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The 2019 butterfly keyboard is still a joke
- Thread starter jamesgryffindor99
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I have used different keyboards since word processors were developed. My 2012 MBP lasted until 2018 without a single keyboard problem. My 2018 MBP is without a doubt the worst keyboard I have ever used. As I type this, the space bar does not work unless I pound it. And I have at least 4 other keys that are sticking and/or don't always work. I can't get it to the genius bar because the Apple store is closed for now. And unfortunately as I read this, I am not even sure the fix will really work very well.
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... or maybe it is just frequent use.
A lot of people use their Macs for mostly consuming content, watching YouTube, etc. Others mostly use them to type on when on a desk hooked up to a monitor and external peripherals.
However, some people actually type a lot on them. Those people are the ones who likely tend to have keyboard failures. Because they actually use the keyboard.
A friend of mine had 3 failures on a 2015 12" machine inside of 3 months. The last failure he had was inside of a week (that was the last straw). He didn't have further failures because he switched it out for a 2015 MacBook Pro 13" that he is still using. The only repairs it has had have been stain-nate related (2 screen replacements). Zero keyboard issues. Zero keyboard issues with his previous 2011 15" either.
All were his primary work machine, used daily to do his job, both at and away from the office.
I bought a Windows PC (for the first time since 2011) and ... splurged on a few Mechanical Keyboards (Cherry Brown and Cherry Silent Red). After using Mac keyboards from 2011 - 2020....
Brings a tear to my eye to see what I was missing. I can fly, type super fast, all day long and it feels amazing. (I can get 160+ on most keyboard games).
While I got used to my 2017 MBP keyboard ... and had no (physical) problems with it, it certainly wasn't pleasant to type on.
I'm in heaven now.
Durgod mechanical keyboards ftw.
A keyboard should not be something you have to worry about breaking especially if it is a tool that makes you money (it does me).
Brings a tear to my eye to see what I was missing. I can fly, type super fast, all day long and it feels amazing. (I can get 160+ on most keyboard games).
While I got used to my 2017 MBP keyboard ... and had no (physical) problems with it, it certainly wasn't pleasant to type on.
I'm in heaven now.
Durgod mechanical keyboards ftw.
A keyboard should not be something you have to worry about breaking especially if it is a tool that makes you money (it does me).
I have a 2019 13" MBP. The problem I have with the keyboard is that I have to press down on the keys harder than I did with my previous 2017 15" MBP to get the keys to register. The result is that it's common to have my typing missing a letter in one place or another. It's a pain, because I'm a touch typist and can type quickly and accurately on other systems. For example, I have a 2014 Lenovo Yoga, too, and never have this problem on that.
Of course, the real problem I have with this system is the touchpad, which is so ridiculously over sized. I wrote to Tim Cook about it, and he failed to take advantage of the opportunity I presented him with to have a discussion about it. Imagine that. But, I digress.
I should have kept my 15" system. I regret getting this 13"er all the time. I'm going to check out the trade in for it when that's available and get a 16".
Of course, the real problem I have with this system is the touchpad, which is so ridiculously over sized. I wrote to Tim Cook about it, and he failed to take advantage of the opportunity I presented him with to have a discussion about it. Imagine that. But, I digress.
I should have kept my 15" system. I regret getting this 13"er all the time. I'm going to check out the trade in for it when that's available and get a 16".
Not really.
If a MacBook can't stand up to being typed on all day for work it would be deemed "not of merchantable quality" or "not fit for purpose" and for example here in Australia, Australian consumer law will entitle you to a full refund within an "expected life" (say, 2-3 years at least, as these are sold and. marketed as a "premium" laptop brand; the tax department expects you to depreciate them over 3 years for the purposes of claiming business expenses) for the product in question, irrespective of what Apple's warranty is.
Laws may differ in your country, but here in Australia, that would be a totally valid reason for full refund outside of standard 12 months AppleCare - even if you didn't upgrade your AppleCare to 3 years.
I've used IBM keyboards (Model M) from the 80s that still work - perfectly. Expecting a laptop keyboard to last 3-5 years of full-time workplace use is not an unreasonable expectation for a "premium" device.
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The more I read about these keyboard issues, the more I'm convinced that I should stay on my MBP 2012, even though it sometimes struggle with more-than-light usage and it's not snappy as I would like it to be, but has the perfect keyboard. Am I getting this right ??
The new post butterfly keyboards are better than pre butterfly.
Not Macbook related:
In all fairness ... keyboards in general have gotten a LOT worse over the last 15 years. I was doing 160+WPM on Mavis Beacon before I even hit high school. I'm still able to do 150+ in most online word typing speed games.
I can easily destroy must <$50 keyboards in no time flat today. Quality has been going down. To get a good keyboard one has to shell out $100+ or go mechanical.
Loved Microsoft keyboards from the early 2000s to early 2010s but then Logitech really took the crown in the last handful of years (for non mechanical).
Definitely gone backwards on reliability in that aspect.
In all fairness ... keyboards in general have gotten a LOT worse over the last 15 years. I was doing 160+WPM on Mavis Beacon before I even hit high school. I'm still able to do 150+ in most online word typing speed games.
I can easily destroy must <$50 keyboards in no time flat today. Quality has been going down. To get a good keyboard one has to shell out $100+ or go mechanical.
Loved Microsoft keyboards from the early 2000s to early 2010s but then Logitech really took the crown in the last handful of years (for non mechanical).
Definitely gone backwards on reliability in that aspect.
There are bargains to be had.
I picked up a "RedDragon" full size keyboard off Amazon. Mechanical key switches, was $65 I think.
Feels great, similar typing feel quality to keyboards usually retailing for 2-3 times as much.
Piter wrote:
"The more I read about these keyboard issues, the more I'm convinced that I should stay on my MBP 2012, even though it sometimes struggle with more-than-light usage and it's not snappy as I would like it to be, but has the perfect keyboard. Am I getting this right ?"
The solution:
1. If you like a larger display, buy the 16" MacBook Pro. It has the NEW keyboard.
2. If you want a smaller display, WAIT until the new MacBook Pro 14" is released. It, too, will come with the NEW keyboard.
"The more I read about these keyboard issues, the more I'm convinced that I should stay on my MBP 2012, even though it sometimes struggle with more-than-light usage and it's not snappy as I would like it to be, but has the perfect keyboard. Am I getting this right ?"
The solution:
1. If you like a larger display, buy the 16" MacBook Pro. It has the NEW keyboard.
2. If you want a smaller display, WAIT until the new MacBook Pro 14" is released. It, too, will come with the NEW keyboard.