Apple failed to get a class-action lawsuit over a design flaw in the MacBook's butterfly keyboard dropped

On Monday, apple sought to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed by MacBook owners. The plaintiffs allege that the company was not only aware of the design flaw, but also took steps to conceal it from potential buyers. In a ruling issued in SAN jose, California, U.S. district court judge Edward Davila said apple had failed to make a convincing case against five related lawsuits.

The plaintiffs filed a number of claims related to MacBook models made in 2015 and MacBook Pro models made in 2016. Apple claims the butterfly keyboard design is thinner, faster and more robust than the traditional scissors keyboard.

The reality, however, is that a small number of users find that this important component is vulnerable to failure during normal use. Apple's butterfly keyboard can in some cases fall into a small amount of dust or debris, impeding the proper use of the keys, the lawsuit says.

As a result, certain keys can be unresponsive, duplicate characters, or even sticky when pressed. Apple said it was aware of the bug but continued to sell the faulty MacBook, so the plaintiffs claimed the company was responsible.

In its rebuttal, apple said it had offered users a viable solution to the problem, including a variety of self-troubleshooting methods and a repair plan initiated in 2018. Earlier this year, the project also covered the 2018 MacBook Pro.

Apple argues that it has taken appropriate remedial action under the CLRA, and that if the plaintiffs pay for repairs to the keyboard, they will be able to replace it free of charge or request a refund.

But the plaintiffs argued that the company's "voluntary" remedies did not address the core problem. Because it still USES the same parts to replace the defective hardware and does not compensate the user for any other expenses incurred during maintenance.

Earlier this year, Reuters reported an update on the case. Apple appears to be trying to shake off the negative side of the butterfly keyboard, as its latest 16-inch MacBook Pro switches back to a more traditional clipped keyboard design.

In the end, the plaintiffs are seeking damages and legal fees, public disclosure of flaws in the keyboard design and the cost of replacing laptops.