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Do current MacBooks still have the issue of the keyboard damaging the screen?

Unicycle Santa

Unicycle Santa

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 30, 2023
6
0
Hey everyone!

I've searched around but can't seem to get a solid answer and most threads are from the staingate days. I used to have a MacBook pro in 2016 and after a year of light use the keyboard had left dots/lines all over the display that were permanent. Back then apple said it was a craftsmanship defect and replaced the display.

I recently picked up a MBP 14 from Costco because it was $350 off and I figured it's time to upgrade from the IdeaPad 5 pro I've been using. Then I remembered why I got rid of the MacBook I used to have: the keyboard-screen issue.

So are these issues still persistent? I put my laptop in a soft sleeve from Amazon in a backpack with a tablet in a separate soft sleeve (no books) 5 days a week which is much more than when I had the old MacBook. I haven't had any issues with my IdeaPad so I'd hope apple has fixed this by now, otherwise Ill probably be returning the MacBook. I don't want to have to lay a cloth or tissue paper on the keyboard every time I close the screen.
 
Unicycle Santa said:
Hey everyone!

I've searched around but can't seem to get a solid answer and most threads are from the staingate days. I used to have a MacBook pro in 2016 and after a year of light use the keyboard had left dots/lines all over the display that were permanent. Back then apple said it was a craftsmanship defect and replaced the display.

I recently picked up a MBP 14 from Costco because it was $350 off and I figured it's time to upgrade from the IdeaPad 5 pro I've been using. Then I remembered why I got rid of the MacBook I used to have: the keyboard-screen issue.

So are these issues still persistent? I put my laptop in a soft sleeve from Amazon in a backpack with a tablet in a separate soft sleeve (no books) 5 days a week which is much more than when I had the old MacBook. I haven't had any issues with my IdeaPad so I'd hope apple has fixed this by now, otherwise Ill probably be returning the MacBook. I don't want to have to lay a cloth or tissue paper on the keyboard every time I close the screen.
Click to expand...

Can’t say about latest MBP but I have the 2022 MBA and funnily enough I noticed tiny dots like that today just in sunlight reflection on the screen, in the keyboard pattern. Seems to be grease spots can clean off though so far not “damage”… The thing is so thin I’m not surprised the margins are tight inside it.
 
wardie said:
Can’t say about latest MBP but I have the 2022 MBA and funnily enough I noticed tiny dots like that today just in sunlight reflection on the screen, in the keyboard pattern. Seems to be grease spots can clean off though so far not “damage”… The thing is so thin I’m not surprised the margins are tight inside it.
Click to expand...
Aghhh, damn. I can't believe apple calls it "normal wear", I've never had another laptop that does this (IdeaPad 5 pro, XPS 15, Razer blade). I see people seem to like Moshi brand products and they have a clear film screen protector that claims to not interfere with closing. I'd just then be concerned if I ever have to remove the screen protector that the coating I'm trying so hard to protect will come off with it...
 
I've had 2008, 2014, 2015 and now the 2021 MacBook Pros. I've owned the last one for 15 months. I have not had this keyboard issue on any of my MacBook Pros.
 
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pshufd said:
I've had 2008, 2014, 2015 and now the 2021 MacBook Pros. I've owned the last one for 15 months. I have not had this keyboard issue on any of my MacBook Pros.
Click to expand...
Very interesting especially seeing that the 2012-2015 models were known for having the most issues. Maybe I just got a bad one back then. Have you mainly used yours at a desk or have you had them in backpacks/luggage etc?
 
2021 MBP M1 Pro here, had it for 3-4 months - moved it from house to work to plenty of remote spots. No keymarks on screen.
 
Lots of thread about people seeing keyboard marks on the screen. Seems to be an inconsistent issue, my 14" MBP doesn't suffer from this, but it seems maybe its a 16" MBP issue - not sure.
 
I had this issue on my 2015, 2016 & early-2019 MBPs. It's caused by the transfer of skin oils from the keys to the screen. On the 2015 & 2016, I'd clean the screens regularly. I gave up on the 2019 and just left the spots. After reading this post, I tried to clean the 2019's screen and the keyboard marks will not fully come off. It looks they've permanently stained/etched the screen coating overtime, wild!
 
Unicycle Santa said:
Hey everyone!

I've searched around but can't seem to get a solid answer and most threads are from the staingate days. I used to have a MacBook pro in 2016 and after a year of light use the keyboard had left dots/lines all over the display that were permanent. Back then apple said it was a craftsmanship defect and replaced the display.

I recently picked up a MBP 14 from Costco because it was $350 off and I figured it's time to upgrade from the IdeaPad 5 pro I've been using. Then I remembered why I got rid of the MacBook I used to have: the keyboard-screen issue.

So are these issues still persistent? I put my laptop in a soft sleeve from Amazon in a backpack with a tablet in a separate soft sleeve (no books) 5 days a week which is much more than when I had the old MacBook. I haven't had any issues with my IdeaPad so I'd hope apple has fixed this by now, otherwise Ill probably be returning the MacBook. I don't want to have to lay a cloth or tissue paper on the keyboard every time I close the screen.
Click to expand...
Knock on wood, my 16" MBP screen is damage-free, and only has been transported in a sleeve part of a backpack. No lines, no dots, no fingerprints.

EDIT: 7 months old, opened and closed multiple times/day, kept relatively clean but definitely not obsessive about cleaning.
 
Get a sheet of computer paper and mark the downside that touches the keyboard. When you close the lid, you won't get any keyboard marks on the screen. You can also use the tissue that came with the Mac.

The tolerance is so small that it is still a problem for many people.
 
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I have a 16" M1 and do get oil smudges on my screen that I clean off occasionally but no actual divots or scratches from the keys.
 
Apple_Robert said:
Get a sheet of computer paper and mark the downside that touches the keyboard. When you close the lid, you won't get any keyboard marks on the screen. You can also use the tissue that came with the Mac.

The tolerance is so small that it is still a problem for many people.
Click to expand...
How are you? And the MacBook ?
 
OP wrote:
"I put my laptop in a soft sleeve from Amazon in a backpack with a tablet in a separate soft sleeve (no books) 5 days a week which is much more than when I had the old MacBook."

I'd say... so long as you don't put pressure on either side of the MBP while it's in the backpack, it ought to be ok.

But... stuff it in there with objects that ARE "pressuring it", and... all bets are off.
 
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So far so good on the 2020 M1 13" MBP. Seems to me it's variable, my late 2011 15" display remains pristine. The Intel Retina's are mostly out the door, 15" models were OK for me, 13" Intel's not do much. Worst was the 12" MBP which picked up marks on the display very fast and to me aged very quickly for a Mac.

Q-6
 
14" MBP I've had since November 2021 has never once had any sign of keyboard imprint on the screen.
 
Unicycle Santa said:
Aghhh, damn. I can't believe apple calls it "normal wear", I've never had another laptop that does this (IdeaPad 5 pro, XPS 15, Razer blade). I see people seem to like Moshi brand products and they have a clear film screen protector that claims to not interfere with closing. I'd just then be concerned if I ever have to remove the screen protector that the coating I'm trying so hard to protect will come off with it...
Click to expand...
That’s Apple nonsense. They insert that sheet of tissue paper for a reason, there’s so little clearance between screen and kyb as it is, plus the screen panel flexes. Selling point:awesome display!. Unspoken: soon to become be scratch and dent Display. Apple now says ‘nothing thicker than a piece of paper” no way I’m going to press acids, chemical binders and solvent residue into the display. the only effective barrier that makes sense is chem free microfibre lens cleaning tissue. Hard to find in sizes larger than 4’x6”, but it’s there. Recent updates on apple maintanence pages emphasize “water only” to clean a display. Isopryl should never be used anywhere, display, keyboard or body. No solvents. why is it that we have to figure this stuff out for oursekves? It’s weird. And really expensive
 
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Greetings Forum,

I just purchased a MBP M1, and I’m trying to figure out how to protect the screen from the keyboard When the book is closed. Apple says “nothing thicker than a piece of paper.” I wouldn’t press printer paper into the screen because it has silicon, solvents, acids, chemicals, it’s not non-abrasive or microfiber.

to me it seems like the ideal solution is dry sheets of lens cleaning tissue, however I’m not able to find anything larger than 4”x6”. The idea of putting a microfiber cloth between the 1/2s, or installing a screen protector has proven to be disastrous according to photos that accompany negative reviews on Amazon.

What do you use to keep your screen free of keyboard marks and blemishes that apparently cannot be removed?

thanks very much!

em
 
Never done anything in 20 years of MacBook ownership, and not seen a problem.

I don't stack things on it while closed.
 
edmann said:
That’s Apple nonsense. They insert that sheet of tissue paper for a reason, there’s so little clearance between screen and kyb as it is, plus the screen panel flexes. Selling point:awesome display!. Unspoken: soon to become be scratch and dent Display.
Click to expand...

In 14 years of owning MacBooks, I've never had the keyboard scratch or otherwise damage the display in any way.

edmann said:
Recent updates on apple maintanence pages emphasize “water only” to clean a display. Isopryl should never be used anywhere, display, keyboard or body. No solvents.
Click to expand...

I use a 1:1 solution of 70-90% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water and have been for many years. Never been an issue. And Apple says that's fine too:

Screenshot 2023-02-14 at 10.10.46 PM.png


How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

Get recommendations and guidelines for cleaning your Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Vision Pro, display, or peripheral device.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

Plain water simply won't remove some things effectively, and the solution I use evaporates much faster than plain water, and thus it is also safer as well as more effective.
 
Unicycle Santa said:
Hey everyone!

I've searched around but can't seem to get a solid answer and most threads are from the staingate days. I used to have a MacBook pro in 2016 and after a year of light use the keyboard had left dots/lines all over the display that were permanent. Back then apple said it was a craftsmanship defect and replaced the display.

I recently picked up a MBP 14 from Costco because it was $350 off and I figured it's time to upgrade from the IdeaPad 5 pro I've been using. Then I remembered why I got rid of the MacBook I used to have: the keyboard-screen issue.

So are these issues still persistent? I put my laptop in a soft sleeve from Amazon in a backpack with a tablet in a separate soft sleeve (no books) 5 days a week which is much more than when I had the old MacBook. I haven't had any issues with my IdeaPad so I'd hope apple has fixed this by now, otherwise Ill probably be returning the MacBook. I don't want to have to lay a cloth or tissue paper on the keyboard every time I close the screen.
Click to expand...
Yes, yes, and yes.

Confirmed issue on MBA M2.
 
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