Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#1

Post by plg » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 2:26 PM UTC

Does anyone have any idea if Apple is going to DO something about the MacBook keyboard issue? Or if this is simply the new normal for Apple laptop keyboards?

I know that the current butterfly mechanism is v2, it's slightly improved over the very 1st iteration (which appeared on the original 12" MacBook retina).

Will there be a v3?

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#2

Post by lkurusa » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 2:33 PM UTC

Actually, the current version is v3, found on 2017 MBPs. v2 appeared on 2016 MBPs, and v1 on the first 12" MacBook.

I have the v2 version, and this is my third top case, if it were not for consumer laws here, I would have moved to another laptop.

As far as I'm aware there are no plans to address them, we have to wait until the next Apple event to hear more, hopefully.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#3

Post by plg » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 2:45 PM UTC

lkurusa wrote: post #2

Actually, the current version is v3, found on 2017 MBPs. v2 appeared on 2016 MBPs, and v1 on the first 12" MacBook. I have the v2 version, and this is my third top case, if it were not for consumer laws here, I would have moved to another laptop. As far as I'm aware there are no plans to address them, we have to wait until the next Apple event to hear more, hopefully.

ah ok thanks

Out of curiosity, what other laptop would you have moved to? Another apple laptop or something different altogether?

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#4

Post by lkurusa » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 3:11 PM UTC

plg wrote: post #3

lkurusa wrote: post #2

Actually, the current version is v3, found on 2017 MBPs. v2 appeared on 2016 MBPs, and v1 on the first 12" MacBook. I have the v2 version, and this is my third top case, if it were not for consumer laws here, I would have moved to another laptop. As far as I'm aware there are no plans to address them, we have to wait until the next Apple event to hear more, hopefully.

ah ok thanks Out of curiosity, what other laptop would you have moved to? Another apple laptop or something different altogether?

I was thinking of either the Lenovo X1 Carbon, or the Dell XPS 13. They seem robust, lightweight and run Linux.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#5

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 3:57 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#6

Post by Clubber » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 4:00 PM UTC

lkurusa wrote: post #2

Actually, the current version is v3, found on 2017 MBPs. v2 appeared on 2016 MBPs, and v1 on the first 12" MacBook. I have the v2 version, and this is my third top case, if it were not for consumer laws here, I would have moved to another laptop. As far as I'm aware there are no plans to address them, we have to wait until the next Apple event to hear more, hopefully.

I currently have a 2017 MacBook Pro and the keyboard isn't giving me much trouble. Sometimes something will get in the key mechanism, but blowing into the gap between the key and the case fixes it. After using it, my wife's 2013 MacBook Pro feels really spongy (a keyboard I loved).

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#7

Post by tonyedgecombe » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 4:02 PM UTC

My guess is the touch bar along with haptic feedback is going to replace the whole keyboard.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#8

Post by needz » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 4:11 PM UTC

plg wrote: post #3

lkurusa wrote: post #2

Actually, the current version is v3, found on 2017 MBPs. v2 appeared on 2016 MBPs, and v1 on the first 12" MacBook. I have the v2 version, and this is my third top case, if it were not for consumer laws here, I would have moved to another laptop. As far as I'm aware there are no plans to address them, we have to wait until the next Apple event to hear more, hopefully.

ah ok thanks Out of curiosity, what other laptop would you have moved to? Another apple laptop or something different altogether?

I recently switched from a 2015 Macbook Pro to a Lenovo T480s (w/ Fedora 28) and have been relatively happy with the purchase over all. A key did break off within 2 weeks, but I'm hoping after that is taken care of it'll be smooth sailing from here on out.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#9

Post by code4tee » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 4:12 PM UTC

Let’ss Hope soo becausse it’s gettiing to be quitee annnnoying.

Re: Ask HN: Does anyone know if Apple plans to address the MacBook keyboard issue?

#10

Post by greglindahl » Thu, Jun 14, 2018, 4:12 PM UTC

I have the 12" MacBook, so it's the v1 keyboard, and after I got used to it, I was OK with it.