An AppleInsider article has stoked some consumer frustration over Apple's butterfly keyboards. In it, AppleInsider combed through a limited dataset of warranty events from participating Apple Genius Bars and third-party repair shops. The site determined that, in that data, the 2016 MacBook Pro's keyboard accounted for twice the percentage of all warranty events in that machine's first year on the market as its predecessors from 2014 and 2015 did.
In this interesting mahjong type matching flash game you need to match couple of same butterfly wings together by clicking with your mouse on open pairs of butterfly wings, and the butterfly will fly away. Clear all the butterflies from the board before time runs out! Butterfly 2 on the new MBP is incredible. The 12' MB keyboard was lacking in key travel and responsiveness to each key press. Felt like typing directly onto the table. I got used to it but never enjoyed it. I love the new MBP's keyboard. And I'm really picky about keyboards. On Windows, I pay extra for a good WASD Keyboard or Topre, for example. The butterfly keyboard is split into two roughly triangular pieces that slide as the laptop's lid is opened or closed. As the lid is opened both pieces slide out to the sides, followed by one piece sliding downward. The two halves mesh to form a keyboard 29.2 cm (11.5. 🦋Butterfly Emoji Meaning. A butterfly, a beautiful winged insect whose larva is a caterpillar.Depicted with its wings outspread, as a blue-and-black morpho butterfly or orange-and-black monarch butterfly. May be used to represent a moth and ideas of beauty and happiness.
These keyboards already have plenty of detractors. They have very short travel, which serves two functions: it frees up a tiny bit of space in the machine for other components (every nanometer counts), and it can make typing considerably faster since not as much effort is needed to register a key press. I like these keyboards, but a lot of other people feel strongly that they're terrible to type on.
The AppleInsider report has resulted in Apple customers expressing frustration in forums and on Reddit. Detractors have even started a Change.org petition asking Apple to recall all MacBook Pros from 2016 and later and replace their keyboards with a new design that is less prone to failure. That's not likely to happen—partly because it's not practical and partly because the data is not as conclusive as it might seem.
The article claims that 'the 2016 MacBook Pro keyboard is failing twice as often in the first year of use as the 2014 or 2015 MacBook Pro models,' but that's not exactly what the data shows. That's because the 'twice as often' conclusion is based on the percentage of all tracked repairs that the keyboard constituted, as Daring Fireball notes. The 2016 MacBook Pro had fewer warranty events over all, so while the absolute number of keyboard-related events didn't double, the percentage of all repairs that were keyboard-related did. Further, the 2017 model's slightly revised keyboard saw significant improvements on this front, so as usual, it's the earliest adopters who are dealing with the most problems.
AdvertisementThe numbers
In AppleInsider's data, the 2014 MacBook Pro (inclusive of both the 13-inch and 15-inch models) 'saw 2,120 service events in the first year' it was on the market. 2015's MacBook Pro saw 1,904 service events. The 2016 MacBook Pro saw only 1,402. AppleInsider found 165 keyboard-related incidents (excluding those related to the Touch Bar) in its data for the 2016 MacBook Pro's first year on the market. There were 114 in 2015 and 118 in 2014—two prior years that used the older chiclet keyboard design. That's an increase of about 45 percent and 40 percent, respectively, but not double.
There's another wrinkle, though: return visits. Out of the 2015 model's 114 keyboard-related repairs in the dataset, six returned for a second repair for the keyboard, and none did for a third. In 2015, it was eight out of 118 for a second repair, and once again no third round of repairs. By contrast, 51 customers out of the 161 who initially sought repairs for their 2016 MacBook Pro keyboards returned for a second round of repairs, and of those, 10 returned for round three. That's still not quite twice as many repairs as with the prior models, but it's close.
Why did people return for another round? Was it because the keyboards failed again or because they were improperly repaired to begin with? We don't know, so we have as many questions as we have answers after seeing this data.
AppleInsider found that a slight redesign of the keyboard that was included in the 2017 models (and is now installed in 2016 models when servicing them) seems to be resulting in repair numbers moving a little closer to the 2015 and 2014 numbers, although a full year of data for that model is not yet available.
The data suggests that the newer MacBook Pro keyboards require repairs a little more often. And they're much more difficult and expensive to repair than prior models. That creates a dilemma for consumers.
The high cost of repair
My own 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro keyboard failed about two months ago. The 'Z' key stopped working. I took the computer to an Apple Store, and Apple determined that some kind of dust or similar matter had gotten into the keyboard and caused a problem. Apple replaced it with the updated keyboard found in the 2017 MacBook Pro. My computer was working again the next day, and it cost me nothing because I had AppleCare. If I hadn't, the repair would have cost me more than $700 according to the repair sheet the company gave me when it returned my computer.
AdvertisementThat's because Apple has designed the MacBook Pro such that fixing even one key requires replacing the entire keyboard apparatus, as well as part of the metal enclosure and some other components. This is the real consumer's dilemma with the MacBook Pro keyboards—not their failure rate.
AppleInsider's own reporting on the cost of the repair is right on the money with my experience:
The keyboard isn't replaceable by itself. Break one key switch, and you need to replace the whole assembly, consisting of the keyboard, the battery, and the upper case metal surrounding the keyboard and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
We've seen out-of-warranty pricing with labor and parts exceeding $700 for the job, and it isn't an easy repair, necessitating a complete disassembly of the machine. This same repair is $400 on the 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pro—cheaper, but still a lot of money.
Making these kinds of serviceability sacrifices allows Apple to produce some striking designs, and it frees up space for other features, better heat management, and so on. But for customers who don't purchase AppleCare, those benefits can come at a very high cost when components in the computer fail. The default one-year warranty just isn't enough—and in many regions, either AppleCare isn't available at all, or it is, but no Apple Stores are close enough to make the service practical.
That leaves quite a few customers hanging. And it's not just Apple anymore; other laptops, like Microsoft's Surface Pro, are just as difficult to service. It's not great for tech consumers that buying an expensive service plan is the only way to have peace of mind when buying a $2,500 device.
System cleanup in one click
You generally buy a MacBook because you want a quality laptop that's easy-to-use and doesn't suffer from bugs or hardware failures. So it's truly disheartening to discover that there have been a slew of MacBook keyboard issues plaguing recent models.
Is your MacBook Pro keyboard not working? You're not alone. Lots of users have been experiencing issues with their Apple butterfly keyboards as well.
Naturally, Apple is working to fix the problem in upcoming models of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, but if you've bought one in the last few years, unfortunately, those fixes aren't going to help you.
Let's find out the steps you need to take to fix your MacBook keyboard quickly.
Get Setapp to fix keyboard issues on Mac
It's a dedicated toolkit for solving every keyboard problem through the best applications. Let us deliver Setapp to your Mac in one click.
Why Is Mac Keyboard Not Working?
Before you can fix the problem, first you have to determine exactly what the problem is. There are a few possible issues that could lead to your MacBook keyboard not working.
One thing to note is that a MacBook keyboard isn't like most other keyboards on the market. Instead of using a scissor-like mechanism, MacBooks feature a proprietary Apple butterfly-like keyboard with a slightly different design.
Ever wondered how Apple laptops are so slim? Part of that is the butterfly keyboard mechanism. Whereas most keyboards' scissor mechanism provides tension on keys so that they click back into place once you finish typing, Apple designed a minimal switch as slim and elegant as a butterfly — hence the name.
Unfortunately, the butterfly keyboard is also just as fragile as a butterfly too. If even one spec of dust gets under a key and into the mechanism, it can lead to problems like a key repeating, sticking, or not registering hits at all.
It's one thing if your Z key sticks occasionally. It's another if your spacebar won't work. Thus, fixing your MacBook keyboard can't be put off for very long once it's stopped working.
Macbook Butterfly Keyboard
How do I fix a MacBook keyboard or MacBook Pro keyboard?
The short answer is: not you. The longer answer is an authorized Apple dealer will fix your MacBook Pro keyboard for free.
In some rare cases a blast of compressed air could clear the dust from the keyboard. Even though it won't do the job for most, it's worth trying since a can of air only costs a few dollars. But don't expect salvation.
Apple has admitted that there's a flaw with their design and as long as your MacBook is recognized as one of the afflicted models (if your keyboard isn't working, it probably is) then all you have to do is take your laptop to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Retail Store, or Apple Repair Center, and they'll handle your MacBook or MacBook Pro keyboard replacement.
It's worth noting, however, that Apple created this service program after three class-action lawsuits. There were a lot of users with a Mac keyboard not working, and if they hadn't taken action this fix would cost hundreds of dollars.
Part of the problem is that it isn't simply a matter of replacing a single key on the butterfly keyboard — the entire MacBook keyboard has to be replaced, making it a fairly significant repair job. It can take up to five days before the shop is able to get the right parts and make the replacement.
Remember: Before taking your computer into the shop, always back up its most important data — even if you have to use a USB or Bluetooth keyboard to get it done.
MacBook or MacBook Pro trackpad not working?
The MacBook trackpad is one of the best on the market. Responsive and precise, it's a dream to work with… at least, when it's working correctly.
If you find your MacBook trackpad not working, there are a few steps you can take.
1. Turn it off and on again
It's true that restarting something is an ongoing joke most of the time, but it's also great advice. Try rebooting your MacBook and see if that clears up the issue.
While you're at it, close the lid when you shut your laptop down as well. For some reason many Mac users have reported this solves their MacBook trackpad not working issue.
2. Disable the Force Click option
In some cases, if your MacBook Pro trackpad isn't working, you can try to disable Force Click to fix the issue:
Open System Preferences in your Applications folder Blender 2 81 beta.
Click Trackpad
Navigate to the Point & Click tab
Uncheck the Force Click option
Note: This fix will only work for MacBooks with 3D Touch, but it's relatively easy to do and worth a shot.
3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
A lot of bugs and performance issues can be solved by resetting your Mac's System Management Controller. Call of duty 2 pc review. There are two ways of doing so. For Macs with a non-removable battery:
Shut down your MacBook
Plug in your MagSafe adapter
Press and hold down: Shift, Control, Option, and the power button
If your MagSage adapter changes color, you've reset the SMC
If your MacBook has a removable battery:
Shut down the laptop
Remove your battery and MagSage adapter
Hold the power button for 10 seconds
This simple reboot can take care of many of your Mac's problems. It'll reset some options like the time it takes for your MacBook to go to sleep when left idle, but it won't change any truly important settings.
Apple Butterfly Keyboard
MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad not working?
If both your MacBook keyboard and trackpad aren't working, then there are a few possible problems that might be causing the issue: hardware and software. Here are a few more tips to test before taking your MacBook into an Authorized Apple Service Provider.
1. Delete .plist files
It's possible that somewhere along the line your software settings have changed and contributed to keyboard and trackpad malfunction. Try setting them back to their factory defaults by deleting your .plist (or 'property list') files.
Back up your computer with the Time Machine fist
Open Finder
Press ⌘ + Shift + G
Enter ~/Library/Preferences/ into the new bar and hit Go
Find and highlight these files:
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist
com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist
com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist
These keyboards already have plenty of detractors. They have very short travel, which serves two functions: it frees up a tiny bit of space in the machine for other components (every nanometer counts), and it can make typing considerably faster since not as much effort is needed to register a key press. I like these keyboards, but a lot of other people feel strongly that they're terrible to type on.
The AppleInsider report has resulted in Apple customers expressing frustration in forums and on Reddit. Detractors have even started a Change.org petition asking Apple to recall all MacBook Pros from 2016 and later and replace their keyboards with a new design that is less prone to failure. That's not likely to happen—partly because it's not practical and partly because the data is not as conclusive as it might seem.
The article claims that 'the 2016 MacBook Pro keyboard is failing twice as often in the first year of use as the 2014 or 2015 MacBook Pro models,' but that's not exactly what the data shows. That's because the 'twice as often' conclusion is based on the percentage of all tracked repairs that the keyboard constituted, as Daring Fireball notes. The 2016 MacBook Pro had fewer warranty events over all, so while the absolute number of keyboard-related events didn't double, the percentage of all repairs that were keyboard-related did. Further, the 2017 model's slightly revised keyboard saw significant improvements on this front, so as usual, it's the earliest adopters who are dealing with the most problems.
AdvertisementThe numbers
In AppleInsider's data, the 2014 MacBook Pro (inclusive of both the 13-inch and 15-inch models) 'saw 2,120 service events in the first year' it was on the market. 2015's MacBook Pro saw 1,904 service events. The 2016 MacBook Pro saw only 1,402. AppleInsider found 165 keyboard-related incidents (excluding those related to the Touch Bar) in its data for the 2016 MacBook Pro's first year on the market. There were 114 in 2015 and 118 in 2014—two prior years that used the older chiclet keyboard design. That's an increase of about 45 percent and 40 percent, respectively, but not double.
There's another wrinkle, though: return visits. Out of the 2015 model's 114 keyboard-related repairs in the dataset, six returned for a second repair for the keyboard, and none did for a third. In 2015, it was eight out of 118 for a second repair, and once again no third round of repairs. By contrast, 51 customers out of the 161 who initially sought repairs for their 2016 MacBook Pro keyboards returned for a second round of repairs, and of those, 10 returned for round three. That's still not quite twice as many repairs as with the prior models, but it's close.
Why did people return for another round? Was it because the keyboards failed again or because they were improperly repaired to begin with? We don't know, so we have as many questions as we have answers after seeing this data.
AppleInsider found that a slight redesign of the keyboard that was included in the 2017 models (and is now installed in 2016 models when servicing them) seems to be resulting in repair numbers moving a little closer to the 2015 and 2014 numbers, although a full year of data for that model is not yet available.
The data suggests that the newer MacBook Pro keyboards require repairs a little more often. And they're much more difficult and expensive to repair than prior models. That creates a dilemma for consumers.
The high cost of repair
My own 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro keyboard failed about two months ago. The 'Z' key stopped working. I took the computer to an Apple Store, and Apple determined that some kind of dust or similar matter had gotten into the keyboard and caused a problem. Apple replaced it with the updated keyboard found in the 2017 MacBook Pro. My computer was working again the next day, and it cost me nothing because I had AppleCare. If I hadn't, the repair would have cost me more than $700 according to the repair sheet the company gave me when it returned my computer.
AdvertisementThat's because Apple has designed the MacBook Pro such that fixing even one key requires replacing the entire keyboard apparatus, as well as part of the metal enclosure and some other components. This is the real consumer's dilemma with the MacBook Pro keyboards—not their failure rate.
AppleInsider's own reporting on the cost of the repair is right on the money with my experience:
The keyboard isn't replaceable by itself. Break one key switch, and you need to replace the whole assembly, consisting of the keyboard, the battery, and the upper case metal surrounding the keyboard and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
We've seen out-of-warranty pricing with labor and parts exceeding $700 for the job, and it isn't an easy repair, necessitating a complete disassembly of the machine. This same repair is $400 on the 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pro—cheaper, but still a lot of money.
Making these kinds of serviceability sacrifices allows Apple to produce some striking designs, and it frees up space for other features, better heat management, and so on. But for customers who don't purchase AppleCare, those benefits can come at a very high cost when components in the computer fail. The default one-year warranty just isn't enough—and in many regions, either AppleCare isn't available at all, or it is, but no Apple Stores are close enough to make the service practical.
That leaves quite a few customers hanging. And it's not just Apple anymore; other laptops, like Microsoft's Surface Pro, are just as difficult to service. It's not great for tech consumers that buying an expensive service plan is the only way to have peace of mind when buying a $2,500 device.
System cleanup in one click
You generally buy a MacBook because you want a quality laptop that's easy-to-use and doesn't suffer from bugs or hardware failures. So it's truly disheartening to discover that there have been a slew of MacBook keyboard issues plaguing recent models.
Is your MacBook Pro keyboard not working? You're not alone. Lots of users have been experiencing issues with their Apple butterfly keyboards as well.
Naturally, Apple is working to fix the problem in upcoming models of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, but if you've bought one in the last few years, unfortunately, those fixes aren't going to help you.
Let's find out the steps you need to take to fix your MacBook keyboard quickly.
Get Setapp to fix keyboard issues on Mac
It's a dedicated toolkit for solving every keyboard problem through the best applications. Let us deliver Setapp to your Mac in one click.
Why Is Mac Keyboard Not Working?
Before you can fix the problem, first you have to determine exactly what the problem is. There are a few possible issues that could lead to your MacBook keyboard not working.
One thing to note is that a MacBook keyboard isn't like most other keyboards on the market. Instead of using a scissor-like mechanism, MacBooks feature a proprietary Apple butterfly-like keyboard with a slightly different design.
Ever wondered how Apple laptops are so slim? Part of that is the butterfly keyboard mechanism. Whereas most keyboards' scissor mechanism provides tension on keys so that they click back into place once you finish typing, Apple designed a minimal switch as slim and elegant as a butterfly — hence the name.
Unfortunately, the butterfly keyboard is also just as fragile as a butterfly too. If even one spec of dust gets under a key and into the mechanism, it can lead to problems like a key repeating, sticking, or not registering hits at all.
It's one thing if your Z key sticks occasionally. It's another if your spacebar won't work. Thus, fixing your MacBook keyboard can't be put off for very long once it's stopped working.
Macbook Butterfly Keyboard
How do I fix a MacBook keyboard or MacBook Pro keyboard?
The short answer is: not you. The longer answer is an authorized Apple dealer will fix your MacBook Pro keyboard for free.
In some rare cases a blast of compressed air could clear the dust from the keyboard. Even though it won't do the job for most, it's worth trying since a can of air only costs a few dollars. But don't expect salvation.
Apple has admitted that there's a flaw with their design and as long as your MacBook is recognized as one of the afflicted models (if your keyboard isn't working, it probably is) then all you have to do is take your laptop to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, Apple Retail Store, or Apple Repair Center, and they'll handle your MacBook or MacBook Pro keyboard replacement.
It's worth noting, however, that Apple created this service program after three class-action lawsuits. There were a lot of users with a Mac keyboard not working, and if they hadn't taken action this fix would cost hundreds of dollars.
Part of the problem is that it isn't simply a matter of replacing a single key on the butterfly keyboard — the entire MacBook keyboard has to be replaced, making it a fairly significant repair job. It can take up to five days before the shop is able to get the right parts and make the replacement.
Remember: Before taking your computer into the shop, always back up its most important data — even if you have to use a USB or Bluetooth keyboard to get it done.
MacBook or MacBook Pro trackpad not working?
The MacBook trackpad is one of the best on the market. Responsive and precise, it's a dream to work with… at least, when it's working correctly.
If you find your MacBook trackpad not working, there are a few steps you can take.
1. Turn it off and on again
It's true that restarting something is an ongoing joke most of the time, but it's also great advice. Try rebooting your MacBook and see if that clears up the issue.
While you're at it, close the lid when you shut your laptop down as well. For some reason many Mac users have reported this solves their MacBook trackpad not working issue.
2. Disable the Force Click option
In some cases, if your MacBook Pro trackpad isn't working, you can try to disable Force Click to fix the issue:
Open System Preferences in your Applications folder Blender 2 81 beta.
Click Trackpad
Navigate to the Point & Click tab
Uncheck the Force Click option
Note: This fix will only work for MacBooks with 3D Touch, but it's relatively easy to do and worth a shot.
3. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
A lot of bugs and performance issues can be solved by resetting your Mac's System Management Controller. Call of duty 2 pc review. There are two ways of doing so. For Macs with a non-removable battery:
Shut down your MacBook
Plug in your MagSafe adapter
Press and hold down: Shift, Control, Option, and the power button
If your MagSage adapter changes color, you've reset the SMC
If your MacBook has a removable battery:
Shut down the laptop
Remove your battery and MagSage adapter
Hold the power button for 10 seconds
This simple reboot can take care of many of your Mac's problems. It'll reset some options like the time it takes for your MacBook to go to sleep when left idle, but it won't change any truly important settings.
Apple Butterfly Keyboard
MacBook Pro keyboard and trackpad not working?
If both your MacBook keyboard and trackpad aren't working, then there are a few possible problems that might be causing the issue: hardware and software. Here are a few more tips to test before taking your MacBook into an Authorized Apple Service Provider.
1. Delete .plist files
It's possible that somewhere along the line your software settings have changed and contributed to keyboard and trackpad malfunction. Try setting them back to their factory defaults by deleting your .plist (or 'property list') files.
Back up your computer with the Time Machine fist
Open Finder
Press ⌘ + Shift + G
Enter ~/Library/Preferences/ into the new bar and hit Go
Find and highlight these files:
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist
com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad.plist
com.apple.preference.trackpad.plist
Delete them and reboot your Mac
2. Reset PRAM
Getting your Parameter RAM back to zero is a useful way of removing prescient glitches from your system:
Shut down your MacBook
Reboot, but while the computer is booting press and hold ⌘ + Option + P + R until the gray screen appears
Release the keys after you hear the reboot sound
3. Restore your Mac to an earlier version
If your keyboard or trackpad issues have just started, it's possible that a recent change in software or settings has caused the problem. To fix it, just roll back your Mac a few saved backups:
Restart your Mac
While the system is rebooting, open the Recovery Tool by pressing ⌘ + R
Choose Restore from the Time Machine backup
Proceed according to instructions
How to prevent software issues on your Mac
Truth is not every issue with your MacBook is a hardware problem. Sometimes software conflicts can arise and create irritating, persistent issues that you don't know how to resolve. So instead of trying to figure out what's going wrong with your Mac, get CleanMyMac X to do it for you.
Secure your Mac against any issues with CMM X
Software problems might cause keyboard misbehavior. Get CleanMyMac X and it will help you keep your Mac healthy, always.
CleanMyMac X is by far the best Mac maintenance app on the market with a whole range of tools, including a full-system cleanup, a professional uninstaller, malware scanner, a file shredder, and an ever-updating set of optimization tweaks. If malware is to blame for whatever is happening with your Mac:
Open CleanMyMac X
Navigate to Malware Removal in the sidebar
Click Scan and delete anything suspicious if found
Of course, the best treatment for your Mac overall is prevention — using thoughtful analysis to see premonitions. For that, just download iStat Menus and you'll be able to monitor your Mac's performance in real time effortlessly.
iStat Menus shows you exactly when your computer starts slowing down. What is ctrl click. Designed to sit in your menu bar and give you detailed rundowns at a glance, this optimization utility is bar none when it comes to knowing what's happening with your machine.
Best of all, both CleanMyMac X and iStat Menus are available for a free seven-day trial from Setapp, a platform with over 150 Mac apps that make your digital life a breeze, from creating backups to working with documents to managing your finances. And if CleanMyMac X has just helped you avoid a MacBook Pro keyboard replacement, why not try it out?
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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