New SR\LED MBP Keyboard Issues - Comon?

[mark-itguy]

Picked up a new SR\LED MBP. In a previous thread the screen had issues, and I got it exchanged. The new screen looks better. Now I noticed a few keyboard issues, and wonder how common they are.

1) The shift button and caps lock button on the left side appear to have their right side of the button pressed down a bit, so the left side sticks up above flush. Being against the speaker, this is especially noticalbe. I don't think they touch the screen when the lid is closed, or I'd probably see marks by now.

2) During the course of normal two-handed typing, my hand seems to cover up the sensor at times, [dunno where it is], so the keyboard lights up and the screen dims. I disabled the automatic screen dimming feature, so it's not a real distraction anymore.


While this is not ideal, I can live with it, especially if it is somewhat common. I'd hate to exchange it for a cosmetic keyboard issue and risk getting a display that flickers, has dead pixels, etc... Or even a new problem.

Thoughts please!

Thanks.

 

[coledog]

The sensor for the lighted keyboard is in the speakers...if you cover the speakers the keys will light.

My previous gen MBP has the uneven keyboard too...entire right side is higher than the left. No diff to me though.

 

[xpovos]

It's not uncommon for a few keys to be slightly off of perfectly flush, or to have a slightly larger gap between some keys than others. I've seen folks take them to a Genius Bar with that complaint, and the Genius pops the key off and puts it back on, usually fixing the "problem". If you feel comfortable popping the keys off yourself, give that a shot.

The ambient light sensor is under one of the speaker grilles (or maybe both). I can't remember which one or if it's both, but the sensor is pretty sensitive and can make it look like the screen is flickering if your hand (or even the shadow of your hand) brushes over it. Apple should add a feature to allow the user to adjust the sensitivity of the sensor in addition to the brightness of the screen.

 

[tekmoe]

it is obviously bothering you; otherwise you would not have posted this information.

i'd suggest you take it back and get another one again.

 

[njp142]

Unfortunately, the uneven keys is pretty normal with MBPs. Also, I've read about people having problems with the light sensor when typing, so this can also be considered normal.

 

[4np]

2) During the course of normal two-handed typing, my hand seems to cover up the sensor at times, [dunno where it is], so the keyboard lights up and the screen dims. I disabled the automatic screen dimming feature, so it's not a real distraction anymore.

This is already the case in my current PowerBook (2nd last revision) so it's definately not MBP related. Thhe backlight flickering due to typing went away after a while; probably because of me getting used to working on a PowerBook. I'm sure this will change for you too... It's just caused by your hands hovering too close over the grills on the left and the right (that's where the light sensors are located).