Replace MacBook pro keyboard

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Level 1

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Replace MacBook pro keyboard

Hi,

I have a Macbook Pro 15" (still under warranty) that I bought in the US.

I am moving to France for a while and I'd like to change my qwerty keyboard to an azerty.
I went to the Apple store today and asked if I could buy/order an azerty keyboard (so I could replace it myself). Apparently, I can't order it and I would need to let Apple do this for me if I don't want to void my warranty. I am fine with that but I am also wondering if I will also get the qwerty keyboard back? Will I also be charged to change it back? Or will that be covered by my warranty?

Thanks,
Benjamin.

Macbook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Jul 22, 2008 12:00 AM

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Answer 1

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jul 22, 2008 12:33 AM in response to benjob

Hi Benjamin,

Firstly welcome to the discussions.

My suggestion would be that you simply ask them.

Although this discussion board is run by Apple it is essentially a "peer to peer" help and discussion board, rather than a means of accessing Apple views on such things directly. You can't expect an official reply from Apple here.

My own suspicion would be that you would be perfectly entitled to ask to keep the old keyboard, and I very much doubt that Apple would deny you this, assuming you pay full price for the replacement. In many parts of the world (not sure where you are) consumer affairs laws would actually make it mandatory that they did so if you requested it, unless you were provided with "trade in" pricing or somesuch.

If/ when the time comes to change it back you will presumably be charged the necessary fee once again, minus the cost of the keyboard. It may pay you to "shop around" different Apple authorised service providers in such a situation.

I'm afraid swapping out a keyboard in an MBP is far more complex than in things like the old iBooks, though, so don't be surprised if the fee is still substantial.

But, as I said, your best bet is to approach Apple (or a local Apple Authorised Service Provider ) directly about these sorts of things. We can all guess here, but it won't be an answer "straight from the Apple's mouth"!

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 2

benjob Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 22, 2008 1:30 AM in response to Rod Hagen

Thanks a lot for your answer Rod!

I tried here in case somebody already ran into this problem but you are right, I will contact an Apple distributor in France and see what they can do.
I am still hoping I will be able to take my MBP apart myself but, it is probably true, it might be harder than what I think. Especially because I care more about this laptop than any other Apple laptop I have taken apart before 🙂

Thanks,
Benjamin.

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Answer 3

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Jul 22, 2008 3:05 AM in response to benjob

Hi again Benjamin,

You can, of course, take your MBP apart and swap the keyboard yourself if you wish to. You will almost certainly invalidate your warranty if you do so though.

To get some idea of what is involved, so you can make a rational decision about the difficulties compared to the cost, have a look at http://www.ifixit.com/Categories/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch/85 to find a guide to the process for your particular model.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 4

Aug 18, 2008 11:22 AM in response to benjob

My darling wife accidently dropped a bowl of Tomato sauce on my MacBook Pro (15") and the keyboard is stuffed. I am trying to get the keyboard replaced (In Thailand) whilst I am on leave. But cannot get a price as it has to go to Singapore. Can some one give me and average price to replace the keyboard on a Macbook 15" that is six months old??

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