Though outdated, the 2015 model used the old-style keyboard tech instead of Apple’s butterfly keyboard switches. It also featured two USB-A ports and an SD card slot.
With the arrival of its new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops today, Apple has discontinued the 2015 MacBook Pro, meaning all the PCs in its MacBook Pro lineup sport the controversial butterfly keyboard tech.
Apple says the new keyboards have been tweaked slightly; it calls them “third generation.” Apple did not specify the difference in measurements but noted that it is slightly wider than before, with a different key-action feel.
PCMag was able to conduct a brief typing demo this week. “You still get a bit of haptic-source click feedback, which is, as before, in contrast to the minimal key travel; we’ve felt plenty of keyboards with far deeper keypress distances elicit less under-finger feedback,” writes John Burek. “But in practical fact, the keys themselves barely depress. It’s uncannily effective, and you have to try it to fully appreciate and understand it. Apple was not divulging or discussing the exact key travel distance, but does claim that these new keyboards are quieter to type on.”
Apple first introduced the butterfly keyboard with the MacBook Pro line in 2016. According to repair experts and consumer complaints, the ultra-thin butterfly switches under each key can easily malfunction; a mere speck of dust can trigger them to type letters randomly, or fail to respond. Fixing the issue also isn’t easy and can involve replacing the entire keyboard deck.
Last month, Apple acknowledged that a “small percentage” of its MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards were indeed defective, and announced free repairs. But the company isn’t giving up on the keyboard tech, even as some consumers have filed lawsuits over the faulty switches.
The 2015 MacBook Pro, while old, used the traditional scissor-style keyboard switches. The product also came with two USB-A ports, an SD card slot, and an HDMI port. Current MacBook Pro models only feature USB-C ports.
The good news is that Apple is offering refurbished 2015 Macbook Pro models over the company’s site, starting at $1,999. Other vendors such as Best Buy appear to be still selling brand new units.
