MacBook users who had to replace their faulty butterfly switch keyboards have until March 6 to claim their part of Apple's $50 million settlement against Apple.
Since mid-December, the law company managing the settlement has been sending emails to class members, emphasizing that the time for filing a claim is quickly approaching.
Claims On The Defective Keyboards Vary
According to a website made for the settlement, it affects MacBooks with the butterfly keyboard that were sold between 2015 and 2019, USA Today writes.
The malfunctioning keyboards had problems like unexpected character repetitions, letters or characters not displaying, and/or keys that felt sticky or did not respond consistently.
Because of numerous reports regarding the problem, a $50 million fund was established as part of the deal to compensate MacBook owners.
According to The Verge, claims regarding the class-action lawsuit can be submitted via keyboardsettlement.com, where there are three types of class members.
First, everyone who had to replace their keyboard more than once should automatically receive money; but, in order to receive their $395 maximum payout, they must confirm their mailing address.
For the other two groups-those who have changed their entire keyboard or individual keycaps and discovered that doing so did not fix their problems-a claim form must be filled out.
With this in mind, users may receive up to $125 for replacing a keyboard and up to $50 for keycaps, according to the settlement documents.
However, only repairs completed within four years after purchase by Apple or one of its authorized service providers are eligible for settlement funds.
It is important to note that until a final approval hearing scheduled for March 16, payments are not anticipated to be made.
Additionally, actual payouts may be lower depending on the number of class members in each category, CNet details.
Read More: MacBook Pro Owners Receive Emails About $50 Million Settlement For Faulty Butterfly Keyboards
The Butterfly Keyboards Have Been COntroversial Since Release
The butterfly keyboard controversy began in 2015 when Apple switched out the MacBook's old scissor-switch keyboard mechanism for a new, slimmer butterfly model.
The mechanism behind keyboards is referred to as a "butterfly" because when a key is pressed, it opens and closes like a butterfly's wings.
The keyboard, however, was quickly discovered by MacBook owners to have major reliability difficulties, with keys that might become stuck or unresponsive if even the tiniest amount of dust managed to get under them.
Even though Apple would eventually abandon the keyboard in 2020, several consumers had to have their damaged MacBook keyboards completely replaced or even just a few individual keys.
Following that, The Verge says that a class action lawsuit was certified in 2021 after numerous lawsuits regarding the problems were submitted.
Because of this, Apple eventually established a program that enables owners to fix the keyboards for no cost.
In July of last year, Apple agreed to a $50 million settlement, which a judge authorized in November.
Related Article: Apple's First MacBook Pro with Touch Bar Set To Be 'Vintage' - What Does This Mean?
