2018 MacBook Pro Keyboard Reliability/Mitigation Options?

[dabrams1]

Recently got a secondhand hand me down 2018 15" Pro from a family member for free. I haven't really been in the loop with this generation MacBook Pros but I'm fully aware of the terrible reputation this generation has specifically with the butterfly keyboard. I wanted to know for the 2018 I know it still suffers from the issues, but is there anything preventative I can do the prevent the keyboard issues from popping up or at least ways to mitigate issues? Should I use a keyboard cover or don't even bother at all with one? And before anyone says I should trade it in for a M series laptop, that's not in the cards for me right now. I plan on keeping this laptop for at least another couple years before I get a M series laptop in the future since it's a perfectly fine and free working laptop with no issues right now. But I wanted to gather some information about some possible remedies or mitigation techniques for the keyboard so it doesn't fail in the meantime I'm using it.

 

[chrfr]

Recently got a secondhand hand me down 2018 15" Pro from a family member for free. I haven't really been in the loop with this generation MacBook Pros but I'm fully aware of the terrible reputation this generation has specifically with the butterfly keyboard. I wanted to know for the 2018 I know it still suffers from the issues, but is there anything preventative I can do the prevent the keyboard issues from popping up or at least ways to mitigate issues?

There’s nothing you can do to make the keyboard less likely to fail.

 

[Fishrrman]

If it's truly a "hand-me-down" (i.e., you got it "for free"), then just... use it.

Like chrfr says, there really isn't anything you can do to "prevent" a keyboard failure.
If it's going to happen, well... it's going to happen.

If it DOES happen, be aware that it is a VERY expensive "fix" -- expect to pay $700 or more, because the ENTIRE TOP CASE must be replaced -- even for the failure of only one key.

If you experience a keyboard failure, I wouldn't pay this.
I'd plug in a USB keyboard for now, and start shopping for a replacement.

 

[kitKAC]

Recently got a secondhand hand me down 2018 15" Pro from a family member for free. I haven't really been in the loop with this generation MacBook Pros but I'm fully aware of the terrible reputation this generation has specifically with the butterfly keyboard. I wanted to know for the 2018 I know it still suffers from the issues, but is there anything preventative I can do the prevent the keyboard issues from popping up or at least ways to mitigate issues? Should I use a keyboard cover or don't even bother at all with one? And before anyone says I should trade it in for a M series laptop, that's not in the cards for me right now. I plan on keeping this laptop for at least another couple years before I get a M series laptop in the future since it's a perfectly fine and free working laptop with no issues right now. But I wanted to gather some information about some possible remedies or mitigation techniques for the keyboard so it doesn't fail in the meantime I'm using it.

There's a Servicing Program should that happen.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks

 

[chrfr]

There's a Servicing Program should that happen.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks

That's only valid for 4 years from the date of first sale. With the 2018 models having been discontinued in May of 2019, most 2018 models will no longer be covered by this.

 

[dabrams1]

Understood. Thanks for all the input. It's rather unfortunate nothing can be done if the keyboard does go. Only thing to do is just keep using it breaks.

 

[Queen6]

Stick it on a riser & use a BT keyboard when not on the go.

Q-6