Do you cover your keyboard keys when closing the lid?

[James Godfrey]

Does anyone cover their keyboard keys with a thin microfibre cloth when closing the lid on the new 14/16 MBP’s?

I have a 14” on the way an an a bit worried about the keys scratching the display over time… but Apples website says not to do it as it could potentially damage the display as it is made within a tight tolerance.

Also has anyone had any issues with the black keys, or the anodised black keyboard well chipping of showing bare metal at all? Thanks

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't have a 14" etc. Mac but, I always put something between the keys and screen. I use the thin paper that came with the Mac. I have done that for all my Macs and never had any screen imprints.

 

[hansenc]

Yes, I have for the longest time. I use a RadTech ScreenSavrz.

 

[glenthompson]

Never used one and never had a problem. I always carry my laptops in a backpack that minimizes any pressure on the top/bottom covers.

 

[DeltaMac]

I generally place a sheet of copypaper on the keyboard when I close the lid. Does the "key-keeping" job just fine...

 

[Sanpete]

Have had mine since the end of October, no issues yet apart from some of the keys getting shiny. Don't cover them. Some think the key imprints come from oil on the keys ... I've never had them.

 

[F23]

the cloth is to protect the screen from oil build up from your fingers. it's better to wipe the keyboard clean every now and then rather than risk cracking the fragile screen

 

[NoBoMac]

Another vote for ^^^wiping the keyboard (at least once a week for me).

That said, I too use a hyper thin microfiber (Kuzy from Amazon) on my Classic MBPs. No issues.

 

[triptolemus]

 

[Sterkenburg]

I just use the thin paper sheet that comes with the Mac as long as it lasts.

 

[iStorm]

No for me. I've got the 2017 15" MBP and have been taking it to/from work every day for almost 5 years now. (Doesn't seem like it should be that old!) Screen is perfectly fine and never had an issue with the butterfly keyboard either.

 

[arche3]

Yes.

 

[drxcm]

never have, never will

 

[Six0Four]

I bought one of these. Before I shut the lid I give the screen and keyboard deck a quick blow. Works well for getting all the dust out between the keys as well.

 

[Fred Zed]

I don't have a 14" etc. Mac but, I always put something between the keys and screen. I use the thin paper that came with the Mac. I have done that for all my Macs and never had any screen imprints.

This ^^^ now where to buy some extras ? LOL

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

I’m in camp Clean Your Keyboard.
I also generally wash my hands before using my keyboards to try and minimize how oily my fingers are. Mostly because I don’t like the keys getting shiny but you can’t prevent that in the long run.

 

[briko]

Can anyone here attest to any examples of damage caused by a thin microfiber cloth? I’ve seen examples of damage caused by camera covers, bread crumbs, grain of rice, etc, but I don’t think I’ve seen an example of a cloth causing damage in the wild yet. I’m genuinely curious.

(I still think it’s odd that a breadcrumb, or a mushy grain of cooked rice can shatter glass imho. But that’s another story.)

My old MacBook Pro model was prone to screen delamination. I always kept a thin cloth under the display, and it was never an issue. To this day, the screen looks pristine.

Presumably, the cloth would be thinner than the rubber edge that lines the screen, so should it really be an issue? If it is, then can we assume the rubber lip isn’t doing its job?

Even if the screen comes into contact with the cloth, I’m still not sure it would be an issue since it would be spread out uniformly over the entire screen. Cracks are more likely to occur when all the weigh is concentrated at one point of contact. That’s why camera covers are so dangerous. It’s the same reasoning why you should lie down and spread your body weight out if you get stranded on an icy lake.

 

[Ifti]

I dont use anything, but then again, I never touch my MBP keyboard! lol

Currently have a 2019 MBP 16" and the keys are completely untouched - still like new with no gloss whatsoever.
I tend to use a magic keyboard and magic mouse instead - I like the laptop screen a bit further back from me, and find the wireless keyboard/mouse easier and more comfortable to use.....

Will do the same when my M1 Max arrives too....

 

[lm57400]

Never did that.

Such expensive products should really be designed to remain unharmed when using them normally.

 

[BellSystem]

Don’t do that. It adds pressure into the display. Keep it and the keys clean. Don’t transport or store it with other things putting pressure on it and you will not have an issue.

 

[ken ledger]

I put a microfibre cloth between the screen and keys, i noticed that the cloth was leaving a mark on the screen where it was touching the screen. Don't use it anymore just for that reason.

 

[Furfural]

I put a piece of delicate task wipe ("Kimwipe") over the space bar for my 14 inch before I close the lid. The space bar will touch the screen leaving a slight imprint otherwise.

 

[barkomatic]

I don't place anything in between the screen and the keys as I think that would do more harm than good.

What's odd is that there are these greasy tiny spots that show up on my screen every few weeks. I don't eat in front of my Mac ever so it's not splatter from food. My only guess is that it's air pollution but regardless, they come off easy enough when I spray a paper towel with water and gently wipe the screen.

 

[orionquest]

Nope nothing. Do you also put a doily on top of it when it's closed? ?

 

[briko]

I put a microfibre cloth between the screen and keys, i noticed that the cloth was leaving a mark on the screen where it was touching the screen. Don't use it anymore just for that reason.

May I ask what area of the screen the mark was showing up? Was it towards the top bezel, in the center, or near the bottom?