Replace MBP keyboard with NEW chicklet STYLE - POSSIBLE??

Question

Level 1

18 points

Replace MBP keyboard with NEW chicklet STYLE - POSSIBLE??

This is what I'd very much like to do: I'd like to replace the keyboard on my MacBook Pro 2.4 15" Santa Rosa (silver keys, old style) with the NEW chicklet style that's on the new keyboards.

The reason is simple - as a writer I just don't like the keyboard on my MBP! It drives me nuts (for a myriad of reasons). So I use the Apple wireless keyboard which is FANTASTIC. This is the kind of keyboard I want on my MBP. However, this works really only when I'm at my desk, and not when traveling or the other places where I need to my work.

I realize the short answer to this question would be 'NO' but with some kind of modification I'm wondering if it is indeed possible. I don't know about the electrical aspects of this request and how different the keyboards are and how it integrates with a laptop so I'm asking here.

I've considered buying a used macbook (with the newer keyboard chicklet style) just for this reason. It is, a deal breaker for me. My MBP works FINE, however the keyboard on my MBP just *****. It's just so 'soft' and all those keys I have to repeat, I just can't do it, it plugs up my work flow.

Please, if any of you have knowledge and understanding of what would go into such a replacement (and modification) and let me know that it is indeed possible, you'd make this gal one happy camper! I really really don't want to have to buy another laptop just because of a keyboard. That would be so, ridiculous.

Any thoughts on how it could be done would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core2Duo 15", 20" Cinema Display, 5G Vid ipod 30GB + 60GB ipod, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 1, 2009 9:28 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 2, 2009 5:15 AM in response to NightBird

Unfortunately, the long answer to your query is not too different from the short answer. 😉

The 'holes' for the new keyboard keys are machined into the unibody enclosure, compared to the original which was a single, integrated piece filling a large open space in the top case. Technically, I suppose the real answer is yes, it's possible - but, the cost of having a cover with gaps for the new keys custom-machined and installed would almost certainly exceed the cost of a new MBP, much less that of a used MB. A new machine is really the way to go for you, I think.

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Answer 2

NightBird Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 2, 2009 7:14 AM in response to neuroanatomist

neuroanatomist,

I believe you are right. It boils down to one rather expensive 'keyboard' now, as I did decide to purchase a new MB mainly for writing (and still keep my MBP for more intensive actions).

I do truly appreciate your post -- I had fancied myself capable of getting this done somehow, but your discerning response (you seem to know what you're talking about) reassured me that it was a fading hope and unrealistic, and I should just bite the bullet and get a new MB w/ the keyboard I want.

Thank you neuroanatomist (is this your profession?!) for your post. Your conclusion was what I had been thinking anyway. 🙂

All the best.

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Answer 3

Feb 2, 2009 7:26 AM in response to NightBird

Glad to help, and thanks for the

!

neuroanatomist (is this your profession?!)

Yes, it is. 🙂

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Answer 4

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

Feb 2, 2009 12:51 PM in response to NightBird

2 ways to accomplish this: One costs about $50 and the other is the exact difference between the value of your current MBP used, and a new one.

1. Buy an aluminum keyboard, with these types of keys and use that albeit on a plane it will be a challenge.

2. Sell the one you have and buy a new one with the difference made up in cash.

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Answer 5

NightBird Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 2, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Ricktoronto

Ricktoronto, I stated in my first post that I already HAVE an aluminum keyboard (the wireless version) and I stated that it is absolutely wonderful. The point of my post was when I'm NOT at my desk (where I use the aluminum keyboard in good measure), but rather when I'm traveling, @ meetings, etc., and using the external keyboard just isn't practical w/ a laptop. I've been trying to make that work effectively and it just doesn't. If you read my post carefully I state this plainly. But thank you for your response none-the-less.

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Answer 6

Logic Pro

Level 3

649 points

Feb 8, 2009 7:24 PM in response to NightBird

Is what you have really Aluminum or plastic, mine is plastic and all the Aluminum keyboards i tried blew it away!, i was gonna just ask if it was possible to replace my MBP 17" 2.4 santa rosa's keyboard with a Aluminum version, my letters faded away big time.

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Answer 7

NightBird Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 8, 2009 7:53 PM in response to Logic Pro

Hello Logic Pro,

The keyboard itself on my MBP 15" 2.4Ghz Santa Rosa is indeed plastic (silver colored) just as yours. The laptop is aluminum (of course). In my research, I did not find that replacing the existing keyboard with the 'new style' would be possible or even practical to try.

So I ended up getting a secondary laptop with the keyboard I like instead of trying a replacement and ruining something. Best of luck!

Regards.

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Answer 8

Logic Pro

Level 3

649 points

Feb 9, 2009 12:15 AM in response to NightBird

i posted my question here, i was not interested in the new keyboards but aluminum, they stay cooler and feel better., especially built for PRO users (i was shocked to find that Apple uses plastic with such hot computers!

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