The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Are keyboard cover`s worth having?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Tinderbox (UK), Jul 11, 2009.

  1. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,745
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    After spending $3000 on a 17" uMbp it`s understandable i would want to keep it like new.

    Has anybody tried these silicon keyboard covers, you can even get ones that cover the parm rests too, but will they restrict air-flow?

    Is the US and UK version the same?
     
  2. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,088
    Messages:
    2,142
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    While I think the palmrests are overkill the silicon covers come in handy for many reasons. I have the iSkin Protouch ( www.iskin.com) and love it. I used it on my Macbook Air and when I sold my Air I kept it and I am using it right now on my new 13"Macbook Pro. Some people like the Moshi Clear Guard keyboard cover but the only issue with the Moshi is it doesn't fit perfectly and it builds up a cloudy residue from skin oils over time. The iSkin Protouch uses has black painted keys on the cover to mimic the Apple Macbook Pro keyboard.

    Reasons to get a silicon cover would be the obvious, to protect it from spills of drinks and food. Happens all the time, people create posts AFTER they spill something and it's too late. Another good reason would be to protect it from skin oil build up on the keyboard. If you don't wipe the keyboard constantly with light alcohol your skin oil will build up on the keys and cannot be removed.
     
  3. tasty_chicken

    tasty_chicken Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    108
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Yes absolutely. It's quieter and you don't have greasy keys after using it for a while. I use the moshi clearguard. Most of the time you can't tell it's even on.
     
  4. irishhenshin

    irishhenshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    117
    Messages:
    215
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I would also agree, I've got a skin for my external apple keyboard, its a logic studio skin but when I take it off the keyboard is so fresh, that skin is real easy to clean!
     
  5. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,745
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Anybody got a link to the model i will need , and as i said is the UK and US keyboard the same.
     
  6. irishhenshin

    irishhenshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    117
    Messages:
    215
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Well I had a look on iSkin and they don't seem to do 17" skins?
     
  7. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,745
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    I think this is the one i need PTMBPR-AR 15/17" , just have to be certain.
     
  8. irishhenshin

    irishhenshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    117
    Messages:
    215
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  9. applebook

    applebook Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    43
    Messages:
    314
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Keyboard covers are not for me because I do not like the feel of silicon and do not want the obstruction.

    Covers do a great job of keeping your keyboard clean though.
     
  10. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,088
    Messages:
    2,142
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    iSkin's website does mention the 13,15 and 17" however it doesn't matter. The 13,15 and 17" all are use the same keyboard and have the same fit. Not sure about a UK version.
     
  11. Kedest

    Kedest Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    28
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    can you still close the macbook with that cover on?
     
  12. irishhenshin

    irishhenshin Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    117
    Messages:
    215
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I doubt there's a huge difference between the US and UK? When I was getting my xskin is was the same compatability between US and UK.
     
  13. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,745
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    That`s a good question, anybody know?

     
  14. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,088
    Messages:
    2,142
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I have the 13"MBP, I have no issues closing the lid with the keyboard cover on. In fact I can't tell the difference with or without the cover. If the keyboard has any lint it will end up on the screen though.
     
  15. Kedest

    Kedest Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    28
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ok, thanks. seems like an interesting product then.
     
  16. ArcadeGuest

    ArcadeGuest Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I have a friend who has one and has never had a problem with it
     
  17. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    3,661
    Messages:
    9,249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I never bothered :p. And I use my keyboard on a daily basis, without an external. It still works perfectly fine, the keys haven't worn off (will they?), but it is "smoother" than it used to be.
     
  18. sherretz

    sherretz Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I'm tempted to get one, but I worry about whether my video card (and laptop in general) can breathe properly with the keyboard covered up. The last thing I need is a leg burn because I wanted to keep my keyboard clean (yes, I know, overexaggeration for effect....).

    Still, it would be very nice when I'm on the road and trying to eat + compute at the same time.
     
  19. MKang25

    MKang25 NBR Prisoner

    Reputations:
    179
    Messages:
    1,715
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    From what I've read the keyboard covers usually are not a snug flush fit because of the fact that the edge of the keyboard on the MBP's are curved outward a bt. so when you type you will notice some space and sometimes some movement.