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Should I be worried about the keyboard damaging the screen...

S

Summer2000

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 25, 2007
31
0
when the lid is closed?

Will the keys leave an imprint on the screen over time while carrying the laptop in a bag? This happened to a Powerbook my brother had a few years ago.

Anyone experience this or am I just being paranoid and should not worry about it because it will not happen to the MBPs?

Summer2000
 
Hiya, i can only tell you my experience.
I've had my MBP SR 1.3 for about a year now and so far there's been no markings on my display.. my machine has flown around the world with me, it's been in my flight bag, ruck-sack and back-pack... the only thing i got is a couple of scratches on the body film. :)

Perhaps someone can add something?
 
If you're really worried about it, you could always use a microfiber cloth on the keyboard when it's closed. I use the piece of material that it shipped with, and when that breaks down I'll probably be getting a microfiber cloth. Plus, you could always use the cloth to clean the screen if it gets dirty...
 
IF your keyboard is damaging your screen that means the stuff in your bag is applying way too much pressure on the LCD panel itself, and that will cause problems such as pressure lines and uneven backlighting.
 
if i was an apple designer, I would be ashamed of creating a laptop which damages itself when closed. i seriously doubt this will happen.
 
Thanks for clearing that up for me guys.

I've had the MBP for 4 days now and I've not taken it out the house yet.

Like skorpien, I do place that shipping film on the keyboard before close the lid when I'm through using the MBP for the day. Sooner or later I'll stop doing that since the keyboard should not damage the screen as you guys stated.

Summer2000
 
If it worries that much, buy a 15.4" screen guard for your TFT it's self-adhesive and they come in two forms usually glossy and anti-glare. IF anything should hit the screen regularly, it won't cause damage to the actual TFT, instead the screen guard will take all the knocks... I have one on mine, as a glossy screen every little bit of smudging seems to be visible... I don't worry about wiping the screen, have use anything at hand cause technically i'm not touching the surface of the screen. ;)
 
I agree with whomever said "don't pack your bag too tight" - To tell you the truth, I'd think that using a cloth could cause more damage if you're already putting pressure on the lid. That would just create more pressure in there.

Buy a padded case and don't stack 10 phonebooks on top!
 
Summer2000 said:
Thanks for clearing that up for me guys.

I've had the MBP for 4 days now and I've not taken it out the house yet.

Like skorpien, I do place that shipping film on the keyboard before close the lid when I'm through using the MBP for the day. Sooner or later I'll stop doing that since the keyboard should not damage the screen as you guys stated.

Summer2000
Click to expand...

Here is a CRAZY question... If the keyboard does not damage the screen, then why bother shipping it with a protective sheet there in the first place? things that make you go hmmmmmm.....
 
hmmmmmm

I got one of those radtech microfiber I toss in before closing my screen. Not a big deal really.
 
louden said:
I agree with whomever said "don't pack your bag too tight" - To tell you the truth, I'd think that using a cloth could cause more damage if you're already putting pressure on the lid. That would just create more pressure in there.

Buy a padded case and don't stack 10 phonebooks on top!
Click to expand...

Having taking my MBP to bits on many occasions, there is about 1~2mm space between the back of the TFT and the clamshell casing... having said that, I think the MBP's keys don't rattle as much as the older PB's did... the Ti's were the worst!!!
 
zepharus said:
Here is a CRAZY question... If the keyboard does not damage the screen, then why bother shipping it with a protective sheet there in the first place? things that make you go hmmmmmm.....
Click to expand...

course then the UPS employees might not know to "not put 10 phone books on top of it when they are packing for delivery/transport" these things make you go hmmmmmm.......... :p

bottoms up, its friday. ;)
 
sniperhunter said:
course then the UPS employees might not know to "not put 10 phone books on top of it when they are packing for delivery/transport" these things make you go hmmmmmm.......... :p

bottoms up, its friday. ;)
Click to expand...

When they're being shipped the MacbookPro is placed securely in the box that everyone gets and then that box is shipped in another box.
 
zepharus said:
Here is a CRAZY question... If the keyboard does not damage the screen, then why bother shipping it with a protective sheet there in the first place? things that make you go hmmmmmm.....
Click to expand...

hmmmmmm......

sniperhunter said:
course then the UPS employees might not know to "not put 10 phone books on top of it when they are packing for delivery/transport" these things make you go hmmmmmm.....
Click to expand...

hmmmmmm......

f1 said:
When they're being shipped the MacbookPro is placed securely in the box that everyone gets and then that box is shipped in another box.
Click to expand...

Well, I work at UPS and lets just say that boxes never say Fragile...ever. Nor do they say Do Not Bend, Top Load Only, This Side Up, etc. (if you get what I mean). I have seen cases of wine underneath 120lb. printers and 6ft. long flat boxes (obviously containing posters etc.) bent in half several times. Apple ships the MBP in its box inside of another box just so the beautiful black doesn't get marred up. That second box is not really protecting anything. I am surprised they don't do it with the Mac Pro's...some of those get pretty beat up. The foam on the keyboard is just a little insurance against a 50lb. steel bar from imprinting QWERTY on your screen.
 
mankar4 said:
if i was an apple designer, I would be ashamed of creating a laptop which damages itself when closed. i seriously doubt this will happen.
Click to expand...

Tell that to HP's designers who like to make keyboards and touch pads that gouge the nice glossy screen *glances over at HP 2660se sitting on his desk*
 
it won't damage it by simply being closed. that is the reason for the slight gap when the lid is closed. if you apply pressure to the lid, then it may leave marks.
 
my old macbook pro definitely had keyboard marks on the screen, sorry to say.

I have never had too much stuff in my backpack with it, but all I am saying is, that it is possible.
 
djinn said:
hmmmmmm

I got one of those radtech microfiber I toss in before closing my screen. Not a big deal really.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is what I did. I don't want any screen staining. The $10 or whatever gives me peace of mind.
 
My last MBP suffered from the keyboard damaging the screen, leaving a variety of marks that all but ruined it.

Ive just received my beautiful 2.6 Penryn MBP, and have ordered a "Crumpler" microfiber screen protector to be used at all times when closed. Until then, I'll be using that thin piece of foam!

I agree with earlier poster in that it was pressure from things in a bag (bouncing against my hip) the probably caused this damage in my case. Im taking no chances!

-Mooey
 
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