Macbook Pro keyboard and housing replacement

Whether you bring it to an Apple store or send it in, they'll probably just replace the entire top housing. But you'll be better off taking it to an Apple store. They wouldn't want to leave you sitting for 30+ minutes while a technician takes the repetitive task of removing 40+ screws, taking out the keyboard, putting a new one in, then putting in another 40+ screws. It's a lose/lose, even if Apple might save a little money.

In reality, the stores probably don't even have replacement keyboards. It's a waste of time when replacing the top housing is so much simpler.

 

It depends entirely on the store and Genius you get. Some will replace the housing, and others will tell you to come back in a week and replace only the keyboard. Mind you, the keyboard is a PAIN to take out - I might have given myself repetitive stress injuries removing the tens of screws.

 

It's actually kind of astounding how difficult it is to remove the keyboards on a Unibody. Just replace the top case.

 

Apple will replace the entire top case. As for your damage, the store technicians will take a look and assess the situation. They will see if the damage is causing the problems you have. If it doesn't they will fix it; otherwise they will probably give you a call.

 

Oh I know exactly how that goes, I replaced the keyboard on my old HP Envy when it failed after 6 months (was a refurb, never going that route again unless it's Apple...). I lost probably 15 of the screws just taking it out

I suppose a way to avoid being told to wait a week while they replace the keyboard is to tell them how disappointed you are that it stopped working because you use it so much for school/work they'd probably just go back and swap out the top housing because they're so customer oriented.

 

Good luck! Let us know how it goes