Apple looked at using single glass panels and touch-sensitive membranes when it was trying to solve its MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard problems, but the now newly-patented technology also solves dust and wear issues.
In April 2015, Apple introduced its new Retina Display MacBook with a new "butterfly" keyboard design. Some critics didn't like its shorter key travel, but complaints really began to snowball as its mechanism was adopted across Apple's other notebook models. Today it's regarded by some as a major problem, but journalists describing the problem don't seem to really know what that problem actually is, and are misleading users with their reports based on fact-free claims.
Apple is extending its service program for MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboard repairs to include models released in 2018, and it making it faster for end-users as well.
As April winds down, deals on Apple Macs and iPads are still going strong. Save $80 on 9.7-inch iPads at Amazon while supplies last. Or opt for a high-end 12-inch MacBook with 512GB SSD while it's $600 off, the lowest price ever. MacBook Pros are also $300 off for a limited time, with prices starting at just $999.99.
This week on the AppleInsider Podcast, William and Victor talk about rumors of mouse and trackpad support on iPads, Apple's speeding up keyboard repairs, and Victor goes to Moogfest where he learns about Focal headphones and Sensel Morph, a multi-touch input device.
Intel has refreshed its H-series processor line that was used in the 2018 MacBook Pro with a collection that boasts one eight-core processor capable of a 5GHz clock speed, but one that is also continuing to use the aging 14-nanometer production process.
Owners of the MacBook and MacBook Pro may find their keyboard repairs are quicker to complete than usual, with Apple Stores instructed to perform the repair at the in-store Genius Bar, rather than dispatching the notebooks out to an off-site repair shop.
Just in, another $50 price drop, matching the lowest prices ever. Apple authorized reseller B&H Photo has just issued steep discounts on 12-inch MacBooks with savings of up to $600 off and free expedited shipping, plus 0% financing incentives.
Issues with Apple's butterfly keyboard mechanism are again popping to the forefront, after a high-profile account in the Wall Street Journal about a failure in a 2018 model, and it is past time that Apple be more forceful about the issue.
This week on the AppleInsider Podcast, William and Victor talk about rumored health sensors in MacBooks, Huawei suing the US government, and Facebook's claim again that they value users' privacy.
Future MacBook models could offer some of the same health and fitness tracking functions as provided by the Apple Watch, with the inclusion of a small bio-sensor in the casing near the trackpad that the user could access while typing on the keyboard.
The lowest price on Apple's upgraded Mid 2017 12-inch MacBook is available now at AppleInsider, with the high-end model on sale for just $999. Featuring bumped up specs, including a 1.3GHz Core i5 processor and 512GB SSD, these systems are $600 off instantly with free expedited shipping for a limited time only.
Friday deals are in effect now with some of the lowest prices seen to date on popular hardware. From 2018 256GB 11-inch iPad Pros for $799 ($150 off), to current 12-inch MacBooks for $799, and Apple's 32GB iPhone SE with 60 days of service for $101.99 with coupon, these deals are valid for a limited time only while supplies last.
While supplies last, Amazon-owned Woot has Mid 2017 12-inch MacBooks marked down to $999.99, a discount of $600 off retail. These systems feature an upgraded 1.3GHz processor and 512GB of storage for enhanced performance. They're also refurbished by Apple, but come with a 90-day Woot warranty.
These Apple markdowns deliver the lowest prices available on current hardware, but the deals won't last long. Save hundreds on 12" MacBooks, 13" MacBook Airs, 27" iMac 5Ks, 2018 MacBook Pros and more.
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Malcolm Owen
Daniel Eran Dilger
Christine McKee
Victor Marks
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
AppleInsider Staff
