Keyboard failure is an in Apple's notebooks because replacing the keyboard requires the entire top assembly of the computer to be replaced, which is not a cheap repair. The keyboard provides a satisfying amount of travel and stability when each key is pressed, but unfortunately, the thin butterfly mechanism can get jammed up with crumbs, dust, and other particulates, resulting in keys that don't press properly, keys that skip keystrokes, or keys that repeat letters. It's called a butterfly mechanism because the components underneath the key resembles a butterfly's wings, with a hinge in the center rather than overlapping like a pair of scissors.Īpple swapped to a butterfly mechanism to make a thinner keyboard, which is possible because each key moves less when pressed so less space is needed. What's the problem?īutterfly keys use a butterfly mechanism that's different from the scissor mechanism used for traditional keyboards. All butterfly keyboards in MacBook Pro, MacBook, and MacBook Air models introduced between 20 (and 2015 in the case of the MacBook) have butterfly keys that could be vulnerable to failure.Īpple in 2019 began phasing out the butterfly keyboard, and as of May 2020, it is no longer in use in new ‌MacBook Air‌ and MacBook Pro models, though older machines will continue to experience issues as these cannot be updated with the new scissor switch mechanisms. Unfortunately, Apple's butterfly keyboards were highly controversial and have been called out as one of the company's worst design decisions due to their penchant for failure due to small particulates like crumbs or heat issues.

Butterfly keys were offered in Macs between 20.

Apple in 20 introduced updated keyboards for its MacBook and MacBook Pro, debuting new butterfly keys with home switches beneath each key that minimize thickness while also providing a satisfying press under the fingers.

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