Will silicone keyboard cover cause overheating in Macbook Pro?

I've heard that air is pulled through the keyboard to cool the laptop. If I use my silicone cover for the keyboard, will that cause the average temperatures of the inner components to be higher than normal and ultimately shorten the lifespan of my Macbook Pro?? Thank you in advance for your advice!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 13, 2008 11:42 PM

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Jan 14, 2008 11:24 PM in response to jim192837

I would advise not using one. It's important to keep air moving through the keyboard for cooling. I'm afraid your fans would also run very high and loud most of the time. Just keep food and drink away from the keyboard. User uploaded file

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Jan 14, 2008 11:56 PM in response to jim192837

Some people I know who use these covers on PPC and Intel based Mac notebooks swear by them, Jim. Others complain that they "yellow" over time, or change the keyboard "feel". I've yet to meet anyone complaining of overheating as a result, though, and the Intel Macs run generally a bit cooler than the PPC ones did.

If you run your MBP continuously on maximum performance undertaking heavy duty tasks I guess it might have some minor impact in the longer term. Your processor can handle temps up to 100ºC, and will then automatically slow down or shut down.

On the other hand, a single cup of coffee or a glass of wine can do one heck of a lot of damage in a fraction of a second! Swings and roundabouts? In terms of avoiding likely damage I suspect that using the keyboard cover actually has you well in front!

The other factors (keyboard feel and aesthetics) come down more to personal predilections that only you can be the judge of.

Cheers

Rod

Message was edited by: Rod Hagen
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Jan 15, 2008 4:00 AM in response to Rod Hagen

I use one made by iskin on my mbp. I have had no problems or issues with it causing heating at all. Furthermore, I have monitored the temperature both with it on and off, doing tasks ranging from web browsing to playing halo3, and under both conditions, the same temps were reached. The "feel" of the keyboard is changed slightly, but not in a negative way, you just have to get used to it.

As to yellowing with age, so what? If they do buy another one. It sure beats having dust and other nasty stuff find their way under your keyboard.

If you do get one, i recomend the clear one so that you can still see the lights on your keys
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Will silicone keyboard cover cause overheating in Macbook Pro?

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