to expand...
What's the difference between the Apple Care+ and the regular Apple Care
 
Sdahe said:
What's the difference between the Apple Care+ and the regular Apple Care
Click to expand...
AppleCare only gives you extended warranty (for up to three years after purchase in case of the MBP), whereas AppleCare+ also gives you the opportunity for two repairs in case of accidental damage for a fixed service price. But AC+ is also significantly more expensive so if you‘re not worried about accidental damage, then AC might be your better choice.
 
Sdahe said:
Hello,

So I got a new 15" Macbook Pro a couple of days ago and now Im seeing everywhere about the keyboard problem.. It makes me think if I should return it or buy Apple Care to be safe.. the problem is that these MBPs are not cheap and now Im thinking on spending more money for Apple Care...

A bit frustrating...
Click to expand...

Make the decision you feel best aligns with your risk tolerance and ownership goals...

Also keep in mind that if you purchased with a CC you'll usually enjoy an extended warranty from your CC as well. So you Apple 1 year warranty can easily become a 2 year warranty (1 year Apple + 1 year CC). Amex, for instance, also covers Apple Care time so you end up with 4 years from Amex (1 year Apple + 2 years Apple Care + 1 year Amex).

If you would "worry" too much then buy Apple Care and you'd paid to have your worries covered. Otherwise, skip it and decide how you want to handle a repair if it ever comes to it.
 
AppleHaterLover said:
Apple will repair your keyboard up to 4 years from date of purchase.
Click to expand...
Now that's interesting, where does that gem come from, and what is this "keyboard issue" that so many are talking about? I was given the 2018 MBP last September for my 80th. and so far no problems.
Be aware if you are going to get the Apple Care you need to do it soon as you only have 60 days after purchase to register it. Not sure if you buy from a third party whether this applies?
Also, for accidental damage, my Home insurance covers me so not an issue if I can get the regular one from somewhere. I'm too late to get cover from Apple but c an I get a third party one to work even though the 60 days is up?
 
cheddar-caveman said:
Now that's interesting, where does that gem come from, and what is this "keyboard issue" that so many are talking about? I was given the 2018 MBP last September for my 80th. and so far no problems.
Be aware if you are going to get the Apple Care you need to do it soon as you only have 60 days after purchase to register it. Not sure if you buy from a third party whether this applies?
Also, for accidental damage, my Home insurance covers me so not an issue if I can get the regular one from somewhere. I'm too late to get cover from Apple but c an I get a third party one to work even though the 60 days is up?
Click to expand...

So, the 60 day limit applies only to AppleCare+ (which makes sense as it covers accidental damage).

The normal AppleCare however will be valid to be purchased anytime within the warranty period (i.e a year).

I know you can buy these from retailers, but perhaps if you call Apple, that can also offer it too over the phone.
 
afir93 said:
If you want the regular AppleCare you either need to call Apple and order it via phone, or (what I would suggest) look for it it at reputable third-party retailers and then just activate it for your product afterwards. Advantage of the second method is that they oftentimes have it on offer cheaper than Apple has.

If you don‘t have any issues right now then I definitely wouldn‘t return it over the theoretical chance that you might get some issues down the road – it‘s a great machine and if you‘re otherwise content with it, keep it. With AppleCare you should be pretty safe in case any issues do pop up outside of the 1-year warranty.
Click to expand...

You can oder it online, just find it on Apple's web site...put in your serial number and pay $249 for a 13inch MBP, just did it yesterday. 3 years of additional coverage, and some kind of accident insurance if you $%^& your MacBook Pro.
 
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cheddar-caveman said:
Now that's interesting, where does that gem come from, and what is this "keyboard issue" that so many are talking about? I was given the 2018 MBP last September for my 80th. and so far no problems.
Be aware if you are going to get the Apple Care you need to do it soon as you only have 60 days after purchase to register it. Not sure if you buy from a third party whether this applies?
Also, for accidental damage, my Home insurance covers me so not an issue if I can get the regular one from somewhere. I'm too late to get cover from Apple but c an I get a third party one to work even though the 60 days is up?
Click to expand...

Apple keyboards in the MacBook Pro changed to a butterfly mechanism in 2016 and were found to have a high rate of failure. Due to three class action lawsuits on the new keyboard, Apple agreed to cover the keyboards for four years. This currently doesn't apply to 2018 models although most people agree that it will eventually apply to 2018 models as well since they are also failing.

The current thread about the 2018 keyboard failures is here. It's currently over 60 pages long.

As far as AppleCare, many people on the forum have reported that they got the normal AppleCare by directly calling Apple and talking with an AppleCare specialist.
[doublepost=1548295852][/doublepost]
synergize said:
You can oder it online, just find it on Apple's web site...put in your serial number and pay $249 for a 13inch MBP, just did it yesterday. 3 years of additional coverage, and some kind of accident insurance if you $%^& your MacBook Pro.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you got AppleCare Plus if it covers accidental damage.

AppleCare (or AppleCare Plus) gives you an extra two years of coverage which gives you a total of three including the warranty that came with the computer.

People should call Apple directly and speak with an AppleCare specialist to ask for the cheaper AppleCare (not AppleCare Plus unless they want to cover accidental damage).
 
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afir93 said:
AppleCare only gives you extended warranty (for up to three years after purchase in case of the MBP), whereas AppleCare+ also gives you the opportunity for two repairs in case of accidental damage for a fixed service price. But AC+ is also significantly more expensive so if you‘re not worried about accidental damage, then AC might be your better choice.
Click to expand...

Is it significant? I have not found a price yet to compare the two. On the 13" AC+ is $249 with EDU, $269 without.
 
Does anyone know the price of just Apple Care (not +) on a 2018 13" TB MBP, so no accident coverage?
Thank you.
 
Howard2k said:
Has that been extended to the 2018s?
Click to expand...
No, unless you buy Apple Care, the warranty on the keyboard is 1 year. If you have AC, it's 3 just like every other part on the mac. Only the 2016-2017 models have the 4 year extended warranty on every keyboard.
 
Cashmonee said:
Is it significant? I have not found a price yet to compare the two. On the 13" AC+ is $249 with EDU, $269 without.
Click to expand...
I’ve bought my AppleCare plan for my 2018 15“ MBP for about 250€. AppleCare+ is currently 449€ on Apple‘s website. So, yeah, almost twice as expensive; personally I’d say that’s significant.

Obviously if you care about accidental damage coverage, then AC+ may still be a good deal, but if you don’t then you’re putting down an unnecessary 200€ with AC+.
 
Mackinjosh said:
No, unless you buy Apple Care, the warranty on the keyboard is 1 year. If you have AC, it's 3 just like every other part on the mac. Only the 2016-2017 models have the 4 year extended warranty on every keyboard.
Click to expand...
2 y in europe
 
afir93 said:
I’ve bought my AppleCare plan for my 2018 15“ MBP for about 250€. AppleCare+ is currently 449€ on Apple‘s website. So, yeah, almost twice as expensive; personally I’d say that’s significant.

Obviously if you care about accidental damage coverage, then AC+ may still be a good deal, but if you don’t then you’re putting down an unnecessary 200€ with AC+.
Click to expand...
That is significant. I wish I knew US pricing. AC+ on a 15” in the US is $379.
 
Sdahe said:
Can't select Apple Care only... its just Apple Care+
Click to expand...
You have to call apple for the regular AC, they don't offer it online. Also Apple does have a repair program for the keyboard so that should protect you for the next 4 years.

Personally, I chose to move on from the MBP simply because its my opinion the issues with the butterfly keyboard is due to design flaws. I'm not advising you to return the laptop especially if you really like it, but I am saying in my own situation I felt peace of mind was worth more then keeping a laptop with a flawed design. Many people may never experience a keyboard failure so keep that in mind as well.
 
maflynn said:
You have to call apple for the regular AC, they don't offer it online. Also Apple does have a repair program for the keyboard so that should protect you for the next 4 years.

Personally, I chose to move on from the MBP simply because its my opinion the issues with the butterfly keyboard is due to design flaws. I'm not advising you to return the laptop especially if you really like it, but I am saying in my own situation I felt peace of mind was worth more then keeping a laptop with a flawed design. Many people may never experience a keyboard failure so keep that in mind as well.
Click to expand...
Hello.. well the 2018 MBPs are not listed in the keyboard repair program so they are not protected for 4 years. Unless they add them later this year the only thing would be to buy Apple Care.

Just to know.. what are the other flawed design things you found besides the keyboard?
 
sg9 said:
https://ifixit.org/blog/12903/flexgate/
Click to expand...
WOW.. this really makes me return the MBP to BestBuy... its seems there could be a lot of trouble with them
[doublepost=1548347342][/doublepost]Could I be able to return the MBP to Best Buy even if there is nothing wrong with it now?... Do I need a motive or I just can return it because Im not satisfied with it.
[doublepost=1548349189][/doublepost]Well Im just going to return the MBP to Best Buy... not going to take a chance on this issues..

Which used Macbook I could get without this issues? what year?
 
Hello,

Ok so this is the dilemma Im having.. 6 days ago I bought a 2018 MBP 15" from Best Buy. After a few days looking for information about the computer I have discover this MBPs have some serious issues going on with the keyboard and the screen. I already paid $2,200 plus tax on this laptop and Im thinking on spending more for Apple Care so I can sleep in peace about the issues but... Since Im inside the 14 day period Best Buy gives you I can return the computer and just buy a used 2015 MBP for much less and forget about the issues.
 
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