Has anyone replaced a MacBook Air Keyboard?

Question

Has anyone replaced a MacBook Air Keyboard?

Has anyone replaced their MacBook Air keyboard? Its about $245 to have it done, or I can buy the part for about $40 on ebay and try to do it myself. I know that you have to basically take the entire computer apart to do this, and then reassemble it. I've built guitars and architectural models, but I'm worried about putting the entire computer back together and pinching a wire or not connecting something properly or screwing up with the thermal paste on the CPU. As far as gadgets, I've only replaced batteries in old ipods.

Has anyone else attempted this?

24" Alum iMac, MacBook Air Rev A, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 26, 2009 11:08 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

jb.tamug99

Level 1

25 points

Dec 28, 2009 7:34 PM in response to Khyber Courchesne1

Just did this on the wife's computer. Was actually a lot easier than I thought. went with the ebay one for $39 and am having no problems with it. You may be able to skip the step with the thermal paste actually and take that whole unit out in one step (depends on the age of the MBA). My link may get my post removed but just follow the directions on http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/MacBook-Air-Upper-Case/856/1 and you'll do just fine.

Cheers

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Answer 2

Dec 29, 2009 6:49 PM in response to jb.tamug99

JB - Thank you very much for your reply. I see there are a lot of views for this question, so I hope other people got as much confidence as I now have from your post. I will attempt the replacement myself, and update this thread when and if I am successful.

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Answer 3

Jan 6, 2010 6:41 AM in response to Khyber Courchesne1

Khyber, how did it work out for you with the keyboard replacement? Any problems?

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Answer 4

Jan 6, 2010 1:59 PM in response to jb.tamug99

Hi JB,
I have all the parts and tools waiting on my desk. I'm assuming I have to set aside maybe 3 hours for the operation - maybe this weekend it will happen!

Thanks for asking, I'll let folks know how it goes.
Khyber

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Answer 5

Jan 18, 2010 2:41 AM in response to Khyber Courchesne1

Update:
I completed the replacement of the keyboard. Apart from finding and buying the parts, it took about 3.5 hours to take it apart and put it all back together again. It wasn't that hard, although I was very careful and labelled the screws etc. I think replacing the battery on my 3rd Gen iPod is more error-prone.
The one thing I didn't do is replace the thermal paste. If the fan starts going more I suppose I'll take it apart and do it by the books with the paste. All in all, not too bad. Parts were $60 including tools and shipping. Apple's charge was around $340 I think, and other repair stores are charging about $245.
Thanks, I may not have attempted this without your help.

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