After numerous complaints, Apple acknowledged the problem with the butterfly keyboard on June 24, 2018 and launched an exchange program. This has now been expanded.
Until now, all MacBook Pro models with butterfly keyboards up to 2017 were eligible for the exchange program. Now, as part of the 2019 generation, Apple has included all MacBook Pro models from 2018 and even the recently introduced MacBook Pro 2019 Line-up included in the repair program. In addition to these, the latest MacBook Air model will also be included. This means that users of devices that have problems will have the repair or replacement carried out free of charge by Apple or an authorized Apple dealer.
Apple describes the problems as follows:
– Characters are repeated unexpectedly
– Characters are not displayed
– one or more keys have too high a pressure resistance, hang after being struck or react inconsistently
Qualified models are:
MacBook (Retina, 12″, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12″, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12″, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2016, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13”, 2017, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2016, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2017, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (15”, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15”, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2018, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (15", 2018)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13″, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13″, 2019, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (15", 2019)
The butterfly keyboard in the MacBook Pro series has been heavily criticized since its introduction. It suffers from a high failure rate because even the smallest crumbs and dust particles can damage individual keys. The third generation of the sensitive keyboard has a silicone protector - this should not only reduce typing noises but also prevent foreign objects from penetrating the keyboard - to no avail, the 3rd generation of the butterfly keyboard also failed. It remains to be seen whether the 4th generation of the ultra-flat keyboard will be convincing.
