The ~2016-designed [0] third-generation butterfly keyboard (MacBook Pro 2018) features a silicone membrane [1] designed to «prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress» [0] thereby softening or preventing dust-caused key failure.

[0] http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?docid=20180068808

[1] https://ifixit.org/blog/10279/apple-macbook-keyboard-cover-u...

> the uproar over keyboard problems started far too recently to have affected the design of the 2018 version.

The lawsuits were more recent, but Apple has known about the issue long before designing the 2018 MBP. This keyboard was on the 2015 MacBook and people have been complaining since early 2017 about the MBP.

Has Apple fixed the layouts? I found the arrow keys particularly vexxing (in addition to wanting more travel, less noise, and more durability). When the keyboard died on my old black MacBook I bought a box of top cases on that auction site and replaced it.

Has Apple started bundling cables with their charges? With my mid-2012 MBP I can buy a gen 1 MagSafe charger and it'll have everything it needs to work with the computer. Last I checked the USB-C chargers aren't any cheaper, but they don't come with a cable that will connect it to a computer. The cable, of course, is another $30 or so.

TFA (and other reporting) says the keyboard is marginally more reliable. But 1) it's still a keyboard with almost no travel, and 2) not only is the touchbar still there, but the non-touchbar option is gone.

Apple would've known about the keyboard issue in the first days/weeks after launch.

They have repair rate metrics coming from the Apple Stores.

Especially since fixing the keyboard requires an entire top case which are really expensive.