Apple has a reputation for sophisticated hardware, but it definitely fell short with its butterfly keyboard. First offered in 2015, Apple’s ultra-thin keyboard design has proven to be an ongoing headache for buyers who require frequent repairs just to type on their Apple laptops. A class action lawsuit has moved through court, and a proposed settlement has received initial court approval. Worst keyboard defects can be covered up to $395.
Most laptop keyboards use a mechanism with a pair of hinges that overlap like scissors under each key. Apple’s butterfly mechanism has a central hinge that allows the keys to be flatter without sacrificing key feel. Apple refreshed his 2015 MacBook with a butterfly keyboard, making it even thinner than before, but the butterfly keyboard didn’t age. Just months after consumers carried these devices around, it became clear that something was wrong.
Butterfly keys have very little travel, so particles can get inside and cause the key to stick or stop registering. Thanks to Apple’s monolithic design, fixing this problem required replacing the computer’s entire top case, which could cost hundreds of dollars. Thankfully, Apple has launched a keyboard service program to replace defective butterfly keyboards for free. You can see Apple’s first butterfly announcement at his 16 minute mark in the video below.
Class action settlements currently undergoing final approval amount to a total of $50 million, most of which will be paid to members of the class as cash compensation. However, not everyone receives the same rewards. In the class he has 3 different groups, Group 1 consists of people who have changed keyboards at least twice. These people will receive at least $300 and can go up to $395 if they have funds left over. Group 2, Butterfly, who replaced one of her keyboards with her, is entitled to receive up to $125 under the proposed settlement. Group 3 is for those who had their keycaps replaced by her Apple, with a maximum of $50.
Apple stopped using the butterfly keyboard design in 2019 in favor of the Magic Keyboard, which isn’t prone to the same failures. If you bought his new MacBook with a butterfly keyboard between 2015 and 2019, the payments website has details on how and when you’ll receive your money. Group 1 members will be paid automatically, but Group 2 and 3 members will need to submit a claim.
