Apple Apologizes Over 'Small Number' of Users Who Continue to Have Issues With Third-Generation MacBook KeyboardsLast year, Apple introduced new
MacBook Pro and
MacBook Air models with a redesigned third-generation butterfly keyboard that was meant to address
issues with sticking and non-responsive keys. However, as noted by
The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern, some customers are continuing to experience these issues.
<img src="
" alt="" width="600" height="320" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-646327" /><center>
Third-generation butterfly keyboard on 2018 <!---->MacBook Pro<!----> via iFixit</center>
In a statement, an Apple spokesperson acknowledged the issues and apologized:
We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry. The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard.
Apple added that affected customers should
contact the company for support.
Unfortunately, while Apple
initiated a service program offering free repairs of affected 2015-2017
MacBook and 2016-2017 <!---->MacBook Pro<!----> models with first- and second-generation butterfly keyboards, the latest 2018 <!---->MacBook Pro<!----> and 2018 <!---->MacBook Air<!----> models with third-generation butterfly keyboards do not qualify at this time.
Stern wrote her column without using the letters E or R as a clever way of illustrating the problem — there are toggle switches to turn each letter back on. Humorously, there are also toggle switches to read the article with double E's or double T's, as repeating letters are one symptom of the sticky keys.
<img src="
" alt="" width="725" height="364" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-686630" />
In an internal document obtained by MacRumors last year, Apple said the third-generation keyboard has a
silicone membrane under the keycaps to "prevent debris from entering the butterfly mechanism." However, the membrane has
only reduced the keyboard issues instead of eliminating them entirely.
Apple has not admitted this reasoning publicly, instead saying that the third-generation keyboard delivers a
"quieter" typing experience.
Stern concludes with a plea to Apple to "stop prioritizing thinness over usability."
<div class="linkback">Related Roundup:
MacBook Pro</div><div class="linkback">Buyer's Guide:
MacBook Pro (Caution)</div>
This article, "
Apple Apologizes Over 'Small Number' of Users Who Continue to Have Issues With Third-Generation MacBook Keyboards" first appeared on
MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
<div class="feedflare">
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img>[/url]
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img>[/url]
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img>[/url]
</div><img src="
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/fP_VGcao8Lw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>
Source:
Apple Apologizes Over 'Small Number' of Users Who Continue to Have Issues With Third-Generation MacBook Keyboards
