The New and Improved MacBook Keyboards Have the Same Old Problems (theoutline.com)

Casey Johnston, writing for The Outline: Apple never actually caved to user complaints that its top-of-the-line computers developed sticky or dead keyboards very easily, despite having now been served with several keyboard-related class action lawsuits. In June, the company offered to repair computers with these keyboards for free for four years following the date of purchase (the cost of being without their computer notwithstanding). It claimed only a "small percentage" of users were affected. I was one of them, several times, and there were many, many others. Compared to this time last year, its computer sales are down ten percent, and not a few people have been holding off on purchasing any computer from its line in fear of getting stuck with a keyboard that doesn't work.

In July, Apple slightly redesigned the very low profile butterfly keyboard on its MacBooks and MacBook Pros, not because "a small percentage" of the previous version was rendered useless by a speck of dust, the company said, but to make it quieter; it even invited the tech press to try it out. iFixit teardowns of the hardware revealed that, in fact, Apple had added a silicone membrane under the keys that looks quite a bit like it's meant to keep dust and debris from lodging under the key and locking it up. Was that the idea? No, Apple unequivocally said. [...] But checking around online, it appears the new keyboards have the same old issues. They may be delayed, but they happen nonetheless. The MacRumors forum has a long thread about the the "gen 3 butterfly keyboard" where users have been sharing their experiences since Apple updated the design.

Comments

Quieter isn't always better

[Hallux-F-Sinister]

It seems to me there are times when you'd like your computer to be utterly dead silent during use. That's great if you have to type in abject silence. There are times though, when you WANT your computer to make all manner of clickety clackety racket, (or maybe YOU don't, but I sure do!) especially while you're banging away on a keyboard, which is why I own a Unicomp Model M, and am typing on it right now. I just wish it were possible to attach it to my iPad, that'd be SWEET! Unfortunately, they don't make a Bluetooth one. Bear in mind, it's not a fake, "Cherry MX," imitation of a real, buckling spring keyboard, it really IS an honest-to-goodness, buckling spring keyboard, powered by the same technology as was behind the original, classic IBM PC clickey-style keyboard.

It's such a joy to use... and yeah it's a little noisy, but when I press a button, I need to know anyone nearby KNOWS I have just pressed a button. To me, the sound of a keyboard clicking and clacking away is to computing what a collection of rhythmically-creaking bed-springs are to a fun and entertaining bedroom.

I wonder if there's such a thing as keyboard porn what am I saying of course there is, per Rule 34 of the Internet! I should make a point of checking that out. (Without looking, (I promise I haven't, but you'll just have to take my word on that,) I bet there's a book called "The Joy of Clicks..." and if there's not, there NEEDS to be.

And no, I do not receive compensation for endorsements, nor am I in any way affiliated with the company that makes or sells these; I'm just a fan. (Just grep pckeyboard.com using your favorite search engine if you're interested, or just navigate straight to the site.)

As for Apple and their keyboards, the last several computers I bought all came with Apple keyboards, PRE-BUTTERFLY-DEBACLE, and I'm thrilled to NOT have to deal with the tactile NIGHTMARE that one of those keyboards is. I've tried out the one on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Nothing, or whatever, the 12" overpriced thing they're trying to get people to buy, and ended up going with a computer that was the last acceptable, (to me,) usable portable Apple made, a MacBook Air, because I can tolerate that keyboard, the screen's big enough to be useful, it's light, and it still has, (or at least HAD, don't know about now,) real, actual USB ports on it for connecting my existing peripherals. I don't DO USB-C, because, god damn it... I don't have to, so hence I won't.

If (and I've said this before repeatedly,) by the next time I need a new computer, Apple hasn't pulled its head out of its corporate ass, I will simply buy something else, replace all my remaining Apple stuff, and leave for good and all. I hope other people feel like I do about this and let Apple know, either directly, telling them, or indirectly, by voting with their pocketbooks to show Apple that they're headed down a wrong path, towards increasingly making crap no one ends up liking, wanting, or even being willing to tolerate being compelled to buy as part of the 'price' of owning a new Apple product, like that flat, crappy, godawful keyboard of theirs.

UGH! NO. Just ever so much NO.

Re:Cool, journalism for tech support

[viperidaenz]

Mac's are status symbols for looking at, not for actually using.

Re:You're typing wrong!

[stealth_finger]

Mac OS X is superior to Linux and Windows, that's why.

You spelt awkward piece of shit wrong.