A U.S. federal judge decided yesterday that a class-action lawsuit against Apple could proceed. The lawsuit represents people who purchased MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops between 2015 and 2019, when Apple introduced the butterfly keyboard until they discontinued it. Apple, finally owning up to their mistake, replaced the butterfly keyboard in the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro with a classic scissor switch mechanism. This new (old) switch is far more sturdy, and won’t break down over time, as the butterfly keyboards in previous MacBook Pro computers are known to do.
The new lawsuit could mean a lot to current owners of the MacBook Pro. If Apple loses, they may have to support 2015-2019 MacBook Pro laptops for a longer period of time. In fact, there’s a slight chance they may even have to replace the butterfly switch keyboards with the scissor switch mechanism.
I’m one of the unhappy owners of such a MacBook Pro, and I’ve never liked its keyboard. In fact, I pointed out that Apple’s keyboards are in decline in my review of the computer. Apple’s reversing that trend, but what about us stuck with these keyboards for the next few years? Will Apple help ease our regret?
Apple’s Current Keyboard Plan
Each generation of the butterfly switch keyboards improved over the previous generation. The 2018 MacBook Pro was the best, featuring a membrane that should help prevent debris from slipping under the keys and destroying the keyboard. Some 2018 MacBook Pro owners have reported that this doesn’t work. Personally, I’ve gotten a membrane keyboard cover, but I know that won’t be enough either. These switches have a critical design flaw, one Apple knew about for years but decided not to replace.
Instead, Apple created their Keyboard Repair Program. They updated this program to include all Macs with their faulty butterfly switch mechanisms, even the last MacBook Pro design. The process gets users their computer back within 24 hours, a significant improvement of the weeks it could previously take. Still, a day without your primary working device can be devastating.The repairs covered include letters repeating, keys not typing the characters, or a sticky feeling, where the key does not return or respond consistently. These are all issues caused by debris, like dust or dirt, breaking the mechanism.
Not Far Enough
We don’t know how long Apple will keep their keyboard service program in effect. It likely will only last 4-5 years, the average amount of time people keep a computer. Still, I tend to keep my computers much longer, if I can. With a SSD upgrade and RAM upgrade, I made my 2010 MacBook Pro last me eight years. The new MacBook Pro can’t be upgraded like this. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume customers will replace them within 4-5 years.
What would be the best outcomes from this class-action lawsuit? There are a few options. First, Apple could extend their keyboard replacement program indefinitely. Still, this could mean that you end up at an Apple Store every 2 years or so for a new keyboard. It would be an annoyance. The second option is that Apple could give an artificially boosted return value for the MacBooks with these keyboards. Users could get more money towards a new MacBook, which will not have this broken keyboard. They’ll still have out of pocket expenses, but at least the upgrade won’t cost as much. Finally, and this is unfortunately the least likely, Apple could release a a keyboard for these older MacBooks with a scissor switch mechanism. This would bring the new keyboard back to older MacBooks. However, because this mechanism is taller, the lid of your computer may not close right. It would require more than just replacing the keyboard, but likely also the hinge on the top of the screen as well. This is unlikely.
It seems as though at least one judge thinks the case has merit. This could be great news for anyone with one of these flawed machines. Maybe owning one of these MacBooks won’t be the nightmare we expect it to be.
Sources:
- Buster Hein, Cult of Mac
- Ben Lovejoy, 9to5Mac