Anyone replace their keyboard with the "Keyboard Service Program" ?

[Fishrrman]

seefees wrote:
"My biggest problem now is that I can't have my keyboard replaced for free from apple because the year of being purchased was 2017 which is longer than 4 years ago. Does anyone have any idea of how I can solve this problem except of throwing my lap top out of the window?"

You have three choices that I can see:
1. Pay to get it fixed (minimum cost will be about $750, perhaps more)
2. Throw it out the window
3. Get another MacBook Pro, and see if this one can be sold "for parts".

Hmmm... you could also keep using it with an external USB keyboard.
Might work until you really want something new.

 

[boak]

A battery replacement also replaces the keyboard, right?

 

[chrfr]

A battery replacement also replaces the keyboard, right?

Yes but Apple may not agree to replace the battery at the lower price if the keyboard or anything else on the computer is malfunctioning.

 

[Sterkenburg]

First of all thanks a lot for your reply.
I have already visited an Apple store therefore I discovered my macbook is not covered from Apple's butterfly keyboard replacing program.
Yes of course, I am using it with an external keyboard since I haven't found any other solution yet.
In the end the person I bought it probably did the same with what you suggest as a second option.
But this is something I would never do to anybody except if we had a clear agreement that I sell a repaired lap top which is about to have this problem again sooner or later.
It is extremely disappointing that a company like Apple doesn't take full responsibility at least to repair for free all the butterfly keyboards and trying to save some money by limiting the purchasing date into 4 years.
Absolutely ridiculous!!!

I understand your frustration! Apple failed hard with this design. I had a 2018 MBP and switched to the M1 Max last Xmas in anticipation of the fact that the 4 years would expire this July. I had never replaced a top end Mac so soon before and it's a financial hit, but it was the right thing to do.

Of course be honest if you search for a buyer, but my advice is again to get away from these flawed models before the resale value completely tanks (even some of the most recent Intel Macs don't have the butterfly keys and people have become aware of the issue).

 

[Grubster]

First of all thanks a lot for your reply.
I have already visited an Apple store therefore I discovered my macbook is not covered from Apple's butterfly keyboard replacing program.
Yes of course, I am using it with an external keyboard since I haven't found any other solution yet.
In the end the person I bought it probably did the same with what you suggest as a second option.
But this is something I would never do to anybody except if we had a clear agreement that I sell a repaired lap top which is about to have this problem again sooner or later.
It is extremely disappointing that a company like Apple doesn't take full responsibility at least to repair for free all the butterfly keyboards and trying to save some money by limiting the purchasing date into 4 years.
Absolutely ridiculous!!!

How is the battery on your laptop? An Apple battery replacement is 199 and includes the top case/keyboard. I believe the battery must be at 80% or less to qualify.

 

[ScholarsInk]

Twice or thrice. Frankly it’s needed one since the day after the last keyboard replacement but I had to travel then had a lot of work so I haven’t sent it in for #4 yet. All of these machines are ticking time bombs.

 

[Grubster]

Twice or thrice. Frankly it’s needed one since the day after the last keyboard replacement but I had to travel then had a lot of work so I haven’t sent it in for #4 yet. All of these machines are ticking time bombs.

I’ve been loving my 2017 pro, but just bought a 2020 air intel on eBay and if I like it will sell the pro. Rather sell it while it works 100%! And the Touch ID is a nice plus! wanted an M1 but they are holding their value pretty well and I got a great price on this one Which is plenty of power for my needs.

 

[MaggieK6]

My experience with Apple is so bad. I sent my 2019 Mac to Keyboard service programme to an Apple store a month ago, and still didn't receive the repaired mac back. They said they are still waiting for a part to arrive for repair to complete...So they put my laptop on hold. But...What sort of delivery took a month and not arriving???

I contacted the store, and they said there is a global shortage of components, so everyone is waiting. So they cannot promise when this repair can be complete (while they said 7-10 days when I handed my laptop to them). Apple suggested I either keep waiting until the components to be available whenever it may be, or choose to go to the store to pick up the unrepaired laptop...I thought we are just changing some keyboard bars here, what kind of shortage it is??? Shortage of money?

Just a very unbelievable experience to share.

 

[ScholarsInk]

I contacted the store, and they said there is a global shortage of components, so everyone is waiting. So they cannot promise when this repair can be complete (while they said 7-10 days when I handed my laptop to them). Apple suggested I either keep waiting until the components to be available whenever it may be, or choose to go to the store to pick up the unrepaired laptop...I thought we are just changing some keyboard bars here, what kind of shortage it is??? Shortage of money?

Part of the terrible design of that MacBook generation is that to replace the keyboard you essentially need to replace every single part of the computer.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Part of the terrible design of that MacBook generation is that to replace the keyboard you essentially need to replace every single part of the computer.

Still blows my mind that the keyboard is riveted to the metal backplate.

 

[RUGERMAN]

I think this is the best advice here. Plus you get several other parts replaced/repaired for free.

Definitely send it in, you will not only get a new keyboard but also a new battery because they replace the entire top case. It's free and if you then want to trade it in your in good shape. I tried to trade in my wife's 2017 MBP but they sent it back saying there was a problem with the keyboard. I then went to the Apple store to check on the cost of repair for the battery and said hey don't you guys have keyboard program? Of course they said so I left it got it back in a couple of days with a new top case including a new battery. So now I had the equivalent of a new laptop, which I was able to sell for more than the trade in price. Sweet.

 

[BaggieBoy]

Still blows my mind that the keyboard is riveted to the metal backplate.

I Know. I replaced a keyboard on a 2012 15" retina and pulling the old keyboard off with all the tiny rivets popping off was an experience...as was having to then fit a 100+ tiny screws in their place!