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How vulnerable is the keyboard to dust?

T

TinaBelcher

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 23, 2017
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I only had my new MacBook Pro for 24 hours and I can't imagine myself cleaning off dust every 5 minute... even cleaning creates dust! You can't fight nature, no matter what there's gonna be white dots of dust on it..

How literal should I take the warnings against protecting the keyboard? Yesterday, I felt like I had to wash my hands every time I left scratched my head or left the room. Please, tell me we're not suppose to be very anal about dust-free keyboards? 'Cause I don't think I'll be able to keep this up. Sooner or later I'm gonna be like "scr*w it!" lol.
 
No one knows at this point. You would have to test it for us since you're one of the few brave ones who decided to take the risk. Park in these forums and we should have a better idea in the coming months.
 
vaugha said:
No one knows at this point. You would have to test it for us since you're one of the few brave ones who decided to take the risk. Park in these forums and we should have a better idea in the coming months.
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Ok, let me ask another questions: How anal were owners of the 2017 models about cleaning it all day long?
 
I'm using my 2018 model as I normally do, but I have told my kids to be extra careful around the laptop, which means absolutely no food anywhere near the laptop and wash your hands before using it (I know that sounds extreme, but we are talking about kids :) )
 
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maflynn said:
I'm using my 2018 model as I normally do, but I have told my kids to be extra careful around the laptop, which means absolutely no food anywhere near the laptop and wash your hands before using it (I know that sounds extreme, but we are talking about kids :) )
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Haha, thats very true. Do you overreact if you see tiny white spots of dust on it daily? I don't know if I should feel alarmed or feel like it's no biggie.
 
TinaBelcher said:
Do you overreact if you see tiny white spots of dust on it daily? I don't know if I should feel alarmed or feel like it's no biggie.
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tbh, since I've only owned this for few days, I'm probably the most paranoid about it, so yeah, I'm more anal at the moment.
 
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I am not doing anything different. I should be able to use my laptop how I always have (which does include the occasional snack from time to time while on it) without the main input of the device failing. I am holding Apple to that.

I am assuming the new membrane should help. Obviously I won't be taking my laptop to the beach (which is a real shame actually because I have taken my old 13" to the lake on nice days, but oh well).

Note: I have crumbs on my laptop right now from sharing a few crackers with my young daughter. I don't care. :p:eek:
 
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TinaBelcher said:
Ok, let me ask another questions: How anal were owners of the 2017 models about cleaning it all day long?
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I don't think I've seen many people that say they have kept their keyboards in pristine conditions b/c they were paranoid. Most people used them as they normally do.

When I buy a laptop, I own the thing. If I have to be paranoid and lose enjoyment out of it and causes me to grow grey hair b/c I have to be careful around it every single time I use it, then the laptop is owning me which is just wrong in my point of view.
 
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vaugha said:
When I buy a laptop, I own the thing. If I have to be paranoid and lose enjoyment out of it and causes me to grow grey hair b/c I have to be careful around it every single time I use it, then the laptop is owning me which is just wrong in my point of view.
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This, I have a 2017 model and I do not restrict how I would normally use a device, would cause more grief then good.
If I eat near it and get crumbs on the keyboard so be it, the only thing I am careful with around my MBP is liquid... thats a thing you do not want in your machine
 
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Thanks for all the great responds! They definitely brought some peace to my worries.

Another question: Do you place your MacBook directly on your lap and desk or do you always have something under like a sleeve/bag or some sort of protection?
 
TinaBelcher said:
Another question: Do you place your MacBook directly on your lap and desk or do you always have something under like a sleeve/bag or some sort of protection?
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Depends on where I am and what I am doing. If I am not doing anything which will make the machine hot it is just standing on my sleeve on my table, this is practical for when I need to take it with me. If I know I will be using the CPU/GPU and expect the fans to go on I will use the table itself (my sleeve will be more isolating and keep the heat) and raise the backend as to get a little bit more passive cooling. If I take the machine with me to bed I use a hard surface so it does not isolate the air intake and keep the heat in the fabric. As of writing this I have the machine on my lap, depending on where I am, I will use the sleeve beneath but mostly for practical reason as I can put it back in it again.

The only thing I make sure to do is to not cover air in/out, then I put it were I need it.

One thing I have experienced, and where I will always use me sleeve to place it on, is if I am sitting at a dark table which have been in direct sunlight for hours, those things are hot and you machine will heat up due to it, so the sleeve isolate.
 
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Schranke said:
Depends on where I am and what I am doing. If I am not doing anything which will make the machine hot it is just standing on my sleeve on my table, this is practical for when I need to take it with me. If I know I will be using the CPU/GPU and expect the fans to go on I will use the table itself (my sleeve will be more isolating and keep the heat) and raise the backend as to get a little bit more passive cooling. If I take the machine with me to bed I use a hard surface so it does not isolate the air intake and keep the heat in the fabric. As of writing this I have the machine on my lap, depending on where I am, I will use the sleeve beneath but mostly for practical reason as I can put it back in it again.

The only thing I make sure to do is to not cover air in/out, then I put it were I need it.

One thing I have experienced, and where I will always use me sleeve to place it on, is if I am sitting at a dark table which have been in direct sunlight for hours, those things are hot and you machine will heat up due to it, so the sleeve isolate.
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What do you mean by a hard surface?
 
TinaBelcher said:
Thank you! Will purchase this.
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your welcome, but look what different retailers have (even Ikea have more models), I just found this one really quick to illustrate what I was talking about :)
So not exactly a recommendation though I know it is okay as my university have quit a lot for when we have lectures in a movie theatre
 
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I had the first gen MacBook for a year, never had keyboard issues. I had the 2nd gen for 6 months, also no problem. Had the 2017 MacBook Pro for 9 months.....no problems. These are not family computers, I typically keep them in a case when not in use, I use them primarily for work. I never got paranoid about dust, I don’t baby them, but I do take really good care of them. I keep them clean at least weekly. I do think a small problem with a large enough percentage of people creates an overblown perception that all of them will eventually fail. Reality is, the numbers showed the 2016 has the worst numbers. The 2017 seemed to had fixed something because the complaints decreased significantly, and the percentage of keyboard problems had decreased. I haven’t read 1 case yet of any problems on the 2018 except for ifixit which exposed it in more extreme ways.

So now I have the 2018 and treat it the same as I have all of them. With the extra silicon obstacle avoiding dust getting in there creating problems, I have more confidence that I won’t have problems.
 
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I've have my 2016 13" MBP, use it every day in laptop mode, clamshell mode, no keyboard issues, but I do take care of it, and sometimes vacuum the keyboard and clean it a little bit. Problem is overblown.
 
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Just buy a keyboard skin to reduce your anxiety.

With the 2016/2017 models, it was clear from day one the problem was related to dirt ingestion. The people who really cared about their keyboards had a skin on it.
 
I use my 2017 model normally without any cares about getting dust in the keyboard. Occasionally I'll get a key that will stick but blowing on it or using compressed air has always fixed it. That said, the 2018 model has a much nicer feel to the keyboard which I greatly prefer, and I'm hoping it eliminates the sticky keys syndrome entirely.
 
JPack said:
Just buy a keyboard skin to reduce your anxiety.

With the 2016/2017 models, it was clear from day one the problem was related to dirt ingestion. The people who really cared about their keyboards had a skin on it.
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I don’t think that’s the point, even if somebody cared about the keyboard, you don’t necessarily ‘have’ to purchase a skin to protect it. They should just be able use it normally And not worry about issues that would lead or pose other problems in the future.

Its like a screen protector for phone, they’re optional, but not necessary, not everybody will share the same experience having issues with a product.
 
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fehhkk said:
I've have my 2016 13" MBP, use it every day in laptop mode, clamshell mode, no keyboard issues, but I do take care of it, and sometimes vacuum the keyboard and clean it a little bit. Problem is overblown.
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You just put a regular vacuum cleaner on top of the keyboard? I assume you take off the foot?
 
Relentless Power said:
I don’t think that’s the point, even if somebody cared about the keyboard, you don’t necessarily ‘have’ to purchase a skin to protect it. They should just be able use it normally And not worry about issues that would lead or pose other problems in the future.

Its like a screen protector for phone, they’re optional, but not necessary, not everybody will share the same experience having issues with a product.
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Yep, if you have to put on a keyboard skin to make sure your keyboard doesn't die with regular usage, the keyboard design is broken.
 
TinaBelcher said:
You just put a regular vacuum cleaner on top of the keyboard? I assume you take off the foot?
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Nope, I spit on the keyboard and vacuum right away with my trusted '94 Whirlpool. Never cleaned the vacuum cleaner once in more than 24 years
 
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