2nd 2018 Macbook Air Keyboard Replacement

[inglishmayjur]

Thanks for taking the time to read this -- I'll make it quick.

• Purchased new 2018 13" Macbook Air 8gb 128gb from Apple Store in November, 2018
• Keyboard failed (multiple keys appearing on single keypress, wrong letters being inserted when pressing adjacent keys, etc.) by February, 2019
• Brought my Mac in to the Apple store for Genius Bar appt -- keyboard replaced in Feb 2019
• Same keyboard issues re-appear April 2020
• Tonight I called Apple support -- they are sending me a box to ship it back to them for another replacement keyboard but will they just replace it with the same faulty 2018 keyboard that will die in ~1 year?

I did search the forums and came across this thread so I'm hopeful:

2018 MacBook Air with 2019 Keyboard?

So I have a 2018 MacBook Air with the 3rd Generation Butterfly garbage and the "S" key just decided to break tonight. I have seen and read reports of the 2019 MacBook Pro keyboards becoming much more reliable with the new materials and the adjusted dome switch so I'm curious if anyone knows that...

forums.macrumors.com

Does anyone have experience sending a 2018 Macbook Air in for a 2019 keyboard replacement and not having issues again?

Since I've been burned once before, my fear is that I may need to send this laptop in annually just to get a working keyboard. I'm hoping to hear stories of people sending in laptops after the release of the new 2019 keyboard and having it solve their issue.

Thanks for your responses.

TJ

 

[26139]

They're supposed to replacing them with the newer scissor style now, but I can't confirm.

I have the same laptop with the same fear, hope you get it solved!

 

[inglishmayjur]

They're supposed to replacing them with the newer scissor style now, but I can't confirm.

I have the same laptop with the same fear, hope you get it solved!

Thanks -- are you also having keyboard issues? Has your keyboard been replaced once already?

 

[Mainsail]

OPs first keyboard replacement was 2018 version for 2018 version, since the 2019 MBA wasn’t released until summer of 2019.

Can anyone confirm that 2018/2019 MBA keyboard replacements will get the new scissor mechanism? I have the 2019 MBA, so it would be good to know in case I have a problem down the road.

The 2019 KB has two improvements: 1. A different membrane that is less tacky and susceptible to collect dust. 2. Harden dome switch. I haven’t found any reliability data comparisons, but it appears from reviews etc.. that the 2019 KB is more reliable than the 2018 version.

 

[cedwhatev]

I had this exact same question. I had been trying to decide whether it was best to go with a refurb 2019 MBA. I recently bought one for my wife to replace her 2015 13" MBA, and after some use, I really liked it, even with the newer generation butterfly keyboard.. it's not a big issue for me as long as the warranty covers it. plus I'm saving almost $300 (CDN$) and getting the same specs. I don't consider the i3/i5 much of a difference between the 2019/2020 models.

Anyhow, I contacted Apple and if you have an issue with any Mac that has a butterfly keyboard, they replace it with the 3rd generation, no matter what. So if your 2019 MBA has keyboard issues, they replace is with the same keyboard, not the Magic Keyboard, and this I can confirm. My 2019 refurb will be arriving tomorrow, looking forward to it!

 

[Mainsail]

I had this exact same question. I had been trying to decide whether it was best to go with a refurb 2019 MBA. I recently bought one for my wife to replace her 2015 13" MBA, and after some use, I really liked it, even with the newer generation butterfly keyboard.. it's not a big issue for me as long as the warranty covers it. plus I'm saving almost $300 (CDN$) and getting the same specs. I don't consider the i3/i5 much of a difference between the 2019/2020 models.

Anyhow, I contacted Apple and if you have an issue with any Mac that has a butterfly keyboard, they replace it with the 3rd generation, no matter what. So if your 2019 MBA has keyboard issues, they replace is with the same keyboard, not the Magic Keyboard, and this I can confirm. My 2019 refurb will be arriving tomorrow, looking forward to it!

Thanks. I kind of expected that they would replace with the 2019 KB, but this confirms it.

 

[inglishmayjur]

I had this exact same question. I had been trying to decide whether it was best to go with a refurb 2019 MBA. I recently bought one for my wife to replace her 2015 13" MBA, and after some use, I really liked it, even with the newer generation butterfly keyboard.. it's not a big issue for me as long as the warranty covers it. plus I'm saving almost $300 (CDN$) and getting the same specs. I don't consider the i3/i5 much of a difference between the 2019/2020 models.

Anyhow, I contacted Apple and if you have an issue with any Mac that has a butterfly keyboard, they replace it with the 3rd generation, no matter what. So if your 2019 MBA has keyboard issues, they replace is with the same keyboard, not the Magic Keyboard, and this I can confirm. My 2019 refurb will be arriving tomorrow, looking forward to it!

Thank you! I will look for reviews on the 2019 keyboard. As I understand it, it's the 2020 keyboard where they've finally fixed all issues? Or is 2019 included in that as well?

 

[blaugrana69]

I had this exact same question. I had been trying to decide whether it was best to go with a refurb 2019 MBA. I recently bought one for my wife to replace her 2015 13" MBA, and after some use, I really liked it, even with the newer generation butterfly keyboard.. it's not a big issue for me as long as the warranty covers it. plus I'm saving almost $300 (CDN$) and getting the same specs. I don't consider the i3/i5 much of a difference between the 2019/2020 models.

Anyhow, I contacted Apple and if you have an issue with any Mac that has a butterfly keyboard, they replace it with the 3rd generation, no matter what. So if your 2019 MBA has keyboard issues, they replace is with the same keyboard, not the Magic Keyboard, and this I can confirm. My 2019 refurb will be arriving tomorrow, looking forward to it!

What are the Apple Refurb prices where ypu are out of interest ? I’ve been trying to decide between the 2019 and a 2020 i3. The refurb prices in the UK are £759 for the 128GB and £809 for the 256GB. I can get the education store price on the 2020 though.

 

[inglishmayjur]

What are the Apple Refurb prices where ypu are out of interest ? I’ve been trying to decide between the 2019 and a 2020 i3. The refurb prices in the UK are £759 for the 128GB and £809 for the 256GB. I can get the education store price on the 2020 though.

For Macbook Air they only have a refurbished June 2017 model (not sure if this link will work for you): https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...35c80102f5a74b2e4a8e8b8cade08d9e3062c3e9e986b


Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5

$929.00 USD

Overview

Originally released June 2017

13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors

8GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory

256GB PCIe-based SSD1

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 6000

Seems high for a nearly 3 year old refurbished machine, no?

 

[blaugrana69]

Thank you! I will look for reviews on the 2019 keyboard. As I understand it, it's the 2020 keyboard where they've finally fixed all issues? Or is 2019 included in that as well?

As I understand it there has been very few reported issues with the 2019 keyboard (but it’s still a butterfly!)
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For Macbook Air they only have a refurbished June 2017 model (not sure if this link will work for you): https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...35c80102f5a74b2e4a8e8b8cade08d9e3062c3e9e986b


Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5

$929.00 USD

Overview

Originally released June 2017

13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors

8GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory

256GB PCIe-based SSD1

720p FaceTime HD Camera

Intel HD Graphics 6000

Seems high for a nearly 3 year old refurbished machine, no?

Makes the UK prices for the 2019 seem like a decent enough deal.

 

[cedwhatev]

What are the Apple Refurb prices where ypu are out of interest ? I’ve been trying to decide between the 2019 and a 2020 i3. The refurb prices in the UK are £759 for the 128GB and £809 for the 256GB. I can get the education store price on the 2020 though.

In Canada, the prices are:

2019 1.6/8/128 - $989
2019 1.6/8/256 - $1039
2019 1.6/8/512 - $1259
2019 1.6/16/256 - $1259
2019 1.6/16/512 - $1469

There are other variations as well, but these are the ones that I was looking at. In the end, I didn't want to pay an extra $220 to get the 512GB, as 256GB is plenty for me. I find the new butterfly keyboard to be quite nice to type on.. so in the end, getting the 2020 MBA wasn't a big deal for me.

 

[inglishmayjur]

I've received my (second) replacement keyboard. It feels new and is working perfectly. It's hard to compare 'before' and 'after' but I will follow up on this thread if this keyboard fails in future. Fingers crossed.

 

[mj_]

Don’t get your hopes up. Even if you received a 2019 keyboard i’s still a Butterfly keyboard that will inevitably break sooner or later.

 

[JPack]

They're supposed to replacing them with the newer scissor style now, but I can't confirm.

I have the same laptop with the same fear, hope you get it solved!

It’s physically impossible to replace with scissor, so all keyboard replacements will still be butterfly.

 

[26139]

It’s physically impossible to replace with scissor, so all keyboard replacements will still be butterfly.

My bad, they’re replacing them with the “improved” keyboard that everyone still doesn’t seem to like.

 

[inglishmayjur]

My bad, they’re replacing them with the “improved” keyboard that everyone still doesn’t seem to like.

How very disappointing. Seems like I can sell it while everything is working properly or wait for it to break again.

The repair I was quoted was $530 before I said that that was ridiculous, that I sent it in a year ago and dealing with same issue. They agreed to replace it for free but at that price point it begins to make sense to consider new machines.

Very disappointing on Apple’s part. A keyboard that won’t even last a year is such a joke.

 

[mj_]

Wait, they quoted you $530 even though Apple issued an official keyboard replacement program good for four years after first retail sale of each machine? How's that even possible? What idiot did you talk to at Apple that did not know about this repair program yet?

Bottom line is this: Apple is going to replace the keyboard for free as often as need be for four years after first retail sale of your machine. As long as you don't mind having to send it in regularly you can keep it until it nears that dreaded four-year mark and then sell it.

 

[inglishmayjur]

Wait, they quoted you $530 even though Apple issued an official keyboard replacement program good for four years after first retail sale of each machine? How's that even possible? What idiot did you talk to at Apple that did not know about this repair program yet?

Bottom line is this: Apple is going to replace the keyboard for free as often as need be for four years after first retail sale of your machine. As long as you don't mind having to send it in regularly you can keep it until it nears that dreaded four-year mark and then sell it.

Yes, it was a joke -- I brought that up with the guy and he said "hold on, let me put you on with my manager" (I am not usually a Karen 😜) who agreed to replace for free. I think the $ was so high becasue they were going to replace the Logic Board as well, but when I got my 'service receipt' back it just listed the keyboard. I know Apple Care is available but it shouldn't be necessary to own an Apple machine!
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I am just glad I did my research -- how many people are having keyboard problems that are paying that kind of $?

 

[mj_]

Again, nobody should be paying for a keyboard replacement. Apple has issued a keyboard service program (https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks) for every single Butterfly keyboard-equipped MacBook ever made since 2015 until and including 2019. You don't need AppleCare, and no store manager has any wiggle room to agree or disagree to honor the terms of this service program. Every single Butterfly-equipped MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro produced between 2015 and 2019 is covered for a full four years from the day of its first retail sale.

And the price is so high because they have to replace the entire top case including trackpad, speakers, and in some cases even the battery.

 

[inglishmayjur]

Thanks -- I was aware of the program but hopefully that will help others who stumble across this thread. I was just saying if I wasn't put through to the manager. A new battery would be cool -- not sure if I have my old one or a new one.

 

[mj_]

Download Coconut Battery and look at the manufacturing date and the cycle count of your battery. That way you can usually determine whether or not you received a new one. I'm not sure about the MacBook Air but I do know that the MacBook Pros get a new battery while the MacBooks don't.

 

[inglishmayjur]

Download Coconut Battery and look at the manufacturing date and the cycle count of your battery. That way you can usually determine whether or not you received a new one. I'm not sure about the MacBook Air but I do know that the MacBook Pros get a new battery while the MacBooks don't.

Good suggestion! Thanks
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Download Coconut Battery and look at the manufacturing date and the cycle count of your battery. That way you can usually determine whether or not you received a new one. I'm not sure about the MacBook Air but I do know that the MacBook Pros get a new battery while the MacBooks don't.

Cool little program -- looks like I still have my original battery manufactured in September of 2018. Appears to be healthy still at only 111 cycles. Not sure what average use is?

 

[will0407]

What are the Apple Refurb prices where ypu are out of interest ? I’ve been trying to decide between the 2019 and a 2020 i3. The refurb prices in the UK are £759 for the 128GB and £809 for the 256GB. I can get the education store price on the 2020 though.

I'd suggest getting the 2020. I've been using a 2018 since they were released and never had any issues, didn't dislike it, just got used to the way it was. My wife got a 2020 model and I helped transfer docs over etc and keyboard didnt feel overly different at first, but then switching back....it really is a lot nicer in my opinion.

Plus a better processor and faster ram for £90 more compared to the 256gb 2019 based on education pricing....no brainer!

....typed from my own 2020 that I got last weekend!

 

[tim0409]

My 2018 MBA keyboard failed last year and the keyboard/top case was replaced; last week the replacement keyboard failed (bottom curser) so I took it into the Apple store yesterday and they have sent it away for repair. The genius mentioned that it would also get a replacement battery; I know they can replace the top case without the battery but I take it they just replace a complete top case with battery for speed? I will need to check the battery cycles when it comes back. If I was paying for it the price would be £390 - the invoice states this is for a “legacy flat repair charge”.