Apple has officially ended its free MacBook keyboard repair program, leaving users to pay for repairs themselves. The program, launched nearly six and a half years ago, provided free service for defective keyboards. As of last weekend, the program has been discontinued. Apple and its authorized service providers will no longer offer free repairs for MacBooks with malfunctioning butterfly keyboards. However, there may still be some exceptional cases where free repairs could be offered.
The Butterfly Keyboard Era: A Brief History
MacBook keyboards used a scissor-foot switch mechanism for years. This design offered reliability and ease of use. In March 2015, Apple introduced a new butterfly switch mechanism in its ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook to fit the slim design. While this innovation allowed for a thinner profile, it led to several issues. Users reported repeated keystrokes and unresponsive keys.
The problems became more noticeable in October 2016. Apple updated its 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models to the second-generation butterfly keyboard. Many users complained about sticky keys, unresponsiveness, and other defects. The butterfly keyboard then expanded to the MacBook Air series, further frustrating users.
In May 2018, Apple faced a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit accused the company of knowing about the keyboard’s defects. An online petition demanding action on the issue gathered nearly 43,000 signatures that same year.
The MacBook Keyboard Repair Program: A Temporary Solution
In June 2018, Apple introduced the “Keyboard Service Plan” globally. This initiative offered free repairs for affected MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models experiencing issues such as repeated letters, unresponsive keys, or sticky keys. The program was available for four years after the original retail sale of the affected models. However, with the discontinuation of eligible models, the service window has now closed, and users will have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
Affected MacBook Models
Eligible MacBook models for the free repair program included:
- Early 2015 12-inch Retina MacBook
- Early 2016 and 2017 12-inch Retina MacBook
- 2018 and 2019 13-inch Retina MacBook Air
- 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models
These models were all discontinued four years ago, marking the official end of the free repair program.
Apple’s Apology and the Transition to Scissor Keyboards
In March 2019, Apple issued an apology for the butterfly keyboard issues, acknowledging that a small number of users had experienced problems. The company emphasized that the vast majority of Mac notebook users had positive experiences with the new keyboard design. Nevertheless, the complaints continued, and in November 2019, Apple decided to abandon the butterfly keyboard in favor of the scissor-foot switch mechanism with the release of the 16-inch MacBook Pro. This design was later adopted for the MacBook Air in March 2020 and the 13-inch MacBook Pro in May 2020, signaling the end of the butterfly keyboard era.
Legal Action and Compensation
In July 2022, Apple agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit in the United States, agreeing to pay $50 million in compensation to affected users. Those who submitted valid claims before the March 2023 deadline received compensation ranging from $50 to $395, depending on their circumstances.
The End of Free MacBook Keyboard Repair Program
With the closure of the free repair program, users now have to pay for repairs to their MacBook butterfly keyboards. The butterfly keyboard design, although innovative, proved problematic, and Apple’s move to return to the more reliable scissor keyboard in newer models is seen as a much-needed change. While the end of the repair program may be disappointing for some, it marks the conclusion of an era for Apple’s MacBooks, and users are now enjoying a more reliable keyboard experience.
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