Pain in fingers from new MBP keyboard?

this is happening to me as well.

while i know some of you are trying to be helpful, please stop responding to this issue with 'see a dr'. or 'ergonomics'! this has nothing to do with either.

im a computer programmer. im on a computer 50 hours a week. 3 days into my 2017 macbook pro the pad of my index finder is painful. if i switch back to a standard keyboard it doesnt hurt.

obviously when you have less travel in a keyboard its going absorb less shock. and that shock is going to go into your finger instead. its physics.

try typing on a table as if it were your keyboard. your fingers will all start hurting. this is just slightly more comfortable than typing on a table surface.

The MacBook and MacBook Pro notebook computers are designed to be lightweight, and so portable, they can run on batteries. Additional features are nice, but secondary.

That includes keyboard travel, feel, and comfort for extended use. There is no warranty that says that keyboard is suitable for extended use.

I expect that for extended use, you need at least a keyboard that can be moved around for ergonomic placement of your arms, wrists, and hands.

It isn't nonsense if it is the platform your employer purchases for you and tells you that you have to use. Not everyone is buying these themselves for personal use ...

I am on a 2015 vintage MBP, it replaced a Lenovo W530 ... I love the retina display and trackpad, so I moved my MBP in a position that allowed me to use these with my additional monitors. It's OK ... I can feel the metal edge cut in my wrists after a while, but if I take a break ... it works. Anyone new in my area is getting the new 4th gen MBP's. They cannot replicate my setup ... unanimously they are declaring the keyboard too painful.

We have given feedback to Apple, hopefully they listen ... I work in an industry that we have found if you don't listen to your customers, you are history ...

You could also use a Bluetooth (wireless) keyboard, which has the additional advantage of being placeable on any nearby surface, so that the height and arm and hand placement could be optimized..

A summary of what you just posted should be posted Here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Apple make no promise to read the forums, and never responds here.

I too have this problem with the new Macbook 12 inch keyboard. The limited key "travel" makes does not cushion the fingers the way the previous Mac keyboards do (which I loved.) It's now been almost a year and I'm sad to say this might have to be my last Mac if Apple doesn't find a way to make typing on this keyboard more comfortable.

Yes! I am a developer and I have experienced the same thing. I just typed my symptoms in the search engine and I am relieved to find that I am not the only one! It's terrible!!! I spend 10 to 12 hours on the computer everyday and now I am completely dreading it. Ugh! Horrible. I got a wrist wrest and a palm rest to ensure that I am typing effectively.. Truly, I have done all that I can to help myself in this matter. I try to type ever so lightly and the action is great. But, the pain is increasing and is terrible. I hate it.

Sadly, I have to agree. That is the suggestion given to me. They even mentioned that a lawsuit would do nothing but to line the pockets of lawyers requiring them to simply put a warning label on their products. It was a tad off putting. I will just go back to my ergonomic keyboard. But I am interested to see that this is a common complaint.

Good for you to take steps to eliminate your pain and take care of yourself!

Employers who dictate what keyboards their employees use and do not allow substitutions open themselves to lawsuits for repetitive strain injury and lost work time to their employees. This is not a trivial risk.

(an external keyboard can be had for under US$100)

We have given feedback to Apple, hopefully they listen ... I work in an industry that we have found if you don't listen to your customers, you are history ...

They do, but not on the forums. You need to leaves your suggestions here:

Product Feedback - Apple

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I have a similar problem with my new MacBook. It is painful to use after a short period but for me the problem is the trackpad rather than the keyboard. It feels like there is an electrical current which is running through my fingers which causes numbness, tingling and pain after a short period. Very annoying because I really like the machine. The EMF's coming off it are also really high compared my older macbook.

Obviously, I can use a mouse but it would be nice if Apple would be more mindful of health and safety with their products.

the problem is the trackpad rather than the keyboard. It feels like there is an electrical current ...

The trackpad surface of this trackpad and those used by Apple for several years now are made entirely of glass, an excellent electrical insulator. The sensations you are feeling are not caused by electrical leakage, which would have to be impossibly high (thousands of Volts) to jump across the glass.

Do not continue to use this (or ANY) trackpad. The pains you are feeling may be caused a very serious medical condition, and you should get examined by your Doctor as soon as possible.

Thanks. I have heard about the problem with the keyboards too.

I don't do too much typing and my problem is more with the trackpad and the metallic part of the MacBook generally.

I noticed when I took my plastic cover off my iPhone, I had the same problem with that. It seems some people are very sensitive to the current coming off the devices. I have found another post where lots of people are having problems.

How can I stop trackpad from hurting/burning my fingertips?

Also, I read that using a plug that is not earthed properly can exacerbate the problem.

I think I need to get a plastic cover and a glove 🙂

That is serious indeed Grant.

The short-term solution may be to stop using the trackpad. The bigger solution is to ensure that Apple sort out this problem before many people have injuries.

I have logged a support issue with Apple.

Bob,

Clearly, it is not a personal issue as many people have it. Placing two fingers on my trackpad for twenty seconds causes me discomfort. I can put my fingers on any other surface for long periods of time without an issue. If I got into a new car, put my hands on the steering wheel and got an unpleasant experience from it within a minute, that is an issue with the new car.

Just because some people do not experience it, does not mean it doesn't exist. Perhaps it is only in some batches. Perhaps with some electricity supplies.

According to the law, this should not happen. It is important that people report it and it is investigated.

This post was originally about the keyboard, which is a different matter and may not be designed to be comfortable with prolonged use.

I will hop off this board and on to a board about the trackpad rather than this one out of respect for people who are on here for information about the Keyboard as per the original post. No point in wasting people's time.

Maybe a contributing factor is creeping old age. See a professional rather than guessing at the cause.