popping off keys to rearrange them

I've done so on my Mid 09 Unibody MBP. I had the same concerns before I bought it, but everything went well, the keys popped off and reattached easily, and I had no 90-degree troubles or anything.

I have also done this.

Here are some tricks. I will describe this process using a "compass" ideology to avoid any confusion that would otherwise break the keys:

!!!! Be careful and work slowly; treat each key as if it was the first to avoid breaking.

For Powerbook/iBook/MacBook Pro (Pre-unibody)/Macbook (Plastic)/Aluminum Keyboard

- This may be obvious but don't remove "A" and "M"... there is simply no need if you are switching to DV.

- The scissors that hold the keys are mounted in a "north/south" (North being the direction towards the screen or away from you) fashion on these machines with the clips at the northern edge. Use a business card to gently lift the northern edge of the key, use one hand to hold down the southern edge and the other to gently lift the left (NW) corner until you hear a click. Lift a little more until you hear a second click and then gently lift the key from its place and repeat.

- To replace, simply position the new key over the mechanism and it will snap in easily by placing it over the scissors and pushing down. Do not force any key, and check it if it is being difficult. For example, it's very easy to mix up the direction of certain keys such as "I" and "O"... if it's not going back on, it may be upside down.

For new "chicklet" Macbook/MacBook Pro (unibody)

- They rotated the key scissor mechanism 90 degrees counter-clockwise to an "East/west" arrangement and added another feature which I will describe. Work as above except put the business card under the left (west) edge of the key and lift the bottom left (SW) corner while holding down the eastern edge.

- Be careful. Rather than popping off as before, you must lift the key to vertical (perpendicular) once the west edge has unsnapped, hold it in one hand, and gently press down the scissor mechanism while gently moving the key until it unlatches.

- To replace the key, start perpendicular and slide the eastern edge of the key underneath the little clips that allow this vertical rotation. You may need to hold up the scissors. once each side has snapped in, rotate the key to the west and press down.


Anyways, I sort of just wrote a book on the subject... I hope this helps.

One last thing. If your computer needs to go in for applecare, it may be wise to switch the keys back to qwerty as I'm not sure whether this procedure voids the warranty.

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