1

I wish the plastic Apple uses for keys was as good as the electronics and the cases. I had vowed never to buy Logitech keyboards and mice because their electronics are fine, but their plastic cases are so poorly engineered those devices collapse within a year. By comparison, one can get many years of an Apple keyboard. The aluminum cases are solid.

I understand that, officially, only the keys on MacBooks can be replaced. The keys on the old (Apple Wireless Keyboard) and those on the new (Magic Keyboard) cannot be replaced. Officially.

apple wireless keyboard keys

The keys, as you see, are now rather grating to use, and the notches gradually disappear, making it harder to touch-type. I see individual keys offered on eBay. They seem to be salvaged, not new.

If Apple declines to change them officially, how much skill is needed to replace such a key by the end user? Is the plastic underneath particularly breakable?

Update

OK, I see that ifixit says: "Keys can be easily [italics added] removed by using a scalpel or fingernail under the left side and lifted."

Is this "easy" by ifixit's standard only? Have you succeeded in replacing several such keys without getting one broken? (which would render the entire device useless).

Improve this question
6
  • I had one for 7 or 8 years & all that happened was I eventually wore through until the letters were erased. The keys never went pitted like that, just smoothly wore away, got slightly concave in the centre & very shiny.
    – Tetsujin
    Jun 30, 2017 at 14:47
  • @Tetsujin Dry fingerprints protruding? Should I get some 400-grit sandpaper and keep it nearby to get rid of those ridges before typing, to keep my beloved Apple components in good condition?
    – Calaf
    Jun 30, 2017 at 14:54
  • I never throw anything away that could come in useful ;) i.stack.imgur.com/9RX8B.jpg [sorry, it could be cleaner] It just seems odd that the plastic has gone like that rather than worn evenly.
    – Tetsujin
    Jun 30, 2017 at 15:03
  • @Tetsujin Interesting. It looks like the polymers used to make your keys and mine have different material properties. Perhaps Apple's sourcing requirements didn't specify the result after seven years of abrasion.
    – Calaf
    Jun 30, 2017 at 16:09
  • It does look relatively easy - I've not done an Apple kbd but I've pressed back a myriad random laptop keys that customers seem to think it fun to prise off. It's rare one gets actually broken, even when vandalism is the intended action. Though it might be worth wandering into your local Apple Store with those two pictures & saying "Hey, what about this uneven wear then??"
    – Tetsujin
    Jun 30, 2017 at 16:18

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

That older model has key caps that are far easier to fix than the new low profile keyboards.

They are still not easy and by the time the keys wear out, the plastic scissors are likely equally worn or fragile. You’ll probably want half a dozen “donor” keyboards for parts if you decide to DIY repair these era of keyboards. But with a skilled technician, what you ask is doable without special tools and large stockpile of 100% new parts.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .