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Apple Won't Replace Faulty MacBook Pro Keyboards With Third-Gen Components (macrumors.com)
After determining that a "small percentage" of 2015-2017 MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards may experience sticky keys, Apple initiated a Keyboard Service Program. The company has been servicing affected keyboards for free, but the fix doesn't guarantee the problem won't emerge again. The new 2018 MacBook Pros feature third-generation keyboards that are intended to prevent the keys from getting stuck. "For this reason, some customers have been hoping that Apple will start swapping out second-generation keyboards with third-generation keyboards, as part of its service program, but MacRumors has learned that isn't the plan." From the report: When asked if Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will be permitted to replace second-generation keyboards on 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models with the new third-generation keyboards, if necessary, Apple said, no, the third-generation keyboards are exclusive to the 2018 MacBook Pro. Hopefully, in that case, it means that Apple has quietly tweaked the second-generation keyboard to be more reliable. It wouldn't really make sense for Apple to replace keyboards with ones that are just as prone to break again, especially if the third-generation keyboards offer a fix.
One possibility is that the third-generation keyboards aren't backwards compatible with 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models to begin with. The keyboard is actually one part of a larger component called the "top case," which also has a glued-in battery, and the internal design could be tweaked in 2018 models.
One possibility is that the third-generation keyboards aren't backwards compatible with 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models to begin with. The keyboard is actually one part of a larger component called the "top case," which also has a glued-in battery, and the internal design could be tweaked in 2018 models.
It's a different story - Actually the 2018 MacBook keyboard has a thin rubberized layer under its keycaps, which is patented (http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?docid=20180068808) and as described in the patent: 'designed to “prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress'
Source: iFixit: https://ifixit.org/blog/10279/apple-macbook-keyboard-cover-up/
Of course Apple won't admit it because they are in the middle of class action lawsuit right now.
Now the newsworthy here is Apple won't use the new keyboard on previous gen MacBook to fix the keyboard issues, because if Apple does so, it means Apple is admitting its own fault.
Apple Authorized Service Technician here.
1.) Yes, I can confirm, the keyboard is integrated with the top case, trackpad, battery, power button, and touch bar on 2017/2017 model MBPs.
2.) Would the top case from the 2018 work with a 2017 logic board? No. Why? Changed connectors and changed firmware on the battery and touch bar. You can't plug it in, and if you could, your logic board would query the hardware [What are you?], it would respond with [unexpected value], and your logic board and OSX would both go [wtf is this Mickey Mouse horse shit?].
3.) Give it up. You're not getting a replacement that won't break. The entire intent behind not putting the rubberized seal around the keys was specifically so it would break just outside of warranty and you'd have to get a new one. When you start looking at prices of the parts + repair, most people will think, "You know, it's almost worth it just to get a new one rather than repair this one..." Which is the intent. Apple is trying to get out of the replacement parts business and break into the 'disposable computer' business, except they still want that whole "Apple = expensive, expensive = good + status symbol, thus apple = good + status symbol" meme to keep going.