Petr Škuta The keyboard of MacBooks with a butterfly mechanism has already reached its third generation. However, it still fails. Apple apologized for the ongoing problems, but again in its own way.
I'll start from the other end this time. When I read the note Joanny Stern of the Wall Street Journal, as if I were realizing my folly again. Yes, I am the owner of the extra configuration MacBook Pro 13" with Touch Bar version 2018. I also succumbed to the promises that Apple solved all the problems with the third generation of the keyboard. Error.
I sent my previous MacBook Pro 15" 2015 into the world in good faith, so that it may serve someone for a few more years. After all, it was heavier than I'm comfortable with when traveling. On the other hand, even this model was not bad in terms of performance today, especially in my Core i7 configuration with 16 GB of RAM.
But Apple deliberately cut the compatibility of ThunderBolt 2 accessories with eGPU (external graphics cards), and so basically forced me to upgrade. I dabbled with OS hacking for a while, but then I gave up. Am I not using Apple to solve problems like on Windows?
So I ordered MacBook Pro 13" with Touch Bar and 16 GB RAM. The third generation keyboard should already have been tuned. After all, iFixit found special membranes under the keys, which should prevent dust (officially, rather noise) that was disrupting the functionality of the keyboard. I was foolish.
No, I really don't eat or drink in front of the computer. My desk is clean, I love minimalism and order. Anyway, after a quarter of a year, my spacebar started getting stuck. And then the A key. How is that possible? I visited the official Apple technical forums, where dozens if not hundreds of users are reporting the same problem...
The new keyboard generation didn't solve much
Apple introduced the groundbreaking new keyboard with a butterfly mechanism for the first time on 12" MacBooks in 2015. Even then it was clear where the new direction of computer design would go - minimal thickness at the expense of everything else (so also cooling, battery life or cabling quality, see "Flexgate").
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Dan Pražák But the new keyboard was not only very noisy, thanks to which you are always guaranteed to be the center of attention, especially when typing faster, but also suffered from any specks under the keys. In addition, the new manufacturing method has completely changed the servicing style, so if you need to replace the keyboard, you are replacing the entire upper part of the chassis. So much for the ecology that Apple likes to brag about.
The second generation of the keyboard basically did not bring a visible improvement. The hopes placed in the third generation have not been confirmed now, at least from my experience and other tens to hundreds of users. The keyboard is indeed less noisy, but it still gets stuck. Which is a rather fundamental shortcoming for a computer at a price of over sixty thousand.
Apple's spokesperson finally surprised and issued an official statement. However, the apology is traditionally "Cupertino":
We are aware that a small number of users are experiencing difficulties with the third-generation butterfly keyboard, for which we are sorry. However, most MacBook users have positive experiences with the new keyboard.
Fortunately, thanks to several lawsuits, we now have the option of repairing the keyboard under warranty (two years in the EU). Or you could be browsing the bazaars like me and thinking about going back to the MacBook Pro 2015. Just imagine getting an SD card reader, HDMI, standard USB-A ports and as the icing on the cake - perhaps the best keyboard Apple has ever had.
The choice is purely up to us.
Yeah, I'm keeping my 15” MB Pro 2015 and I won't trade it for anything anytime soon.
Thanks for the article. I had no idea the problem was ongoing. Even the latest keyboards have an uncomfortably low response compared to, for example, 2015, but if they also have a problem with such fatal consequences, it's a disaster. I would agree with daringfireball.net - possibly the worst product/failure from apple.
You got it a bit wrong. Nowhere does it say that Apple has admitted a mistake or apologized. He is only aware that "some" people have a problem.
But from the article you can clearly see where Apple is going - every two years you simply buy a new computer, whether you want to or not
Well, I do have a 2015 MBP, but it's getting a little slow for my needs. I will receive an allowance from my employer for a new computer, but at the moment I really don't know what to buy. Don't ditch the new MacBook Pro because of that unreliable keyboard. Neither does a Windows laptop. So I'm thinking how much it will limit me if I get an iMac, I'd have to keep it at work and I wouldn't be able to work from home anymore.
I will still remain loyal to my old one, even though I was already thinking of exchanging it for a new one :-)
So still no.
What could you not want from a lounge chair for €3500.
For Christmas, I bought a macbook air 900 model for around 2017 EUR, i.e. old design, old tn panel, old usb, old thunderbolt 2 :-). I only had the 2011 version, which I sold for about 1/4 the price. And yes, I used the old dock, old cables and old ext. monitor. Checked quality :-). I understand that it may be a poor configuration for some, but the keyboard is a classic and everything works as it should. And my wife has a 2011 MB13 Pro, I changed the HDD to an SSD, when 4 GB of ram won't be enough, I'll increase it to 6 or 8 GB, and we'll go for the next x years. And USB 2.0 really doesn't bother her :-). Only the wind blows, there is probably a sensor in the wonder, but that's about all that is a problem after 8 years :-). That's my opinion. Buying the latest OVERPRICED and PROBLEM models is a no-no.