How do you combat the oils of keyboard/trackpad doom?

[uberamd]

Anyone who knows anyone from anywhere is aware of the fact that finger oils + laptops = eventual doom. Lets face it, an oily keyboard or trackpad is disgusting and makes you not ever want to touch the computer. Also, it makes potential buyers of the system you are selling think twice before buying from you.

I wash my hands and do all the basic hygiene stuff, but its an undeniable fact that eventually finger oil (or face oil depending on how you use your computer I guess) will get on your stuff. For my Macbook Pro (early 2008) I use a iSkin keyboard cover, so the keyboard looks brand new. The downside to the cover is that it touches the screen when the laptop is shut so those oils translate to the display and it needs to be cleaned quite a bit, but thats easy. The trackpad is getting a little slick feeling, which is a bummer because from what I understand, this is irreversible.

On my Macbook Air I use the Moshi keyboard cover which is nice because of how thin it is but cumbersome at times. I have nothing on the trackpad and am dreading the day that new trackpad feel goes away.

So how do you fellow MacRumorites combat the oils?

 

[themoonisdown09]

I wear a pair of latex gloves anytime I want to use my MacBook Pro. I sometimes wear a face mask so that I don't get any breath particles on the screen.

 

[airplaneman]

I would use some kind of mild cleaner. I clean my keyboard with the cleaner for my glasses and it works well, but if you don;t have glasses... I would maybe just wipe it down with a wet paper towel every day after use. You probably can get away with rubbing alcohol on the trackpad (assuming it's a glass one?). Hope this helps.

 

[uberamd]

I wear a pair of latex gloves anytime I want to use my MacBook Pro. I sometimes wear a face mask so that I don't get any breath particles on the screen.

Hardy har har. I get what you are saying, and no I am not that ridiculously overprotective of my laptops. But I am sure you have all seen a trackpad that looks like a mirror because of how nasty it is, I am trying to prevent that. I like to sell my Apple products, and to retain maximum resale value you need to keep things looking as nice as humanly possible.

 

[themoonisdown09]

Hardy har har. I get what you are saying, and no I am not that ridiculously overprotective of my laptops. But I am sure you have all seen a trackpad that looks like a mirror because of how nasty it is, I am trying to prevent that. I like to sell my Apple products, and to retain maximum resale value you need to keep things looking as nice as humanly possible.

When I sold my PowerBook 3 years ago, the trackpad and keyboard still looked brand new. The trackpad and keyboard on my 3-year-old MacBook Pro still looks the same as it did when I bought it.

I didn't use any type of protection (that's what he said) on either one of my notebooks.

 

[jb1280]

do we have shiny trackpad syndrome on the new glass trackpads?

 

[uberamd]

do we have shiny trackpad syndrome on the new glass trackpads?

I was actually wondering that as someone offered me a great price for my early 2008 matte Macbook Pro so I could pick up a new one for $0. The glass trackpad *sounds* like it would combat the shine, or at least you would think.

 

[jay1118]

This is my first ever mac and i take good care of it but i am not obsessive over the appearance of it. I guess your situation is different though as you like to sell yours.

 

[sparkie7]

If  had kept with the silver or white keys we wouldn't have to red these threads.

 

[uberamd]

If  had kept with the silver or white keys we wouldn't have to red these threads.

Well you decided on your own to read (or red, which I understand is a color but I think I get what you meant) this thread. Ignoring that, since the trackpad isn't made of keyboard keys I guess your point is still moot. Anything else?

 

[HLdan]

I totally understand you. I'm waiting for FedEx to delivery my new Macbook Pro any minute now and the first thing I'm going to do is apply the iSkin cover. My previous Macbook Air got the oily key syndrome but I wiped it with 70% alcohol everyday to keep it clean, unfortunately I didn't start using alcohol until the keys got permeated with oil and it wouldn't lift off. I've seen the black Macbooks very greasy and shiny especially on the trackpad but to be honest with you I think those users never cleaned their computer and just allowed it get that way. Everyday people aren't as OCD as we are.

 

[uberamd]

I totally understand you. I'm waiting for FedEx to delivery my new Macbook Pro any minute now and the first thing I'm going to do is apply the iSkin cover. My previous Macbook Air got the oily key syndrome but I wiped it with 70% alcohol everyday to keep it clean, unfortunately I didn't start using alcohol until the keys got permeated with oil and it wouldn't lift off. I've seen the black Macbooks very greasy and shiny especially on the trackpad but to be honest with you I think those users never cleaned their computer and just allowed it get that way. Everyday people aren't as OCD as we are.

OCD? Ha, its hardly a disorder, I call it OCT (Obsessive Compulsive Talent) because to me possessing that kind of meticulous care is a good thing, as it shows you value the thing you spend thousands of dollars on and hours upon hours of work to pay for.

 

[EX1127]

So what is the best way to clean the Macbook Pro cause i want to clean my the best i can? And could someone maybe tell me how to fix these scratches on my screen and the darkish spots

 

[uberamd]

So what is the best way to clean the Macbook Pro cause i want to clean my the best i can? And could someone maybe tell me how to fix these scratches on my screen and the darkish spots

I really like the iKlear stuff, it seems to work very well. However its highly likely that there are other, less expensive mixtures that can accomplish the same task.

 

[Outrigger]

OCD? Ha, its hardly a disorder, I call it OCT (Obsessive Compulsive Talent) because to me possessing that kind of meticulous care is a good thing, as it shows you value the thing you spend thousands of dollars on and hours upon hours of work to pay for.

I understand where you're coming from as I like to sell my gear for the maximum and use the proceeds to purchase the updated version. I keep my gears as brand new as possible. Even after long use, it pretty much still looks like it was just purchased.

However, there comes a point where one becomes so obsessed over the care of a particular equipment that he/she won't use it in a way that makes things productive which coutners the whole point of using it in the first place.

I don't use any protectors or clear guard or keyboard guards. I make sure my hands are clean before I use it and if I see oil prints on it I wipe it off. Its a laptop, its meant to be used. But I'm sure there are people who buys new shoes and then wear a thin layer of rubber over it so they don't wear out the soles .

Enjoy your laptop. Take care of it and not obsess over it.

 

[fehhkk]

It's normal to over obssess about any toy when it's brand new Then, after a couple months and the honeymoon is over, you'll stop obsessing.

 

[HBOC]

my MBP has some "wear " on the edges, and the genius said it was probably from the oil on my hands..

Weird thing is that it is no where near where i rest my palms. Ofcourse they wont do anything as it is strictly cosmetic. Everything else is perfect....

 

[harcosparky]

Buying an MBP represents a substantial investment as compared to say a Windows notebook. While in the Apple Store I did see thin film type kits to cover the palm rest area as well as over the trackpad.

I think of it this way ...

Someday I may want to sell this notebook.

If I was buying a used notebook how important is appearance ???

What have I done to protect mine?

Other than installing a rubber cover over the keyboard ... nothing else.


.

 

[getz76]

I really do not worry about it at all. I take prudent care of my kit but refuse to be a slave to it. If it gets some cosmetic, non-screen wear, I am not going to fuss.

The price difference between pristine and barely worn used Macbooks and Macbook Pros is not that significant. Considering the time value of money, even in these depressed times, the cost of the cleaning and protective gear might actually surpass any additional salvage value for the notebook in 3 years. And instead of preventive measures, a replacement keyboard may be more economical at the time of sale.

 

[uberamd]

I really do not worry about it at all. I take prudent care of my kit but refuse to be a slave to it. If it gets some cosmetic, non-screen wear, I am not going to fuss.

The price difference between pristine and barely worn used Macbooks and Macbook Pros is not that significant. Considering the time value of money, even in these depressed times, the cost of the cleaning and protective gear might actually surpass any additional salvage value for the notebook in 3 years. And instead of preventive measures, a replacement keyboard may be more economical at the time of sale.

You sound like my economics professor.

 

[momo.786]

For the trackpad, I use the film that came with my Moshi Palmguard...so got the palmrest, trackpad button and trackpad itself covered. The film does make using the trackpad so much smoother! So wont end up with a shiny trackpad

As for the keyboard, dont think there's much you can do. I figured the shine comes from the friction while typing, so cant get rid of that. So the options are to use a keyboard cover, or replace the keys when they get too shiny

I do wipe down the keyboard after every use, including brushing the dust away...what can I say...we Apple freaks love OCD

But on the plus side...I'll have an almost new looking BlackBook to sell when I eventually decide to upgrade

 

[djinn]

I believe most of the shiny keys comes from texture wearing off. Same goes for the trackpad.

 

[getz76]

You sound like my economics professor.

Thanks.

 

[rgarjr]

The finger oils on these keyboard are so noticle that you almost have to wear latex gloves to type on these things.

Getting oils on the black keys is pretty much inevitable and permanent. I also hate looking at the keys and them being shiny. However keys are meant to be touched and used so deal with it. The black color will show it the easiest.

What you can do is switch the keys from black to white keys as on the apple keyboard. On white you will not noticed the oil and wear at all. Down side is though the cost, lose illumination, and the PITA to switch the keys.

 

[Tokiopop]

I don't see much oil on any of my keyboards, just chocolate and bread crumbs!