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djinn

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 4, 2003
1,850
369
Does keyboard wear show badly on the black macbook? Just curious. I suffer from the shiny key syndrome.
 

PDE

macrumors 68020
Nov 16, 2005
2,484
18
Does keyboard wear show badly on the black macbook? Just curious. I suffer from the shiny key syndrome.

absolutely! But it's a gradual metamorphosis into what the 'matte' blackbook is under it's skin: glossy! Over time your whole macbook will reveal itself to be a glossy/shiny macbook covered in a thin matte skin.

iskin keyboard protectors help, but they do change the feeling a little.
 

djinn

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 4, 2003
1,850
369
Are there a lot of people out there that use the iSkin for their macbooks? I have one for my macbook pro but sometimes I like to feel the keys under my fingers.
 

ravenvii

macrumors 604
Mar 17, 2004
7,585
493
Melenkurion Skyweir
Yes. They're from the oils of your hand. Eventually the oil becomes permanently stuck on the keyboard, creating the shiny look. Either clean your keyboard constantly, put an iSkin on it, or just accept it.
 

djinn

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 4, 2003
1,850
369
Yes. They're from the oils of your hand. Eventually the oil becomes permanently stuck on the keyboard, creating the shiny look. Either clean your keyboard constantly, put an iSkin on it, or just accept it.

Hows your macbook holding up? Are you using the iskin or have you just accepted the fact of shiny keys?
 

e12a

macrumors 68000
Oct 28, 2006
1,881
0
Yes. They're from the oils of your hand. Eventually the oil becomes permanently stuck on the keyboard, creating the shiny look. Either clean your keyboard constantly, put an iSkin on it, or just accept it.


ehh..the its not the oil that get "permanently stuck" rather its the finish of the keys wearing down to a nice glossy shine from your finger pressing on it. Same with the trackpad.

my macbook pro's f key is starting to do that...I got an iSkin now. it really does make typing quieter (mbp is already pretty quiet compared to other laptop keyboards).
 

docss26

macrumors newbie
Nov 30, 2006
27
0
Chicago
when i took my macbook to the apple store the mac "genius" said that it was a bad idea to use the iskin because one of the main sources of ventilation for the processor is above the elevated keys. i dont know if the heat caused by the iskin is significant enough to not buy one. I myself have it and stopped using it for peace of mind, but id like some of your insight on the issue.
 

PDE

macrumors 68020
Nov 16, 2005
2,484
18
when i took my macbook to the apple store the mac "genius" said that it was a bad idea to use the iskin because one of the main sources of ventilation for the processor is above the elevated keys. i dont know if the heat caused by the iskin is significant enough to not buy one. I myself have it and stopped using it for peace of mind, but id like some of your insight on the issue.


I think that used to be the case with the powerbooks when the keyboard was built to allow heat to pass through, but I don't think the keyboard is really a primary area through which heat is released. I've used iskins on most of my powerbooks and macbooks/mbps. I don't think you need to worry.
 

synth3tik

macrumors 68040
Oct 11, 2006
3,951
2
Minneapolis, MN
You can get a keyboard protector. really made to prevent spills and what not can also protect the keys from you fingers. I think iSkin makes them for the MB.
 

djinn

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 4, 2003
1,850
369
I went ahead and purchased the iskin for my macbook. if I notice any heat problems I'll remove it. I didn't notice any heat problems with my macbook pro.
 

e12a

macrumors 68000
Oct 28, 2006
1,881
0
with my iskin on temps dont seem to be affected. I believe more heat is dissipated through the speaker grille as well as the case itself.

if heat were dissipated through the keyboard, wouldn't that make the keyboard really warm? The iskin barely feels warm.

i believe it is a worthwhile investment because now i can eat snacks (not drinking) and leave my LCD open at all the time (dust). I've heard of some iSkins curling up at the corners, but after some break-in it should be fine. I had an extremely minor problem with that..but now it's flush with the top case.
 
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