If you owned a MacBook with a faulty butterfly keyboard, you might finally be getting some compensation according to 9to5mac. As of August 5, 2024, Apple has started sending payments to eligible MacBook owners affected by the butterfly keyboard mechanism class action lawsuit in the United States. This is a big deal for those who have been waiting for their share of the $50 million settlement since it was first announced in 2022.
The lawsuit covers residents in seven states: California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. So if you live in one of those states and filed a claim, keep an eye on your mailbox or bank account. The payouts range from $50 for those who only need keycap replacements to $395 for those who require two or more top-case replacements. It’s not a huge sum, but it’s something.
This settlement is a sad reminder of the butterfly keyboard debacle that plagued Apple laptops from 2015 to 2019. The design was supposed to be an improvement over traditional scissor switches, but it ended up being a reliability nightmare. Dust and debris would get stuck under the keys, causing them to stick or stop working altogether. Apple tried to fix the issue multiple times, but eventually gave up and went back to scissor switches.
Payout Structure
The payouts for the butterfly keyboard settlement are based on how severe your MacBook’s keyboard issues were. If you had to replace your top case (the part that includes the keyboard) two or more times, you could get up to $395. If you only needed one top case replacement, you might receive up to $125. And if you just had to replace some keycaps, you could be eligible for up to $50.
So the more problems you had with your butterfly keyboard, the more money you might get from this settlement. It’s Apple’s way of trying to make things right for customers who dealt with frustrating and repeated keyboard failures.
Butterfly Keyboard Mechanism History
Apple introduced the butterfly keyboard mechanism in 2015, touting it as a revolutionary improvement over traditional scissor switches. The company claimed that the new design would provide a more stable and responsive typing experience for users.
However, the butterfly mechanism soon proved to be prone to reliability and durability issues. The design’s low profile and tight spaces made it susceptible to problems caused by the ingress of dust and debris. Many users reported stuck or unresponsive keys, which often required costly repairs or replacements.
In an attempt to address these issues, Apple refined and tweaked the butterfly design multiple times over the years. The company introduced various measures, such as adding a silicone membrane to prevent debris from entering the mechanism. Despite these efforts, the problems persisted, leading to widespread customer dissatisfaction and numerous lawsuits.
Ultimately, Apple decided to phase out the butterfly mechanism in favor of a return to scissor switches. Starting in late 2019, the company began introducing new MacBook models with more reliable and durable scissor switch keyboards, putting an end to the troubled butterfly era.
Alternative Keyboard Mechanism
You’ll be glad to know that Apple has learned from the butterfly keyboard fiasco. In newer laptops, they’ve switched back to using scissor switches. This tried-and-true design addresses the flaws and reliability issues that plagued the butterfly keyboard.
The scissor-switch mechanism is more resilient to dust and debris. It provides a more stable and comfortable typing experience too. No more worrying about keys getting stuck or repeating characters.
Apple’s return to scissor switches shows they’re listening to customer feedback. They’re committed to delivering the quality and durability you expect from their products. With this change, you can type with confidence on your new MacBook.
Eligibility and Claim Process
To receive a payout, you had to own a MacBook with a butterfly keyboard from 2015 to 2019. You also needed to file a claim form detailing your keyboard woes. The claim period opened in May 2023 and has now closed.
Only those who submit a claim and meet the eligibility criteria will get paid. If you missed the deadline or didn’t have qualifying issues, you won’t receive compensation.
The payouts are based on how severe your keyboard problems were. Those who need multiple top-case replacements can get up to $395. If you only require one top case replacement, you may receive up to $125. And if you just needed keycap replacements, you could get up to $50.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
