I was in the same situation and Apple also quoted me $500 until I asked to replace the battery.
So if you need to get your keyboard replaced, just ask for a new battery instead.
For newer models, no need to do this since keyboard repairs are free.
I agree that too-expensive machines shouldn't fail so badly, but so it goes.
“Non-issue” is comical word choice.
The Apple genius also told me that the replacement part won’t be identical to the original keyboard. We’ll see if it’s the new 3rd generation butterfly or just a tweaked 2nd gen.
> In my case, they are sending out to have the top case replaced. Can’t speak for others, but they’re not just kicking the can down the road.
They built the thing so they have no real option other the replacing the whole top case. The in store repair is blowing air into the keyboard and hoping it fixes it.
Dragging an old $10 USB keyboard around with you makes you look like you really like mechanical keyboards.
It's been about a year and a half now. I guess you get used to it.