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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

KRitchie

Level 2

490 points

Jul 27, 2005 8:38 AM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

Same thing happened to my G4 iBook purchased a year ago. I took it to the Apple Store and they ordered me a new keyboard since they didn't have any spare keys to replace the faded ones. When the new keyboard came in I purchased an iSkin keyboard protector. This solves the problem. Apple needs to use different lettering that is not affected buy skin oil.

http://www.iskin.com/store/I2shop_ptpb.tpl?cart=11224750595384454&command=showca rt&db=products01.db

Mark Hunt

Level 4

1,070 points

Jul 27, 2005 12:14 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

This sounds like a stupid question, but why wouldn't the PB keyboard work in the iBooks, they loook the same size.

Aug 13, 2005 7:15 AM in response to Mark Hunt

Hmm... my wife has an iBook two versions ago (bought winter 2004)... letters on the keys still intact. The iBook my work supplied (the version just before the brand new one) started losing its E letter in one week!

A previous Powerbook, 3-4 years old, began to show some wear, IIRC... but the real problem was the space bar losing its ability to type.

Replacing keycaps can be tricky, especially ones with the extra tension bar. But I'd rather have them send me a sticker than an entire keyboard (especially if a replacement keyboard's going to have the same problem). Too much junk in landfills as it is.

Aug 13, 2005 7:25 AM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

lolol ive just posted about this. Had my ibook 6 months and lost print off 50 percent of keys. Apple did send me a new keyboard when i called but i won't be happy when its out of warranty and i lose my letters

Aug 13, 2005 10:18 AM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

As i agree that a dip in apples usual high standard of manufacture is not acceptable; people should be aware that laptops are portable computers and are for short term use only. Laptops used for more than 2-3 hours at a time will wear quicker than expected and keys rubbing off will be a symptom of this. I have had a G4 ibook for well over a year now, but i use a desktop for the majority of my working day. I was without the desktop for 3 months and during this time had to use my ibook 6-8 hours a day... the keys soon started to show wear so i did the sensible thing and plugged in a usb keyboard... not only did it save my ibook keys it also made sure i wasnt going to suffer RSI or tunnel carpel pain! I suggest if your keys are wearing down you get yourself a proper keyboard and mouse. Keys can be replaced by injured wrists and fingers can not!

Aug 13, 2005 10:33 AM in response to Becki Scott

people should be aware that laptops are portable computers and are for short term use only.

What a load of crap! Says who??

Aug 13, 2005 10:39 AM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

hmm i disagree i went into the shop to purchase a computer for constant use and was assured the laptop would suit my needs. Many of my friends have pc laptops in constant use and have no such problems with them.

I have no wish to use a seperate keyboard as the good thing about teh lappy is i can sit on the couch and use it. A laptop should be just as good quality as a normal computer.

Aug 13, 2005 12:35 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

you can see just from the design of a laptop keyboard that it is not as ergonomical friendly as a full sized keyboard. I am pleased for you if you do not suffer from any wirst or finger pain, and wish you continued good health. Unfortunately i wasnt so lucky but thankfully it has been solved by investing in more suitable equipment.

by the way... it is the health & safety executive who suggest that laptop users should use "good facilities such as external keyboards and monitors, or full docking stations at workstations where portable computers will be in prolonged use" (www.hse.gov.uk)

pabev

Level 1

95 points

Aug 13, 2005 2:38 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

Has anyone had any success convincing Apple that this "disappearing keys" phenomenom is a problem. The AppleCare tech I talked to just blew it off as a few people on the discussion boards. The idea that these "few" people have had multiple keyboards did not seem to phase him in the least. He just sent me a new keyboard, which I have not installed yet, but am sure will last only a short time before I have to do this again.
There must be a solution. Or maybe they just have too many of these defective ones in stock and will not act until there is a shortage.

Aug 15, 2005 1:32 AM in response to pabev

I finally found this discussion board after being on my mac for 8 months now. I think I'm out of warranty (didn't use the ibook for about 6 months when it was first given to me) so I may not be able to replace my keyboard. I've already lost S, T L, N and a few more going out soon. Howdo you suggest I stop the keyboard from completely going blank?

Oh, btw,this has happened to me in the past--on a DELL laptop. Equally poor quality keyboard. I have a skin on mine noe to arrest anyh more flaking.

thanks!
Vicki

Aug 15, 2005 8:29 PM in response to Elizabeth M Knight

Same problem--bought my Ibook in July 2004 and had some letter wear off within 6 months. I lived with it for awhile and only recently began to get really annoyed. I was 2 weeks out of the warranty period when I finally decided to do something about it and took it in to a local Apple store. Despite being out of warranty, they replaced the keyboard for free which makes me think they are well aware of the issue and at least some stores are making it right. I pick it up tomorrow and hope this one stays ok. So I would encourage anyone, even if you are out of the warranty period, to try to get it replaced.

Aug 20, 2005 4:22 PM in response to Christy Diercksen

Mine was within warranty... heck, it was only 1 week old! The E started going right away... it's almost completely gone now. Then the 2nd week, the S started to go, and now it's the N key.

I called the 1-800 Apple Care line and the person did some checking and, even though I said I'd be happy with stick on replacement decals, they shipped me out a replacement keyboard! Came within 1 or 2 days, incredibly!

I asked if the replacements had the same problem (as has been reported here people have gotten replacements only to discover the same thing happens!) (some have gone through 2 or 3 or more keyboards!). He said he's known about the problem for a long time--and seen it happen--so he presumed it's been fixed.

I'm not going to install my replacement until this one has really given up the ghost! (Ghost letters, ghost typing, ghost writing... The Case of the Disappearing Keys)

Aug 27, 2005 9:19 PM in response to MacGallant

Update:

My brother has next Wednesday off to go to the AppleStore at Glendale Galleria for a replacement keyboard for his iBook G4.

Question: Does anyone know if the AppleStore at Glendale Galleria will have spare iBook G4 keyboards and will they install it on the spot?

My brother also plans on getting a Protouch ibook keyboard skin to prevent future potential problems with the ink print on the keys from wearing out.

Aug 28, 2005 6:52 AM in response to AstroMacMan

E is now gone, N and S nearly worn off, the I is starting to go.

Somoeone suggested it's the oil in one's skin that's doing this, some kind of chemical reaction. I don't think so. On mine, it's almost certainly a physical -mechanical problem. My nails catch on the letter decals and that causes flaking. I can tell when it's time to trim my nails as they start catching on the keys.

I'm going to try using a sharpie to put the lettering back on. I still don't want to use the replacement keyboard Apple sent as I don't know if that's going to be any better!

If the replacement keyboards are just as bad, then I think it's time for Apple to provide the iSkin or transparent covers or whatever is needed. We shouldn't have to buy them ourselves and be out of pocket.

Aug 30, 2005 11:56 AM in response to MacGallant

Update#2:
My brother is going to AppleStore Glendale Galleria tonight at 7pm (Pacfic time) instead of Wednesday to see a Genius about keyboard replacement for his iBook G4.

i book keys wearing off