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M1 MacBook Air keyboard aesthetics

Tenkaykev

Tenkaykev

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 29, 2020
412
458
I've had my M1 Air for about 15 months now and it's been an excellent machine, light, silent and more than powerful enough for my use case. There's just one thing that I'm a bit unhappy with, and that is the keyboard keys. The more frequently used ones have become very glossy, the keycap legends are perfectly legible so it's more a question of aesthetics. I'm cautious about cleaning them with anything that may cause damage, I've tried spectacle lens wipes but it's as though the matt surface has worn through to show the glossy plastic below. I take it that this is down to the materials being used and that everyones keyboard will look the same, or is there some way of cleaning the keys that will restore them to their original condition?
 
JPack said:
Yes, this is basically what has happened. When ABS plastic keycaps get worn down, it becomes shiny. There is nothing to clean, it's not oil. If you want to prevent this in the future, get a silicone keyboard cover.
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Thank you ?
 
I have the same "problem" – space bar looks the worst, because apparently I only use the right thumb to press it. I also had to buy a sticker to cover the palm wrist areas, as the colour (space grey) started coming off. Is this somewhat disappointing when I pay the Apple Tax? Yes. Would I ever go back to my Lenovo Hackintosh? Hell no. (It's warm enough that I don't need an extra heater.)
 
A quality keyboard cover will help you sleep better at night. The last thing you want are shiny keyboard keys dancing in your head. I use one on my Macs and it has worked well. I would put eye glass tissue paper or large Kem wipe across the keyboard before closing the lid. Otherwise, you will get oil residue etc. on the screen.
 
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James Godfrey said:
Hence why the white keyboard is a good move for the next MacBook Air as I find those keys look newer for far longer, as long as you keep your hand clean
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It's strange how white keys look clean for so much longer than black ones :)

Those mock-ups MR keeps posting make me salivate. Give me a white keyboard and white bezels. Give me a laptop that looks like fun and candy. But… for the love of my wrists… file off the edges a BIT. I have enough razors.
 
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navaira said:
It's strange how white keys look clean for so much longer than black ones :)

Those mock-ups MR keeps posting make me salivate. Give me a white keyboard and white bezels. Give me a laptop that looks like fun and candy. But… for the love of my wrists… file off the edges a BIT. I have enough razors.
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Me too I really like the look of those renders, I really hope the next MBA is how it’s being rumoured!

It’s crazy how the white keys look better for longer, but I also find the white iPad folios, magic keyboard and iPhone cases all look far better for longer IMO…
 
I kind of regard shiny keycaps as a normal sign of a well-used keyboard. On my iMac, though, I use a mechanical keyboard that has PBT keys, which don't pick up shine and last forever.

They're light gray, and they get dingy I pop them into a bowl of hot water with a Polident in it and they come out ultra clean and smelling of mint :)
 
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