Apple will repair sticky keyboards on some Mac Books, Mac Book Pros

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Apple’s butterfly switch keyboard has actually dealt with criticism by users.


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Apple has actually lastly confessed defeat when it concerns its Mac Book “butterfly switch” keyboards. Well sorta.

The business on Friday stated it will change “a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook and MacBook Pro models” whose letters or characters repeat all of a sudden, letters or characters do not appear or whose secrets feel “sticky” or do not react regularly.

Every design noted– varying from 2015’s 12- inch Retina Mac Book to 2017’s 15- inch Mac Book Pro— utilizes the butterfly switch style Apple presented broadly with its computer system revamp in2015 Both the very first- and second-generations of the butterfly switch style are covered in the service strategy, and the Mac Books covered under the repair work strategy consist of designs with and without the TouchBar

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Apple, in a statement provided to CNET, reiterated the parameters of the service program but didn’t give more details about the number of devices impacted. 

“Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will examine the customer’s device to verify eligibility and then perform the service free of charge,” the company said. “Service may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard.”

Apple added that customers who’ve already paid for a repair related to the service program can contact the company to get a refund for the service cost. 

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Apple explains the difference between the new and old keyboard mechanisms on its Macbook page. 

Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Apple rolled out the new keyboard design in 2015 in an effort to make its laptops even thinner and lighter than in the past. The butterfly switch replaced the traditional “scissor” mechanism below each key and was meant to be more stable, responsive and comfortable.

But almost immediately, users complained about the feel of the new keyboards and said they could be easily damaged by specks of dust. Some have said they’ve had to go a week or more without their computer while Apple replaced not just the unresponsive key, but a substantial part of their MacBook. And the fix isn’t cheap. Some have said the out-of-warranty fix can set you back $700.

At least three proposed class action lawsuits have been filed against Apple over the use of the butterfly switch. 

Apple, in response to the butterfly switch complaints, published a webpage a year ago outlining how to clean the keyboard using a can of compressed air. But some users have said that doesn’t work. By now launching a replacement program, Apple appears to be admitting the problem is worse than it earlier thought. 

The program covers the MacBook and MacBook Pros for four years after purchase. Apple noted the service program doesn’t extend the standard warranty of the computers. 

Here are the eligible models:

  • 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)

CNET’s Sean Hollister contributed to this report.

First published April 9 at 2:47 p.m. PT.
Update at 3:08 p.m. PT: Adds details and comment from Apple. 

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