How are MBP keyboard keys held on?

[ciaronm]

Hi all,

Just wondering how the keys are attached and seated on the MBP?

I have an 'enter' key that does not sit flat and believe that it is not attached correctly.

If you look at the arrow keys there are some small metal tabs with a circular holes in them, they seem to act sort of like hinges for the white plastic under the keys. However when i hold down the right hand shift key i can see that there is one of these metal tabs (under the 'enter' key) that does not have the white plastic going through it. Hence my 'enter' key leans to the right and the bottom half of the key is un-responsive to touch. It equally has a different feeling and sound to all of the other keys which is proving to be quite annoying especially when it does not respond. It's a real shame as the rest of the keyboard is fabulous!

Could this be the cause for the enter key not sitting correctly?
How could i fix it, at an apple store perhaps?
Myself?
Am i just being a perfectionist?

"Ps the machine is a week old and otherwise i love it"

Many thanks in advance!

 

[iToaster]

The keys are held on by a scissor like device, the key sits on top of the "X" so when you press it the "X" flattens out into a "_" and the key makes contact and registers. I'd say you're just being a perfectionist, but you might be able to pry the key off and reseat it, but I don't recommend it.

 

[Knolly]

When I got my MBP from the Apple store it had 5 or so keys that were popped up too high. I just pressed them down, heard them click, and I haven't had problems since.

 

[kolax]

I don't know how to get the keys off without breaking them - I've tried to take one off before because it was making a clicking sound (probably because there was a bit crap stuck in the key) but couldn't get it off, was really putting pressure on it and if I had done anymore I thought I'd end up snapping it off.

 

[ciaronm]

Do you think they would be able to shed some light on this at the apple store if i were to run it in, i could easily pass by it on the way home from work? I know nothing of apple stores, but are the geniuses not there to help out with this kind of problem?

The hole thing does seem a little superficial but it is just quite annoying and i don't see why a brand new product should have little defects like this.

Equally id just like to know how the keys actually work because all of the others work really well!

 

[kylos]

I've had the keys off on my G3 iBook before. Generally you can remove them by prying up on a corner. As stated earlier, the keys snap onto a scissor joint.

Your observation was correct about the enter key. Longer keys have metal clips in them to provide stability for the key. The clips snap to the keys at several points and either end of the clip slides into a groove on the base of the keyboard. Your enter key is not attached properly.

Though the keys are able to be popped off, it is possible to break the plastic tabs, so you should take your computer to an apple store and have them fix it so you don't end up paying for anything.

 

[ciaronm]

Thanks again for all the advice. I will probably try and take it in this week at some point.

I must confess that having looked as much as possible under the 'enter' key i can not actually see the imagined clip that should attach to it, would this imply that it has snapped off. My system was delivered like this?!

What do i need to tell them at the apple store? Do i need the receipt? This could be a problem as essentially this laptop was purchased for me by my local education authority who the computers apple care is licensed to. However as this MBP is a new SR then i could not have owned it for more than 90 days or whatever the warranty is.

Any further advice regarding this would be appreciated as i don't fancy a wasted trip!

Many thanks once again,

 

[Marky_Mark]

Always take the receipt - it can't do any harm and at least you know you've got it if it's required. Nothing worse than a wasted journey. Book a slot at the genius bar online just before you leave.

 

[netdog]

If people "love glossy" so much, I wonder why Steve hasn't changed the ACDs to glossy.

OOPS WRONG THREAD. SORRY