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Do the print on the keys wear off?
- Thread starter hajime
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Yea, a lot of people I know who have the old powerbooks have had them for years and no wear on the keys, but my new MacBook does. I think they are made cheaper, or like someone else said, out of plastic. There is a major difference.
I just feel that when I buy a computer I shouldn't have to spend more money on something to prevent the keys from wearing. I have never had to do that with any previous computer. My old laptop I had for 6 years and none of the keys ever wore out.
I just feel that when I buy a computer I shouldn't have to spend more money on something to prevent the keys from wearing. I have never had to do that with any previous computer. My old laptop I had for 6 years and none of the keys ever wore out.
yep, i have the same problem as macbookgirl, only on three keys though.
As for getting things like this fixed, there's no chance, anything that doesnt affect the utility (usability) of the computer doesn't not get fixed for free, ie: 'cosmetic' problems
As for getting things like this fixed, there's no chance, anything that doesnt affect the utility (usability) of the computer doesn't not get fixed for free, ie: 'cosmetic' problems
I have said it before and I will say it now:
BUY your iMittens at the Apple Store as SOON as you buy your MacBook or MacBook Pro! It's just STUPID to destroy the resale value without using these while typing!!
BUY your iMittens at the Apple Store as SOON as you buy your MacBook or MacBook Pro! It's just STUPID to destroy the resale value without using these while typing!!
I must admit, that is shocking!!
Have you tried taking it back you say or not? I don't think they'd have reason to not sort the problem out if it's only a few months old!
Surely the simplest solution would be to replace just the affected keys (as opposed to the whole keyboard/machine)? I would imagine they keys would come off just like any other keyboard.
Hell of a lot simpler than coming up with ridiculous schemes like filing a class action lawsuit.....
Hell of a lot simpler than coming up with ridiculous schemes like filing a class action lawsuit.....
But surely a lack of being able to see the letters/ numbers on the keys is infact a usability issue? I can type pretty well, but i would type a lot slower if some keys started to rub away. And not everybody is obliged to memorise the keyboard before apple sell the goods!
When i think of my dad, he'd be lost if even one key rubbed away...he'd have no idea where the 'S' went!
Thanks for all your advice guys.
If I take it back to the shop I bought it from they'll insist on sending it off to be looked at. Because I use my laptop for my business I can't be without it for any length of time (heck, I'd even struggle for a day!). I was looking on the forums to see if I could email Apple with my photos, I've taken some very high quality pics of the damage, but they just don't seem to be that easy to contact in the UK.
I also believe this is totally unacceptable. Sure, it doesn't affect the usability of the machine but I paid over £1,800 for my laptop, surely i have the right to expect quality for my hard-earned cash?
I don't want a new machine, just a new keyboard that this won't happen to again. I just don't know how to go about getting it without losing my machine for a few days or weeks...
If I take it back to the shop I bought it from they'll insist on sending it off to be looked at. Because I use my laptop for my business I can't be without it for any length of time (heck, I'd even struggle for a day!). I was looking on the forums to see if I could email Apple with my photos, I've taken some very high quality pics of the damage, but they just don't seem to be that easy to contact in the UK.
I also believe this is totally unacceptable. Sure, it doesn't affect the usability of the machine but I paid over £1,800 for my laptop, surely i have the right to expect quality for my hard-earned cash?
I don't want a new machine, just a new keyboard that this won't happen to again. I just don't know how to go about getting it without losing my machine for a few days or weeks...
The print cannot wear off because there's no print. The characters are see-through plastic for the backlight to shine through.
Have you seen the pic? Do you think I'm making it up?! The letters and numbers on the keyboard are transparent so the light can shine through (the keyboard is backlit) but the rest of the key is matt silver. It's the matt silver that's rubbing off, not the letters.
Same end result though. It looks pants.
Have you seen the pic? Do you think I'm making it up?! The letters and numbers on the keyboard are transparent so the light can shine through (the keyboard is backlit) but the rest of the key is matt silver. It's the matt silver that's rubbing off, not the letters.
Same end result though. It looks pants.
You mentioned in your last post that you didn't think it affedcted the usablility....well i think it does! As i said in my other post, you're not expected to memorise the keyboard, and although the letters can still be seen (just) they aren't clear! It makes using the MBP a pain, and i reckon they'll fix it for you.
I see your pain about not wanting to lose it for a week though. Is there no-one you know who has a spare old laptop kicking around which could tie you over?
Good luck
It might be fingernails chipping off the paint. I have an iBook G4, around 4 years old, and my left middle fingernail extends beyond the pad of my finger due to an accident years ago. The C,D, and E keys are wearing off, while most of the other keys are fine. If you have long fingernails, I could imaging all they keys wearing off.
I haven't had a problem with either the new or old iMac keyboards, though.
I haven't had a problem with either the new or old iMac keyboards, though.
My Keys are Already Slick and Shiny
I've owned PowerBooks from the 5300ce (go ahead, laugh) to now a MBP 2.16MHz model right before the LED models were introduced. The keys one some models became shiny or otherwise "used" looking after a year or so, but my MBP has already shown signs of key wear at just 6 months old, first starting with the spacebar then moving to the primary finger keys (A S D F, etc).
My PBG4 still shows no wear besides the spacebar and trackpad. My old PBG3 266 still shows no sign of wear EXCEPT on the spacebar and no signs on the black trackpad (possibly why, I am not sure but the material is different).
I'm not sure what materials Apple is using for these newer models, but besides these unsightly blemishes on my otherwise pristine MBP, I'm only in need of a new keyboard as I lack the space on my desk for a wired or wireless keyboard to use my MacBook Pro on a daily basis.
I've owned PowerBooks from the 5300ce (go ahead, laugh) to now a MBP 2.16MHz model right before the LED models were introduced. The keys one some models became shiny or otherwise "used" looking after a year or so, but my MBP has already shown signs of key wear at just 6 months old, first starting with the spacebar then moving to the primary finger keys (A S D F, etc).
My PBG4 still shows no wear besides the spacebar and trackpad. My old PBG3 266 still shows no sign of wear EXCEPT on the spacebar and no signs on the black trackpad (possibly why, I am not sure but the material is different).
I'm not sure what materials Apple is using for these newer models, but besides these unsightly blemishes on my otherwise pristine MBP, I'm only in need of a new keyboard as I lack the space on my desk for a wired or wireless keyboard to use my MacBook Pro on a daily basis.
Hi, I recently began searching around for keyboard information on the MBP. It started out because I wanted to clean underneath the keyboard, and it led me to finding out about the keys wearing down. I've heard that the older MBP's keys don't wear off, only the newer ones. Although, I've not heard anything about the 2.6GHz model. Does anyone know if they changed the keys for the 2.6GHz model? I'm sure they've had complaints, so I thought maybe they changed to whatever old material they were using. Just a thought - any information about this would be great. Thanks.
iBook G4 that I use has the print wearing off the keys. I can no longer read the A, F, R, H, J, N, or most of the Enter key anymore.
It started happening about six months after I started using it, but my wife has been using it for a year prior without any noticeable problem. When I got it, I was taking it to the lab a lot and pounding through a lot of typing every day, so I imagine I disproportionately used it to the extent of exacerbating the problem prematurely.
It is now three years old, and many of the keys have worn off. We decided not to do the Applecare thing because we didn't want to risk the computer coming back with some NEW problem (like her previous Dell did ten times or more). So, I have been comically writing the letter on the keys with a Sharpie, and after awhile, I started writing nonsensical letters (or Chinese characters) on the keyboard to confuse others. It is amazing how many of us type and still look at the letters; I haven't for years.
It started happening about six months after I started using it, but my wife has been using it for a year prior without any noticeable problem. When I got it, I was taking it to the lab a lot and pounding through a lot of typing every day, so I imagine I disproportionately used it to the extent of exacerbating the problem prematurely.
It is now three years old, and many of the keys have worn off. We decided not to do the Applecare thing because we didn't want to risk the computer coming back with some NEW problem (like her previous Dell did ten times or more). So, I have been comically writing the letter on the keys with a Sharpie, and after awhile, I started writing nonsensical letters (or Chinese characters) on the keyboard to confuse others. It is amazing how many of us type and still look at the letters; I haven't for years.
What's even more ridiculous is you think a lawyer is going to take your case.
you "Hello is this the law firm of Dewy Cheatem and Howe?"
lawyer "Yes it is, how may I help you?"
you " Yes I'd like to sue Apple because the paint on my keyboard is coming off"
lawyer "Fantastic! Do you have documented proof that Apple denied you a warranty claim?"
you "Well..um...no"
lawyer "You have contacted Apple about this issue right?"
you "Well..um...no"
lawyer <click>
Take a breath, count to ten, call Apple and explain your situation. They will fix the problem.
Thanks for all your advice guys.
If I take it back to the shop I bought it from they'll insist on sending it off to be looked at. Because I use my laptop for my business I can't be without it for any length of time (heck, I'd even struggle for a day!). I was looking on the forums to see if I could email Apple with my photos, I've taken some very high quality pics of the damage, but they just don't seem to be that easy to contact in the UK.
I also believe this is totally unacceptable. Sure, it doesn't affect the usability of the machine but I paid over £1,800 for my laptop, surely i have the right to expect quality for my hard-earned cash?
I don't want a new machine, just a new keyboard that this won't happen to again. I just don't know how to go about getting it without losing my machine for a few days or weeks...
They won't send it anywhere. Our local Apple Store has drawers full of replacement keys (seriously). Based on your picture it should take about 10min to replace those keys, and be covered under warranty.