Now more and more people are buying Macs to run AI, especially the M5 Max chip version, which can be configured with up to 128GB of unified memory. However, as performance grows more powerful, whether the long-standing chassis and thermal architecture can handle sustained full-load conditions is gradually becoming a concern for the next-generation MacBook Pro.
Recently, a case that sparked discussion appeared on Reddit. An M5 Max MacBook Pro user reported that their computer often runs high-load workloads, leaving the laptop’s body at high temperatures for extended periods. Eventually, the Delete key at the upper right of the keyboard appeared to have deformed, with the entire key stuck inside the chassis.
What’s worse, the Apple Store told me that if the computer isn’t covered by warranty, the repair cost could be as high as $895, which is about NT$28,000 — that’s really not your average expensive.
Image source: Wccftech (AI generated)
I’ve only had my M5 Max MacBook Pro for 4 months, and the Delete key has already gotten stuck in the chassis for the second time.
According to foreign media Wccftech According to a report, a Reddit user named rinsewin shared that he purchased a high-end custom M5 Max MacBook Pro with 128GB unified memory and 4TB SSD, and it’s been only about 4 months since he got it.
I primarily work on cross-platform code compilation, so the computer often runs at full load for long periods, and the chip and case temperatures are naturally much higher than those of typical office use.
But recently I ran into a very annoying problem: the Delete key at the top right of the keyboard. rinsewin said that this key is located near the heat exhaust area at the rear of the chassis. He suspects that long-term high temperatures combined with frequent pressing gradually deformed the key base or surrounding structure, and eventually the whole key got stuck in the case and couldn’t spring back properly.
To make matters worse, this is already the second time he has encountered the same situation.
After the first inspection, the store still needed to order additional parts; after replacing the keycap, the Delete key was still stuck in the pressed position, completely unresponsive, and in the end the only option was to send the entire computer in for repair, with an estimated wait of one to two weeks.
After he sent the computer to the Apple store, the staff said that if the machine was not covered by warranty, the repair cost could reach $895. Fortunately, his unit was still under warranty, so he didn’t need to pay that fee.
If you only look at rinsewin’s experience, it’s indeed easy to suspect that the M5 Max MacBook Pro has a thermal design issue. However, based on other Reddit users’ replies, it currently appears to be just an isolated case.
User Cultural-Rent8868 said their MacBook is mainly used for previsualization rendering or as a media server for real-time content generation, with the CPU and GPU frequently under heavy load for hours on end, yet they’ve never experienced keyboard issues.
He also added that he set up a separate fan setting that keeps the fans running at full speed continuously. Concert work typically involves several hours of continuous full-load operation, corporate events can exceed 8 hours, and pre-visualization and show programming sometimes run for 10 to 12 hours.
There is also another enterprise IT administrator who said that they are responsible for the MacBooks used by hundreds of developers and have not seen this situation either, but they will start keeping an eye on high-load users within the company.
Although there was also a user in the Reddit comments who said they encountered a stuck number 2 key after two months of purchase, no details were provided, including the model, temperature, repair report, or cause of the fault, so it can only be considered another unconfirmed case.
Netizen ImpressiveHair3798 speculated that some customized models shipped from China may have issues with assembly quality or body tolerances.
However, the stronger the performance, the higher the cooling requirements. For users who also choose the customized M5 Max MacBook Pro, it’s advisable to pay extra attention to temperature changes.
Source: KOCPC Chinese