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Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

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Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#211

Post by orbitur »

akvadrako wrote: post #153
nrclark wrote: post #5

My work gave me one of the 2016 15" MBPs as my main computer, and the keyboard is horrible. My V key double-presses about half the time, and the rest of the keys are really hard to press down all the way. Some of the keys make a weird metal rattle when I press them. Typing on that wretched keyboard for more than an hour or so literally bruises my fingers. Since I do most of my day-to-day work at a dock with an extern…

What you are describing is a broken or dirty keyboard. First of all, the new MBP requires compressed air for cleaning under the keys. If that doesn't work, they will repair it under warranty.

When people are taking your latest model into your store to figure out wtf is going wrong with it, in much greater numbers than the previous model, you've created a broken design.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#212

Post by svckr »

> Though Apple employees receive significant yearly discounts on computers, and this was the first significant redesign of the MacBook Pro’s body in eight years, he had chosen not to buy one of the new ones, even a year later. (The author, referring to a Genius' 2015 MBP)

Umm. I earn modestly good money developing software and my 2010 MBP is starting to show its age. How much does he think an Apple Store employee makes? How much DOES an Apple Genius in NYC make?

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#213

Post by orbitur »

oceanghost wrote: post #194
AlexandrB wrote: post #191

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have seen absolutely filthy "old" MBP keyboards that worked just fine. It's a laptop, I should be able to use it without having to treat it like a delicate snowflake. Whatever happened to building quality hardware?

We voted with our money that we didn't give a damn about quality hardware or software.

Ehhh, we voted with our money that we trusted Apple. Their hardware design has been quality until the new keyboard.

This ignores whether you want more ports or faster processors, of course.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#214

Post by cosmotron »

svckr wrote: post #212

> Though Apple employees receive significant yearly discounts on computers, and this was the first significant redesign of the MacBook Pro’s body in eight years, he had chosen not to buy one of the new ones, even a year later. (The author, referring to a Genius' 2015 MBP) Umm. I earn modestly good money developing software and my 2010 MBP is starting to show its age. How much does he think an Apple Store employee mak…

According to glassdoor, an Apple Genius working in NYC makes approximately $23/hour [1].

[1] https://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/Apple-Mac-Genius-New-Yo...

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#215

Post by heisenbit »

madmax108 wrote: post #107

It constantly amazes me how a product which is so widely criticized by the dev community, ends up selling so well. Really shows how Apple dropped the ball from making a system which became the de-facto developer laptop (whether I like that it did or not is a different question), right upto this clunky mess which is a far cry from their earlier versions I still maintain that the 2012 rMBP, which were the last Macbooks…

Are thy selling well? Apple's market share is not growing. I got a 2012 MBP and the money to buy a new one. What I see is not convincing me I get value for money. Apple used to know that basics matter but recently they are innovating on the margin. That only gets you so far onto the ice...

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#216

Post by bsimpson »

svckr wrote: post #212

> Though Apple employees receive significant yearly discounts on computers, and this was the first significant redesign of the MacBook Pro’s body in eight years, he had chosen not to buy one of the new ones, even a year later. (The author, referring to a Genius' 2015 MBP) Umm. I earn modestly good money developing software and my 2010 MBP is starting to show its age. How much does he think an Apple Store employee mak…

FYI, OP is a woman: https://twitter.com/caseyjohnston

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#217

Post by shinratdr »

baldfat wrote: post #206
asdfasdfasd333 wrote: post #205

So glad someone called this out. A single key on my MBP broke and Apple wanted $500 to "fix" it, even with AppleCare. Fuck that.

Wait you had paid for Apple Care and yet they wanted $500? Why is Apple so sacred with so many people?

Because this isn't the typical experience for most?

I've had nothing but good things to say about Apple's repair policies. If it's in warranty, wander into an Apple Store, explain the issue, come back an hour or two later for your free fix or replacement.

Done and done. I've also heard horror stories, but they're a pretty big company. I'm not surprised it's a mixed bag. I can say that there are almost no companies that have a store a couple blocks from me that I can walk into and get free same day repair service for some devices.

The vast majority require me to mail my device into some unknown depot and be without it for a much longer period of time.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#218

Post by mvdwoord »

rbanffy wrote: post #178
lghh wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> a) I'm a developer, I do not use traditional function keys and would much rather have media keys, etc. Function keys also served as media keys.

True, but the touchbar is much better at that specific role. It also opens up different forms of interaction for other applications. The terminal, for instance, has an instant man page key. This is kind of cool. A tiling window manager could have window management special keys. I have a very nice keyboard on my desk at home with, a glorious Unicomp PC122 with 24 function keys. I love it, but I need to confess I never…

The touchbar is worse imo. The problem is the lack of tactile feedback, plus unwanted "keypresses" when your fingers wander over it.

If they would have just placed the touchbar above the old row of ESC and Function keys, it could have been good. Now it is just shit.

Re: Problems with MacBook butterfly switch keyboards

#219

Post by bdcravens »

hedora wrote: post #207
nrclark wrote: post #5

My work gave me one of the 2016 15" MBPs as my main computer, and the keyboard is horrible. My V key double-presses about half the time, and the rest of the keys are really hard to press down all the way. Some of the keys make a weird metal rattle when I press them. Typing on that wretched keyboard for more than an hour or so literally bruises my fingers. Since I do most of my day-to-day work at a dock with an extern…

About half the macs at work have been upgraded to touchbar models. Mine hasn’t, but I’ve noticed the touchbar screen freaks out when lots of crap scrolls by in terminal. I’d be tempted to electric tape over mine if I had one. Instead, the common case for coworkers is to keep the old one for WFH, dock the new one at desks, and cope with terrible keyboards during meetings. We have an open floor plan, so that would brea…

After owning one since January, I really don't notice the touchbar. However, I spend most of my time docked with an external keyboard - I've used a Das Keyboard (blues at work, browns at home) and the new Magic Keyboard with 10-key (which has same mechanism as laptop but a little more key travel IMO)
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