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Dirty Macbook Pro!
- Thread starter zachsternelson
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Somewhere else? Take a lunch break, or find a way to modify your workflow so that you can take one. Your stress level will improve and whoever is in charge of maintaing your computer at the workplace will thank you for it.
I just try to be careful. On a desktop the keyboard can be easily replaced for under $100 so no keyboard cover necessary. If keyboard covers were less expensive ($20 instead of $35), I'd use one for the desktop keyboard too.
A laptop keyboard cover would protect on small spills, but the main advantage is not needing to use canned air or anything to clean it. You use it until it gets dirty then replace. The iSkin one I have says it's anti-bacterial too.
On a previous MacBook that was assigned to me at work, I cleaned the dirty keyboard with Clorox wipes but the wipes were too wet (should have wrung them out first). Anyway, right after cleaning the keyboard wouldn't work! But after letting the liquid evaporate, the keyboard was fine. Whew! So I think if you got a little water or plain tea (no milk or honey) on it, you would be ok but spilling coffee would probably ruin it.
To not drink or eat at all near your Mac when working long hours is a bit extreme, although they say you should take frequent breaks when working on a computer so perhaps you shouldn't drink/eat near your Mac and just take a frequent breaks.
A laptop keyboard cover would protect on small spills, but the main advantage is not needing to use canned air or anything to clean it. You use it until it gets dirty then replace. The iSkin one I have says it's anti-bacterial too.
On a previous MacBook that was assigned to me at work, I cleaned the dirty keyboard with Clorox wipes but the wipes were too wet (should have wrung them out first). Anyway, right after cleaning the keyboard wouldn't work! But after letting the liquid evaporate, the keyboard was fine. Whew! So I think if you got a little water or plain tea (no milk or honey) on it, you would be ok but spilling coffee would probably ruin it.
To not drink or eat at all near your Mac when working long hours is a bit extreme, although they say you should take frequent breaks when working on a computer so perhaps you shouldn't drink/eat near your Mac and just take a frequent breaks.
This coming from the guy who drinks milk while using his MacBook. I'm not trolling, you are the one who wanted a cheap way to clean you computer but gets annoyed when people have something to say about the habits that would lead to a dirty one. What is cheaper than not getting crumbs and milk in/on your MacBook?
There is a difference between having the MacBook in a pristine environment and being a slob with it. I don't think anyone is suggesting you treat the computer like it's a Fabergé egg, just that eating and drinking while using it is not the best way to keep it clean.
You are the one who said you would just replace it if food ruins it because the money doesn't worry you, that attitude doesn't seem to fit with the statement "clean the aluminum MacBook without spending some money" You refuse to stop eating and drinking over the machine, you don't want to waste money, but you don't worry about it either, which is it?
You can't get away from your MacBook anytime during those 10 hours each day? Really? If that is the case, then your MacBook is going to get something in it, and the fix is not cheap.
I am sorry if you think I'm the biggest troll in a forum you have ever seen, I guess you don't go to a lot of forums. Which means you are actually working during those 10 hours. That is great!
I just pointed out something that seemed to contradict an earlier post in the same thread, if I am wrong, then I apologize. Disregard my posts. Thanks and have a great day!
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Well said.
Some people on these forums are annoying. For them, it's either you replace your laptop when its dirty, or you buy that overpriced cleaning stuff ... to *just* clean a computer. (no one cares if its a PC or Mac or Linux .. its a computer). I'm not going to adapt to my computer. You gotta do what you gotta do. Just don't be stupid about it, obviously.
This thread is just asking the best way to clean the computer. Some people *may* not want to spend $31 on a cleaning kit (myself included). Sure, I have enough money to fix my computer if I screw it up, but I don't care if I'm using a PC or Mac, I'm going to use it, and clean it the same exact way.
$31 bucks! Forget that, I get mine for $12 locally, not a bad price for good quality cleaning kit. Look around your local retail store's.
As for me I like to take care of what my hard earned money is able to provide. There is nothing wrong with taking care of your stuff. Most of us don't have the bank you have to go out and spend 500 or more to fix something that could have been prevented. Don't flash your money it's tacky!
I agree its good to take care of your stuff, but some people here are pushing. Also, everyone can't adapt to how others take care of their stuff. I haven't checked the prices for iKlear, but if its really $31 ... damn! My computer isn't getting more than water and some Windex at most.
Wow you people are so OCD.
I turn it off... use Windex and paper towels.... DONE.
Mine looks as good as the day I bought it (January 2009). And least I know I actually disinfect mine.. not just wipe some "distilled" water on it.
You do realize your 'precious' macbook pro is going to be worth $200 in a few years right?
Put down your OCD. Have fun, learn, create something with your laptop. And if you wanna have coffee while you do it, even better.
I turn it off... use Windex and paper towels.... DONE.
Mine looks as good as the day I bought it (January 2009). And least I know I actually disinfect mine.. not just wipe some "distilled" water on it.
You do realize your 'precious' macbook pro is going to be worth $200 in a few years right?
Put down your OCD. Have fun, learn, create something with your laptop. And if you wanna have coffee while you do it, even better.
Not if milk ruined the logic board, then it'll be useless and you'll have to buy a new one.
If you need to drink, lean your head away from your MBP, drink it up, then make sure you lick the extra liquid off of your lips. There's no reason to negligently damage your laptop. I drink and us my laptop, but my coffee is in a mug, with a valve I can close, and I lean at least a foot away from my MBP so I can't damage it.
Some call it OCD, I call it taking care of my possessions.
Not if milk ruined the logic board, then it'll be useless and you'll have to buy a new one.
If you need to drink, lean your head away from your MBP, drink it up, then make sure you lick the extra liquid off of your lips. There's no reason to negligently damage your laptop. I drink and us my laptop, but my coffee is in a mug, with a valve I can close, and I lean at least a foot away from my MBP so I can't damage it.
Some call it OCD, I call it taking care of my possessions.
It's a Mac... the logic board is gonna fail sooner or later anyway.
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This guy is right. After a few years from now it's going to be worth around that much. So it's best to not be so OCD with it.
It's a Mac... the logic board is gonna fail sooner or later anyway.
3 years of AppleCare, when it expires, I'll buy a new one.
Yes, it'll be worth next to nothing in 3 or 4 years, but I'd rather it last that 3 to 4 years than spill something on it and have to replace it 8 months into owning it.
Similar question
Thanks OP for starting this thread as I have been wondering the same thing.
My situation is a little different. I try to keep my computer clean but I recently purchased an anti-glare film for my macbook pro and I know that I will need the screen to be absolutely spotless before I try to apply this thing or it won't work.
My screen is pretty gross right now because the keyboard gets grease marks on the screen. Luckily I'm not OCD so this doesn't usually bother me but I know I'll need to get that off before I apply the anti-glare film
I do NOT want to spend a ton of money on iKlear/other specialized products. I work in a lab and I know that all of these products are just repackaging of either some kind of alcohol or mild detergent.
My thoughts:
-first try just water with the microfiber cloth - maybe this will work better than I think but I have my doubts
-try isopropanol - I'm a little concerned about this. Does the glass on MBPs have any coating that this will remove? I don't want to permanently alter my machine
-very diluted windex (w/o ammonia) - because it is a glass cleaner and I'm trying to clean glass
Can anyone who has bought iKlear tell me if it is more of a detergent (does it have suds like soap?) or more like an alcohol (evaporates quickly, smells like either ethanol or isopropanol)
Thanks a bunch!
PS if I ever do get this anti-glare screen protector on properly I'll make sure to post a review on here if anyone is interested.
Thanks OP for starting this thread as I have been wondering the same thing.
My situation is a little different. I try to keep my computer clean but I recently purchased an anti-glare film for my macbook pro and I know that I will need the screen to be absolutely spotless before I try to apply this thing or it won't work.
My screen is pretty gross right now because the keyboard gets grease marks on the screen. Luckily I'm not OCD so this doesn't usually bother me but I know I'll need to get that off before I apply the anti-glare film
I do NOT want to spend a ton of money on iKlear/other specialized products. I work in a lab and I know that all of these products are just repackaging of either some kind of alcohol or mild detergent.
My thoughts:
-first try just water with the microfiber cloth - maybe this will work better than I think but I have my doubts
-try isopropanol - I'm a little concerned about this. Does the glass on MBPs have any coating that this will remove? I don't want to permanently alter my machine
-very diluted windex (w/o ammonia) - because it is a glass cleaner and I'm trying to clean glass
Can anyone who has bought iKlear tell me if it is more of a detergent (does it have suds like soap?) or more like an alcohol (evaporates quickly, smells like either ethanol or isopropanol)
Thanks a bunch!
PS if I ever do get this anti-glare screen protector on properly I'll make sure to post a review on here if anyone is interested.
A bit of a Windex spray onto a paper towel works well.
So does a drop of dishwashing soap on a damp wet paper towel.
Since the results are perfect, as far as I can see, then these two household products may do it for you.
I have taken keys, space bars, etc out and cleaned behind them.
Once ants decided to live in my MBP. No food in there, just electrical currents or whatever that attracts them. I just used heavily for a long time and the heat either drove them out or killed them. I saw several running for it.
My only cosmetic problem is worn keys, with the aluminum color worn thru. The black keys are a better idea. And they want $5 for a key, but maybe $25 is worth it to make it look like new.
So does a drop of dishwashing soap on a damp wet paper towel.
Since the results are perfect, as far as I can see, then these two household products may do it for you.
I have taken keys, space bars, etc out and cleaned behind them.
Once ants decided to live in my MBP. No food in there, just electrical currents or whatever that attracts them. I just used heavily for a long time and the heat either drove them out or killed them. I saw several running for it.
My only cosmetic problem is worn keys, with the aluminum color worn thru. The black keys are a better idea. And they want $5 for a key, but maybe $25 is worth it to make it look like new.
There is something to be said for a machine that you've owned for more than a year that looks brand new.
My Altima looks like the day I bought it. It's not OCD, it's TLC. Why? Because whenever I do sell it, I want the next owner to be willing to pay top dollar for it. People who mistreat machines are the reason there are so many old, horrible looking MacBook Pro laptops on Craigslist - nobody can sell theirs because they're horrid looking.
The iKlear stuff sounds cool, but I've had good result using the included microfiber cloth and the old exhale and wipe technique. Or if I'm lazy just lick my thumb and wipe the smug off...not the screen though.
On a side note- do mac prices really drop that low in just a few years? Browsing craigslist it's common to see 3-4 year old MBP's going for 600-700 dollars. I bought mine with the thought of it having a good resale...oh well. I'll just keep it 'till it dies.
On a side note- do mac prices really drop that low in just a few years? Browsing craigslist it's common to see 3-4 year old MBP's going for 600-700 dollars. I bought mine with the thought of it having a good resale...oh well. I'll just keep it 'till it dies.
I speak from experience as I have sold a grand total of three MacBook Pros in two generations on Craigslist.
In my experience as long as the machine is within the same line as the current spec AND is not tremendously slower, AND is kept in excellent condition and you can prove it, you can reasonably expect to move it for a good price. The older not-quite-unibody models, their resale value is in the tank because (A) the RAM is lower, (B) the battery is likely shot, (C) there were graphics card issues and (D) it's an ugly machine, unless you want the gray keys.
Like right now, one should be able to sell a 2008 - 2010 13" MacBook Pro for no less than $1000 if they've taken care of it. The 15" is hard to move but I would say no less than $1400, the 17", 2008 - 2010 no less than $1700.
I eat near my computer, drink near it and have even used the space next to the keyboard as a coaster. It's a computer. Doesn't mean I'm not careful, but I am not going to go somewhere else to eat or drink when I have stuff that needs to get done.
If a spill happens, it will be my fault. Dang sure I won't be posting about it here as well. Some of you guys need to lighten up and remember it's not your computer, who cares how others treat them.
To the op water and a soft rag has kept my mbp looking great after a couple of years.
If a spill happens, it will be my fault. Dang sure I won't be posting about it here as well. Some of you guys need to lighten up and remember it's not your computer, who cares how others treat them.
To the op water and a soft rag has kept my mbp looking great after a couple of years.
lol ... how much you figure a 3-4 computer is still worth? ... one that you have licked with your thumbs for a few years?
Brand new you can buy a MBP for $999