MacBooks are, for the most part, known for having some of the best keyboards in the biz. for the most part, From 2015 to 2019, however, Apple “revolutionized” its laptops with the butterfly keyboard, a low-travel keyboard prone to failure (or doomed). Sticky keys and double-presses plagued So For many users, Apple eventually abandoned the design altogether. But they’re not off the hook for their poor design choices. In fact, they may owe you money for your pain and suffering.
What happened to Apple’s butterfly keyboard?
Apple’s butterfly keyboard was a disaster from the jump, but the company has never been one to admit fault. Soon after Apple implemented the design across its entire line of MacBooks, MacBook Airs, and MacBook Pros, users began complaining, and with good reason: While the keyboard’s short travel was polarizing (personally, I found it Always liked), the design made it all too easy for crumbs, dust, and debris to become trapped, turning each key into a ticking time bomb. You’ll be humming along happily, until one day your E key turns into an “ee” key, thanks to a double-press issue. Other keys can start to “stick,” making for a disconcerting typing experience that’s really shaky.
Apple did try to adjust the design over time, implementing a membrane to help keep debris away from the butterfly switch, but this change could not fix a fundamental flaw in the design, Eventually, Apple gave up and went back to a more familiar keyboard design in 2019’s 16-inch MacBook Pro. The company soon swapped out the butterfly keyboard for the rest of the lineup, with new customers never the wiser.
But for those of us who bought these things, the trauma still exists. Apple started a keyboard repair program, which offers to repair your keyboard for free, but it only puts a Band-Aid on the issue. The repair doesn’t change anything about the design, so it’s possible/likely that you’ll encounter a similar problem in the future. If you do, too bad, because the program only covers your computer for four years after the original date of purchase.
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This whole situation is bullshit and the law knows it, Seven states issued class action law suits against Apple over the keyboard, claiming that Apple knowingly sold defective products to its customers. Although the company has never admitted wrongdoing Is agreed to a payment of $50 million. And if you meet the right criteria, a piece of that $50 million could be yours.
How to get money for your Apple keyboard
Unfortunately, the scope of the trial is severely limited. For starters, the payout only applies to victims who purchased their affected MacBooks in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, or Washington. If you didn’t buy your laptop in one of these seven states, you unfortunately don’t have a case.
Of course, a MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro must have a butterfly keyboard. But it applies to most MacBooks released from 2015 to 2019. Finally, a certified Apple repair shop is required to repair the butterfly keyboard for you to be eligible. If you have taken it to a third party technician, there will be no payment to you. If Apple repaired your MacBook with the Magic Keyboard, that doesn’t even matter.
If you meet all the qualifications, congratulations! You can get compensation. The amount will depend on the severity of your repair. If you have specific keycaps replaced, that’s $50. If Apple replaced the entire butterfly keyboard, that’s $125. And if the company has replaced your butterfly keyboard more than once, they pay you $395.
Under conditions, you should be contacted directly if you qualify. However, your mileage may vary. I meet all the requirements on paper, but so far no one has heard of a settlement. If you’re in the same boat, you’ll soon be able to access law firms that have struck deals keyboardsettlement.com, In principle—this site appears to be a work in progress at this time.
Whether you put that $50 or $125 or $395 toward a new Mac is up to you. If you prefer to pocket the cash and keep it on your machine for as long as you can, There are a few tricks you can try to fix an uncooperative butterfly keyboard,