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Alu keyboard smell

ezaslaw said:
Sad follow-up: the new Logitech is now, a few days later, giving off the same smells and causing the same irritation as the others. I'm sitting at the keyboard with a mask on, not knowing whether this will help at all. Is there no Mac-compatible keyboard made of other materials, constructed in some other way? And would I be any better off with a PC?
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You need to see a doctor...seriously...

Best of luck.
 
Before that though, let me tell you about a funny thing a colleague pointed out to me this morning using the magic of the internet: You (Stephen or "stephruss1973") appear to be working for Apple. If that's the case, then I'd suggest you get busy addressing the problems identified in the Greenpeace reports.

...that struck me a kind of funny... IP's can be spoofed pretty easily...

The real culprit is the greed of the American shareholder driving the need for corporate America to outsource to cheap labor markets... if every product that was made abroad was "fully tested" no one would want to pay for that additional cost that companies would surely pass along to us, the consumers...
 
Bryan Bowler said:
You need to see a doctor...seriously...

Best of luck.
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Thanks, Bryan. In fact I will see my doctor, probably just the first step toward seeing a toxicologist or other specialist. I can tell you of my latest experiments, just for the record. I tried a new retro white Mac keyboard, and it smelled even worse than the aluminum ones--it was horrible, like rotting cigars. I did use those keyboards in the old days, and they didn't bother me at the time. Tonight I've tried a new experiment that has gone rather well: I have a new Moshi keyboard protector on the alu keyboard, and I'm also wearing a surgical mask, and I'm only mildly symptomatic.

Meanwhile I've learned of two ways of operating without keyboards altogether. Right within the OS X software, there's a utility that can display what is supposedly a touch-screen keyboard on the computer's screen. There are various apps you can purchase that do the same. I've gotten the keyboard to display, but I can't say as I've been able to type on it with my fingers, though the mouse can tap out text by clicking on the characters. I'll see if I can transfer that virtual keyboard to my Intuos tablet; there may be better prospects for typing there. But I've learned of something that's probably better for my purposes, and that's a Virtual Laser Keyboard. There are quite a few variants.
 
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kyb smell

1.As i googled the same smell like kyb, i found that when the computer heats up , it heats up the glue, and that glue that mac's use when heated smells like bad body odor.

2. i was told, to take all the keys out, and then wipe with baby wipes. But not to get the wipe on the screen of course. THen take carboard and cut it to the size of the keyboard and put 2 dryer sheets and leave that over night.. It takes care of that smell temp to about a month i think.

Hope this helps... I have not tried it yet, but i get the BODY ODOR on the keyboard, " In spanish we say " GRAJO" , well good luck yall
 
Elguy81 said:
1.As i googled the same smell like kyb, i found that when the computer heats up , it heats up the glue, and that glue that mac's use when heated smells like bad body odor.

2. i was told, to take all the keys out, and then wipe with baby wipes. But not to get the wipe on the screen of course. THen take carboard and cut it to the size of the keyboard and put 2 dryer sheets and leave that over night.. It takes care of that smell temp to about a month i think.
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I got news for ya: the keyboard does not heat up. I don't know how you are going to remove all of the keys, and then wipe them with a baby wipe. But hey, whatever floats your boat...

Bryan
 
The smell has nothing to do with HEAT

My keyboard smelled (a lot) before I ever plugged it in. And nothing like "body odor."
 
Florie said:
I got a new aluminum/plastic keyboard yesterday and the fumes are so strong that after just a few minutes out of the box I can taste them on the tip of my tongue. Mine was made in China. The Apple store offered to exchange it, but that sounds like a wasted trip. I can't believe Apple would be so un-cool as to use such incredibly toxic plastic. Amazing. There's no way this will wear off within 6 months.
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and I can't believe Apple offered to change a keyboard just because it 'smells funny'. Where else would do that?

When I got my new Aluminum keyboard, it smelt like pear drops. It does wear off, sadly. I liked the smell.
 
Florie said:
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/makingwaves/archives/2006/09/hp_laptops_more_toxic_than_the.html

By the way, there is no "Apple smell" as if that were a pleasant benign thing. We are talking dangerous volatile chemicals that are dangerous to one's health.
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Hi Florie and others who have been affected by this smell. I agree, and I have something to add that, in theory, might explain why some people get it and some don't. (Aside from the fact that some are more sensitive to these smells, which makes a big differences also; some people actually like them. I don't mean that).

Here's what I noticed with my 21.5-inch Au iMac keyboard: it was packed in the same small box with the Apple OS disks. So was the mouse. The OS disks have this same smell, and I think it's stronger from them than anywhere. It seems possible to me that the plastics and rubbers in the keyboard have picked up the smell from the disks. Plastics and rubbers are very good at absorbing volatiles.

Further, I've had this same smell from previous apple OS and applications disks. It smells like polyvinyl chloride to me, although it could be a mixture of many things I'm sure. I've had it from the Apple OS disks from all the system 10 disks, as well as Logic Pro disks in two or three upgrades; in other words, roughly from about 2003 onwards.

I find it noxious, and it doesn't go away (from the disks), so I wrap all Apple disks in plastic bags before I file them.

If this is indeed the source of the smell, then some keyboards might not have been packed right beside the disks; or might only have been packed there a very short time while others sat there for months.

Anyway; that's my current theory. And Apple should investigate the OS disk manufacturing and change the formulation; other manufacturers manage to make non-toxic-smelling disks; I'm sure Apple could if they wanted to.

Anyone else think it might be the disks?
 
I know what you're talking about. My iMac box smelled like that too, but not the keyboard/the computer itself.

I can't tell you what it is, since I've never seen a iMac being made or the keyboards, but I'm sure it'll go away with time.
If it bothers you that much, buy some fabreeze and spray it around where you work, that should eliminate the smell.
 
Keep in mind that all these devices come from Chinese factories where they use and likely spray all sorts of chemicals in the manufacturing process. No doubt these substances are not good (to say the least) for the human body.
Apple should be making moves in this area to ensure that their devices are not hazardous. I realize this is not easy as they strive to keep manufacturing costs down to maximize profits. That's business for ya.
 
Buy a used keyboard, those don't smell like new anymore. Be sure to clean it. ;)

(serious suggestion)
 
Have people considered they might be the problem?

Apple/other companies can't really test chemicals they use in manufacturing on every human alive?

I can't see this being even remotely big issue.

Its like those people who get ill from being close to power lines or mobile phones or any electrical device. They just have a reaction for no apparent reason when 99% of the rest of us are fine.
 
newuser2310 said:
Have people considered they might be the problem?

Apple/other companies can't really test chemicals they use in manufacturing on every human alive?

I can't see this being even remotely big issue.

Its like those people who get ill from being close to power lines or mobile phones or any electrical device. They just have a reaction for no apparent reason when 99% of the rest of us are fine.
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So you are fully aware of what possible toxic chemicals are being used in the manufacturing processes in the Chinese factories that manufacture the hardware you are buying? Are you sure that the keyboard you are typing on is not coated in lead or some carcinogenic compounds left over from factories? Oh yeah it has an apple logo on it stamped by a some big factory in China so you should be ok, I forgot. :rolleyes:

The chemicals should be tested (obvious not on every human alive, what a moronic statement) and Apple (and other companies) should be open as to what matierals/compounds are used in their products.
 
belltree said:
So you are fully aware of what possible toxic chemicals are being used in the manufacturing processes in the Chinese factories that manufacture the hardware you are buying? Are you sure that the keyboard you are typing on is not coated in lead or some carcinogenic compounds left over from factories? Oh yeah it has an apple logo on it stamped by a some big factory in China so you should be ok, I forgot. :rolleyes:

The chemicals should be tested (obvious not on every human alive, what a moronic statement) and Apple (and other companies) should be open as to what matierals/compounds are used in their products.
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OK even if you could get a list with all the chemicals and other stuff used in manufacturing, how are you supposed to know which chemical <insert long chemical name here> you might be allergic to?

I highly doubt Apple or any other big company would intentionally use ANY substance if it would affect the end users health.

Its not like its got an asbestos coating is it.
 
my apple allu keyboard did not smell when i bought it
..should i now be worried > if it is defective or because i cant smell it :confused:

ok i have to say i am a heavy smoker so my sense of smell is maybe a bit weak or more likely the smell from my ashtray is more dominant :D


but i feel sorry for you who suffers from using this nice looking keyboard ...maybe you should start smoking too if that helps against the smell
 
MacHamster68 said:
but i feel sorry for you who suffers from using this nice looking keyboard ...maybe you should start smoking too if that helps against the smell
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I was about to reply to this but then I read your sig.. :D

I have a keen sense of smell and my wired keyboard certainly didn't smell when I first bought it. Time to experiment tonight..
 
If you smell the back of scotch tape.. the smell is quite similar. So I think it is some adhesive or glue they are using. And yes, this is present not just in the the keyboards, but in the macbook and macbook pros.

http://sciencegeekgirl.com/files/2008/12/scotch.jpg

I don't understand why Apple have to be so different. I don't really know any other manufacturer who's laptops stink so bad (apart from the usual brand new electronics smell, coming from the circuit board - which can also give a headache the first few weeks).

Really - shame on apple for not doing something about it. I'm exhausted by their deceptive marketing campaign, when really, their products have these issues, as well as their famous 1st generational problems.

They tout on about their environmental record, and I am glad they don't use PVC or BFR, but simply, this smell CANNOT be good for someone's health!

I am getting rid of all my apple products, starting with my keyboard.
 
ps, i doubt it it the aluminium, as aluminium in other contexts does not smell like this. Nor do some parts of the macbook, that are covered in aluminium.

Mind you, there has been a load of research into the links between aluminium and alzheimer's disease too..
 
I have a really, really bad sense of smell. I bought a new wireless aluminum keyboard and that thing smells so bad it instantly makes me want to throw up. After a few minutes my throat hurts and I have a headache. I went to return it today at the apple store and the other keyboard smelt just as strongly.

I can't imagine this isn't a top issue, it's unbelievable to me how bad it is. And I am NOT chemical sensitive, or picky, etc. I've owned nearly every time of apple product on the market for the last 15 years and have never experienced anything like this.
 
lol. lol. lol.

this has to have been the most idiotic thread i have ever read anywhere. and i read 4chan a lot! my mac smells a bit odd and it is poisoning me!

iam glad an antique thread got reanimated so i could read it.

brilliant.
 
well h*** i never noticed it...but just smelled my newish apple keyboard and it does have a bit of a chemical like odor...

im putting it in a plastic bag with a cup of vinegar overnight...works great to kill smells from used cars...
 
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