Apple Might Eliminate Problematic Butterfly Keyboard, Expert Claims

Apple might do away with the problematic butterfly keyboard of the recent MacBooks and introduce a brand new keyboard that’s more durable, an expert said.

Apple has had to face a lot of complaints with the butterfly keyboard it used on the MacBooks starting with the 2015 MacBook and 2016 MacBook Pro models. While the keyboard was noticeably thinner than the one that used the scissor mechanism, it could easily malfunction the moment some dirt finds its way underneath the keys.

The Cupertino tech giant had to find ways to deal with the problems and minimize the complaints it received. MacRumors reported that in June 2018, Apple launched a keyboard repair program. A few months ago, Apple was reported to have quietly updated the butterfly keyboard with a new metal dome that makes the clicking sound and a new gasket that keeps dirt out.

A new report seems to imply that Apple’s efforts at fixing the butterfly keyboard aren’t enough. According to a new MacRumors report, Apple is planning on doing away with the butterfly keyboard and replace it with one “based on scissor switches” and made of glass fiber. This information came from noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

According to Kuo, the new scissor keyboard “could improve the typing experience by offering longer key travel and durability by adopting glass fiber to reinforce the keys' structure.” Although the new keyboard will be slightly thicker than the butterfly keyboard, Kuo said he “thinks” most MacBook users won’t be able to tell the difference.

Kuo said Apple will start using the new keyboard on the 2019 MacBook Air expected to be released later this year. The new keyboard can also be expected to come with refreshed MacBook Pro models that will be released in 2020. He added that eventually the butterfly keyboard will “finally disappear in the long term” as Apple stops using it.

Interestingly, Kuo made no mention of the 16-inch MacBook Pro he mentioned earlier. 9To5Mac noted that it could also come equipped with the new scissor keyboard if ever it gets released this year.

Kuo said Apple will get the new keyboards from laptop keyboard maker Sunrex instead of Wistron, which produces the butterfly keyboard.