What's behind the new Apple MacBook Pro Keyboard?

When Apple introduced its new MacBook Pro last week, it not only gave it a faster processor and more RAM. He also introduced a new keyboard design, supposedly to make things quieter. But a detailed dismantling done by the iFixit repair site on Thursday shows a much more likely catalyst: to avoid dust and other particles, so that the keyboard does not break.

The previous Apple keyboard (found on MacBook dating from 2015 and MacBook The pros from 2016 until this most recent version) was prone to the main failure. Debris falls under the keyboard and has no way out, resulting in keys that do not respond. While Apple has already downplayed the scale of the problem, it's pretty pervasive for having inspired three clbad actions, and sparked a rare recognition of Cupertino last month that something is wrong.

While Apple offers to repair free keyboards concerned For the next few years, the new MacBook Pro seems to be its first attempt at fixing based on design. Specifically, a thin layer of silicon is now above the keyboard butterfly mechanism – a protective layer that, yes, could make the shot a little quieter, but definitely prevents particles from entering.

I think the most "calm" thing is just a red herring, "says Jeff Suovanen of iFixit

. There is a lot of evidence to support, starting with the fact that the new keyboard sounds like its predecessor. "The noise reduction, if you put it side by side with the 2017 keyboard, is pretty disappointing," says Suovanen. "It sounds different, but not necessarily much quieter."

Even more convincing, the new design looks a lot like a pair of Apple patents designed not for decibel control but for "preventing and / or mitigating the entry of contaminants". The type that, say, could neutralize the keys on an otherwise functional MacBook. In addition, MacRumors, an Apple – based news site, today announced that the new Microsoft MacBook Pro 2018 explicitly describes the purpose of the new keyboard membrane as "to prevent debris from occurring. enter the butterfly mechanism ". Apple has not responded to a request for comment. 19659003] Why would not Apple just recognize that he had tried to solve his sticky key problem? These lawsuits could have something to do with that. For now, the new keyboard design is limited to the MacBook Pro alone, and recent reports suggest that Apple will not use the reordered keyboard to repair older models. All others must work with what they have.

The good news, for those who get it, is that the new feature seems to work as expected. For several days of testing, iFixit sprinkled blue powder on the keys, then removed the keycaps to see where it was going. Although it is not foolproof – a large dose of powder and heavy typing will still drop some particles beyond the membrane and on the dome switch – the 2018 MacBook Keyboard came out much better than the model from last year. Effective percentage of debris, but it's pretty good, "says Suovanen. "I really think it will reduce their headaches in the future, and certainly the headaches of consumers."

Apple also seems to have done himself a favor in terms of reparability. Previous generation keyboards were difficult or impossible to repair; Suovanen said that Apple's strategy was to hold the laptop at a 45-degree angle and hit it with compressed air. Failing this, a brand new unit may be required, as removing some keys may damage the underlying mechanism. But iFixit found that it could be enabled and disabled on the new MacBook Pro without a problem.

"The measurements are very, very slightly different.Just out of the feeling, I suppose that they have changed very slightly the dimensions, and / or maybe the composition of the material that they use for clips, we used to break them a lot, even with care, "says Suovanen

It's still not perfect The membranes are not waterproof. Sand on the keyboard – do not do it at home – caused a few keystrokes to grab right away in iFixit's tests.But any more complete solution would probably have required a total remake of the keyboard, and the MacBook Pro in general, rather than strategic adjustments.

No matter how Apple frames its new keyboard, it clearly helps to eliminate dust and solve a problem problem.Hope the company will also extend this solution to future MacBooks, e It will eventually recognize why it exists in the first place

Additional report by Lauren Goode.

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