Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
iFixit Tests Silicone Membrane on 2018 MacBook Pro Keyboard With Dust Exposure
Following the release of the new 2018 MacBook Pro models, iFixit last week tore apart the 13-inch version and discovered the presence of a new silicone membrane underneath the keyboard's butterfly keys that Apple internal documents have since confirmed has been added to prevent dust and other small particulates from causing key failures.
To give us a better look at the new third-generation butterfly keyboard included in the new 2018 machines and how it works, iFixit has done a much deeper dive, exposing the keyboard to debris to test it out.
iFixit exposed the keyboard to a powdered paint additive that glows, allowing the site to track where and how dust accumulates. On the 2018 MacBook Pro keyboard, the dust settled at the edges of the membrane, leaving the butterfly mechanism of the keys protected. The same test was performed on the 2017 MacBook Pro keyboard, demonstrating less protection.
While the silicone membrane does not appear to be impenetrable, and there's no way to tell how the barrier will hold up over time as iFixit points out, it's still more protection than offered in earlier versions of the butterfly keyboard.
Following the dust test, iFixit did a more extensive teardown of the new keyboard, tearing it apart layer by layer. After a grueling experience pulling it apart, which explains why Apple has to replace the entire top case when installing a new keyboard, iFixit found that the silicone barrier is a single die-cut and molded sheet.
The keycaps on the keyboard have also been slightly redesigned, measuring in at 1.25mm thickness compared to 1.5mm thickness in the 2017 MacBook Pro, which iFixit suggests is to give the keys room to travel with the addition of the membrane.
The spacebar has been redesigned, with a keycap that easily separates from the butterfly mechanism, a departure from earlier models where the spacebar was more difficult to remove. All of the keys, spacebar included, were easier to remove and harder to ruin, in iFixit's testing.
Apple has not publicly confirmed that the new third-generation butterfly keyboard was introduced to enhance reliability and to cut down on the the key failures that were seen in 2016 and 2017 machines, though the company has informed Apple Authorized Service Providers that this is the case.
Instead, in its 2018 MacBook Pro marketing materials, Apple claims the new silicone barrier was added to introduce a quieter typing experience, an issue that few people seem to have had with the original keyboards.
To give us a better look at the new third-generation butterfly keyboard included in the new 2018 machines and how it works, iFixit has done a much deeper dive, exposing the keyboard to debris to test it out.
iFixit exposed the keyboard to a powdered paint additive that glows, allowing the site to track where and how dust accumulates. On the 2018 MacBook Pro keyboard, the dust settled at the edges of the membrane, leaving the butterfly mechanism of the keys protected. The same test was performed on the 2017 MacBook Pro keyboard, demonstrating less protection.
Lo and behold, the dust is safely sequestered at the edges of the membrane, leaving the mechanism fairly sheltered. The holes in the membrane allow the keycap clips to pass through, but are covered by the cap itself, blocking dust ingress. The previous-gen butterfly keys are far less protected, and are almost immediately flooded with our glowing granules.With a combination of a lot of dust and aggressive typing, the dust did penetrate the membrane-covered key clips, hitting the top of the switch, suggesting that there's still a small potential for failure. iFixit was indeed able to cause the keyboard to fail by adding "a few poorly placed particles" of sand.
While the silicone membrane does not appear to be impenetrable, and there's no way to tell how the barrier will hold up over time as iFixit points out, it's still more protection than offered in earlier versions of the butterfly keyboard.
Following the dust test, iFixit did a more extensive teardown of the new keyboard, tearing it apart layer by layer. After a grueling experience pulling it apart, which explains why Apple has to replace the entire top case when installing a new keyboard, iFixit found that the silicone barrier is a single die-cut and molded sheet.
The keycaps on the keyboard have also been slightly redesigned, measuring in at 1.25mm thickness compared to 1.5mm thickness in the 2017 MacBook Pro, which iFixit suggests is to give the keys room to travel with the addition of the membrane.
The spacebar has been redesigned, with a keycap that easily separates from the butterfly mechanism, a departure from earlier models where the spacebar was more difficult to remove. All of the keys, spacebar included, were easier to remove and harder to ruin, in iFixit's testing.
Apple has not publicly confirmed that the new third-generation butterfly keyboard was introduced to enhance reliability and to cut down on the the key failures that were seen in 2016 and 2017 machines, though the company has informed Apple Authorized Service Providers that this is the case.
Instead, in its 2018 MacBook Pro marketing materials, Apple claims the new silicone barrier was added to introduce a quieter typing experience, an issue that few people seem to have had with the original keyboards.
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Top Rated Comments
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14 months ago
Does anyone think that they’re intentionally sabotaging their 'MacBook' product line so people move over to iOS?
No.
14 months ago
In sum, snorting coke while using MacBook Pro 2018 models won't ruin your keyboard.
Good to know since only drug dealers and the elite can afford the new MacBooks.
14 months ago
It's hard to tell what to make of that article. It seems that the new keyboard might be somewhat more protected than the prior keyboard. On the other hand, once something does get under there, it's also probably harder to get out. Hmmm.
14 months ago
So we have to choose between a working keyboard and throttled CPU performance, or a non-working keyboard with better CPU performance. OKAY.
⬅ But just look at how cute that Jony Ive emoji is to the left!
Sometimes Apple sucks. Often great, but when they suck they suck hard.
⬅ But just look at how cute that Jony Ive emoji is to the left!
Sometimes Apple sucks. Often great, but when they suck they suck hard.
14 months ago
This redesign caused more harm than good. No ports, garbage keyboard to an over-engineered keyboard, expensive $$$$, no magsafe, a tacky touchbar..
Not sure what good came out of this redesign. Go back to the 2015 design with fresh internals..
Not sure what good came out of this redesign. Go back to the 2015 design with fresh internals..
14 months ago
Which means they will need a complete redesign of everything Mac. MacBook / MacBook Pro / iMac / Mac Pro and Mac mini.
All of them are either outdated, not providing enough value, or has severe design flaws.
You are correct, nothing is perfect. It just means the Pre 2016 Keyboard are so much more reliable, cheaper to manufacture, slightly easier to repair, less clicks noise, and much better depth of "feel" then what we have now.
All of them are either outdated, not providing enough value, or has severe design flaws.
it means nothing is perfect...you always can find a situation that puts your thing to the grave
You are correct, nothing is perfect. It just means the Pre 2016 Keyboard are so much more reliable, cheaper to manufacture, slightly easier to repair, less clicks noise, and much better depth of "feel" then what we have now.
14 months ago
Does anyone think that they’re intentionally sabotaging their 'MacBook' product line so people move over to iOS?
14 months ago
Does anyone think that they’re intentionally sabotaging their 'MacBook' product line so people move over to iOS?
Yes, Apple released a 2018 MacBook Pro simply to agitate the buyer, have it returned and purchase an iPad. That makes complete sense. /S.
14 months ago
In sum, snorting coke while using MacBook Pro 2018 models won't ruin your keyboard.
Bonus considering Apple devices are almost thin enough to cut lines with.
14 months ago
I bought a 2016 which was finally replaced by Apple with a 2017. My 2017 is essentially worthless now. It has already been repaired twice for the keyboard, but the resale value is probably going to nose dive. Who would buy a used laptop with a keyboard that could go out any day?
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