Apple is Obsession Archivesfinally taking some responsibility for the troubles assailing some MacBook and MacBook Pro owners with broken keyboards.
The company's new "keyboard service program" pledges to replace individual keys and -- whenever it's necessary -- entire keyboards on certain, more recent MacBook models. Although it's not outright stated, the move almost certainly stems from troubles Apple has faced over a new keyboard design that was first introduced in 2015.
SEE ALSO: Apple's AirPower wireless charging pad might not arrive until SeptemberIn its never-ending quest to deliver the thinnest possible laptop, Apple completely redesigned the MacBook keyboard in a 12-inch model that launched in 2015. The larger keys had less travel, and responded to light taps thanks to each key's fragile "butterfly switches."
While some embraced the alteration, which did indeed lead to a thinner laptop, there are those PC users that prefer the satisfying click of a mechanical keyboard. But the real trouble began when post-2015 MacBook users started running into technical issues.
Sometimes, keys would stop working completely; other times, too many characters would appear with each key press. An AppleInsider investigation published in April 2018 noted that MacBook Pro keyboard failures were happening roughly twice as often as they were in older models. (The investigation also noted that the 2017 model "is better, but not by much.")
Just a couple weeks later, unhappy customers banded together to hit Apple with a class-action lawsuit over what the filing described as "defective" keyboards. It's not clear how much of an impact all of this had on Apple's decision to launch a repair program. Probably at least a little.
MacBook and MacBook Pro owners dealing with issues -- which include, per Apple, "letters or characters repeat unexpectedly," "letters or characters do not appear," and "key(s) feel 'sticky' or do not respond in a consistent manner" -- should reach out to Apple or an authorized service provider to make an appointment.
"The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard," Apple notes. If any keyboard repairs are necessary, they'll be provided at no cost. Though you might face some charges if your laptop is damaged in some other way to the point that it interferes with keyboard repairs.
Here's a list of Apple-approved MacBook/MacBook Pro models covered under the service program:
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
Apple says it right there, at the end of this list: "No other Mac notebook models are part of this program." Anyone who might have already paid for a repair that would now be covered for free can contact Apple about getting a refund.
Topics Apple Keyboards MacBook
How to quit social media: This Gen Z
North Carolina students allowed to use restrooms matching their gender identity, judge rules
Texas schools will now teach real Civil War facts and Twitter is shook
Everyone watching the VMAs tweeted about Beyoncé
Best laptop deal: Get the 14
Elon Musk shares a video of The Boring Company's first finished tunnel
Kendall Jenner, who is apparently a monster, was banned from Uber
Chance the Rapper wore cool overalls to the VMAs
The Steam Machine: What Went Wrong
BBC crew interrupt filming to rescue penguins in latest David Attenborough show
Google's data center raises the stakes in this state's 'water wars'
Trump used Twitter to comment on Dwyane Wade's family death and Twitter is not happy
Two bats had sex on the field during an NFL game
Resourceful beauty blogger employs fluffy cat for staging assistance
Best AirPods deal: Apple AirPods 4 for $99.99 at Amazon
George RR Martin confirms his new book contains sweet, sweet 'Game of Thrones' clues
A definitive list of all the actual crimes in 'Crimes of Grindelwald' and their severity
VMAs: Laurie Hernandez is all of us when she hugs Beyoncé
Best free gift card deal: Get $10 Best Buy gift card with $100 Apple gift card
Justin Bieber's Instagram is back. Thank goodness.
Where in the world will China's TiangongCraigslist ends the era of random love by pulling personal adsA guide to every message hidden in the 'Westworld' Season 2 marketingThere's a house full of creepy statues for sale in Detroit, and we have questionsA guide to every message hidden in the 'Westworld' Season 2 marketingFacebook needs to hire a public editorLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan stresses tech companies' need to do moreRestaurant workers share the weirdest things kids have drawn with crayonsMark Zuckerberg invited to testify on Cambridge Analytica scandalA look at the stateIn wake of Facebook scandal, Tumblr cracks down on Russia interferenceWes Anderson's cultural tourism undercuts the heart of 'Isle of Dogs'Mark Zuckerberg to finally speak out on Cambridge Analytica scandalWorld Water Day: How to get involved and make a difference19 of the funniest British tweets so far in 2018Senators demand Mark Zuckerberg testify on Cambridge Analytica scandalActual things you can do to bridge the orgasm gap in your own bedroomIn court, oil company admits global warming is real, denies guiltNintendo Switch just broke a major U.S. sales recordPolice discover 'Only Fools and Horses' inspired fake ID after stopping driver The Unicorn Café is the stuff of a child's imagination This adorable video about the Rosetta comet mission will make you cry Feminist bookstore from 'Portlandia' politely tells the show to f*ck itself Trump unleashes tweetstorm on former Miss Universe Alicia Machado The strange saga of the ex Antonio Brown will honor Arnold Palmer with an awesome pair of custom cleats Weight loss app counts calories with your food pics 'Loosely Exactly Nicole' gives us new friendship goals America's hot dad Bruce Springsteen signed a fifth grader's absence note Trump jokes about kicking non Rainbow appears over Arnold Palmer's hometown on the day his ashes are spread Will Google really kill its Nexus phones and replace them with Pixel? Adventurer Johnny Strange to be remembered with skateparks in Malibu and Bhutan Student invents genius kitchen gadget to help people with 1 arm Google’s Tilt Brush will soon create windows from VR into reality Earthquake 'swarm' raises odds of stronger California quake to come Filmmaker unknowingly captures stunning drone wedding photo The truth behind your favourite hipster 'craft' brands Idris Elba just casually played a fire DJ set at an Australian nightclub Apple's push into healthcare now includes Apple Watch data
3.3276s , 10137.171875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Obsession Archives】,Steady Information Network