Apple has formally ended its complimentary repair initiative for MacBook models that feature the troublesome "butterfly" keyboard. This program had been available for a range of MacBook models released between 2015 and 2020, encompassing various configurations of both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, reports AppleInsider. Also Read: Asus unveils ROG Phone 9 Pro and ROG Phone 9 featuring Snapdragon 8 Elite chip Apple Ends Butterfly Keyboard Repair Program for MacBooks https://t.
co/TjZXKtvid8 pic.twitter.com/ZyX7C4p0KA — MacRumors.
com (@MacRumors) November 19, 2024 With the conclusion of this repair initiative, users can no longer obtain complimentary repairs from Apple for these devices. This development is likely to lead to dissatisfaction among some users, who will now need to seek repairs from third-party service providers at their own expense. The butterfly keyboard has been widely criticized for its durability issues, with significant defects emerging within a year of its launch.
In 2015, Apple introduced the 12-inch MacBook, featuring a keyboard that utilized a distinctive butterfly switch mechanism, which differed from the traditional scissor mechanism found in earlier MacBook models. The butterfly keyboard was engineered as a unified structure, reinforced by a stainless steel dome switch. At that time, Apple executive Phil Schiller remarked that the newly introduced butterfly keyboard was 40% thinner than its scissor mechanism counterparts and claimed it offered four times the stability.
Nevertheless, complaints regarding the keyboard began to accumulate shortly thereafter. Following the discontinuation of the 12-inch MacBook, the company persisted in utilizing the problematic butterfly keyboard throughout 2018 in both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. In the same year, Apple incorporated a silicone membrane to mitigate noise; however, the company explicitly stated that this modification would not enhance the keyboard's durability.
Apple Ends Butterfly Keyboard Repair Program for MacBooks 🚨 Keyboard drama alert! 🚨 Apple has officially closed the doors on its free butterfly keyboard repair program after 6.5 years of sticky keys and lawsuits. Time to bid adieu to your malfunctionin.
.. https://t.
co/pJHvay1oSx — Munshipremchand (@MunshiPremChnd) November 19, 2024 In 2019, Apple implemented some minor design alterations, yet these changes appeared to have minimal impact on resolving the fundamental issues. The butterfly keyboard remained in use for several additional months after that. Also Read: Caviar unveils the world’s first luxury custom Apple Vision Pro.
Technology
Apple officially ends butterfly keyboard repair program for MacBooks
The butterfly keyboard has been widely criticized for its durability issues, with significant defects emerging within a year of its launch.