Update on 2019 Butterfly Keyboard?

[kht410]

It’s been about 5 months since it came out, so can anyone who has any of the 2019 MacBooks confirm whether the butterfly keyboard issues are still there or not? Is it completely fixed in this refresh? Is it finally reliable?

Ps: I’m specifically talking about the 2019 keyboard with the new material in the mechanism.

 

[Velin]

Is it completely fixed in this refresh? Is it finally reliable?

No. And no.

 

[KPOM]

It’s been about 5 months since it came out, so can anyone who has any of the 2019 MacBooks confirm whether the butterfly keyboard issues are still there or not? Is it completely fixed in this refresh? Is it finally reliable?

Ps: I’m specifically talking about the 2019 keyboard with the new material in the mechanism.

It’s definitely quieter. I also have a 2017 MacBook 12” and have not had a problem with the keyboard.

 

[kht410]

No. And no.

Well that’s unfortunate

It’s definitely quieter. I also have a 2017 MacBook 12” and have not had a problem with the keyboard.

Nice! How do you like the feel of the keyboard while typing?

 

[BootLoxes]

No. And no.

I have yet to hear of an issue with the 2019 keyboards failing. Where are you getting this info from?

 

[maflynn]

I have yet to hear of an issue with the 2019 keyboards failing. Where are you getting this info from?

2019 Keyboard Problems
Third time keyboard fails

 

[BootLoxes]

2019 Keyboard Problems
Third time keyboard fails

i can believe the first one to a degree but the second topic i honestly think the person had very dirty or greasy hands to have a failure rate that high across multiple keyboards.

still these issues seem to be significantly less present on the newest keyboards. Guess we have to keep waiting to see

 

[maflynn]

still these issues seem to be significantly less present on the newest keyboards. Guess we have to keep waiting to see

I'm not vouching for the quality of the report, just pointing out there are people experiencing keyboard failures.

 

[Soulflower]

Nice! How do you like the feel of the keyboard while typing?

I'm wondering too how you like it. I went to test one and I didn't like the feel at all. My computer may be on it's last leg but I don't really want to replace it yet.

 

[PROFESS0R]

Do not make decisions on small sample sizes. Like others here, I have had zero problems with my 2019 keyboard.

Well that’s unfortunate



Nice! How do you like the feel of the keyboard while typing?

 

[lixuelai]

i can believe the first one to a degree but the second topic i honestly think the person had very dirty or greasy hands to have a failure rate that high across multiple keyboards.

still these issues seem to be significantly less present on the newest keyboards. Guess we have to keep waiting to see

Some people just hit their keyboards harder when typing, especially if they are used to old mechanical switches. With the little key travel there is, there isn't much dampening when the switch is hit and will surely introduce more wear and tear and debris ingestion.

 

[kht410]

So would it be okay to say that the 2019 models are safe to buy? I just want to make sure it’s reliable for the amount of money I’m about to splash out for a 15” Macbook Pro soon.

A part of me wants to wait for the rumoured 16” Macbook pro with a new keyboard mechanism. But I really need a laptop soon and the uncertainty of when the 16” will be released is driving me nuts.

I’ve tried the keyboard on the current 15” model and honestly I actually like the feel of it. It feels really nice and I can glide through the keys pretty fast. It‘s just a matter of reliability of the keyboard that I’m still worried about.

 

[Howard2k]

I wouldn‘t buy the current keyboard unless it was a spectacular deal. It seems that they are improved but it’s still too much risk for me. But if you really need something, you have no option.

I may be wrong but I expect we’ll see a stronger depreciation on the used market, especially when the new keyboard is launched. Yeah the 2019 has a four year keyboard replacement program, but there’s no way I’d pay significant money for one that’s 3.5 years into the program, knowing that there is potentially an imminent and very hefty repair bill coming up if it all goes wrong. If replacement keyboards were reasonably priced then that’s one thing, but we’re not talking about a $50 repair.

 

[erkanasu]

Zero issues. 2019 version is SOLID. I get annoyed by all the media freaking out. Look at the reviews on amazon or Best Buy people love this machine

 

[kht410]

Zero issues. 2019 version is SOLID. I get annoyed by all the media freaking out. Look at the reviews on amazon or Best Buy people love this machine

That’s good to hear.

Do you have a 2019 version? What’s your experience like with the keyboard?

 

[Sital]

My daughter and I both have 2019 MBPs and neither of us are having any keyboard problems (knock on wood). In fact, I'd have to say I like the butterfly keyboard better than the keyboards on older models.

Of course, if I start having issues I will delete this post and deny I ever wrote it.

 

[Mainsail]

Zero issues. 2019 version is SOLID. I get annoyed by all the media freaking out. Look at the reviews on amazon or Best Buy people love this machine

Agreed. Zero problems with my 2019 MBA. I don't see nearly as many complaints on tech forums about the 2019 Keyboard, so I think the keyboard has definitely become more reliable with each iteration. Even if Apple used a scissor mechanism, there would still be some keyboard issues and problems. At this point, I don't see much evidence that the 2019 keyboard is significantly less reliable than the keyboard on my old 2014 MBA. Besides, to easy customer's concerns, Apple provides a 4 year warranty on all of their butterfly keyboards. I just don't think it's that big of a deal anymore.

 

[kp98077]

So would it be okay to say that the 2019 models are safe to buy? I just want to make sure it’s reliable for the amount of money I’m about to splash out for a 15” Macbook Pro soon.

A part of me wants to wait for the rumoured 16” Macbook pro with a new keyboard mechanism. But I really need a laptop soon and the uncertainty of when the 16” will be released is driving me nuts.

I’ve tried the keyboard on the current 15” model and honestly I actually like the feel of it. It feels really nice and I can glide through the keys pretty fast. It‘s just a matter of reliability of the keyboard that I’m still worried about.

yes, I think it is "safe" to buy... especially for the sales on Amazon and Costco or Best Buy (1,999) US. I have had no issues on mine not have not heard of any real issues. anything you hear here will be considered isolated compared to the population.
[automerge]1571151392[/automerge]

Zero issues. 2019 version is SOLID. I get annoyed by all the media freaking out. Look at the reviews on amazon or Best Buy people love this machine

I agree its just solid a stunning machine really... everyday I am amazed (despite the size 😁)

 

[Cruz3LT]

No issues whatsoever with the new 2019 MBP keyboard in the few months that I have owned it. I went from a 2015 to 2019 so I got to skip all the problem keyboards.

 

[erkanasu]

That’s good to hear.

Do you have a 2019 version? What’s your experience like with the keyboard?

yes I do have the 2019. Feels WAY better than the 2016 keyboard. Feels like a polished product. Really enjoy my machine

 

[Jimmy James]

I’ll be watching how these keyboards hold up over time. Personally, I’m not buying anything with a butterfluff keyboard.

 

[globalmatt]

So would it be okay to say that the 2019 models are safe to buy? I just want to make sure it’s reliable for the amount of money I’m about to splash out for a 15” Macbook Pro soon.

A part of me wants to wait for the rumoured 16” Macbook pro with a new keyboard mechanism. But I really need a laptop soon and the uncertainty of when the 16” will be released is driving me nuts.

I’ve tried the keyboard on the current 15” model and honestly I actually like the feel of it. It feels really nice and I can glide through the keys pretty fast. It‘s just a matter of reliability of the keyboard that I’m still worried about.

I'm in the same boat as you kht410. Still rocking a 2010(!) MBP 17-inch which is slowing to a crawl (and, ironically, the keyboard has finally started failing after 9 years). Desperately holding on for this rumoured 16-inch which, if it comes out next month and isn't terrible, I will buy instantly (for its big screen and decent scissor keyboard).

Failing that, I'll probably have to pick up a refurb May 2019 MBP butterfly in the next month or so - assuming the keyboard is a lot more reliable than previous butterflies (which it sounds like it might be). At least it will be significantly cheaper than a new 16-inch.

 

[donawalt]

Zero problems with 2019 keyboard. I love using it, I type much faster with it now. You can find 1-3 online complaints about any hardware component of any computer being sold today. Look at the bigger picture, the '19 MacBook Pro has been very well received by most.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

So would it be okay to say that the 2019 models are safe to buy? I just want to make sure it’s reliable for the amount of money I’m about to splash out for a 15” Macbook Pro soon.

A part of me wants to wait for the rumoured 16” Macbook pro with a new keyboard mechanism. But I really need a laptop soon and the uncertainty of when the 16” will be released is driving me nuts.

I’ve tried the keyboard on the current 15” model and honestly I actually like the feel of it. It feels really nice and I can glide through the keys pretty fast. It‘s just a matter of reliability of the keyboard that I’m still worried about.

I'd wait till the end of the year and wait for further reviews... We need people like writers to comment on the topic. So far I have a friend who is a writer and he owns the 2019 15" Tb and had to replace the keyboard.. But he goes to the tv show sets and gets tons of dust and crap on his computer