MBP 13 inch: will the keys wear off?

Mac_Badger · Aug 1, 2009

I just want to confirm what I read somewhere. Is it true they've painted the keys from underneath so I don't have to worry about the keys wearing off? And hypothetically, if they did, is it covered under apple care?

Thanks in advance.

Mac_Badger · Aug 1, 2009

I'm talking about something like this: Do the Letters Wear off of G4 ibook keys? [Archive] - Mac Forums

I wish I could find a photo.

wcarr3 · Aug 1, 2009

Mac_Badger said:
I'm talking about something like this: Do the Letters Wear off of G4 ibook keys? [Archive] - Mac Forums

I wish I could find a photo.

Aren't the keys on the new MPB different from the ones on the G4 ibook?

Mac_Badger · Aug 2, 2009

Kinda the crux of my question: are they painted differently so they won't wear off?

S.SubZero · Aug 2, 2009

I dont think there's any fear of the paint "wearing off." The fear is that the cheap plastic they use doesn't hold up to normal wear and tear very well. My MBP 17" unibody, which has the same type of keyboard, started showing a shiny spot on the right side of the spacebar after the very first day I had it out of the box.

Aptmunich · Aug 2, 2009

I'm pretty sure they won't wear off: The letters are slightly translucent to allow the keyboard backlighting to shine through, so I'm going to assume they aren't just painted on.

mjq1986 · Aug 2, 2009

S.SubZero said:
I dont think there's any fear of the paint "wearing off." The fear is that the cheap plastic they use doesn't hold up to normal wear and tear very well. My MBP 17" unibody, which has the same type of keyboard, started showing a shiny spot on the right side of the spacebar after the very first day I had it out of the box.

The same thing happened to me with my 13 inches aluminum macbook. However, the letters haven't worn off at all but still shiny spots on the keyboard have appeared.

Mac_Badger · Aug 2, 2009

You can get a palm rest protector which I am buying. Skin oil is very powerful.

But still, does ANYONE have an official Apple-type response to whether the keys will wear off and if it's covered by Apple Care? My Dell literally had this problem once a year.

Dysfunction · Aug 2, 2009

Since they're not painted on.. they're translucent, they won't wear off. Mine are polished heavily in the usual pattern.. but the letters still clearly visible.