Keyboard cover for 2017 MB Pro?

[mac_in_tosh]

A main reservation about the not-updated non-touchbar MB Pro is the second generation keyboard. Does anyone have experience with a keyboard cover that (a) doesn't leave sticky material on the keys, (b) doesn't interfere much with typing and (c) doesn't leave imprints or sticky material on the screen when the lid is closed and if so would such a cover avoid the problems people have encountered with the keyboard or is there more to it than just dust getting under the keys?

 

[treekram]

I only recently bought a keyboard cover and have not yet spent a lot of time using it (my 2018 15" MBP is not my primary computer). However, since nobody has yet replied, I'll share my experience.

The product I bought is:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0742PWNBX

I was looking for a skin for the bottom and the part of the computer to the sides of the trackpad (don't like the feel of metal when I rest my hand there). Nobody sells just this combination so one needs to buy a package that has skins for most of the computer and it just so happens that the one I chose had a keyboard cover. I figured that if I didn't like it, I'd just remove it.

The keyboard cover came it it's own packaging and it says "CrystalGuardMB" (no spaces) on the package. The package says that it's made of "thermoplastic urethane", is 0.1mm thin ("one-fifth the thickness of silicone protectors"). There is no adhesive. The cover adheres to the keyboard pretty well in normal use but if the computer is tilted, gravity will do it's work and at some point it will fall off. I have the standard US English keyboard but the packaging says it's made for the unibody MBP regardless of year or size (13", 15").

Thus far, I don't have problems typing however, it's obvious that your fingers are typing on some sort of soft plastic rather than the hard plastic of the real keys. The cover also is colored to mimic the keyboard so the black and white of what appears to be the keyboard is actually the cover. As a consequence, the keyboard backlight is mostly obscured. If that is a problem, you'd have to look for a transparent cover. So far, there is no impression on the screen and as it's not my primary computer, it's spent a lot of time being closed.

If you look at product descriptions and reviews, it appears that silicone covers can have deformation issues. I have not used a silicone cover so I can't vouch for the other claims of the superiority of thermoplastic urethane.

The only product that comes up when I search for "crystalguard" on Amazon is the following:
https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Crystalguard-Keyboard-Protector-Macbook/dp/B0151IOGZA

This is pretty pricey at $20 so you might just want to look for a cover that is thermoplastic urethane if you're so inclined. Products that use this material seem to tout that fact so one should be able to find these.

As to whether or not this will protect against the keyboard problems of the 2016/17 MBP, if you believe that the flexible film that they added to the latest generation of the keyboard will help, then a keyboard cover should help if you have the earlier generation keyboards.

 

[mac_in_tosh]

Thanks for that information. Someone also privately recommended Uppercase's Ghostcover.

 

[AbleD]

I’ve got the GhostCover from amazon. I used the included double sided stickers to have the cover stick to some keys. I’ve had 3 other keyboard covers before and the GhostCover so far is the thinest and has the least movement (due to fit and stickers) while typing. I’m not entirely sure if it will prevent the keyboard issues, from what I can tell keyboard issues are also related to heat, but the cover gives me a little comfort knowing at least there will be less dust going into the keyboards.
The cover does hinder the tactile feel, but since I don’t like the clackiness of the butterfly keyboards, I feel the cover actually makes it less distracting for me.
Hope this helps.

 

[mac_in_tosh]

I’m not entirely sure if it will prevent the keyboard issues, from what I can tell keyboard issues are also related to heat, but the cover gives me a little comfort knowing at least there will be less dust going into the keyboards.

That makes me wonder - are the openings around the keys part of the thermal management to the point that covering them up might introduce other issues?

 

[AbleD]

That makes me wonder - are the openings around the keys part of the thermal management to the point that covering them up might introduce other issues?

In my 2017 model, the temperature reading has been consistent before and after the cover. I do heavy video editing and the temperature has been ok.
I'm reading 2018 models are more prone to overheating, and every little bit to lower temp may count.

 

[mac_in_tosh]

In my 2017 model, the temperature reading has been consistent before and after the cover. I do heavy video editing and the temperature has been ok.
I'm reading 2018 models are more prone to overheating, and every little bit to lower temp may count.

Would you have an idea about the thermal effect of a keyboard cover on a 2018 MacBook Air?