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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.
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.
If the keyboard isn't working then just use the touch screen.
You know, not everyone who uses a mac is a whiny millennial. The problem here is that rather than admit to having a problem with their keyboard design and fixing it, the added band-aid, and lied about why they added it and didn't fix the problem in any way. And this is on a high-end luxury product line no less. It isn't isn't a feeling of entitlement so much as promised value for money spent. "It just works" is the byline of Apple products and clearly, the just don't.
Louis Rossmann at https://www.rossmanngroup.com/ is an unauthorized repairman for Macbooks and has some very interesting comments about them. He also has many youtube videos on the subject and anyone who if planning on buying a Macbook might want to visit his site for some very informative comments.
Baffles me why people put up with these overpriced Apple issues.
The original Apple ][ used Alps keyswitches, which were even better than Cherry's at the time. And they were individually replaceable. Unfortunately, they're taller than most of today's laptops. Heck, just the movement on a good keyboard is a significant part of a laptop's thickness.
Form over function rules these days, it seems.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
You know, not everyone who uses a mac is a whiny millennial.
Indeed. I have a MacBook, and I am a whiny boomer.
Several people in my office use MacBooks and ALL of them have problems with sticky keys, so it is not an uncommon problem. Sometimes turning it over and shaking the laptop while tapping the key will clear the problem, but sometimes the stuck key is permanent.
The worst key on my laptop is the "w", so I just try to rephrase sentences to avoid w's, or I just use an external keyboard (as I am doing now).
The week turnaround for the repair seems like it is intentional just to discourage people from doing it. It should take about 30 minutes, and could be done at the Genius Bar while you wait.
I suspect the same thing that happened to Microsoft is is now happening at Apple, i.e. corporate politics and not the customer experience or the product starts to drive everything. (I used to work at Microsoft).
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I have an early 2011 MBP. When that thing dies buying a new Apple MBP will be a big step backwards in usability and enjoyability. So I'm already paying more attention to Linux and laptops from other brands to get used to the fact that one day I will be forced to leave my beloved MacOS behind.
The same holds for my iPhone and iMac BTW.
-- Cheers!