2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar butterfly keyboard teardown

Despite the fact that Apple subtly made some changes to the third-generation butterfly keyboard design, there are still issues. It’s a recurring problem for folks out there in the wild. And it looks like Apple is starting to put a bigger focus on it, as far as repairs are concerned.

As was first reported on Tuesday by MacRumors, Apple is prioritizing MacBook keyboard repairs. What can typically take up to five days (as this writer is well aware) to get your computer back, Apple is now quoting next-day repairs for afflicted MacBook keyboards. Apple is making this happen because it’s changing where repairs are done. Moving forward, according to the report, these repairs will be done in house at an Apple Store.

Up until this point, a MacBook keyboard that needed to be repaired had to be sent out to a repair shop and then sent back to be delivered, fixed.

“Most keyboard-related repairs will be required to be completed in store until further notice. Additional service parts have been shipped to stores to support the increased volume.

These repairs should be prioritized to provide next-day turnaround time. When completing the repair, have the appropriate service guide open and carefully follow all repair steps.”

The Apple memo attached to this change in operating procedure is entitled, “How to support Mac customers with keyboard-related repairs in store”. And it mentions that these keyboard repairs should be prioritized so that the turnaround time can be reached. There is no mention, however, as to why Apple is suddenly changing its strategy here.

Our Take

Apple is a stubborn company, but this situation has definitely been its worse case to date. The fact that so many issues were raised with the first-generation butterfly keyboard, and that continued into the second-generation, and yet the company still insists on pumping out this keyboard design. Despite the fact Apple has a repair program in place, it still doesn’t cover the third-gen keyboard — which is still seeing issues.

It’s time for Apple to move away from the butterfly design.

[via MacRumors]