Missing keys, yes, but I don't recall seeing one that was actually snapped in half. Here's some pics to show you what I mean.
jW
Funny that it happens to be the "end" key.
I've been through a few issues with Apple where physical damage was the case.
I had a standard keyboard (that came with a 17-inch iMac G5) crack. The clear plastic that surrounds the keyboard cracked right in-front of the space-bar.
Well, I called Apple, and they insisted that the only way that could happen were if the keyboard were dropped. But, if you ever saw my desk, you'd know that is absolutely impossible. I have the cables all tied-off and wrapped behind the desk. And, there is nothing near the desk that could possibly impact it.
So, there is no-way at all that the crack could be caused from an impact. So, after arguing with Apple for a while, they said I'd have to take it in to the local service center for visual inspection to determine if it was a crack caused by me or if it just cracked on it's own like I said it had.
I asked the guy how they could possibly make such a determination, and he said he had no idea how such a determination could be made. But, he said that I'd have to have it inspected.
So, I took it in to the local service center, and they looked at it. The guy agreed that it didn't look like it was dropped. So, a new keyboard was ordered.
I've spoken with numerous people who have had the keys pop-off of their MacBook computers, and there's been mixed results in dealing with the service centers.
Many service centers have just installed a new key, and not charged anything for the repair. It has happened enough times, that they pretty much know it's a design weakness.
One guy said that the service center insisted that he would have to purchase a new keyboard and pay for it's installation (yes, an entirely new keyboard). On-top of that, they claimed that he would have to purchase the keyboard (the keys) and the top portion of the case (palm-rest) as one piece and have it installed. They wanted around $180 to perform the repair.
Fortunately, there was only one individual I've heard from that had trouble. All the rest had their key replaced with no argument.
But, in your case, with a split key, I would see them likely arguing impact. I doubt that it really was something you did. You'd know if you hit a key that hard. But, it's going to be hard to convince them that you didn't cause the break.
But, I would see if they'll replace it without hassle. Most likely, if you get a friendly tech, they'll just replace it.
At worst, perhaps they'll charge you for the individual key-cap. But, if you go to the same shop as the other guy (I think it was somewhere in Texas), then you may be stuck purchasing a new keyboard.
Hopefully, you'll get one of the good shops who just pop a new one on there for you.
Good luck.
