They Replaced 2016 MBP with 2017. Keyboard failing again. Triggered by heat?

[kjvmartin]

My 2016 13" nonTB MPB had the keyboard replaced twice, logic board once due to loose USB-C port, and for what would be the 3rd keyboard replacement they switched me to a 2017 nonTB MBP.

I've transferred my AppleCare. I've had the replacement MBP for 3 months and the spacebar is now getting spongy while missing a click every few sentences or so. It's developed an unnatural travel feel. I was told 2017 models were improved over 2016 to alleviate this problem, so I am disappointed to be on the way to the mall again tonight for a Genius appointment.

I started running some intensive graphics (Farm Sim 17) on this machine over the last 2-3 weeks. That's the only thing I can report that has been different in terms of my usage. The heat has been strong and is felt through the keyboard. It can be uncomfortable to rest my hands on the keyboard and nearby chassis.

Could it be due to heat? I notice some people are not having keyboard problems. Maybe if you generate enough heat, something in the mechanism melts?

My current goal will be to get another in box replacement to sell. I'm going to use a Windows laptop + an iPad Pro for my Apple ecosystem interface if that works.

 

[Demonface]

My 2016 13" nonTB MPB had the keyboard replaced twice, logic board once due to loose USB-C port, and for what would be the 3rd keyboard replacement they switched me to a 2017 nonTB MBP.

I've transferred my AppleCare. I've had the replacement MBP for 3 months and the spacebar is now getting spongy while missing a click every few sentences or so. It's developed an unnatural travel feel. I was told 2017 models were improved over 2016 to alleviate this problem, so I am disappointed to be on the way to the mall again tonight for a Genius appointment.

I started running some intensive graphics (Farm Sim 17) on this machine over the last 2-3 weeks. That's the only thing I can report that has been different in terms of my usage. The heat has been strong and is felt through the keyboard. It can be uncomfortable to rest my hands on the keyboard and nearby chassis.

Could it be due to heat? I notice some people are not having keyboard problems. Maybe if you generate enough heat, something in the mechanism melts?

My current goal will be to get another in box replacement to sell. I'm going to use a Windows laptop + an iPad Pro for my Apple ecosystem interface if that works.

It might be a defective unit .I started using my MBP and it started to get hot pretty quickly. But idk if its normal or not.

 

[Miltz]

My 2016 13" nonTB MPB had the keyboard replaced twice, logic board once due to loose USB-C port, and for what would be the 3rd keyboard replacement they switched me to a 2017 nonTB MBP.

I've transferred my AppleCare. I've had the replacement MBP for 3 months and the spacebar is now getting spongy while missing a click every few sentences or so. It's developed an unnatural travel feel. I was told 2017 models were improved over 2016 to alleviate this problem, so I am disappointed to be on the way to the mall again tonight for a Genius appointment.

I started running some intensive graphics (Farm Sim 17) on this machine over the last 2-3 weeks. That's the only thing I can report that has been different in terms of my usage. The heat has been strong and is felt through the keyboard. It can be uncomfortable to rest my hands on the keyboard and nearby chassis.

Could it be due to heat? I notice some people are not having keyboard problems. Maybe if you generate enough heat, something in the mechanism melts?

My current goal will be to get another in box replacement to sell. I'm going to use a Windows laptop + an iPad Pro for my Apple ecosystem interface if that works.

How many hours per day to do you run Farm Sim 17? Would you say your computer runs at full load during that time? It took my 2016 15" MBP about one year for the keyboard to start failing. I use Photoshop and Final Cut Pro all day, but I only notice the laptop getting hot during intense 4k editing sessions, and exporting. Perhaps the issue is heat related but data needs to be collected to isolate the issue. Although this is a Pro laptop, I don't know how many hours of sustained full load these laptops are meant to run, at least in apple tests. Maybe more users will chime in and report if they usually push their laptop hard and have it run at full load for a long period of time. Now if someone has a keyboard issue on a MBP that they only use for web surfing and light duty stuff then, Maybe it's not heat related. But lets be honest, how many people buy a MBP just to go online? It's a PRO laptop and should be able to handle being used like one.

 

[kadify]

I just got my computer last week and other than playing some sims 4 for less than 30 minutes twice this past week, haven't done much that would cause much heat but my b key is starting to double press. I think some computers, for whatever reason, are just more prone than others. Maybe heat is stressing a weak point in the keyboard? Mine is a 2017 btw.

 

[lpolarityl]

All these keyboard threads are scaring me. I just got a 2017 15" MBP a week ago, so far no issues but I've barely had time to use it. Definitely will be adding the extended AppleCare before the 1 warranty year is up (Is the keyboard covered under the 1 year warranty?).

 

[jerryk]

All these keyboard threads are scaring me. I just got a 2017 15" MBP a week ago, so far no issues but I've barely had time to use it. Definitely will be adding the extended AppleCare before the 1 warranty year is up (Is the keyboard covered under the 1 year warranty?).

Keyboard is covered under warranty and AppleCare.

 

[Fishrrman]

I've come to the conclusion that "the problem" with Apple's "new" keyboard design is not just from "dust and dirt under the keys", but also that the physical parts used are small, fragile, and can either temporarily "distorted" or permanently deformed from heat.

Not "robust enough" for the rough-and-tough world to which a laptop computer is normally subjected.

Apple sacrificed "strength" for "slimness".
This may have been an oversight, in that the problems did not manifest under testing, but only became apparent once units were "out in the field" subject to everyday use.

By contrast, the old keyboard design -- which probably required only a few extra millimeters in overall "thickness" -- was quite robust. I don't recall reading many reports of keyboard failures in the 2012-15 design.

If I was in charge at Apple (and of course I'm not), I would tell the design team to go back to the 2015 design for the keyboard mechanism, and mate that with newer-style key caps that "look more like" the 2016-17 design. Hence, go back to the "strength underneath" but improve "the look" up top.

And forget about those few extra millimeters...

 

[burgman]

Keyboard is covered under warranty and AppleCare.

Until it isn't.

 

[mguzzi]

All these keyboard threads are scaring me. I just got a 2017 15" MBP a week ago, so far no issues but I've barely had time to use it. Definitely will be adding the extended AppleCare before the 1 warranty year is up (Is the keyboard covered under the 1 year warranty?).

Yes but Apple Care is definitely worth it. Your keyboard will be covered for three years.

 

[jerryk]

Until it isn't.

At some point every unit runs out of warranty. It is unfortunate that for the 2016 unit this can become an expensive fix for the owner to pay for.

 

[Queen6]

At some point every unit runs out of warranty. It is unfortunate that for the 2016 unit this can become an expensive fix for the owner to pay for.

That should be considered as $700 can be a lot for some, nor is Apple likely do anything without court intervention to support it's stranded customers given it's past history.

Q-6

 

[kudos212]

Those MacBook pros do not get that hot, I've put it on my lap and it definitely is not "uncomfortable." Why do you think your keyboard is failing, because it is 'spongey?' lol. You may have dirt or something under the keyboard and you can use a can of air to blow underneath. Besides that, you can download many third party apps to look at your cpu temperature playing that game if you want to see how hot it actually gets.

The computer should shut off automatically if it actually gets that hot.

 

[argentum47]

Yes but Apple Care is definitely worth it. Your keyboard will be covered for three years.

Not sure what that's supposed to mean.

It used to be the case that you were mostly fine without Apple Care unless you specifically screw something up. With the 2016-2017 machines, they appear to be a necessity due to design failure rather than to cover up user mistakes.

Worth it? Yeah...

 

[jerryk]

Those MacBook pros do not get that hot, I've put it on my lap and it definitely is not "uncomfortable." Why do you think your keyboard is failing, because it is 'spongey?' lol. You may have dirt or something under the keyboard and you can use a can of air to blow underneath. Besides that, you can download many third party apps to look at your cpu temperature playing that game if you want to see how hot it actually gets.

The computer should shut off automatically if it actually gets that hot.

The do shutdown automatically. When the CPU reaches 105C. But they thermal throttle to prevent reaching that. That slows the system down to control heat generation

 

[meboy]

Yes but Apple Care is definitely worth it. Your keyboard will be covered for three years.

If you need to buy an extended warranty that bad then the product is defective.

Terrible how people say all the time. Just buy apple care.
[doublepost=1517887693][/doublepost]

Those MacBook pros do not get that hot, I've put it on my lap and it definitely is not "uncomfortable." Why do you think your keyboard is failing, because it is 'spongey?' lol. You may have dirt or something under the keyboard and you can use a can of air to blow underneath. Besides that, you can download many third party apps to look at your cpu temperature playing that game if you want to see how hot it actually gets.

The computer should shut off automatically if it actually gets that hot.

You haven't been paying attention.
This issue is clearly documented at this point.

 

[glhiii]

I was on the verge of getting a 2016 15" MBP, but after reading all the problems with the keyboard, I decided not to. Since then, I've pulled out my old 2013 13" MBP and find it works very well, so I ordered a maxed-out 2015 13" MBP from eBay for 16gb of RAM and a faster processor. I also have a 2017 MacBook for traveling, but I find the keyboard much harder to use than the older machines. A friend has a 2012 Retina 15" MBP and also got a new 15" MBP from his work. We compared the screens with many different apps, images etc. and couldn't tell the difference. It seems to me the new MBP's (2016-17) might not be a very good choice. Hope Apple gets its act together.

 

[kjvmartin]

Those MacBook pros do not get that hot, I've put it on my lap and it definitely is not "uncomfortable." Why do you think your keyboard is failing, because it is 'spongey?' lol. You may have dirt or something under the keyboard and you can use a can of air to blow underneath. Besides that, you can download many third party apps to look at your cpu temperature playing that game if you want to see how hot it actually gets.

The computer should shut off automatically if it actually gets that hot.

I don't know if the heat is causing it. All I know is that I had been using it issue free for months, started running a program that gets the fans spinning for a few hours a day, and the space bar started going bad. If the key is failing every 20-30 clicks, is that acceptable? That's the real issue. The change in feel to where the key is inconsistent with the rest of the keyboard is just an annoyance, but not responding to input is unacceptable.

I have $10 no name brand Walmart PC keyboards that have lasted for years without ever requiring maintenance. Why should a $1500 high end laptop require such extra care. Someone made a poor design decision and we're paying for it.

 

[groove-agent]

I was reading a post on MR yesterday about a 15" user who runs his laptop full bore with video apps and hasn't run into any problems yet. However yours is a 13" which means less space for heat dissipation and I'm not sure if thermals are higher when using an iGPU for games. The interesting thing is he uses a keyboard cover for his unit which blocks out the dust and debris.

I've learned over the years that laptop gaming is not a good idea, unless of course it was designed for it. The thermals often creates more than normal wear and tear, and IMO the fan noise is just irritating. I have a 2008 MBP with the screen separated right where the GPU sits. I didn't always game with the lid closed, but often kept the screen lowered. Recently I bought a desktop PC exclusively for gaming and it works much better. Windows generally gets 15 frames more performance than MacOS anyway. Metal 2 is a little better. I hang it under the desk which makes it hardly audible and there is much more opportunity for cooling.

I thought the eGPU is a great avenue for Apple to pursue. However, the laptop is still going to get hot and the fans are going to kick on full blast. You're going to need some isolation headphones although, if you're using a microphone for voice while gaming, others might hear the fan noise.