I agree - This is outrageous and all of their own doing with going too far with the thinness and tolerances.
Just awful - they need to get out a tweaked design..
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What is killing the 2016/2017 MBP Keyboards?
- Thread starter Sebastian79
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I agree - This is outrageous and all of their own doing with going too far with the thinness and tolerances.
Just awful - they need to get out a tweaked design..
Just out of curiosity and since dust is not the issue in your case, how would you describe your use of the MBP? Heavy, light, 4K video editing, heavy typing, very little typing?
I do not intend to put the blame on anyone, but just narrow down the probable reasons behind this bad design failing on us.
I bought my MBP december 2016 and recently had trouble with my "." button for a week or so, I had to click it a bit harder for it register but then after about a week the problem disappeared weirdly enough. That is the only keyboard problem I have experienced so far with my 2016 MBP.
The answer is simple. There is plenty of faulty keyboards since this what is killing them is just bad design. They tend to be inefficient after some period of time and it’s very, very likely that some keys will broke. It probably depends on many factors which may speed up this process but general it will broke.
That’s my opinion which is based on exeperienced of people who own either 16 or 17 models.
This keyboard wont’t last for 3 to 5 years since this mechanism is weaker I guess.
That’s ridiculous and hillarious that macbook users should avoid dust, keep their macs in right position to clean them up neatly...wait, wait...dust, one of common factors which actually ‘lives’ in every electronic machines can kill it? I can’t stop laughing at this. Steve Eve or what is he called, created machine with engineers which is so fragile and not resistant to dust.
Great piece of engineerin! Steve is rolling over in a grave.
I’m iphone and ipad user and I really like these two products, but this case makes my concerns bigger and I’m realising that apple just want to play with us like with kids instead of owning up to this.
That’s my opinion which is based on exeperienced of people who own either 16 or 17 models.
This keyboard wont’t last for 3 to 5 years since this mechanism is weaker I guess.
That’s ridiculous and hillarious that macbook users should avoid dust, keep their macs in right position to clean them up neatly...wait, wait...dust, one of common factors which actually ‘lives’ in every electronic machines can kill it? I can’t stop laughing at this. Steve Eve or what is he called, created machine with engineers which is so fragile and not resistant to dust.
Great piece of engineerin! Steve is rolling over in a grave.
I’m iphone and ipad user and I really like these two products, but this case makes my concerns bigger and I’m realising that apple just want to play with us like with kids instead of owning up to this.
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This is much cheaper than it was before. Maybe they are discounting the keyboard replacements (it is still expensive, but much less than 700) so people wouldn't freak out (too much). Or if they are replacing just the keyboards and somehow keeping the trackpad and batteries (dunno if that's even possible).
#15
I've had a nTB since Dec 2016 and use it at least 9-10 hours per day (software dev, shows 866 battery cycles), even eating while working. Have had nearly every key on it become glitchy - repeating or non-responsive - or stuck completely.
I can bring it back to new condition by rubbing the keys vigorously with disposable cleaning wipes (seriously putting a good 20 pounds or so of pressure on the keys) for a couple minutes. The effect of pushing them into the keyframe as you rub with a good amount of force causes little bits of debris to surface around the perimeter of the keys.
I literally just did this to fix a non-responsive '2' key about 10 minutes ago.
Yes, it's annoying to have to do this, but on the whole, it does encourage one to keep the laptop clean. So I typically do this once a week. Sometimes I let it go a few weeks but usually performance is off in some way by that point.
I don't doubt there are bad keyboards or ones with tolerances that are more susceptible to this issue that would benefit w/ a replacement. But I can say that I was approved by a Genius at the 3 month mark for a top case replacement and pushed it off as I didn't have the bandwidth to give up my machine for 5 days. Shortly after I came up with this solution out of sheer frustration.
I've had a nTB since Dec 2016 and use it at least 9-10 hours per day (software dev, shows 866 battery cycles), even eating while working. Have had nearly every key on it become glitchy - repeating or non-responsive - or stuck completely.
I can bring it back to new condition by rubbing the keys vigorously with disposable cleaning wipes (seriously putting a good 20 pounds or so of pressure on the keys) for a couple minutes. The effect of pushing them into the keyframe as you rub with a good amount of force causes little bits of debris to surface around the perimeter of the keys.
I literally just did this to fix a non-responsive '2' key about 10 minutes ago.
Yes, it's annoying to have to do this, but on the whole, it does encourage one to keep the laptop clean. So I typically do this once a week. Sometimes I let it go a few weeks but usually performance is off in some way by that point.
I don't doubt there are bad keyboards or ones with tolerances that are more susceptible to this issue that would benefit w/ a replacement. But I can say that I was approved by a Genius at the 3 month mark for a top case replacement and pushed it off as I didn't have the bandwidth to give up my machine for 5 days. Shortly after I came up with this solution out of sheer frustration.
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The Genius told me that there are just replacing the top case and not other components. No sure how true, maybe its a known issue and they are charging it cheaper?
My Chase credit card covers computer repairs up to $500 for 2 years. Maybe Apple lowered the price due to credit card extended warranty protection?
This is just it. Batteries are glued in and I there is always risk of damaging them if they try to remove them and then reseal them into the topcase. Weird.
I guess I'm lucky that after four months I haven't had a single issue with my 2017 MacBook Pro (15-inch)? I got the "loaded" edition with i7 3.1GHz, 16GB, RP560 4GB, 2TB SSD, etc. and I haven't had any issues at all - none with TouchBar (which I find very useful as a professional photographer using apps like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, etc.), keyboard, trackpad, screen, etc.
Maybe they've fixed it in later models? My manufacture date is October 9, 2017 for my computer.
Cheers
Maybe they've fixed it in later models? My manufacture date is October 9, 2017 for my computer.
Cheers
My keyboard worked perfectly for 15 months, and out of no where keys stopped working. No dust or debris.
We should have a poll asking who has used a keyboard skin from day one - those who are truly dust/debris free.
I assume yours is 2016 then?
Mine is a 2017 MBP and I know they are very similar but as there were minor hardware changes internally perhaps they fixed some of the keyboard issues? I'm not sure...
The trouble with a skin on these - have one - is that there is then even less travel as you type
What's killing the keyboard is a bad design and engineering.
Will Apple never learn from IBM who is by all objective testers always no 1 in keyboard design?
Why can't they have crisp keys with 1.5 mm travel just like most of the top keyboards in the world?
Instead they have almost always had those very rubbery feeling keys, even on their desktops.
I've been using Mac since the late 80's and the super thin desktop keyboards were always something I hated.
They used to not be like that. Their keyboards were always very functional.
Instead they decided to go cute and clever.
So what they did was leaving these very reliable machines that never quit ticking and started producing machines you can't even breath on or something bad will happen.
Ideally people should just buy the computers and look at them........and just keep looking.
Then they can come on these forums and talk about how awesome their new Macs are.
Will Apple never learn from IBM who is by all objective testers always no 1 in keyboard design?
Why can't they have crisp keys with 1.5 mm travel just like most of the top keyboards in the world?
Instead they have almost always had those very rubbery feeling keys, even on their desktops.
I've been using Mac since the late 80's and the super thin desktop keyboards were always something I hated.
They used to not be like that. Their keyboards were always very functional.
Instead they decided to go cute and clever.
So what they did was leaving these very reliable machines that never quit ticking and started producing machines you can't even breath on or something bad will happen.
Ideally people should just buy the computers and look at them........and just keep looking.
Then they can come on these forums and talk about how awesome their new Macs are.
The whole design premise is simply wrong, thinner for the sake of it, disregarding usability and reliability. Never seen the MBP offer such poor value for money.
As for the last remark, classic case of "the emperor's new clothes" Common sense dictates the current keyboard is little more than a retrograde step. The keyboard simply was not adequately qualified, what a joke Apple is becoming
Q-6
Ive had one on my 13” touch bar since day one. No problems yet!
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The whole design premise is simply wrong, thinner for the sake of it, disregarding usability and reliability. Never seen the MBP offer such poor value for money.
As for the last remark, classic case of "the emperor's new clothes" Common sense dictates the current keyboard is little more than a retrograde step. The keyboard simply was not adequately qualified, what a joke Apple is becoming
Q-6
I’m curious... what do you think of the magic keyboard?
I'm fine with the Magic Keyboard, also have a 2015 rMB which I've grown to loath thx the spectacularly poor keyboard and the mandatory need for dongles...
It's not solely related to low travel, but the balance and feedback, most importantly the typing experience. I have a Huawei MateBook X which also has a low travel keyboard, however it presents an excellent typing experience. Just why Apple is seemingly incapable of the same is beyond me.
Sadly the MBP is now simply a port constrained notebook, with a neutered battery life, that's lacking port diversity solely for the sake of the aesthetic. Personally I've never seen more talk about or actually leave the platform, myself included...
Q-6
While I seem to be ok with the 2017 keyboard, I’m really liking my new iMac’s magic keyboard.
The reason I asked is that for some reason I thought you had a surface book as well, and the keyboard on that machine is pretty decent.
I do, a 1st Gen keyboard is superb, although I'm about to give the Surface Book to my daughter as my current project requires a "heavy lifter". I opted for a heavyweight gaming notebook re-rolled as a portable workstation.
If my next project demands greater mobility a new Surface Book is very likely to be the weapon of choice, given Apple has rather painted itself into a corner with the MBP.
If I solely worked from home the iMac Pro would be on the desk. As for Apple future seems bleak unless Apple wakes up to it's professional audience that have greater need in the portable space...
Q-6
I've been using a skin on mine since day one with no issues so far (8 months). After hearing about the heat issue, I was wondering whether I should remove it. This thread convinced me to keep using it.
Well, based on our experience, I assume likely a couple of causes or combinations thereof. One, is dirt and debris given the limited amount of travel, two, extremely tight tolerances, and three, for older people like me, heavy typists.
That is people who grew using mechanical typewriters and then moved to the great IBM Model M keyboard. We just strike the keys with much more force than the touch screen generation . . .
just my assumptions.
That is people who grew using mechanical typewriters and then moved to the great IBM Model M keyboard. We just strike the keys with much more force than the touch screen generation . . .
just my assumptions.
You win this time. I took mine off and there is indeed a huge difference in travel. Mine is the Uppercase one from Amazon. Which do you have?
edit: maybe it's not the travel that is affected, but the tactile feel of typing certainly is. Gah. I don't want to take it off because the matte keys getting shiny will drive me up a wall and there is no way at all of preventing it.