I cant believe some people are OK with the keys smudging oil on screen. Unacceptable!

[wordoflife]

Mine leaves smudges but I have a moshi keyboard protector on it. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it. I don't really mind though since I have a glossy screen.

 

[revelated]

Wait wait wait so you're telling me an estimated THIRTY THREE PERCENT of MPB users suffer from this??? This is bigger than antenna-gate in my opinion.

Everyone is saying don't move it this, put a cover in between that; carry around a cloth like a freakin maid...

yeah right. Im telling you this is not satisfactory at all.



THANK you.

Look, I'm not saying I'm a dirty person but COME ON. I am only human. Even if one washes their hands, after awhile, one or two days, your skin WILL leave something. Thats just human nature. I do wash my hands by the way.

Obviously a majority are NOT experiencing this issue so its not the norm.

Even the rep on the phone told me only SOME suffer from this problem, not all.

You do realize that Apple provided you a FREE method to prevent this from happening when you bought the machine right?

That little thin white slip was not just for show, dude. I'm just saying. If you are absolutely insistent on eating Lays chips while MacBookin, use the slip.

As an aside my 17 does NOT do that. However, my 2010 15" did. But that was because of the way I stored it. Nothing - absolutely NOTHING goes on top of my 17, and it travels in a felt lined bag for extra protection.

 

[mediasorcerer]

you could fix this yourself with a bit of ingenuity,like putting a pad on either side of the palm rest or some such thing,

or,get over it.

 

[Anshi]

I rarely get this problem, after 30 days of using my MacBook Pro 15" 2011 there are only 2 keys imprinted on the screen.

The problem is: If the keys are hitting the screen frequently, do you think it will make permanent marks on the glossy screen after 2 or 3 years? (that would deem this problem as a design flaw)

 

[squeakr]

Radtech offers screen bumpers (little silicon feet that stick on the bezel to insure it can't contact the keyboard). The fact that they offer such a product means it is not a rare occurrence or isolated matter.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I was with a friend tonight who has a new 13" and he just discovered that his keyboard is marking the screen too. It is very light and you have to look at it closely but it is there.

 

[bigjobby]

I cant believe some people are OK with the keys smudging oil on screen. Unacceptable!

Beware people. The Smudge Police are watching you!!!

 

[dusk007]

Just another reason why the matte screen is soo much better.

 

[YanniDepp]

I believe this has been the case since the PowerBook series. At least now the screens are glassy gloss and easily wiped. Before, on my powerbook, you needed to ensure you had something that separated the keyboard from the screen or it would scuff the screen.

True. My 2006 MacBook had this. After a while there was an irremovable line on the screen exactly where the space bar was.

With my 2009 MacBook Pro, it happens much less often and I just need to wipe the glass.

 

[Bobby Corwen]

I'm exchanging mine and now I am afraid of it happening again. When I get the new one, I am upset that I will be afraid to even ever move it. If it happens again on the machine I am planning to keep till next year, I will resort to begrudgingly throwing the cloth that came in the box in there on the keyboard which will double as a wiper when I open and close the screen (but it will be annoying to have to keep track of it while the laptop is open, what if I forget it somewhere when traveling?)

I only get the keyboard imprints if I piled a load of books or sat on my closed MBP. Since the discovery of the markings, I've changed my habits and been living an imprint-free display lifestyle ever since.

Ok so now (although its a portable laptop) I cant cary it, store it, or have anything near it without being paranoid? Sounds real professional. I store mine in a Neoprene case (all I could conveniently find).

This means now I cant be comfortable when traveling because Ill be worried about the keys touching secretly.

I do think it has a lot to do with how it's stored and carried. The tolerances are just close enough that if the chassis flexes just a bit the keys contact the screen. Mine doesn't do it if it's just opened and closed carefully on my desk. But in actual usage, such as a trip or something.. it's an issue.

I've always used a Radtech cloth over the keyboard and then it doubles as a cleaning cloth when I interact with knuckle draggers that have to touch my screen when pointing something out.

My current DOA one has more of a warping and it shuts more firmly on one side, wether I keep it on a desk or move with it. Happens every time. This one is obviously messed up, but what about my next one? It will still get smudges if I move it?? I would expect at least that level of non-contact if everything was perfect from the factory. I am still upset I can't travel with it and not have the screen get messy wether I will get a new one or not.

My 17" 2010 MBP currently does this but I don't mind it because I have bigger things to worry about. It doesn't hinder performance or display (and if it does, and simple wipe takes care of it), so I'm not complaining.

That looks really bad, as bad as mine right now. How can you not mind? I have bigger things to worry about too but its still an annoyance that shouldnt be.

The extra 1 mm they would need to add between the keyboard and the screen would alter the MBP aesthetic.

Honestly that makes me mad. That is a serious concern that should have been addressed years ago somehow. Maybe make the bumper more solid and the keys slightly lower, or some sort of solidifying element.

I really hope this is not a style over function scenario.

You know, sertraline is good at helping with OCD... I have had a 17" MBP for 4 years now. I don't like smudges on the screen but I also notice that when the screen is on I don't see them. So I stopped worrying about it. Same with wearing glasses. When you first start wearing them any smudge or speck is an abomination. After a while you realize you've gone 2 months without cleaning them and they're filthy.

Sounds really sloppy. I bought this because I want to have a nice shiny overall lifestyle organizational tool that is elegant and pleasant to use. I don't like the imperfection because it goes against the grain of the totality of this experience. Smudges are bad when youre trying to organize your life in a neat way via the powerhouse motivational energy that is OCD and its obsessive/beneficial symptoms.

i don't mind the keyboard prints on the screen. not a relevant issue at all. one swipe and they are gone and with the screen on you can't see them anyway. it would be a waste of time and money to design a extra rigid perfectly aligned screen. it's a work tool and tools get dirty when used.

Extra time and money that is absolutely neccessary!!! ARE YOU CRAZY???!! The KEYS touch the SCREEN! Whatever they need to do, they need to do it. The next major event should start with "we have now designed a rigid perfectly alligned screen on the MBP to prevent any bending or warping of the screen so it doesnt touch the keys" *crowd cheers

How can you not notice them? Even if the screen is bright you can still see the "glow" from the moisture spots.

Really?!?! Something that affected the actual functionality of a device on all is worse than a few smudges on a screen? Seriously?

If you cant focus on the screen because you are irritated from blemishes, how is that not affecting the functionality. And it wasnt for all people, only the ones in shoddy reception areas.

What the hell's that supposed to mean? Is that comment generally misogynistic or is it just denigrating to women who clean houses for a living? There was no smiley emoticon, so it would seam that this was a serious comment.

Carrying a microfiber cloth with you would bring you down to the level of a "freakin maid"? I'm really not sure. And why would someone who cleans houses be of lower status than you are?

I can't say that I have experience with all house/apartment cleaners, because that would be impossible. I can say that all of the ones I've ever had have NEVER brought any cloths, rags, supplies, or equipment with them. They all use stuff that the customers provide, with the exception of a heavy duty service that might clean a basement or garage.

I always have a lens cloth in my bag, for cleaning various lenses. And a hanky. Does that make me a "freakin maid"? That wouldn't be bad if I was one, but I do other stuff for a living, at least this year. Next year? Who knows. I might be a "freakin maid".

Oh... and if the woman who cleans our house charges her other customers the same amount as us and she has a full schedule, which she does, then that adds up to about $80k/year, taking into account 4 weeks of unpaid leave. I think that's pretty freakin good, especially since she doesn't carry around a cloth.

You would never catch me working for another man. I am an entrepreneur.

My 2007 Macbook (pre unibody) did not do it and my 2010 13" MBP does do it, unfortunately.

My solution is the same as what the other posters have mentioned: Putting a microfiber cloth over the keyboard before closing the lid. I am not exactly happy that this is necessary, but I can live with it. The finger prints appeared when putting the laptop into a backpack or similar situations in which some mild (!) pressure was being applied to the lid.


edit: I have clean hands and the keyboard looks absolutely clean as well. I do not think that a lack of hygiene is the issue here.

!!!!

See that is what I am afraid of. I carry it in a Neoprene Case and then I put that in an Apple bag and then I put that bag in a backback. I feel like thats still not enough. I doubt something even has to be pushing down on it to smudge. I feel like the aluminum case is so bendable that no matter what, unless its just immobile on a desk, it will bend and touch. Even if you take it from one room to the next. That straight up sucks.

Uh oh... Now I'm scared of a smudged screen if I get an MBP.

Me too

My Early 08" had this exact problem and Apple wouldn't replace it because it was normal "wear". They ended up replacing the screen due to white pressure points (white dots on the screen) and later on replacing the whole machine.

If I leave my MBP open, my cats fight over who sleeps on the keys as it is a nice warm "heat rock". They sleep on my Airport Extreme too.

I would spray a cat with vinegar directly in the EYES if it ever laid on my MacBook Pro!!!

you could fix this yourself with a bit of ingenuity,like putting a pad on either side of the palm rest or some such thing,

or,get over it.

Sounds like it would look super ghetto and tacky.

I rarely get this problem, after 30 days of using my MacBook Pro 15" 2011 there are only 2 keys imprinted on the screen.

The problem is: If the keys are hitting the screen frequently, do you think it will make permanent marks on the glossy screen after 2 or 3 years? (that would deem this problem as a design flaw)

I doubt it, its glass.

Just another reason why the matte screen is soo much better.

NOOO. The fact that the glossy glass is easily cleanable, vs the fact that if you ever do get grease on a matte screen is a nightmare, cancels the benefit out. Glossy is still the elegant gentlemen's' choice.

 

[Krafty]

That looks really bad, as bad as mine right now. How can you not mind? I have bigger things to worry about to but its still an annoyance that shouldnt be.

Cause, as long as it's doing its job there really isn't time for me to go to Apple and complain about it. When I'm using it, I don't even notice. You don't see it unless you tilt it towards the light.

 

[bigjobby]

Ok so now (although its a portable laptop) I cant cary it, store it, or have anything near it without being paranoid? Sounds real professional. I store mine in a Neoprene case (all I could conveniently find).

Stop being paranoid and enjoy the unit. Just be careful not to put too much pressure on the lid and you'll be fine. Simple.

The fact that the glossy glass is easily cleanable, vs the fact that if you ever do get grease on a matte screen is a nightmare, cancels the benefit out. Glossy is still the elegant gentlemen's' choice.

Markings are hardly noticeable on a matte display when the unit is on. Also, I see my MBP as a practical tool rather than a fashion accessory.

 

[darkeartg]

I have the AG and don't have this problem. I think it's cause the screen on Ag's are actually depressed

 

[mrwonkers]

According to the statistical data, 30% (with a +/- ~10% sample variation) of "ALL USERS" live with a constant plague of imprints.

This conjecture based on the extensive "statical data" you have collected as a result of a single post and poll on Macrumors is laughable, and is in no way representative of the large number of people who "actually own" a MacBook Pro.

Booby please stop being so silly...

 

[squeakr]

I'm exchanging mine and now I am afraid of it happening again. When I get the new one, I am upset that I will be afraid to even ever move it. If it happens again on the machine I am planning to keep till next year, I will resort to begrudgingly throwing the cloth that came in the box in there on the keyboard which will double as a wiper when I open and close the screen (but it will be annoying to have to keep track of it while the laptop is open, what if I forget it somewhere when traveling?)

Do what I do use it as a wrist pad to cushion your wrist and keep your nice watch from scratching the laptop, because it will. It then becomes second nature to take it off the keyboard and place it where your wrist contacts the laptop.

 

[GaresTaylan]

I've never had this issue with any notebook computer I've owned, Apple or otherwise. I gotta wonder about your hygiene if your hands are so greasy that they're funking up the keyboard to the point where the goo is transferring to the screen. Try laying off the fried chicken and buying some Ivory soap.

This may be going a bit off the deep end - but I have to agree (just not in the rude way the post above was written).

My M11x has issues with the screen touching the keyboard on the left side (have done a paper test). I do not get any oil on the screen whereas one of my co-workers with the same machine does constantly - but also eats a lot of food, etc, while using his machine.

OP - If it's a huge issue for you - take it in to an Apple store and voice your concern. Otherwise, just use a cloth to wipe down the keys before you close the lid. I think you're freaking out a tad too much over this issue.

NOOO. The fact that the glossy glass is easily cleanable, vs the fact that if you ever do get grease on a matte screen is a nightmare, cancels the benefit out. Glossy is still the elegant gentlemen's' choice.

If cleaning a matte screen for you is a nightmare - you're cleaning it wrong. While I will agree that cleaning a glossy display is "easier" - cleaning a matte display is by no means a "nightmare."

 

[Bobby Corwen]

Do what I do use it as a wrist pad to cushion your wrist and keep your nice watch from scratching the laptop, because it will. It then becomes second nature to take it off the keyboard and place it where your wrist contacts the laptop.

I will consider that IF the time comes if you say it becomes second nature. But I am still holding out that I will not be a victim of this when my replacement comes like the 20%-30% here that are victims.

This conjecture based on the extensive "statical data" you have collected as a result of a single post and poll on Macrumors is laughable, and is in no way representative of the large number of people who "actually own" a MacBook Pro.

Booby please stop being so silly...

Hey, Hey, Hey! This is 100% official professional science! The statistical analysis of this data is just as valid as any other sociological survey and is an authoritative scientifical experiment!

 

[alFR]

When I get the new one, I am upset that I will be afraid to even ever move it.

This means now I cant be comfortable when traveling because Ill be worried about the keys touching secretly.

I am still upset I can't travel with it

I don't like the imperfection because it goes against the grain of the totality of this experience. Smudges are bad when youre trying to organize your life in a neat way via the powerhouse motivational energy that is OCD and its obsessive/beneficial symptoms.

ARE YOU CRAZY???!! The KEYS touch the SCREEN!

I carry it in a Neoprene Case and then I put that in an Apple bag and then I put that bag in a backback. I feel like thats still not enough.

OK, it really sounds like you need to go out for a walk for a while, or maybe start doing something less stressful like, oh, I don't know, base jumping?

I would spray a cat with vinegar directly in the EYES if it ever laid on my MacBook Pro!!!

Actually, I can testify that they are pretty much cat-proof...

 

[Criticalmass]

My 13 inch doesn't do this, So I have to agree with others, it probably has to do with the chassis flex.

 

[steadysignal]

spraying cats in the eyes with vinegar?

really?

wow.

 

[harcosparky]

I've never had this problem with any Powerbook or Macbook Pro.

But then, I don't ......

Sit on my computers.
Carry them jammed in a backpack.
Sit books on top of them.


Oh and I don't like Fried Chicken!


I do however keep that sheet of thin foam between the keyboard and screen. I figure if Apple saw fit to put that in there, who am I to get rid of it.

 

[johnnj]

OK, it really sounds like you need to go out for a walk for a while, or maybe start doing something less stressful like, oh, I don't know, base jumping?

You have to check out his YouTube video where he goes to the store and gets it. He's got a lot of emotional capitol invested in this machine and now he feels like it's let him down in the worst way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMO4zLoYDyI

He'll probably say that he's reading this and I shouldn't talk about him in the third person. Bobby, this part of the response is not intended for you.

This part is:

Bobby, it's not that big of a deal. Does everything else on the machine meet your expectations? Is it fast enough? Does it run well the stuff you use it for? Does it have enough storage? Is the display looking good? Battery life? Fit and finish? I'm guessing probably that answer to these question is "yes".

The laptop you have is a complicated device and a lot goes in to designing and manufacturing it. However, it's made by people. You know... humans. Like us. Humans aren't perfect and therefore neither is the stuff they make.

Things that are a lot cooler than a laptop, such as Ferraris and fighter planes that require a lot of maintenance (more than wiping a screen) and that doesn't at all take away from the coolness (except if it's a Testarossa).

My last machine had the keyboard grease on screen thing and I never even considered it to be a problem. It was just what the thing did and I wiped it off. It certainly didn't take away anything from my perspective.

My Z4-35 broke down last year because the fuel pump failed. I was stuck there for a while waiting for a tow, but it was fixed the next day and ready to tear up the road again. No love lost.

We all love you and we love your threads. You may want to relax on the vinegar in cat eyes, though. Some cat people might take offense to that.

John

 

[kfscoll]

That "drive-to-the-store-and-get-my-new-laptop" video is a little over-the-top. Wait, no, a lot over-the-top. I also love my Apple toys but, in the end, a MBP is only a computer for chrissake.

Just used the little foam sheet that came with the MBP and place that between the keyboard and the screen when you close up the laptop. Boom, problem solved.

 

[maclaptop]

I am surprised to find out that a lot of us have MBPs that have keys touching the screen when the screen is closed. I can't believe this. I would think this is highly unacceptable and unallowable.

When I close the lid, even if I have just cleaned it, and then re-open it, surely it will then have small little perfectly symmetrical smudges on the screen from the keyboard and whatever micro oils it may have from the human excretion elements (finger oils) and then I have flaws on my screen.

Then I supposedly have to clean this again.

At first I thought it was obviously a flawed 17" DOA machine I got (it was a BTO after all I thought) and then I called to arrange to get it exchanged.

After I made a passing comment on one of the threads here, I realized a lot of others also kind of "live with this"

What??

I am wondering how many people out there actually are ok with this and why you dont think its ridiculous. One poster even said his 09, 10, and 2011 all have had this happen. How is this not insane to some of you?

The keyboard is made to touch oils. The screen is meant to touch the keyboard with oils on purpose? This cant be right. How common is this?

This is an age old problem that Apple has failed to correct.

Here's a link to a company whose made loads of money off the fact that the problem continues. I've had over a dozen for the various PowerBooks and MBP's I have had over the years.

http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_4

 

[thermodynamic]

This has been an issue with all the notebooks/laptops I've owned so far, both Mac and PC. I just buy a nice soft microfiber cloth to put in between the keyboard and screen.

That's happened to me as well. It's a fact of mobile life, the smudging.