Caring for Macbook Pro Keyboard (late 2008)

Question

Level 1

11 points

Caring for Macbook Pro Keyboard (late 2008)

I thought I liked the black keyboard at first, but now not so much. It loves the slightest bit of sweat or oil from the finger tips and it seems to be a pain to clean. Any recommendations?

Macbook Pro 15" (Unibody), Mac OS X (10.5.5), 2.80ghz, 4GB ram, 320GB 7200RPM hdd, 512mb nVidia 9600M

Posted on Dec 1, 2008 8:29 PM

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Answer 1

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Dec 1, 2008 8:50 PM in response to wisemanleo

Use a damp microfiber cloth. Shinex makes excellent ones, which are available at Lowe's and the Home Depot.

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Answer 2

wisemanleo Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 1, 2008 8:58 PM in response to LukeD

Isn't the cloth that Apple ships the notebook with the same thing? I tried the damp method, didn't work so much. It is an oil/sweat blotch afterall, so I wonder maybe if I can use an oil remover tissue that they sell in make up stores? lol

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Answer 3

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Dec 1, 2008 9:02 PM in response to wisemanleo

No, a microfiber cloth will get rid of all the oil, and it will not harm your machine.

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Answer 4

Kieran N

Level 1

11 points

Dec 1, 2008 9:09 PM in response to wisemanleo

oil remover?

Just wash your hands, man!

People have too much money these days...

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Answer 5

wisemanleo Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 1, 2008 9:12 PM in response to Kieran N

Lol, I wash my hands frequently. Trust me on that one. But use your laptop long enough, and your skin, including that on your fingertips, will excrete oil or water. It's how fingerprints are made!

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Answer 6

Kieran N

Level 1

11 points

Dec 2, 2008 12:16 PM in response to wisemanleo

i know what you are saying

i would just give the keys a good wipe with a damp paper towel

just make sure that it is not too damp or you will damage your keyboard - the new keyboards hate liquids

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Answer 7

demolasko

Level 2

390 points

Dec 2, 2008 2:58 PM in response to Kieran N

try like a low abrasive cleaner like the method window cleaner (all natural) from target seems to work for me i use it all over mine does a good job too!!!!

Message was edited by: demolasko

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Answer 8

wisemanleo Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 7, 2008 11:05 AM in response to wisemanleo

You know what? I tried dampening a microfiber cloth with a few droplets of water, and the keyboard was cleaned to a good degree.

What worked even better, though, is dampening a small towel a couple drops of hand sanitizer alcohol solution. Give the keys a bit of a wipe, and bam, oil removed to an even better degree. The space bar though is still not good as new though, so I need an even better solution. I wonder if its just deformed.

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Answer 9

Dec 7, 2008 7:33 PM in response to wisemanleo

I gotta tell you, although I realize everyone has their own preferences and idiosyncrasies, my last laptop (PowerMac G4) never had its black keyboard cleaned and worked fine for me for 6 or 7 years. I worry more about how the system works and using it than cleaning it, and it never let me down. I would not get too hung up on the topic. But, again everyone to their own.

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Answer 10

Dec 8, 2008 3:56 PM in response to wisemanleo

Yeah, I know the keys get oily after few hours even I cleaned with display wet cloth thingy.
But I finally found best solution to it!!

DON'T USE YOUR BUILT IN KEYBOARD!

I started using bluetooth keyboard since I wanted to use other language keyboard not English one. And I found out my black keys are really clean!!

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Answer 11

wisemanleo Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 8, 2008 4:17 PM in response to SHINFRANK

I was actually thinking of that. But that's not a very practical solution.

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Answer 12

Dec 8, 2008 4:39 PM in response to wisemanleo

I know ya,
How about getting some kind of silicon cover thing foe your key board.
The web site is Japanese but they've got shape for US key board as well.

http://www.pawasapo.co.jp/products/mac/pkc.php

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Answer 13

wisemanleo Author

Level 1

11 points

Dec 8, 2008 4:57 PM in response to SHINFRANK

Ooooh that's cool! I might have to get me a couple of those when I go to Japan.

The only thing I'd be careful of is when closing the laptop, I'd suggest removing the silicon cover to prevent any dust or oil transfer to the screen from contact with the cover!

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Answer 14

Dec 8, 2008 5:50 PM in response to wisemanleo

On the web site, it says
1. Very thin silicon and stops dust getting in.
2. Very thin, but rally effective against screeches and tear.
3. It has same print and font as MB/MBA/MBP's keyboards.
4. Anti slipping surface in the back so it doesn't move when you type aggressively!
5. Has special layer of coat on front surface and does not get dirty easily.
6. but when it gets dirty you can wash it with washing liquids for plate and cups.

Only available for Late 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pro. (US or Japanese) and MacBook Air

Only 2,480 yen each, which is about 25USD!

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Answer 15

Dec 8, 2008 5:51 PM in response to wisemanleo

http://www.klearscreen.com/detail.aspx?ID=97

I like this product called IKlear - works well on the glass or lcd screens and also on the keys, etc.

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