In June, after numerous complaints, Apple acknowledged the problem with the butterfly keyboard on MacBooks from 2015 – 2017 and promised a free repair.
Who of the exchange program Anyone who made use of the offer and submitted their 2016 model received a keyboard from the 2017 device. Apple hoped that the 2017 keyboard would be more durable. Anyone who believes that the old devices will be fitted with the third generation butterfly keyboard when repaired will be disappointed. This is not due to Apple's unwillingness, as MacRumors could find out.
The chips are not playing along
The third generation butterfly keyboard is incompatible with the old devices. The reason for this is the T2 chip, which controls, among other things, the TouchBar of the new MacBooks.
The 2016 and 17 devices have the T1 chip to manage the OLED bar. When replacing the keyboard, Apple replaces the entire "top case", i.e. keyboard and touch bar, including the battery. Since the battery in the new models has an increased capacity and a different design, the third generation of this keyboard remains the same. 2018 model reserved.