MacBook Pro Butterfly Keyboards Are Failing Twice As Much As Older Models

With the launch of the 12-inch Retina MacBook, Apple introduced a new keyboard mechanism in the form of the butterfly switches. Not only did this result in a keyboard that was thinner than ever, but it supposedly offered a “better” tactile typing experience. Apple then introduced the second-gen mechanism in its 2016 MacBook Pros.

Unfortunately it seems that despite Apple’s intentions, the new switches are apparently failing at twice the rate compared to its predecessors, according to data compiled by the folks at AppleInsider. Based on their findings which is based on service data on the first year of release of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 MacBook Pros, they found that the 2016 MacBook Pro with the butterfly mechanism keyboard is failing twice as often as the older models without the mechanism.

They note that while the 2017 MacBook Pro’s data set is shorter, so far their findings are showing that there is some improvement, but not by a lot. For example in 2014, 5.6% of all service events were related to keyboards, while in 2015 it was around 6%, but in 2016 that number jumped to 11.8%.

This is actually not the first time that users have complained about Apple’s new keyboards and we doubt that it will be the last, unless Apple makes some major design changes. Alternatively if you’d rather not deal with the keyboard, there is the option of bringing a separate standalone keyboard with you on the go if you have enough bag space for it.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Computers
Tags: Laptops, Macbook Pro