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My too-expensive 2015 MBP has a nonfunctional keyboard. I have to type using external keyboards, which is quite "fun". Apple wants $500. Dragging an old $10 US

My too-expensive 2015 MBP has a nonfunctional keyboard. I have to type using external keyboards, which is quite "fun". Apple wants $500. Dragging an old $10 USB keyboard around with you makes you look like you really like mechanical keyboards. It's been about a year and a half now. I guess you get used to it.

princekolt 8y ago
There is a service program to replace these keyboards for free. They are even refunding people who paid to get their keyboards fixed before the program launched. This is almost a non-issue at this point if you can use a replacement computer while they fix yours.
- protomyth 8y ago
  So, if I send in my computer, does the replacement keyboard have a fix to keep it from breaking again?
  - deleted 8y ago
    [deleted]
- fzzzy 8y ago
  Not the 2015, only the butterfly keyboards.
- wild_preference 8y ago
  They don’t fix the keyboard. They only “reset” it which means you’ll have to bring it in again once it accumulates enough issues to make it worthwhile. My first key failed within one month. Eventually seven keys came off with ny fingers as I typed. “Non-issue” is comical word choice.
  - iamaelephant 8y ago
    Uhhh this is not a symptom of apple's keyboard issue.
    - mrep 8y ago
      I haven't had a single issue with my late 2013 MBP since I bought it and never had a key stop working with any other keyboard I have ever used. It is 100% an issue with the new keyboard design.
  - gnicholas 8y ago
    In my case, they are sending out to have the top case replaced. Can’t speak for others, but they’re not just kicking the can down the road. The Apple genius also told me that the replacement part won’t be identical to the original keyboard. We’ll see if it’s the new 3rd generation butterfly or just a tweaked 2nd gen.
    - protomyth 8y ago
      That's my big problem with the whole "free" repair. If I send in my computer, what do I get back? Will it have some fix that prevents future problems or will I be SOL in a couple of weeks when one of the keys fails again? > In my case, they are sending out to have the top case replaced. Can’t speak for others, but they’re not just kicking the can down the road. They built the thing so they have no real option other the replacing the whole top case. The in store repair is blowing air into the keyboard and hoping it fixes it.
alfalfasprout 8y ago
They switched to the butterfly keyboard in 2016. Apple fixed my 2016 MBP Touchbar for free. If you're having issues w/ a 2015 model that's unrelated to the issue the author and most others recently have referenced.
mleiphamellis 8y ago
Does Apple not still offer a $310 USD mail in flat rate for any repair not related to damage?
bootlooped 8y ago
Have you considered buying the keyboard module on eBay and doing it yourself?
fouc 8y ago
Why are you trying to feed the 'too expensive' meme?
nicolas_t 8y ago
There's a way to pay a lot less. Ask apple to replace the battery, it costs $219 and because they have to replace the topcase when replacing the battery, you will get a new keyboard. I was in the same situation and Apple also quoted me $500 until I asked to replace the battery.
- akvadrako 8y ago
  He's talking about an older model.
  - okanesen 8y ago
    Doesn't make his point invalid though. My battery on my older rMBP was almost dying and I went to the Apple Store to let them replace the battery and they also completely changed the top including the keyboard, because the battery is attached to it. So if you need to get your keyboard replaced, just ask for a new battery instead.
  - nicolas_t 8y ago
    I have a mbp 2015 retina so same as he has I think, Apple quoted me $500 to change the keyboard but $219 to change the battery which included the topcase. For newer models, no need to do this since keyboard repairs are free.
- sillysaurus3 8y ago
  This is an awesome tip. Thanks for the ray of hope. I'll look into it.
lou1306 8y ago
My early 2015 13'' MBP had the same problem, which is quite well-documented online. Have you tried replacing the keyboard cable? It's a ~€10 fix (say 20, if you don't have a pentalobe screwdriver) and there are lots of tutorials floating around on the web. I agree that too-expensive machines shouldn't fail so badly, but so it goes.

princekolt 8y ago

There is a service program to replace these keyboards for free. They are even refunding people who paid to get their keyboards fixed before the program launched. This is almost a non-issue at this point if you can use a replacement computer while they fix yours.

protomyth 8y ago
So, if I send in my computer, does the replacement keyboard have a fix to keep it from breaking again?
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
fzzzy 8y ago
Not the 2015, only the butterfly keyboards.
wild_preference 8y ago
They don’t fix the keyboard. They only “reset” it which means you’ll have to bring it in again once it accumulates enough issues to make it worthwhile. My first key failed within one month. Eventually seven keys came off with ny fingers as I typed. “Non-issue” is comical word choice.
- iamaelephant 8y ago
  Uhhh this is not a symptom of apple's keyboard issue.
  - mrep 8y ago
    I haven't had a single issue with my late 2013 MBP since I bought it and never had a key stop working with any other keyboard I have ever used. It is 100% an issue with the new keyboard design.
- gnicholas 8y ago
  In my case, they are sending out to have the top case replaced. Can’t speak for others, but they’re not just kicking the can down the road. The Apple genius also told me that the replacement part won’t be identical to the original keyboard. We’ll see if it’s the new 3rd generation butterfly or just a tweaked 2nd gen.
  - protomyth 8y ago
    That's my big problem with the whole "free" repair. If I send in my computer, what do I get back? Will it have some fix that prevents future problems or will I be SOL in a couple of weeks when one of the keys fails again? > In my case, they are sending out to have the top case replaced. Can’t speak for others, but they’re not just kicking the can down the road. They built the thing so they have no real option other the replacing the whole top case. The in store repair is blowing air into the keyboard and hoping it fixes it.

alfalfasprout 8y ago

They switched to the butterfly keyboard in 2016. Apple fixed my 2016 MBP Touchbar for free. If you're having issues w/ a 2015 model that's unrelated to the issue the author and most others recently have referenced.

mleiphamellis 8y ago

Does Apple not still offer a $310 USD mail in flat rate for any repair not related to damage?

bootlooped 8y ago

Have you considered buying the keyboard module on eBay and doing it yourself?

fouc 8y ago

Why are you trying to feed the 'too expensive' meme?

nicolas_t 8y ago

There's a way to pay a lot less. Ask apple to replace the battery, it costs $219 and because they have to replace the topcase when replacing the battery, you will get a new keyboard. I was in the same situation and Apple also quoted me $500 until I asked to replace the battery.

akvadrako 8y ago
He's talking about an older model.
- okanesen 8y ago
  Doesn't make his point invalid though. My battery on my older rMBP was almost dying and I went to the Apple Store to let them replace the battery and they also completely changed the top including the keyboard, because the battery is attached to it. So if you need to get your keyboard replaced, just ask for a new battery instead.
- nicolas_t 8y ago
  I have a mbp 2015 retina so same as he has I think, Apple quoted me $500 to change the keyboard but $219 to change the battery which included the topcase. For newer models, no need to do this since keyboard repairs are free.
sillysaurus3 8y ago
This is an awesome tip. Thanks for the ray of hope. I'll look into it.

lou1306 8y ago

My early 2015 13'' MBP had the same problem, which is quite well-documented online. Have you tried replacing the keyboard cable? It's a ~€10 fix (say 20, if you don't have a pentalobe screwdriver) and there are lots of tutorials floating around on the web. I agree that too-expensive machines shouldn't fail so badly, but so it goes.