Is it a good Idea to use a Keyboard cover?

[ixodes]

So much for peoples sense of humor

Shiny keys are due to normal wear, and are not an indicator of dirty hands, or any sort of defect. Quite the contrary, they reflect the fact that the computer is being used & enjoyed.

My Macs serve me well as the tools they are. I take exceptional care of them. Therefore I have no need for plastic covers or other so called protection.

I have no desire to worry about resale, mine pay for themselves in a matter of a few months. Once I'm done, they still look like new. Not a mark on the aluminum, only the normal & very slight shine on the keys.

Besides I like to give back, so I pass them on to family members or one of the local schools. I enjoy upgrading each year or so, it's fun for me & profitable for Apple. I've done it for years.

 

[DrKockter]

So much for peoples sense of humor

Shiny keys are due to normal wear, and are not an indicator of dirty hands, or any sort of defect. Quite the contrary, they reflect the fact that the computer is being used & enjoyed.

My Macs serve me well as the tools they are. I take exceptional care of them. Therefore I have no need for plastic covers or other so called protection.

I have no desire to worry about resale, mine pay for themselves in a matter of a few months. Once I'm done, they still look like new. Not a mark on the aluminum, only the normal & very slight shine on the keys.

Besides I like to give back, so I pass them on to family members or one of the local schools. I enjoy upgrading each year or so, it's fun for me & profitable for Apple. I've done it for years.

lol i bet u have marks around ur mag safe port.

if u spill something on ur keyboard, dont come crying back to use that u should have used a keyboard cover.

like some previous posts have said, some people dont like shiny keys. i dont becuase it ruins the look and not uniform.

honestly, on my campus, only a fraction of people use a keyboard cover. its clearly something not necessary but to some like me, i think its worth it.

chao outside

 

[ixodes]

lol i bet u have marks around ur mag safe port.

if u spill something on ur keyboard, dont come crying back to use that u should have used a keyboard cover.

like some previous posts have said, some people dont like shiny keys. i dont becuase it ruins the look and not uniform.

honestly, on my campus, only a fraction of people use a keyboard cover. its clearly something not necessary but to some like me, i think its worth it.

chao outside

There are no marks on the aluminum anywhere, as I mentioned earlier. None by the mag safe connector. It's easy to keep it scratch free with just a little care.

Consider I use it a minimum of 7 hours every day, that proves how durable the finish is. In over 20 years I've never spilled on any of my PowerBooks or MacBook Pros. But then again I don't eat or drink around them. It's pretty easy really.

Honestly, the reason shiny keys don't bother me is because I don't sit and stare at it, admiring it's beauty. I bought it to be used. To make my living with, it's as simple as that.

Besides, if anything did happen, it's easily replaceable. Apple will happily sell me a new one. That's why they're called accidents, people don't do things to damage their laptop on purpose.

Why worry? That doesn't get you anywhere.

I simply enjoy mine. It's just a computer.

 

[DrKockter]

There are no marks on the aluminum anywhere, as I mentioned earlier. None by the mag safe connector. It's easy to keep it scratch free with just a little care.

Consider I use it a minimum of 7 hours every day, that proves how durable the finish is. In over 20 years I've never spilled on any of my PowerBooks or MacBook Pros. But then again I don't eat or drink around them. It's pretty easy really.

Honestly, the reason shiny keys don't bother me is because I don't sit and stare at it, admiring it's beauty. I bought it to be used. To make my living with, it's as simple as that.

Besides, if anything did happen, it's easily replaceable. Apple will happily sell me a new one. That's why they're called accidents, people don't do things to damage their laptop on purpose.

Why worry? That doesn't get you anywhere.

I simply enjoy mine. It's just a computer.

LOL apple doesnt cover "accidents"

 

[louis.b]

An Apple genius told me keyboard cover is not recommended since they blocks the air intake through the keyboard which helps to cool down the machine.

 

[zerotiu]

with or without keyboard cover, my MBP 08 still has the same operating temperature. I'm too lazy to check new macbooks layout above my version.

For me, the most benefit of keyboard cover is to minimize the click sounds produced by chiclet keyboard.

Spilling the drink to MBP while you put the protector won't help, it will seep into the speaker tiny holes..

 

[mdapple]

Dust gets in thru keyboard, just fyi

 

[mattkemp]

Yes, it can make the keyboard durable. Unfortunately you will have to face for a maddening time till you get use with the cover.

 

[thekev]

I just think you need to stop spilling liquid in your MacBook Pro, and you'll be fine

No one expects it to happen to them. It has never happened to me, but I don't automatically assume the person posting is less intelligent than myself. Some posts have indicated that a separate person such as a family member or friend spilled liquid on their laptop. One thread indicated a random/unexpected nosebleed dripped on their keyboard. Bizarre circumstances do happen. If a $10-20 cover provides piece of mind, what is wrong with that?

I take pride in taking care of the stuff i use. i like to keep them looking nice and new looking as possible. if u got a problem with that than you shouldnt be on macrumors forums LOL

Bleh...you can take care of it without being OCD about it looking identical to the day you purchased the machine.

An Apple genius told me keyboard cover is not recommended since they blocks the air intake through the keyboard which helps to cool down the machine.

Given the stupidity of some geniuses, I'm not sure who to believe.

 

[kettlecorn]

Some cause marks on the screen when you close the lid. You gotta constantly wipe it off.

I cant stand the keyboard covers though, they keep it super clean but its so annoying to type and they slip off.

 

[Sahee]

Covering your keyboard means less erosion, most keyboards gets abrasion after a few months. When you use a cover you can overcome this problem and you will most likely get a better resale value when selling it.

 

[TickleMeElmo]

How is everyone spilling things on their keyboards? It's just a general good rule of thumb not to have open containers right next to any electronic hardware.

I don't understand why people are willing to spend so much money on a computer only to cover it up and save it for the next owner rather than just taking care of their computer equipment.

 

[Dangerous Theory]

How is everyone spilling things on their keyboards? It's just a general good rule of thumb not to have open containers right next to any electronic hardware.

I don't understand why people are willing to spend so much money on a computer only to cover it up and save it for the next owner rather than just taking care of their computer equipment.

Bit dramatic? Only one person -OP- has said they spilled something.

Personally, I drink tea while using my MBP, but I make myself fully aware of my movements so there's no chance of an accident.

 

[mfuchs88]

I don't understand why people are willing to spend so much money on a computer only to cover it up and save it for the next owner rather than just taking care of their computer equipment.

Did anybody else find this sentence hilariously ironic? I'd say that using a keyboard cover or case qualifies as "taking care" of my equipment.

Also, we spend so much money only to cover it up for the next owner BECAUSE it was so expensive, and we want to be able to recoup as much of the costs as possible.

 

[Tanax]

Please remember:

Always use protection!

 

[TickleMeElmo]

Bit dramatic? Only one person -OP- has said they spilled something.

Personally, I drink tea while using my MBP, but I make myself fully aware of my movements so there's no chance of an accident.

Perhaps that came off a little dramatic but I meant that people shouldn't be spilling stuff on their electronics regardless of what they are drinking. If they work in a particularly hostile environment a MBP probably is not the best laptop for the job.

Did anybody else find this sentence hilariously ironic? I'd say that using a keyboard cover or case qualifies as "taking care" of my equipment.

Also, we spend so much money only to cover it up for the next owner BECAUSE it was so expensive, and we want to be able to recoup as much of the costs as possible.

I personally don't think putting a cover over anything is taking care of it. It is an admission that you personally cannot take care of it and are therefore covering it up, essentially protecting your property from yourself. It is different from something like a sleeve because it directly impacts the way you interact with your computer. The experience is objectively worse otherwise Apple would put protectors on their keyboards from the factory.

Typing quality and keyboard quality is very important to me and I don't think any keyboard protector can have no impact on the quality of the key strokes. With this in mind what you are essentially doing is sacrificing your own enjoyment of your computer so you can sell it for more later. If this is indeed the case and you are worried about what would ultimately amount to no more than $100 on the resale value you probably can't afford to own the computer in the first place. Obviously if your personal utility for the $100 is greater than the negative impact of having plastic all over your keyboard then my point isn't valid.

Apple computers are not appreciating assets and chances are the buyer of your machine 2-3 years down the road is not going to care if your keys are marginally glossy vs new looking. It is no better than buying an expensive leather coach and putting plastic over it and sitting on the plastic.

 

[GGJstudios]

But someone told me that his friend used a keyboard cover and it fried his Macbook b/c he said the fans suck air in through the keyboard and it overheated causing it to fry.

There has never been any air intake or exhaust vents through the keyboard on any Mac notebook. For all Mac notebooks except the MBP-Retina, both intake and exhaust has always been through the vents in the rear near the hinge. The new MBP-Retina has intake vents along the sides at the bottom and exhaust through the rear vents, near the hinge. This arrangement allows for venting with the lid open or closed (for operating in clamshell mode). There is a solid panel under the keyboard, preventing any meaningful airflow.

An Apple genius told me keyboard cover is not recommended since they blocks the air intake through the keyboard which helps to cool down the machine.

They were wrong. It's important to remember than "Genius" is only their job title, and not necessarily an indication of their knowledge, experience or expertise.

 

[machadi]

For those of you who have their RMBP, would a keyboard cover from the previous gen MacBook pro fit on the retina one? ALSO, any suggestions on good/cheap keyboard covers? thanks!

 

[sweetbrat]

Perhaps that came off a little dramatic but I meant that people shouldn't be spilling stuff on their electronics regardless of what they are drinking. If they work in a particularly hostile environment a MBP probably is not the best laptop for the job.

I personally don't think putting a cover over anything is taking care of it. It is an admission that you personally cannot take care of it and are therefore covering it up, essentially protecting your property from yourself. It is different from something like a sleeve because it directly impacts the way you interact with your computer. The experience is objectively worse otherwise Apple would put protectors on their keyboards from the factory.

Typing quality and keyboard quality is very important to me and I don't think any keyboard protector can have no impact on the quality of the key strokes. With this in mind what you are essentially doing is sacrificing your own enjoyment of your computer so you can sell it for more later. If this is indeed the case and you are worried about what would ultimately amount to no more than $100 on the resale value you probably can't afford to own the computer in the first place. Obviously if your personal utility for the $100 is greater than the negative impact of having plastic all over your keyboard then my point isn't valid.

Apple computers are not appreciating assets and chances are the buyer of your machine 2-3 years down the road is not going to care if your keys are marginally glossy vs new looking. It is no better than buying an expensive leather coach and putting plastic over it and sitting on the plastic.

You don't like the keyboard cover, so it's not a good choice for you. Why do you object to others using them? If they want to cover their machine in case of a liquid spill, or prevent the keys from getting shiny, why is it such a big deal? Don't people understand by now that nothing is perfect for everyone. We all have different likes and dislikes. For me, I prefer to have a keyboard cover because I don't like cleaning the keyboard. Taking the cover off, washing it and putting it back on is easier, so that's what I do.It's the solution that works for me, but that doesn't mean I expect it to work for everyone. Nor should you expect your solution to work for everyone.

 

[Mark263]

Keyboard damage Retina Screen

anyone have their MBP retina 15 inch keyboard leave permanent marks on the screen because of light pressure?

 

[sneak3]

anyone have their MBP retina 15 inch keyboard leave permanent marks on the screen because of light pressure?

Yes, that happens. Thought it was common-sense nowadays.

No one should use keyboard covers as they will leave PERMANENT marks on the screen. Happened to my cMBP back in 2010. Glad the buyer didnt care.

ps: Also it's not really light pressure. It's constant pressure of the lid pushing back against it, plus any grease or particles that end up over the keyboard cover.

 

[Hieveryone]

I use one on mine because otherwise you will get dust, crumbs, dirt, grime, hair, dandruff, and nastiness all under the keys.

To me that's good enough reason to get one as they are pretty cheap.

 

[ABC5S]

Yes, for protection
No, it's quite hard to type on in my opinion

So NO for me!

PS: If you're using a 13-inch MBP, I won't recommend get it because it will block the sound, not completely though, just not as nice! (The speakers are underneath the keyboard )

I've been using a Moshi keyboard clear cover, can hardly notice it and typing on it now, and cannot tell the difference, but that is just me. Sound is the same as well since the speakers are not on the keyboard. Air vents are located on the sides on this mid 2014 MacBook Pro Retina and temps are not high...

 

[happyfrappy]

I've always used a keyboard skin, back during the PowerBook G4 era I frequently had hair clogged keys(mainly the space bar) from a pet and an Apple Genius recommended a Marware cover due to the thinner silicon material.

On unibody MacBook/MacBook Pros its a tigher fit and cheaper no-name skins are often a thicker silicon which *will/can* leave dent marks on the screen. On my 2010 MBP been using a Marware skin without any screen marks/dents, if you keep the skin clean you won't have crumbs or lint creating dents into the screen.

...on a gross note, keyboard skins prevent dust/lint, skin flakes, hair, eye lashes, crumbs, etc from getting re-heated and creating a stinky scent. A friend of mine had a Dell Inspiron which stunk after 3yrs, a dryer sheet couldn't help until the keys were removed and the keyboard air can sprayed to blast away anything caked in.

 

[TechZeke]

$20-$25 vs. one costly spill. No brainer.
Moshi are the best.

Actually, KB Covers wins hands down.
EDIT: Darn it, I hate when I don't notice that it's an old thread until I've posted and made myself look like an idiot.

KB Covers, is seriously, the best though. Yes, I also have the Moshi....doesn't compare.