MacBook Pro Keyboard Woes: Butterfly vs. Magic Keyboard Repair in Glasgow

As the head technician at GET Repairs in Glasgow, I've seen my fair share of laptops come through our doors with all sorts of maladies. Among the most common and often frustrating issues for MacBook Pro owners is keyboard trouble. Over the past decade, Apple's keyboard designs have gone through significant changes, leading to vastly different repair experiences depending on which model you own. Let's break down the two primary types: the much-maligned butterfly keyboard and its successor, the Magic Keyboard.

The Butterfly Keyboard: A Design Experiment with Flaws

Introduced in 2015 with the 12-inch MacBook and then implemented across the MacBook Pro line from late 2016 to 2019, the butterfly mechanism was Apple's attempt to make keyboards thinner and more stable. Instead of the traditional 'scissor' mechanism with X-shaped hinges, the butterfly mechanism used a single, wider hinge that looked like a butterfly's wings. The idea was to reduce key travel while increasing key stability, leading to a more consistent typing feel across the entire keycap.

However, in practice, these keyboards quickly developed a reputation for being unreliable. The extremely tight tolerances and shallow key travel meant that even a tiny particle of dust or crumb could get lodged under a key, preventing it from registering a press or causing it to stick. This led to widespread complaints of:

• Repeated or 'double' characters: Pressing a key once would result in 'tt' or 'ss'.
• Unresponsive keys: A key might stop working entirely.
• Sticking keys: Keys would feel gummy or not rebound properly.

Apple acknowledged these issues and launched a 'Keyboard Service Program' to address them. Initially, this involved replacing individual keys, then eventually the entire top case assembly (which includes the keyboard, battery, and trackpad). While the program offered some relief, it didn't fundamentally change the design's susceptibility to issues.

Repairing Butterfly Keyboards

For us at GET Repairs, tackling a butterfly keyboard issue is usually a top case replacement. The design makes it very difficult and often ineffective to reliably clean or repair individual keys from the inside without removing the entire keyboard assembly. Since the keyboard is integrated into the top case, the most robust and long-lasting solution is to replace the entire assembly. This is a fairly involved process, requiring the complete disassembly of the MacBook Pro, including removing the logic board, battery, and other components, before installing a new top case. It's not a quick fix, but it's the right way to ensure the problem doesn't immediately return.

The Magic Keyboard: A Return to Form

Starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in late 2019, Apple introduced the 'Magic Keyboard' to its laptop line, effectively retiring the butterfly mechanism. This new design is a reversion to a more traditional scissor switch mechanism, similar to what was used in MacBooks before 2015, but with refinements. It offers 1 mm of key travel and improved stability, addressing the core complaints of the butterfly design.

The Magic Keyboard is significantly more reliable. While no keyboard is completely immune to wear and tear or liquid damage, the Magic Keyboard is far less prone to failure from microscopic debris. When problems do arise, they are often related to more severe impacts or liquid ingress, rather than just everyday use.

Repairing Magic Keyboards

Repairing a Magic Keyboard can sometimes be more straightforward than a butterfly keyboard. If an individual keycap or scissor mechanism is damaged (e.g., from a fall or accidental prying), it is sometimes possible to replace just the keycap and the underlying mechanism, assuming the dome switch on the keyboard's membrane is intact. However, significant damage, especially liquid damage, usually still necessitates a full top case replacement, much like with the butterfly keyboards, due to the integrated design.

What to Do if Your MacBook Pro Keyboard is Failing

1. Identify Your Model: Knowing your MacBook Pro's model year (e.g., 'MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)') will help determine if you have a butterfly or Magic Keyboard. This can be found by clicking the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting 'About This Mac'.
2. Backup Your Data: Always a good practice before any repair, especially one requiring internal work.
3. Attempt Basic Cleaning (for minor issues): For butterfly keyboards, Apple suggested using compressed air. For Magic Keyboards, a gentle wipe with a microfibre cloth can sometimes help. However, be cautious; excessive force or liquid can cause more damage.
4. Avoid Self-Repair: Unless you're an experienced technician with the right tools, attempting to fix a MacBook Pro keyboard can easily lead to further damage to delicate internal components.
5. Seek Professional Diagnosis: Bring your MacBook Pro to us at GET Repairs. We can accurately diagnose the issue and provide the most effective repair solution.

GET Repairs Service & Pricing

At GET Repairs, we pride ourselves on providing transparent and reliable service for all MacBook Pro keyboard issues. Our pricing varies depending on the specific MacBook Pro model and the extent of the damage, but we always provide a clear quote after a free diagnosis.

For console owners reading this, you might be interested to know our PS5 HDMI port replacement is £45 and Xbox Series X/S HDMI port replacement is £45, including parts and labour. If a console has extra board-level HDMI IC/retimer damage, that would be quoted after a free diagnosis, as it's not included in the £45 port replacement.

When it comes to MacBook Pro keyboards, our expert technicians use quality parts and ensure your device is returned to you in excellent working order. Don't let a faulty keyboard disrupt your productivity.

If your MacBook Pro keyboard is giving you grief, don't hesitate to get in touch. You can book a repair directly with us at GET Repairs Glasgow, and we'll get your machine typing smoothly again.