My MacBook keyboard is broken and it's insanely expensive to fix • Hacker News Board

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

#551

Post by port11 » Thu, Apr 02, 2026, 5:30 PM UTC

karussell wrote: post #444

port11 wrote: post #363

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A Framework running a sane version of macOS would be peak computing for me. Not that repairability isn’t great, but in 16 years of Apple devices my only needed repair was their atrocious butterfly-style keyboard, and Apple footed the bill thanks to the Class Action Lawsuit. We merely have to wait on Apple to continue debasing its OS, and then many other options will look preferable. Or perhaps Linux on Apple Silicon…

Linux on Apple Silicon is already stable and nice if you accept a few downsides: only M1 & M2 so far, max 8h on battery ('office usage'), max 30h with closed lid ('sleep'), external display via hdmi and no touch ID.

It’s _really_ not just a few downsides, although they’re catching up quickly. My Air would get USB-C video out soon, it seems. But I don’t think Asahi should be anyone’s main driver yet. (That reminds me that it’s time to donate again.)

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

#552

Post by docmars » Thu, Apr 02, 2026, 8:07 PM UTC

brokenmachine wrote: post #546

docmars wrote: post #389

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't even understand the functional purpose of the rivets if the keyboard is already held in place with a million screws and the key slots cut into the aluminum frame. It makes no sense, seems like a waste.

Can you not see why they might be incentivized to make it unrepairable?

Oh definitely, I'm no stranger to Apple's antics... but usually they're pretty particular about hardware decisions serving a functional purpose, and not just a way to protect their bottom line. They aren't exactly struggling to sell their stuff.

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

#553

Post by ThePowerOfFuet » Sat, Apr 04, 2026, 8:37 AM UTC

AussieWog93 wrote: post #83

ThePowerOfFuet wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

In what way? Tahoe's UI SNAFU aside, it seems like it's basically just a more polished version of the older macOS versions from a decade ago.

1: https://tidbits.com/2019/10/21/six-reasons-why-ios-13-and-ca...

2: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43243075

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

#554

Post by brokenmachine » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 4:32 AM UTC

docmars wrote: post #552

brokenmachine wrote: post #546

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you not see why they might be incentivized to make it unrepairable?

Oh definitely, I'm no stranger to Apple's antics... but usually they're pretty particular about hardware decisions serving a functional purpose, and not just a way to protect their bottom line. They aren't exactly struggling to sell their stuff.

Their marketing is pretty particular, when it suits them.

Their actions show something completely different. Everything is about protecting their jailed garden.

It took the EU to force them to grudgingly use USB-C.