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Keyboard cover for MBP, yay or nay?

J

Jeremy Gray

macrumors regular
Original poster
I got an iSkin for my new SR 17" MBP and I like the idea of it protecting my keyboard from dust and my keys from oil and whatnot, but...when the keyboard is lit up the letters are all blurry and when it's not lit up the keys just look blurry in general. I know a keyboard cover isn't about the keyboard looking good, it's about protection...But still...
Does anyone know of a MBP keyboard cover that is crystal clear?
 
I don't know of a keyboard cover where it is crystal clear to see through. But, don't you know where all of the keys on the keyboard are? I've been using an iSkin since February and since I know where all the keys are, it hasn't bothered me at all.
 
I used my keyboard cover for like one month, then took it off. I couldn't slide my fingers across the keyboard. So no more....
 
iBookG4user said:
I don't know of a keyboard cover where it is crystal clear to see through. But, don't you know where all of the keys on the keyboard are? I've been using an iSkin since February and since I know where all the keys are, it hasn't bothered me at all.
Click to expand...

I type 110 WPM and still need the occasional glance now and again, for the odd keys. And besides, when the keys are lit up, it doesn't look as good with the cover on as when it doesn't.

But because I'm not sure if I should have it on, and I'm dealing with a $3000 device, I should probably leave it on HAHA.

Better to be safe than sorry when I get dust all up in me keys eh?
 
I'm sure I read in my manual that one should never cover the keyboard as heat escapes through it. Personally I can't stand keyboard covers anyway, but do they allow adequate airflow?
 
miniConvert said:
I'm sure I read in my manual that one should never cover the keyboard as heat escapes through it. Personally I can't stand keyboard covers anyway, but do they allow adequate airflow?
Click to expand...

I haven't had much of an increase in temperature, if any, after using the iSkin on my MacBook Pro. I'm pretty sure most of the heat goes through the back vents.
 
Just use canned air, the macbook tilted and blow it out every so often. Keyboard covers tend to ... well make it less pretty, blur keys, and i find the lack of sliding my hands over the keyboard as well.

Also.. the new keyboards work slightly differently then the old ones. They depend less on the actual ability for a mechanism to touch something else as opposed to the sensing of the actual push... sorry i can't explain it correctly.

Anyway, as long as you take care of it and use some canned air every so often, dust will be legligible. Save the cover, and put it on when you think you may be in a really dusty environment (perhaps if you are outside with your comp on a nice day... or if you are like me and occasionaly go to the woodshop (product design major) and are going to be in a very dusty environment (ofcourse in that case I tend to cover the whole keyboard with something if I need it in there.

I am a neatfreak when it comes to my new computer, but I wipe it down with static cloths in an almost OCD like way and use canned air.

You'll be fine 🙂
 
I had the clear iSkin when I used my PB on an iCurve with an external keyboard. Now that I have my PB in closed mode hooked to a ACD there is no more need for the keyboard cover.

I don't think it's so bad in the looks department. I never used it and actually typed on the keyboard, but I guess you can get used to it.

I use canned air to clean my external keyboard, and I also have a dust cover when it's not in use, still, there is plenty of gunk under the keys.

Thus, yay.
 
i bought some noname skin from ebay and the keys are crystal clear. backlight is on right now and i can't tell, other than the obvious touch difference. only cost me $10 too 🙂
 
(just another nightly macforums check... lol)

anyways, I'd say yay. it's a nice investment if you're a little neurotic😉 about having a clean mac. I have one on my 2.16 c2d mbp, and personally, I don't think it looks all that bad for what it is providing you. just my .02...
 
I personally have tried keyboard covers and I don't really like them for typing on, so I have been using a simple thin cloth key cover for when I close the lid to keep the keys from marring the screen. As far as oil and gook accumulating on the keys I haven't had any noticeable buildup after four years.

Sopranino
 
I've been using a silicon keyboard protectors for all my laptops, from ibook to PB to MBP.

I must say that with the ccover on, the feel of typing on it is not as crisp as on a keyboard without the skin. And yes, the backlit keys don't look as bright or clear as one without the skin on.

However, when I look at my friends' unprotected keyboard, with all the grime and indelible smudges and marks on them, I feel vindicated.
 
No

I don't use a keyboard cover, but I keep a section of cloth between the keys and the lcd when closed. The keys scratch the lcd on every laptop I've owned.
 
when it comes down to it. its gonna be about how YOU feel about it. everyone has different experiences with the iSkin. i have a white one that has all the keys printed on it for my MB. the feel of typing on it doesnt feel as good without it on and i heard its bad for the fan too. but i'd rather prevent from dust and what not from getting inside the keyboard.
 
miniConvert said:
I'm sure I read in my manual that one should never cover the keyboard as heat escapes through it. Personally I can't stand keyboard covers anyway, but do they allow adequate airflow?
Click to expand...

Yes you are right I just read the Manual yesterday and it says to never cover the keyboard when in use. A lot of the heat does escape through the keyboard and thus they put that warning in the manual.
 
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