FAQ: 2019 MacBook Pro & Apple's updated butterfly keyboard repair program
As you might expect, we're getting a lot of questions about the 2019 MacBook Pro. AppleInsider tackles a few of the issues, and tells you what you can expect when and if you buy one of the new machines.
However, the three updates that the MacBook Pro has seen in a year isn't unwelcome. It is a return to what Apple used to do with frequent updates to the line as new processors became available, and is better overall for the "Pro" ecosystem.
This leaves the possibility that the next iteration at some point in 2020 will see a refresh. At present, we haven't seen any enclosure leaks, like we did prior to the 2016 model yet.
Historically, when Apple released the 2018 MacBook Pro line just after the 2018 WWDC, the i9 configuration was slowing down below the rated speed. It became ridiculously known as "thermalgate," and was quickly acknowledged by Apple as a bug in "fingerprinting." A patch was issued to rectify the matter.
AppleInsider was one of the first to test the situation. A second volley of testing confirmed that Apple's patch did prevent the machine slowing down below rated speed, although it doesn't maintain the full Turbo speed for very long.
What we aren't expecting is for it to drop below the rated speed. In continued testing, the 2018 i9 MacBook Pro with Radeon 560x GPU maintains a speed about 200 MHz over the rated speed, and the i9 with Vega graphics stays about 300 MHz over rated.
We'll be examining the new eight-core MacBook Pro in a similar vein.
Right now, as of May 22, 2019, you can't plug in a USB-C to USB-C cable with no other software to do so. USB-C to DisplayPort or HDMI is a specific "alternate mode" negotiation, and it would require additional software at a minimum to allow this.
There are always software options like Duet Display that benefits greatly from a high-speed wired connection like USB-C will provide, or wireless solutions like AstroPad's Luna Display, though, to do this.
But, there is some discussion that ability this may be coming soon.
For this generation of keyboard, Apple says that they kept the same overall design but replaced the material under the key caps as to further prevent debris from lodging in there, and causing the malfunctions customers were experiencing. At present, it isn't clear if the company is referring to a new membrane, a new key dome, or both.
While some, particularly problematic, machines in for service may still get shipped to the depot for repair, most are presently being done on location.
If you want to assist in this endeavor, make a Genius Bar appointment prior to going in, and don't just walk in to the store. It still isn't an instant repair, and if the keyboard requires replacement, the procedure is one of the more invasive ones that can be done on the machine without desoldering anything.
When can I get one?
The new 2019 MacBook Pros are available to order now. Some configurations will start appearing in Apple stores by May 24.But I just bought one!
That's okay! You still have a very nice computer. If you have bought one very recently, as in the last few weeks, talk to who you bought it from, about it and tell them that you want to buy the new machine instead. Apple in particular is very generous with terms of returns.However, the three updates that the MacBook Pro has seen in a year isn't unwelcome. It is a return to what Apple used to do with frequent updates to the line as new processors became available, and is better overall for the "Pro" ecosystem.
Are there any changes to the body design?
No. The exterior of the 2019 MacBook Pro has remained unchanged since Apple implemented it back in 2016.Why wasn't there a design refresh? It's overdue!
Apple in the past has updated the enclosures of its portable Macs in four-year windows. This is the fourth year of the current MacBook Pro design -- that began in 2016, and continued through 2017, 2018, and now 2019.This leaves the possibility that the next iteration at some point in 2020 will see a refresh. At present, we haven't seen any enclosure leaks, like we did prior to the 2016 model yet.
Are there any upgrades that I can do to the new MacBook Pro myself?
No. Buy what you need from the start. Nothing is slotted, and everything is soldered.Does the new MacBook Pro thermal throttle?
Keep in mind that this is a complicated, and loaded, topic. By definition, every Intel processor with a burst speed "throttles." It will operate at a frequency higher than the rated, steady-state, frequency for as long as it can, until it slows down to maintain thermal equilibrium based on a number of factors, primarily thermal constraints.Historically, when Apple released the 2018 MacBook Pro line just after the 2018 WWDC, the i9 configuration was slowing down below the rated speed. It became ridiculously known as "thermalgate," and was quickly acknowledged by Apple as a bug in "fingerprinting." A patch was issued to rectify the matter.
AppleInsider was one of the first to test the situation. A second volley of testing confirmed that Apple's patch did prevent the machine slowing down below rated speed, although it doesn't maintain the full Turbo speed for very long.
What we aren't expecting is for it to drop below the rated speed. In continued testing, the 2018 i9 MacBook Pro with Radeon 560x GPU maintains a speed about 200 MHz over the rated speed, and the i9 with Vega graphics stays about 300 MHz over rated.
We'll be examining the new eight-core MacBook Pro in a similar vein.
Can I use the USB-C iPad Pro as an external monitor for the MacBook Pro?
This is more about the iPad Pro than the MacBook Pro, but let's address it anyway.Right now, as of May 22, 2019, you can't plug in a USB-C to USB-C cable with no other software to do so. USB-C to DisplayPort or HDMI is a specific "alternate mode" negotiation, and it would require additional software at a minimum to allow this.
There are always software options like Duet Display that benefits greatly from a high-speed wired connection like USB-C will provide, or wireless solutions like AstroPad's Luna Display, though, to do this.
But, there is some discussion that ability this may be coming soon.
Will the 2018 MacBook Pros drop in price?
Yes. We've already stared seeing notably lower pricing on the previous generation models, from vendors trying to "clear the decks" of the old models before the new ones arrive.How has the keyboard changed?
The third generation butterfly switch keyboard acquired a new silicone membrane in 2018. Apple never made any claims about enhanced reliability between the second generation and third -- which is good, because we aren't seeing any substantial improvement in reliability between the second and third generation keyboards.For this generation of keyboard, Apple says that they kept the same overall design but replaced the material under the key caps as to further prevent debris from lodging in there, and causing the malfunctions customers were experiencing. At present, it isn't clear if the company is referring to a new membrane, a new key dome, or both.
Does the fourth generation keyboard feel different to type on?
While we don't have the keyboard in hand right now, we have spoken to sources within Apple not authorized to speak for the company about the matter. They have told us that the keyboard feel is "very close" to the third-generation of the keyboard, and the key travel is identical.What MacBook Pro models will Apple put the new keyboard in?
The new keyboard only fits in the 2018 MacBook Pro, and 2018 MacBook Air. The MacBook, and MacBook Pro models released earlier than 2018 will get the second generation keyboard mechanism -- which was better than the first generation found in the 2015 MacBook and 2016 MacBook Pro.What is Apple doing to make the process faster for the end user?
Apple didn't specifically address steps that they took on Tuesday. However, we've spoken to Apple about it, and they've said that there is a greater level of stock on-hand at most Genius Bar locations, and "enhanced training" for Geniuses in the repair bays has taken place.While some, particularly problematic, machines in for service may still get shipped to the depot for repair, most are presently being done on location.
If you want to assist in this endeavor, make a Genius Bar appointment prior to going in, and don't just walk in to the store. It still isn't an instant repair, and if the keyboard requires replacement, the procedure is one of the more invasive ones that can be done on the machine without desoldering anything.
Comments
You’ve got to be kidding Apple! The ‘feel’ and ‘travel’ of the current keyboard are atrocious. How can you keep churning out the same terrible butterfly keyboard year after year? Are you completely deaf to the cries of despair about this keyboard?
We we want MORE TRAVEL on the keys, LESS DEBRIS under them, and a lot MORE TACTILE response when we press them.
We just want a keyboard the feels and operates like a normal keyboard. Not some ultra thin, lifeless facsimile of the real thing. Surely Apple, you can do this. You made great laptop keyboards for years - they felt great to type on, were reliable and we loved them. But these butterfly keyboards....no way!
Ultimately, a truly redesigned keyboard won't come until the whole enclosure is refreshed and apparently Apple is ready to do that, yet. The good news is that Apple has been releasing Pro updates quite regularly, now, which is one of the biggest indicators that the whole push back towards taking the Mac seriously and hiring pros to help them see their needs wasn't just big empty talk. The wait may not be too long, and meanwhile, these machines are good for most... if the reliability has been improved and the wait times are really much better for fixes.
Will the new design truly make a difference and fully eliminate the problem? Time will tell.
A concern I have with the repair program is that one could see this problem crop up shortly after exceeding the 4 year mark from purchase date. It’s too bad that one can’t just get it proactively replaced now - before the likely future failure. Yes, 4 years is approaching obsolescence, but prior Mac hardware has typically demonstrated reliable longevity - well beyond 4 years. For example, one of our Airs is 8 years old and still going strong.
I think it is a much better idea to just use Intel’s terms for this. It’s only throttling if it goes below Intel’s advertised base frequency. It’s not throttling if it is doing what Intel is advertising it to do.
We get that heavy AI readers understand it. However, not everybody does, and this is, literally, how we get asked the question. And that's why the word "throttles" is in quotes.
Heck, the thing with the 2018 MBP models last July wasn’t throttling, and you are misinforming people whenever you use the word throttle. The systems were managing the CPU improperly due to a software configuration issue, and Apple issued a fix.
I bought a top of the line 13" i7 last summer. Mine is a 2.7 GHz (boost to 4.5 GHz). It is replaced this year by a 2.8 GHz i7 with boost to 4.7 GHz. They both have the same intel integrated GPU. So for the same price, you get a 3.7% CPU clock speed improvement (4.4% boost). Hardly something to lose any sleep over. And my keyboard is fine. I actually like the shallow travel.
Public awareness of and sensitivity to the issue of keyboard failures is obviously very high. It's to the point where it's more than a service issue for Apple, it's a public relations matter. Apple is addressing this by demonstrating its confidence in and support of the product by extended the warranty.
Imagine the response if Apple had NOT responded with a promise to make good on failures!
If anyone from Apple is reading this, I just want to cancel this opinion out with my own: I love the new keyboard.
There’s no such thing as a “normal keyboard”.
I honestly don’t understand why people say there’s no “tactile response”. I can feel the keys moving and clicking under my fingers. Feels fine, adjusted my typing style in a matter of days if not hours and have no problems. People hurting themselves are not taking the time to adjust their behavior, and that’s on them.
The keys themselves are much larger than previous models. That makes it a lot easier to hit an adjacent key either instead of or in addition to the intended target if, like me, your aim is a little dodgy. On the old keyboard there's more empty space between keys, which is more forgiving of klutzy typing.
I'd advocate for a return to the old style, but the new one looks so much better! After owning this one, my wife's keyboard looks like the equivalent of what a smile would look like if all the teeth had gaps between them! I really like the appearance of the new design, for whatever that's worth (he says while shrinking away into the shadows after realizing he's endorsing form over function...)
I’m specifically referring to people complaining our how sore their fingers are after using it, which could only mean they’re hitting the keys much harder than necessary (and I wonder if this might be a factor in failures).
”Far better” is your opinion. Some people still prefer Apple Extended II style keyboards. I do not.
Yes, "far better" is my opinion, but it looks like it's a popular one since Apple change to butterfly keyboards.