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My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

tobiasberg.net

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Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#61

Post by linsomniac »

mananaysiempre wrote: post #46
linsomniac wrote: post #38

Does anyone know if this is covered under the Apple Care plans? My 16" M1 MBP keyboard has been no problem, I'm just curious. Not saying that negates the issue. Unfortunately, AFAICT, these repairability issues are largely due to the move to thinner and lighter laptops. Replacing my MILs Microsoft Surface tablet was a pain in the butt. Had to cut the case open and tape it back together. But that thing was insanely sm…

Keyboards on MacBook Pros have been riveted since at least 2014. That doesn’t necessarily disprove your argument, but it does move the “thin and light” bar farther back than one would expect from the phrasing.

Apple has long made trade offs in pursuit of "thin and light". Apple announced the 2014 MBP as "People love their MacBook Pro because of the thin and light, aluminum unibody design". https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/07/29Apple-Updates-MacBo...

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#62

Post by radley »

MostlyStable wrote: post #42

>Here’s hoping governments regulate laptop manufacturers to actually make repairable machines in the future. No, this is a bad solution. If you want a repairable machine, buy one. They exist. Others have already mentioned Framework, but there are other options that aren't that far down the spectrum either. One of the things macbook users praise the most is "build quality", which often means the solidity of the device…

> If you want a repairable machine, buy one. They exist. Others have already mentioned Framework

But that means Windows or Linux, not macOS. There's serious trade-offs that you're dismissing because you personally don't need macOS, but that's not the case for everyone.

#hn-bingo

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#63

Post by vr46 »

linsomniac wrote: post #38

Does anyone know if this is covered under the Apple Care plans? My 16" M1 MBP keyboard has been no problem, I'm just curious. Not saying that negates the issue. Unfortunately, AFAICT, these repairability issues are largely due to the move to thinner and lighter laptops. Replacing my MILs Microsoft Surface tablet was a pain in the butt. Had to cut the case open and tape it back together. But that thing was insanely sm…

Yes it is, I had my M! Max keyboard replaced as repairing the individual keycaps didn't work, and then they replaced the entire logic board while they were testing due to finding an error. Total cost was around €1400, to me €0. New bottom case, new battery, new logic board.

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#65

Post by sleepybrett »

nerdsniper wrote: post #35
SkiFire13 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see a replacement guide link on that page, but curiously there's this note: > The aluminum upper case and installation screws are not included. I would assume you likely need those too, as the article also mentions.

Wouldn’t the screws in your existing generally be reusable for this replacement?

the keyboard in the current macbook pro is RIVETED.

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#66

Post by ThePowerOfFuet »

radley wrote: post #62
MostlyStable wrote: post #42

>Here’s hoping governments regulate laptop manufacturers to actually make repairable machines in the future. No, this is a bad solution. If you want a repairable machine, buy one. They exist. Others have already mentioned Framework, but there are other options that aren't that far down the spectrum either. One of the things macbook users praise the most is "build quality", which often means the solidity of the device…

> If you want a repairable machine, buy one. They exist. Others have already mentioned Framework But that means Windows or Linux, not macOS. There's serious trade-offs that you're dismissing because you personally don't need macOS, but that's not the case for everyone. #hn-bingo

macOS has slid a long way down the quality ladder over the past ten years.

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#67

Post by lucasfin000 »

MostlyStable wrote: post #42

>Here’s hoping governments regulate laptop manufacturers to actually make repairable machines in the future. No, this is a bad solution. If you want a repairable machine, buy one. They exist. Others have already mentioned Framework, but there are other options that aren't that far down the spectrum either. One of the things macbook users praise the most is "build quality", which often means the solidity of the device…

The "just buy another one" argument only works if the alternatives are even comparable. For a lot of people, macOS is a hard requirement and not a preference, so telling them just to buy a framework that runs Linux ignores that entirely. Right to repair regulation doesn't force Apple to make a worse product it just requires that the parts and repair information are available.

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#69

Post by radley »

justinator wrote: post #28
KnuthIsGod wrote: post #8

My first computer was a Mac Plus. I got to experience Apple's customer hostile practices. Many years ago l decided never to buy an Apple product again.

AppleCare is honestly a great deal, especially for laptops. M1 Macbook Pros from 2020 are humming along just fine for regular people who see no reason to upgrade. The future is now, old man.

I've never worried about AppleCare for my Apple products, until this year when I signed up for AppleCare One. I bought a few new devices, including the Studio Monitor XDR. For the XDR alone it's worth it, since replacing the screen is a multi-$1k repair.

Re: My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix

#70

Post by ChuckMcM »

wat10000 wrote: post #53
ChuckMcM wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Framework Laptop is more expensive than a Macbook Air with all around worse hardware. Is it though? I'd agree the hardware is less capable but if your Macbook anything is really just one 'top case' repair away from being more expensive. RAM failure is 'motherboard replace', the display? it is similarly expensive to replace. So I would agree that it is more expensive to purchase a Framework laptop than a Macbook lap…

What is the probability of those things failing during the time you have the MacBook? I've had Apple portables since they were called PowerBooks and the only problem I've had that wasn't caused by violence was a battery swelling, and that cost me something like $120 to replace, not a big deal. If you add 5% to the price, that's probably about your expected cost for repairs or premature replacements if you don't have…

> What is the probability of those things failing during the time you have the MacBook?

and

> ... you can pay them $50-150/year (depending on model) to take that risk.

These things are related, Apple knows what the failure rate in the field for their hardware is, and they "price in" that failure rate into their AppleCare costs. On my iPad pro, that's $90/year.

That said, it is entirely a 'bet' on your part as to whether or not you're in a position to cover costs of repair/replacement in the event of damage. That depends on a lots of factors and includes how much you can tolerate not having the equipment for a while, Etc.

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