iBook spacebar problem explained!

[MacRhythmGuy]

Hello all,

I'm a new 12" iBook owner and I'm posting this after doing way too much research on my one complaint: the spacebar.

The spacebar on the white 12" and 14" G4 iBooks appears a little unresponsive, at first. It seems to take more effort to "smack" it compared with the rest of the keyboard. I put up with this for a while, but it was irritating. Upon further examination, I discovered it was only the RIGHT SIDE of the spacebar which was troublesome.

This explains why some people don't notice! They're left-handed! :)

You probably also have to touch-type to care.

The problem is the thin ribbon cable which is folded underneath the keyboard. You become familiar with this if you perform a memory upgrade yourself. The cable doesn't fold flat enough, and interferes with the operation of three keys on the right side: space, command, and "enter" (which I guess is for the numeric keypad. Couldn't they've given us another CTRL instead??).

The spacebar is where it counts. It's the most frequently used key! If you have to smack the spacebar, you end up smacking ALL they keys harder! Try it! It makes you an angry typist! It's bad for world peace!

I've tried everything. I squished the cable between my fingers as hard as I dared. I fiddled. I cursed. I carefully cut a slice of a playing card and insert it to add some stiffness right where that cable interferes. This was a failure. I searched for third-party keyboards online. I also hoped that simply using the iBook for a few months would soften it up with wear. No such luck.

I EVEN tried getting used to hitting the spacebar with my left thumb. I can't do it. 20 years of touch-typing is too big a habit to change. I've sort of gotten used to moving my right thumb an inch to the left. That helps because you start to reach the "active" portion of the spacebar on its left side.

This all sounds crazy, but it makes me not want to use my iBook! I have to get rid of this thing and buy a 12" Powerbook. Or turn my 12" iBook into an expensive "mini" by closing it and attaching an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor. :) (But it doesn't even support resolution over 1024x768 externally! Useless.)

Warning to right-handed iBook shoppers who can type! Find a couple hundred extra bucks and get a 12" Powerbook instead. Its keyboard is more solid and doesn't have this problem.

MacRhythmGuy

[AcousticDoc]

HAve you gone to the mac store and tested this out on other ibooks? I don't recall the space bar ever being messed up at the store.

[alikaalex]

Wow! So it's not only us! My girlfriend's iBook has the same problem ... actually, as far as I can tell, the *exact* same problem with the exact same keys!

I've been telling her to take it to the Apple Store to get it fixed before her warranty expires and she has to buy AppleCare, but so far she's still saying "I'll get to it later".

Maybe it's time to gently remind her again. If she brings it in, I'll let you know what happens.

[AcousticDoc]

oh wow I had no idea this was a common problem...is it like this for everyone? just ordered a new ibook that's scheduled to come on 8/3...I don't want a crappy keyboard because I'm mulitspacebar user.

[MacRhythmGuy]

Wow! So it's not only us! My girlfriend's iBook has the same problem ... actually, as far as I can tell, the *exact* same problem with the exact same keys!

I'll bet you lunch: there won't be anything they can do at the Apple Store, although I am very curious if they're aware of the problem. They may look at you like you're crazy. This is a design problem, common to all iBooks. It's fairly subtle until you've used it for a while and started noticinghow manyerrors you startmaking with missing spaces inyourtyping.

Peer under the keys and you can see the cable in the way. To really get a "feel" for it, press the front edge of the far left side of the spacebar with your index fingernail. Then try the front edge on the right. It feels much firmer. It doesn't depress all the way like it does on the left.

Maybe most people just adapt, or type harder than I do. YMMV.

MacRhythmGuy

[wide]

this is what electrical tape is for. just lift up the keyboard, tape it so it is flush with the components of the computer, and put the keyboard back in place.

it's only the right side of the keyboard? i'm righthanded but I use the left side of the spacebar, i guess i'll be alright w/ my ibook.

[topspin98]

My best firends space bar wont even work.

Its in proper place. But it wont make a space.

He has even attached a externl keyboard and the space didnt work


I tried the external on myne, and it worked fine

[alikaalex]

I'll bet you lunch: there won't be anything they can do at the Apple Store, although I am very curious if they're aware of the problem. They may look at you like you're crazy.

Italian sounds nice.

I was able to coax my girlfriend to the Apple Store at The Grove earlier this evening and two Geniuses helped her. The first guy said he saw the same exact problem earlier today, and he even had some strange plastic tool ready to fix this specific problem. Oddly enough, she said he actually used the words "you're not crazy" (of course, the problem was easy enough to replicate in his presence).

Unfortunately, he had no luck with the tool and his shift was ending. He explained the problem to another Genius who took her info and said they will order her a new keyboard and will call when it arrives.

She gets to keep her iBook until the part comes in, which is good to hear. (It's nice to still be under AppleCare.)

I also like Tex-Mex! :D

[mad jew]

My best firends space bar wont even work.

Its in proper place. But it wont make a space.

He has even attached a externl keyboard and the space didnt work


I tried the external on myne, and it worked fine


You might want to start a new thread because I don't think this is the same problem.

[zeeko]

i noticed the same thing on my moms new 15" pb! the space bar is unresponsive! i find myself having to go back and correct places i dind't make a good space all of the time arg!

[WillMak]

I hope the lack of responses indicate that this is an uncommon problem.

[AoWolf]

I hope the lack of responses indicate that this is an uncommon problem.

I have this problem too. The apple store genus told me to was my fault! Now I am mad.

[nichos]

I had the same problem on my 12 inch iBook (don't know the revision, it was the one that was current a few weeks ago) It was really a pain because I never realised it, but I only use my right thumb on the space bar.
I called apple and they send me a new one, hadn't had any problems since. There was no charge since it was about 2 weeks after I bought it.
Good luck

[WillMak]

I had the same problem on my 12 inch iBook (don't know the revision, it was the one that was current a few weeks ago) It was really a pain because I never realised it, but I only use my right thumb on the space bar.
I called apple and they send me a new one, hadn't had any problems since. There was no charge since it was about 2 weeks after I bought it.
Good luck

sent you a new ibook or a new keyboard?

[nichos]

sent you a new ibook or a new keyboard?

Keyboard

[MacRhythmGuy]

Italian sounds nice. (...) He explained the problem to another Genius who took her info and said they will order her a new keyboard and will call when it arrives.

LOL! :D I really have to laugh at myself, here. I was convinced I was stuck with this problem! I don't see how a new keyboard will help, but with the stories here, I'll sure give it a try! I have AppleCare on this baby. I'll let you know what happens. There's no Apple Store in my area.

Thanks and a can of Spaghetti-O's is on its way. ;)

MRG

[alikaalex]

LOL! :D I really have to laugh at myself, here. I was convinced I was stuck with this problem! I don't see how a new keyboard will help, but with the stories here, I'll sure give it a try! I have AppleCare on this baby. I'll let you know what happens. There's no Apple Store in my area.

Thanks and a can of Spaghetti-O's is on its way. ;)

MRG

Glad to help! Still waiting for the call announcing that the keyboard has arrived. So we'll see where things go from here. <fingers crossed> :cool:

[MacRhythmGuy]

AppleCare is hooking me up with a new keyboard. The guy was cool and didn't tell me I was crazy. What's crazy is analyzing the hell out of this problem and assuming it's a blatant design flaw instead of calling for help! :rolleyes:

Thanks everyone,
And at least this should still be a useful thread for the archives.

MRG

P.S. I'm still skeptical so look for an update when I receive the keyboard!

[RJP31484]

My girlfriend's iBook had the same issue!!! MAN it is annoying to have to go back in and put 20 spaces in a document you are typing. She just recently sold that laptop though, and is getting a new one this sunday. I will let you guys know if the latest revision has the same issue.

[MacRhythmGuy]

AppleCare is hooking me up with a new keyboard. ...
P.S. I'm still skeptical so look for an update when I receive the keyboard!

The keyboard wasn't delivered when promised, so I called back and they said it was coming, and to wait another week. It arrived, I just installed it, and the good news: It does seem to fix the problem. The bad news: It's a keyboard for a slightly different language! The main Enter key and the left Shift keys are both too small, among other weird things.

So I called AGAIN and apparently this is the British keyboard, not USA like I need. (Brits, what are you doing that apparently requires more prominent placement of keys like \ and ` and ~ etc?)

There's a tiny plastic tab which helps lock the keyboard in, located at that critical spot to the right of the spacebar, and apprently that tab wasn't quite long enough on my broken keyboard. It looks like a manufacturing defect.

AppleCare says another new keyboard is on its way.

In the meantime, I have to decide what's worse: hitting "`" all the time where the left SHIFT should be, or missing spaces all over the place! :)

MRG

[ITASOR]

A little off topic, but will Apple just give anyone a new keyboard, or do you have to really talk with them to get one? My "n" is a little squeaky and my left CMD key is crooked. Think they'll give me one? Computer is 4 days old. :eek:

[pags]

My wife has a 7-month old iBook (12" 1.2) and the spacebar problem popped up early on. Then her c and m keys got loose. Then the letters started rubbing off numerous keys. We took it to the local Apple store and they replaced it with a new keyboard while I waited. I've read in other forums and elsewhere on the web that this is a common problem with G4 iBooks. This is a common iBook G4 problem.

Any word on keyboard quality in the new 2005 iBooks? I'm looking to get one later this month to replace my dead iBook G3. The keyboard quality is the only thing making me wonder whether to pay the big price jump to get a 12" PB.

[alikaalex]

Still waiting for the call announcing that the keyboard has arrived. So we'll see where things go from here. <fingers crossed> :cool:

So the keyboard arrived as promised, was installed, and has been working great according to my GF. Chalk one up for the Genius Bar!

[EJBasile]

I have a 12" PowerBook and with the 3 button- you always have to hit right on top. if you press it more to the bottom right nothing will happen.

[assscat]

The bad news: It's a keyboard for a slightly different language! The main Enter key and the left Shift keys are both too small, among other weird things.

So I called AGAIN and apparently this is the British keyboard, not USA like I need. (Brits, what are you doing that apparently requires more prominent placement of keys like \ and ` and ~ etc?)

OK, so let`s see what the US keyboard looks like then. Here's a picture of the wonderful\sophisticated\graceful ~British~ keyboard. ;)

[MacRhythmGuy]

OK, so let`s see what the US keyboard looks like then. Here's a picture of the wonderful\sophisticated\graceful ~British~ keyboard. ;)
I'm not sure what mine is now! You have the Euro and Pound symbols, like I'd expect. I don't! But this is not the standard USA keyboard, either. It's some mysterious crossbreed, apparently. Notice the § symbol in the upper left. I don't know what that is. I'll have to look again to see if you have it.

I'm sure someone else can post the USA keyboard. Or I can, later.

MRG

P.S. My apologies - this photo quality is pretty bad.

[California]

Well it looks like more of a "European" keyboard than strictly Brit -- the shift, tab, caps lock, return and delete keys have universal symbols instead of the names printed out in English. But the nice thing about that keyboard is the longish return/enter bar, that seems to displace the last brackets key to the next line. Interesting.

[MacRhythmGuy]

Well it looks like more of a "European" keyboard than strictly Brit -- the shift, tab, caps lock, return and delete keys have universal symbols instead of the names printed out in English. But the nice thing about that keyboard is the longish return/enter bar, that seems to displace the last brackets key to the next line. Interesting.
Here's the USA keyboard (sorry, another crappy photo). Apple sent it promptly and it also seems to solve the spacebar problem. Compared to the brit/euro, I like the wider return bar and the wide left shift which matches the right shift in size. I have lazy pinkie fingers that don't like reaching so far and finding a smaller key for these common functions.

Each of these keyboards I've gone through has a slightly different feel. There is certainly some variance in the manufacturing. The PB keyboard is superior to all of them.

MRG

[paperinacup]

Well if anyone wants to get rid of/trade a British/European iBook Keyboard PM me.

[MacRhythmGuy]

Hey! Waitaminute! These different iBook keyboards ARE different! Again, I thought I must be crazy, but no. My USA keyboards (both old and new) have a single plastic dimple in the middle of each key providing the resistance. The Euro keyboard has a plastic "X" under each key providing the same function. The "X" design feels more solid!! It fixes most of the iBook keyboard's "cheap" feel.

I tried pictures but you can't tell the difference with my phone camera. I'll get a hold of a real camera.

Luck of a different manufacturing plant? A new improvement they're silently introducing with the latest revision of the iBook, and my new USA keyboard is from old stock??

MRG

[iEdd]

OK, so let`s see what the US keyboard looks like then. Here's a picture of the wonderful\sophisticated\graceful ~British~ keyboard. ;)

Ukkkk.. The only thing good about that is the extra command key...

[MacRhythmGuy]

Ukkkk.. The only thing good about that is the extra command key...
What extra command key? All three keyboards I see here have one command key on either side of the spacebar, for a total of two. :confused:

MRG

[court]

I just ordered an ibook and I'm hoping not to have this problem. How long will I be under Apple Warranty before I need to buy Apple Care??

[devilot]

I just ordered an ibook and I'm hoping not to have this problem. How long will I be under Apple Warranty before I need to buy Apple Care??You get 1 full year of manufacturer's warranty against defects... you can purchase an additional 2 years of AppleCare anytime prior to the final day of that first year. However, free phone support lasts for only 90 days from day of purchase.

I really like the fact that on the UK keyboard the "option" key has the option symbol on it instead of the words "alt" and "option." :cool:

[iEdd]

What extra command key? All three keyboards I see here have one command key on either side of the spacebar, for a total of two. :confused:

MRG
We only have one on our pbs/ibooks in AUS.

Fn-Ctrl-opt-com-space-opt-enter (I think..) definitely only one command though.

[MacRhythmGuy]

We only have one on our pbs/ibooks in AUS.

Fn-Ctrl-opt-com-space-opt-enter (I think..) definitely only one command though.
Wild. I'm amazed how many keyboard variations are out there. I mean, YES I'm an ego-centric American prick, BUT you know, still! :-)

Here's one last shot of the two keyboard styles I ended up with, from a better camera. Euro-English-but-not-UK(?) on top, USA on bottom.

The Euro keyboard is definitely higher quality, which I can only hope is just a new manufacturing style going into effect for all keyboards. No snide comments from you Brits, thank you. ;-)

I'm giving up the higher quality feel for that nice big left SHIFT key!!

My spacebar problem is still cured. I'm just a little nervous about ever opening the keyboard again for a memory upgrade etc. because that tiny plastic tab just barely holds everything in.

This is my first Mac and I'm loving it.

Over and out.

MRG