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i book keys wearing off

There seems to be quite a few people leaving posts on the discussion forum because they are finding that the letters are wearing off on their new G5 i books, I personally am on my second key board in just 4 months and have 6 keys with letters nearly worn off completely on this new replacement keyboard. Yet we have two apple desk top computers here at home and three apple machines at my office and in 10
years of using apple computers we have never had problems with key boards.
I have also read that people with older apple laptops have not experienced
this problem and I have three friends with Powerbook that have not had the same problem. If there is any one else out there with this problem, I suggest that as many people as possible LEAVE POSTS ON THE DISCUSSION FORUM To give a clearer idea of just how many people are having this problem. Is it just one faulty supplier or has the quality of the apple key boards suffered in a bid to cut prices? I for one am very unhappy to have spent a great deal of my limited income on an important peace of equipment to be experiencing such a repeated problem.

Posted on Jun 4, 2005 5:02 PM

124 replies

Jul 18, 2005 4:26 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

My second keyboard is starting to show signs of wear. I do notice that there is a bit of room on the side of each key to print a small letter, with a marker. That won't look cool, but it will work. Yes, I have typed for 25 years, and still forget where the S is. 😉

Lutetia

Level 4

1,872 points

Jul 18, 2005 4:39 PM in response to Donna Druchunas

Hi Donna,
It seems Apple only sends out replacement keyboards, not key caps (which might be tricky to install).
If your iBook is still under warranty, you should be covered.

Jul 18, 2005 6:45 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

I lost my E, S, A, & Z within 3 months out of the box on my new G4 iBook. I started with Apple on the first Mac ever and have been with Apple ever since. My last Powerbook was a 1400c, used and upgraded for many years. Never had a keyboard letter problem until now.
1) Who/what is done to get keys or a keyboard replaced?
2) I agree with Elizabeth, post here till they acknowledge the problem and act on it. And insist they offer a program to repair. INSIST!

Jul 18, 2005 7:02 PM in response to None Bizness

Part of the "S", almost the entire "N", part of the "E", and half of the "L" on my keyboard are worn off. I'm planning on bringing in my keyboard to the Apple store, getting a new keyboard, buying an iSkin, and upgrading to the extended AppleCare service. Will save me the trouble in the future.

Jul 18, 2005 7:22 PM in response to Jennifer Berger

Jenni, here is something to consider. You say you intend to buy Applecare. If this is due to your ibook about to be 1 year old, you may be better off financially to sell your ibook on ebay, use that money plus the money required to buy Applecare, and buy a brand new ibook which will be new, faster, have Tiger OS installed and of course come with a full year warranty.

I checked what used ibooks are selling for on ebay and discovered that I could sell my 1GHz ibook, then add the cost of applecare and Tiger (which I don't have) and it would cost me less money then buying applecare and Tiger, plus I would have a brand new 1.2 GHz ibook.

With your 80GB drive you could command even more than I would get. Check out the Completed Items on ebay and you will see how this could be the best deal by quite a margin particularily since you would then have a brand new computer. Keep in mind that Applecare is not really a 3 year warranty, but rather a 2 year warranty tacked onto the end of the 1 year that you already have.

Lutetia

Level 4

1,872 points

Jul 18, 2005 7:48 PM in response to None Bizness

None,
If your iBook is still under warranty, all you have to do is call Apple Support and they will send out a new replacement keyboard.

Betsyb123

Level 1

100 points

Jul 19, 2005 5:10 AM in response to Lutetia

I bought replacement stickers for the keyboard instead of a new keyboard. I can't recall the name of the place, and I'm not on my own computer just now to locate it, but I'm sure if you do a search you'll find a place to buy those. I'd never consider buying anything but a Mac even if I do have to buy keyboard stickers... have been at it since 1984.

Jul 19, 2005 6:33 AM in response to Sharon Tani

Hi

Sorry to hear about the probs you have with your computer.

If you are not having any joy with apple, and if you bought your ibook on your credit card and the computer is still within the year, dont waste any more time with apple, contact your credit card company and put a dispute on the transaction.

Apple wont mess about with your credit company!

I have had a couple of problems with apple stuff in the past and after trying the normal route, I have resorted to my credit card company, and the credit card company sorted out all my problems for me.

If you pay by credit card, use the power that comes with it, its the only way sometimes to get things sorted out.

Good Luck!

MVictor

Level 4

1,525 points

Jul 19, 2005 4:15 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

Apple has never given me a problem with replacing my iBook keyboard when the keys wear off. They don't even make me send the old keyboard back. It really doesn't mean anything to me, as Apple is paying to get me the new keyboard - with overnight service may I add.

MV

Betsyb123

Level 1

100 points

Jul 24, 2005 8:13 AM in response to MVictor

I did a google search and found some sites where you can buy stickers if you are out of warranty. Frankly, I like these better than the actual keypads...

http://www.datacal.com/dce/ [bought mine here]

http://www.language-keyboard.com/stickers.htm

Jul 24, 2005 1:42 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

Just thought i would mention that the A and S keys wore off my Ibook 800mhz after 5 months usage and I called Apple and they sent out a new keyboard FedEX 2 day air, no problems. no questions asked. Jeff

Jul 24, 2005 3:19 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

I just bought a new g4 iBook to replace a worn out g3 ibook. I wonder if the the old keyboard would work in the new book????

MVictor

Level 4

1,525 points

Jul 24, 2005 3:41 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

I personally think that the iBook G3 keyboards are nicer than the G4 ones.

MV

pabev

Level 1

95 points

Jul 26, 2005 12:47 AM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

I, too, am on my second keyboard with my iBook G4. Now my E,C,N and J keys are wearing. So, I must contact Apple again. I'm still under Applecare and know they'll replace it, but the question is whether they are doing anything at all to fix the problem once and for all. I shouldn't have to take apart my computer every few months to replace the most basic part of it!

Jul 26, 2005 10:54 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

Add me to the list as well.

My brother bought an iBook G4 last August, and since then the Print on the letter "N" on the "N" key is fading. I called AppleStore Pasadena about the problem and they said that they've never heard of such a thing before. Don't they read these forums? Luckily my brother has AppleCare. The Apple guy told me to drop by to see an Apple Genius.

We'll see what happens from here. . . I'll keep you guys posted.

I'm glad I'm not alone here.

i book keys wearing off