Macbook Air's (M2 & M3) defective keyboards

[DeepSix]

Many people have said that they're having the letters rub off on their Airs keyboards just weeks after usage. And also people aren't liking how the keys will get shiny after a couple days of use. Both of these widespread issues are completely unacceptable for a device this expensive.

There's an easy fix for both of these problems and Im not sure why more don't do it. It's simple, get a keyboard skin that goes over top the keyboard. There are some skins that are so thin that you can barely even tell its on there.

It will instantly prevent both issues and it also adds grip to the keys. The keyboards out of the box are so slippery that my fingers are slipping and sliding all over the place and it's very hard to press the keys. But getting the skin and it added the grip that I needed, so now my fingers are able to press the keys firmly.

Why haven't more considered getting a keyboard skin?

 

[raythompsontn]

Many people have said that they're having the letters rub off on their Airs keyboards just weeks after usage.

The letters are illuminated. The letters cannot wear off.

Why haven't more considered getting a keyboard skin?

Because it adds thickness between the top and bottom when the device is closed. That may put pressure on the screen.

My M2 Air is over a a year and a half old. The keys do have shine, same as my Windows keyboard. The letters are intact on both.

Since the keys on the Mac have illuminated keys, the letters are molded through and are not silk screened on the keys. I doubt anyone has worn the keys completely through.

 

[DeepSix]

The letters are illuminated. The letters cannot wear off.

Are you sure? I've seen comments how the letters were printed on the keys.

Because it adds thickness between the top and bottom when the device is closed. That may put pressure on the screen.

My M2 Air is over a a year and a half old. The keys do have shine, same as my Windows keyboard. The letters are intact on both.

Since the keys on the Mac have illuminated keys, the letters are molded through and are not silk screened on the keys. I doubt anyone has worn the keys completely through.

There's many other owners who have had the letters fade and wear off within a year of using it.

You can get some very thin skins that wouldn't add any bulk. And I can't see how it would apply any pressure on the screen.

 

[GMShadow]

The letters are etched into the plastic to allow light through, they're not printed. Been that way for over a decade.

The shine is just because Apple uses standard ABS plastic on the keys. They could use a better grade of it or switch to PBT, but my guess is they don't for cost reasons and because most customers don't have any issues. PBT is also harder to manufacture in large quantities.

 

[1BadManVan]

As others have pointed out, the letters can't rub off, they are etched in and illuminated. So where exactly are we reading about these issues? where some pictures of this? considering its not physically possible. The shiny keyboard seems to be overblown as well, considering mines over a year old and still looks like new. But I dont use it with dirty, greasy fingers either lol

 

[DeepSix]

The letters are etched into the plastic to allow light through, they're not printed. Been that way for over a decade.

The shine is just because Apple uses standard ABS plastic on the keys. They could use a better grade of it or switch to PBT, but my guess is they don't for cost reasons and because most customers don't have any issues. PBT is also harder to manufacture in large quantities.

Okay this is positive and encouraging to hear. I know my sisters Air from 2011 had the letters fade after 3 years of everyday usage. Using ABS is not a big deal to me, though I much prefer PBT as I use that on my other keyboards at home. It looks like the black part of the keys is what will rub off over time (see pics below).

 

[DeepSix]

As others have pointed out, the letters can't rub off, they are etched in and illuminated. So where exactly are we reading about these issues? where some pictures of this? considering its not physically possible. The shiny keyboard seems to be overblown as well, considering mines over a year old and still looks like new. But I dont use it with dirty, greasy fingers either lol

Mostly users on Reddit and the Apple website forums. Some have said that their letters have rubbed off on their Airs and the Pros. I didn't realize Apple went to physically engraved letters on the keys that is smart.

I thought the Airs and the Pros use the same keyboard? So going by these pics, it looks like it's the black parts of the keys that will rub off over time. Still just as bad as the letters coming off.

Here's an example from someones 2018 MacBook Pro.

keyboard - Alphabet "A" rubbing off - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Another user from what looks to be a 2021 Pro.

keyboard damage black peeling/chipping in… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

And another from 2019 Pro

MacBook Pro keyboard keys labeling wearin… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[bellflyer14]

Many people have said that they're having the letters rub off on their Airs keyboards just weeks after usage. And also people aren't liking how the keys will get shiny after a couple days of use. Both of these widespread issues are completely unacceptable for a device this expensive.

There's an easy fix for both of these problems and Im not sure why more don't do it. It's simple, get a keyboard skin that goes over top the keyboard. There are some skins that are so thin that you can barely even tell its on there.

It will instantly prevent both issues and it also adds grip to the keys. The keyboards out of the box are so slippery that my fingers are slipping and sliding all over the place and it's very hard to press the keys. But getting the skin and it added the grip that I needed, so now my fingers are able to press the keys firmly.

Why haven't more considered getting a keyboard skin?

You should probably wear latex gloves when using your keyboard....try it, it really works

 

[rdanielhague]

Many people have said that they're having the letters rub off on their Airs keyboards just weeks after usage. And also people aren't liking how the keys will get shiny after a couple days of use. Both of these widespread issues are completely unacceptable for a device this expensive.

There's an easy fix for both of these problems and Im not sure why more don't do it. It's simple, get a keyboard skin that goes over top the keyboard. There are some skins that are so thin that you can barely even tell its on there.

It will instantly prevent both issues and it also adds grip to the keys. The keyboards out of the box are so slippery that my fingers are slipping and sliding all over the place and it's very hard to press the keys. But getting the skin and it added the grip that I needed, so now my fingers are able to press the keys firmly.

Why haven't more considered getting a keyboard skin?

Fingernails trimmed? My wife’s wireless Dell keyboard has no letters. I need her to type when I maintain or update MacOS on her machine. Second keyboard that her fingernails have removed all the most heavily used letters.

 

[raythompsontn]

Are you sure? I've seen comments how the letters were printed on the keys

I know the letters are not printed on the keys otherwise the keyboard backlight could not shine through. It appears, based on some pictures, that the keys may be translucent material with the black coating over the keys. I do know the keys illuminate and guessed, perhaps incorrectly, that it was dual injection molding on the keys.

Based on the images posted I suspect the people with the worn letters have long fingernails and the fingernails are rubbing on the keys rather than fingertips. My wife has long fingernails and has managed to remove the paint in the car door handle recess over the years.

 

[DeepSix]

I know the letters are not printed on the keys otherwise the keyboard backlight could not shine through. It appears, based on some pictures, that the keys may be translucent material with the black coating over the keys. I do know the keys illuminate and guessed, perhaps incorrectly, that it was dual injection molding on the keys.

Based on the images posted I suspect the people with the worn letters have long fingernails and the fingernails are rubbing on the keys rather than fingertips. My wife has long fingernails and has managed to remove the paint in the car door handle recess over the years.

Fingernails trimmed? My wife’s wireless Dell keyboard has no letters. I need her to type when I maintain or update MacOS on her machine. Second keyboard that her fingernails have removed all the most heavily used letters.

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the people who posted those pics are guys. Unless the guys have long finger nails.

 

[raythompsontn]

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the people who posted those pics are guys. Unless the guys have long finger nails.

I make no guesses. My fingernails are not long but on occasion the nails will strike the keys. More so before they have been trimmed. Depending on the angle of the fingers relative to the keyboard it can be easy to strike the keys with the edge of the fingernails. Does the person type with flat fingers or curved fingers? Big difference.

 

[DeepSix]

I make no guesses. My fingernails are not long but on occasion the nails will strike the keys. More so before they have been trimmed. Depending on the angle of the fingers relative to the keyboard it can be easy to strike the keys with the edge of the fingernails. Does the person type with flat fingers or curved fingers? Big difference.

Well it almost sounds like Apple painted the keys black with cheap paint. There is no reason the black should be coming off. We are not talking about taking a Razer blade to the keys.

 

[raythompsontn]

Well it almost sounds like Apple painted the keys black with cheap paint. There is no reason the black should be coming off.

I have seen the same problem on keyboards from other vendors. Dell, HP, Logitech. Fingernails can be somewhat sharp. Look inside the curve under an exterior car door handle. If it’s like my wife’s car there are multiple scratches.

I buy keyboards with molded through lettering. It is impossible to wear off the letters. I thought Apple did this on their keyboards. It appears that is not being done by Apple. I hoped for better from Apple.

 

[arcite]

Yea, this is happening with my M2 15, about 6 months of use and some of the paint is wearing off the J key, with a little light shining through. Also, some of the most used keys are getting shiny. But is this really a big deal? Perhaps Apple got a little cheap with the type of plastic used on the keys.

One solution, replace the keycaps with new ones; they aren’t difficult to pop off.