Shiny MacBook Keys?

[@JerrySchulze]

🛍Get a GhostCover: geni.us/z92L3 🛍Get Keyshorts: geni.us/AaCd2fw 👀See my MacBook Pro desk setup and accessories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYWUiXuJqtuhhq8

[@dominikfulop7188]

So you put a cover on it and then sell the mac after 5-6 years without ever using what you paid for, its a tool guys, use it.

[@nothumanlol]

totally agree

[@ErickNagaya]

Exactly. The same reason why I dont use phone cases.

[@SammmN]

This can break your screen so don’t do it

[@alexcuevas5633]

@@ErickNagaya phone cases are valid though. Keyboard covers not so much

[@Iisakki3000]

​@@ErickNagaya I use phone cases not to protect the phone, but because the phones these days are too thin to hold comfortably. The edges are so sharp my hands start to sting. And the back glass is way too slippery as well. These things are not built to be comfortable to use, but to look good on advertisements instead.

[@singhkrishanu]

Please don't recommend people using keyboard covers. They do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. First it blocks off the air ventilation and heat. Second, after a few months of usage, you will see keyboard marks on the screen and when you remove the plastic cover off your keyboard, you will see an oil like coating which makes the entire keyboard sticky. Had a really bad experience with these.

[@JerrySchulze]

I definitely called out a coupe reasons you may not want to.

[@CobbCountyGovt]

Especially if you have the Intel Macs. They need the ventilation

[@kreska7170]

So do you suggest to use stickers than cover?

[@xAlpi3x]

@@JerrySchulzeyeah but your final comment was that they won’t damage the laptop but it will 🤣

[@MistaRunIt]

I do not get these issues when I remove my keyboard cover and if there is oil marks on screen I simply just wipe it with microfiber cloth and screen is clean. As far as breathability I believe the laptop has ventilation in many locations. I am using a very paper thin clear plastic keyboard cover so my laptop closes fine.

[@RealJohnRedcorn]

I just applied a lite layer of WD-40 ... now my whole keyboard is shiny 😃

[@asphalt2554]

WD-40 is an anti rust agent lol

[@cyrusklantarpour6642]

Dude but it might be cancerous! Plz Stop doing it

[@aelfwynnx]

@@cyrusklantarpour6642no its cerosine

[@Emayeah]

​@@asphalt2554but it is greasy, maybe they meant that

[@Emayeah]

​@@cyrusklantarpour6642it is a blatant joke...

[@bryans8656]

I think I'd rather live with glossy keys on my M2 MBA than have to adapt to the different feel from that cover.

[@urbanman1516]

Exactly. Why gum up the keyboard with stickers?

[@-bigChungusVerified]

You can use d brand stickers that feels like paper

[@NicoloSodano]

I am glad someone made a video about this serious and shameful problem that plagues us consumers. Let me preface this by saying, I have been an Apple customer for 20 years and have always had Apple products, and it is undeniable that despite the remarkable technological evolution, today the problems are much more evident and often unjustifiable. Let's get specific, in May last year I bought my MacBook Pro m2 max, I work on it, I wanted the maximum and I demand the maximum. And when we talk about Apple we mean maximum we know, performance and aesthetics, two points that with Apple should never have any flaws... and instead, these damn keys on all the models of the last few years have this cursed and horrible production flaw. I have to say, I'm very manic in my use, and believe me, seeing only after 3 months that shit on the keys was an incredulous blow. I immediately started monitoring the problem and taking photos and reporting everything to Apple, clearly receiving evasive responses, passing it off as 'normal' ... it's not normal, don't believe it. Several months later I have continued to complain about the problem, saying that there are thousands of people online who complain about this problem and that it is unacceptable for an almost 4k Mac to have a keyboard in this condition, which, mind you, is not just an aesthetic issue, but also a very obvious feeltouch issue... (ps. I have used at least 4/5 different keyboard covers, forget it). I don't want covers, I don't want stickers, we are talking about Apple! The keys don't have to be cheap or poorly made, but this is now crap keys. I'll get to the point... after months, at my last Apple meeting I managed to get all the keys changed and now it's as good as new again... I don't know how long but you have to insist and demand this. It's not your sweaty or greasy hands, it's the keys that are shit! The more people do this the more they will recognise the problem! Trust me

[@Michiel1980]

You are 100% right!

[@servantofourlordjesuschris6456]

I also thought about cleaning beneath the keys, and I got little bits of the metal scratched. There are also light spots on my space black MacBook.

[@pnpn2711]

I bought a Macbook pro M3 in November/2023, within 3 months the most used keys had shiny marks that didn't come off even when cleaning. I complained to Apple here in Portugal and they did nothing, they said it was AESTHETIC DAMAGE. I said that if it was damage I could only avoid it if I didn't touch the keyboard, and if I didn't touch the keyboard what I wanted the notebook for!!!! I complained to Apple Care and they recalled the computer, it was at Apple for 1 month and I saw it as new, they twisted the keyboard. I received it 1 month ago and it's as bad as ever, it's the same again and I took so much care. The keys are very pure and absorb everything we put in our hands. A notebook that cost me 3100 euros, if I could I would return it.

[@federicobacher]

Hi Nico, how could you demand for the key change? A call them and they say they wont change them. Any suggestion is welcome.

[@NicoloSodano]

@@federicobacher hello! This is a serious problem, terrible and shameful, that I don’t think Apple will ever want to recognize. There is no way to protect the keys from this lousy damage, if you use it, even with the utmost care and care, the keys will become shiny. I’m more than sure, from in-depth research that this depends on the use of cheap plastics, I have friends with much lower cost PCs that don’t have this problem. The same thing, for Apple, also happens on desktop keyboards. To answer your question, the only way was (still under warranty) to testify with photos after only 3 months from the purchase that the keys were already ruined, and in the Apple store to insist, it was not easy, I was probably lucky that the technician knew and therefore turned a blind eye, in that case they replaced all the keys but not the keyboard. We are talking about pieces of plastic that would cost them cents. Keep in mind that even on these new ones, without ever having used a product (degreaser or other) after only 3 months you can already see the shiny halos again. There’s nothing you can do to protect them, forget any type of keyboard protection, I’ve tried them all, and they all suck, they slow down the writing run, they tend to look rubbery, they block dissipation, etc etc. Finally, take pictures, document if you have recently had it, and push with complaints etc. Unfortunately I can’t recommend more than that, good luck!

[@junace]

The ghostcover will leave stains on the monitor instead since it will touce the screen when you close it.

[@Piipperi800]

I have a MacBook Air from 2015, and it never in my use got shiny keys. However, most second hand Apple laptops/keyboards I have bought have had shiny keys. There are a few reasons why this happens, but it should be noted that this is an issue with 99% of laptops, and the early PowerBooks also have had this issue. Best thing Apple could do to get rid of the issue is to use PBT keycaps instead of the typical ABS they use (and what every other laptop manufacturer uses cuz it's cheap)

[@dsarks]

This is because apple made change to plastic from PBT to ABS in 2016 . ABS is cheaper

[@Piipperi800]

@@dsarks as I said in my comment, I’ve bought multiple used laptops, all of which are before 2016, and most have shiny keys.

[@carlapark]

I have also noticed that there is a shine developing on the metal area where I rest my wrist near the trackpad... but only on one side. It's shiny from wear... not grease or dirt.... It has only happened with my 2020 M1... the 2013 model I used previously that my child now uses, still looks pristine! Def a change in materials.

[@Smoshylife]

The space grey looks good, but it fades

[@surface_glow2520]

Recycled materials might be the reason for the wear discoloration.

[@h.hristov]

yeah that’s a problem with the space grey and any other color. always buy a silver macbook, these don’t fade

[@watermelon2223]

hopefully you gave sold the m1 by now

[@zoulhhh]

There once was a company selling high quality products. It was called Apple. Unfortunately that company doesn‘t exist anymore.

[@Maybaby1959]

Died with jobs

[@jackveech4941]

No they’re still great just have some problems

[@Dann_BS]

They are still the best in terms of quality, but have 2 big issues: -The Mac keyboard plastic -The cheaper batteries from iPhone 14 or later that has less life span

[@whkn]

Your statement contradicts itself. Please reread. ​@@Dann_BS

[@ViorelIanasi]

​@@Dann_BSalso the tolerance between screen and display is so small and the display so soft that easely some dibris cautght in between can cause micro-holes on the screen.

[@ericonca]

Out of those two solutions, I'd just live with the shiny keys.

[@ricardomoran7724]

Keyboard covers WILL DAMAGE YOUR SCREEN. It happened TWICE to me, the first time with my old 2012 MBP, years later when I started using Keyboard Cover again ruined the screen on my 2020 MBP Screen. DON’T USE THEM. Is better a shiny key than a scratched or marked screen

[@-bigChungusVerified]

I think you can use a d-brand keyboard sticker. It’s actually paper but oil proof

[@frozennorthproductions]

I've been using a silicone keyboard cover on my 2020 Intel Macbook Pro since day one and I do a LOT of typing. So much that the silicone cover actually has shiny spots on it and had given the keyboard under shiny spots. By comparison, the silicone cover is much more shiny than the actual keyboard keys, so it did help quite a bit, but the shiny spots still appeared. I really like that Keyshorts company you mentioned and I think that might be the best option in the future. Great video!

[@wendytang101]

UGHHHH SAME HERE ! THIS IS SO ANNOYING

[@zbahmd]

Same here, and the silicon cover also makes your screen dirty!

[@ryandobal]

I had a TPU cover since day one on my 2020 M1 macbook pro, and was contemplating between silicone and TPU. The TPU has shiny spots for sure, very noticeable, but the keyboard itself is perfect. Maybe silicone has more friction on the keys than TPU.

[@yokokoko499]

You shouldnt be complaining about this. I have a lot of laptops where its key legends have completely disappeared. Exepcially gaming laptops.

[@MalindaRichmal]

🤦🏻‍♀️ But those laptops aren't 'premium' laptops. Apple laptops are sold as 'premium'.

[@yokokoko499]

@@MalindaRichmal r u telling me laptops with an I7 or I9 10th gen and later, paired with the 30 or 40 RTX series laptops, with prices ranging from 1,500$ to 3,000$ isn’t Premium? Some of these laptops, for some reason has very buggy Windows installed. Windows 10 even. And to think that the bluetooth in windows for MAJORITY of these laptips suk3d fuk1ing hard? Bruh ☠️

[@MalindaRichmal]

​@@yokokoko499 Gaming laptops and premium laptops are not the same - a quick search on Google will make this clear. Generally, gaming laptops are engineered with a focus on performance, particularly for gaming. To balance cost with high-end specifications, they often utilise more affordable materials. In contrast, premium laptops are built with top-tier materials, like aluminium alloys and refined components, such as those found in Microsoft’s Surface products. Whilst these premium laptops offer superior build quality, they usually cannot match the performance of gaming laptops at a similar price point. In fact, if you want better specifications in a premium laptop, the prices will skyrocket. In short: Gaming and premium laptops aim at different target audiences.

[@sriramramesh8203]

then complain about those? I have a entry level gaming laptop with none of the shiny keys, apple especially should do better becuase of how long macbooks can last now due to the m series chips and it does not take long for the keys to get oiled up on these macs

[@yokokoko499]

@@sriramramesh8203 u should read the i reply I’ve made to malinda. And if u want a time frame for the laptops I’ve mentioned. Some of these took months, some took a year or two. These laptops are more than just ‘premium’

[@nomecognome2]

My 2017 Air after millions of keypresses still looks great and the keys aren’t even too shiny. They must’ve changed the material in newer models

[@surface_glow2520]

They had to cut costs to keep price under $2500 for base model.

[@mauricioreginato]

do you know if its possible to switch the keyboards key with the old one? I also have an old one, maybe its an option.

[@nomecognome2]

@@mauricioreginato impossible, they have completely different designs

[@TheCat0327]

Just use it as is. You are not supposed to use this product forever.

[@singhkrishanu]

This is one of the biggest issues I have with my Macbook Pro 14 keyboard as I sweat a lot and live in a tropical climate. My personal favourite is the keyboard of lenovo laptops. The key travel and quality is excellent. I also find apple's keyboard a little mushy when compared to lenovo or HP.

[@weaesq]

Apple has been trying to push down the thickness of the Macbooks so the whole thing is easier to travel with. I don't know if the different plastics behave differently with the different thicknesses and style of keyboards when Apple shifted back in 2016. The best keyboard in my mind is still the IBM PC keyboards when DOS (PC2??) was still being used. It was a tank and had a keyboard feel and noise that gave positive feedback that you had pressed the key. However, no way would that fit on a Macbook.

[@alexanders1859]

Replacement keycaps are actually pretty cheap on Amazon, I would just do that instead of covers or stickers

[@JuliatheVideoEditor]

I have had the clear plastic cover and due to the height they add to the keys, when I closed the MacBook, the key cover pressed into my screen and damaged my screen in a year. The stickers may be a better option to avoid this. Thanks for making this video.

[@NedKattan]

I have the same problem but I have never used keyboard cover. I was thinking about buying a plastic cover to protect my new MacBook Air screen from the same issue , but thankfully I saw your comment.

[@cheongmj]

I've been using TPU covers over my Macbook Pro 2017. It's been almost 6 years and they still look brand new! The TPU covers tend to turn dull or grey with use but it's always cheap to change them out!

[@JerrySchulze]

Cool, any issues with it hitting the display?

[@mrz4297]

@@JerrySchulze i got some residue on screen, i need to wipe the screen everyday. dont leave the tpu cover too long..

[@JerrySchulze]

@@mrz4297 good to know!

[@prebenjaeger]

Looks brand new but what's the point?

[@sholmes_ttyy]

Yes, that silicon cover saved my butterfly keyboard. Previously, I was facing numerous issues with dust, but now I don't see any problems.

[@theinfiniteisallaroundus2576]

Not my intention to be presumptuous, only to depict this obvious quality problem. I have a MacBook Pro 14 m1 and the shiny keys started to appear in the first months of use. On the other hand I have a Lenovo Legion laptop with more heavy use than my MacBook and the keyboard is in pristine condition after almost 2 years. So yes it is an Apple quality problem.

[@FinalElements]

The best solution as my opinion to use external Apple keyboard and the Macbook to install on a special stand for laptops that as well helps to you save your eyes and posture.

[@JerrySchulze]

I normally am at a desk with this type of setup kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGivfoiNrbedick

[@aelaan12]

I am so glad you made this video Jerry!! It is also all over the subreddit for MacBook. I definitely could not use a cover or silly stickers for the same reason you mentioned. Plus the fact... that Apple will use it as a reason that the screen gets damaged. That is going to cause even more controversy. Excellent coverage Jerry, I hope we are not getting into another keyboard gate.

[@JerrySchulze]

If maddening but if has been happening for so many years at this point I am not sure what they would do.

[@millgate]

@@JerrySchulze FYI, I had a cover on my macbook pro m1 for over 8 months and now there is a permanent line marked on my screen

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

​@@millgatethanks. Would you file for applecare if you had applecare? Apple has no way to know you used a cover no?

[@TommyTheMooch]

I would just use it bare and live with the glossy keys. It's a productivity tool and you're not going to be productive if you waste time trying to prevent an inevitable process.

[@JerrySchulze]

thats my conclusion now as well.

[@stevens1041]

Hey everyone--I used to work in IT support, working on thousands of different macbooks. Don't use covers for your keyboards--they will put pressure, and damage the screen. I saw it happen so many times, and often it was beyond rehabilitation.

[@Hawker900XP]

I’ve had the same experience with the cover. Seems to work OK, with no shiny spots after a year or so but you do loss that feel. I’ll try the 2nd option.

[@JerrySchulze]

Thanks for that info!

[@niko1even]

Doesn't matter what ABS plastic you use. Many very high end mechanical keyboard keycap's are made from ABS plastic. As long as you use it, your fingers will slowly keep polishing the surface until it's smooth. What matters the most is the coating on the keycaps. A good coating can greatly slow the process

[@MrNinGame]

a keyboard cover is definitely what saved my butterfly switches MBP from having any issue with dust. however, I heard that Apple now strongly argue against using one due to the lack of clearance on the new MBA / MBP between the screen and the keyboard.

[@AArch64_Gamer]

This is just a follow up for keyboard covers rubbing your keys into a mirror shine. I have this M2 MacBook Pro 13 inch that I've been using daily for a year. I use a similar keyboard cover as shown in the video (TPU material, very thin). After a year, there has been no wear on the keys whatsoever. I did notice that instead of the keys wearing, the cover was wearing instead. It isn't getting shiny, but bumps up slightly. It's so little, it shouldn't be making a difference, and I I had to do was push/stretch it back down. TPU material is supposedly resistant to abrasions, so it should be good as a cover that needs to withstand human skin rubbing on it 24/7.

[@JerrySchulze]

Thanks so much for this feedback, it’s very helpful.

[@chrisabbenda]

Hey Jerry can you just replace the keycaps as an alternative? Definitely more risky and labor intensive but curious to hear if you looked into this

[@r.r.richie9423]

Yes, I bought a spare keyboard, from a parts place, but the keys wear just as fast.

[@priyesh_wngman7]

Honestly, I like how it starts to wear out. I like the glossy feel giving an impression that I used it for long. Maybe because I come from a PC desktop keyboard which I used for 15 years appreciating that I could use that keyboard so much.

[@marekolen7355]

Keyboard stickers i can tell if mac have them or not without touch it and look closely

[@gallardo20000]

Pre 2016 keyboards were DEFINITELY higher quality plastic resin. My 2015 MBP retina developed keyboard wear after 5 years of heavy use. My M2 Air developed the same level of wear in less than 5 months. The quality of the plastic has definitely declined, you can feel the material on the new macbook keyboards is much thinner, malleable and flimsy compared to the older keys which were made of a harder material.

[@sarah_harrison]

Super appreciative of your honest review of these products! Thank you so much and keep up the amazing work!

[@JerrySchulze]

Thank you so much!

[@jdengsky]

I use that ghost keyboard cover since day one. It didn’t feel comfortable, keys felt stiff. So on the cover, I cut a slip above and below each key, it instantly felt like natural keyboard. I use cover not for shy key, but to prevent crumps get into the keyboard.

[@JerrySchulze]

Interesting, thanks for the tip!

[@carolynchen317]

i'm really interested to hear about this! what do you mean a slip above and below?

[@jdengsky]

@@carolynchen317 imagine each letter is a square, square has 4 sides: top bottom left right. So I cut an opening on top of the letter and bottom of the letter. The key cover doesn’t feel stiff anymore after.

[@sowsow6677]

I have the exact same keyboard cover. Typing is definitely harder, but doable.

[@hackmandavid]

Thank you for the detailed video which is very very helpful and spot on of what I've been through over the years. I didn't use any cover in the first 3 years which could see hell lots of shiny spots on the keys. And when apple replaced the keyboard together with my battery under warranty, I picked up a keyboard cover and I thought that could avoid the shiny spots from happening. It did help during the first 2 years on the new keyboard, but the cover could no longer protect the keyboard when I replaced the 1st worn cover with a new one. I have been using the keyboard cover over on my MB Pro in the last 5-6 yrs, the shiny spot can be seen on keys i mostly use such as Shift, Command, Control and Space bar. I took a closer inspection on the back of the keyboard cover one day, I noticed various faded spots and I guess it was due to frictions and oxidation process as these TPU that could disintegrate over time which I had experienced once with the same brand which was Moshi keyboard cover. Had searched all over the net and discovered almost all manufacturers using the similar material. I ordered Keyshorts matte for my M3 Max which is due to be delivered before Christmas together with another keyboard cover from Ghostcover, but will not likely to use the cover since they are TPU as well. Instead, I've ordered Nuphy Air 75 V2 to carry out my daily typing works while placing my MBP on the deck stand with an additional monitor. Woola, this basically solved all the problems and the Nuphy keycaps can be replaced regularly and they are inexpensive to replace. Hope to see more videos on how to preserve our MBP in pristine condition. Cheers

[@bartonlynch]

The sticker "solution" opens a whole new can of worms. It's downright stressful, psychotic and frustrating to apply. It will wear sooner rather than later. The ultra thin cover is the best trade off as a solution. My 12 y/o Apple Magic Keyboard still looks flawless and works like new thanks to a iSkin thin cover. So did my previous 8 y/o MBP 13" Retina. So it was natural to buy another one for my new 14" MBP. The key "greasy" wear look triggers my OCD.

[@isnull_or_empty]

I've used those ghost covers from uppercase for years. They leave your keys in perfect condition. If I ever go to resell a device, the keys look brand new. Also, the tinted one is definitely better. It feels better to type on vs the clear cover, not sure why. If you're worried about the cover damaging your MacBook just take it off. I've personally never had any issue with the ghost covers damaging my devices, just leaves the screen a bit greasy. I end up taking it off before I close my Mac to avoid getting the oils from the cover on my screen.

[@MistaRunIt]

It’s easy just clean it a little with microfiber cloth then put a keyboard tpu cover on it use it for a few months and ur shiny spots will be gone. I tried everything to try and get them off then I just got tired and put on a tpu keyboard cover. That was a several months ago today I took off the cover to clean it and I was suprised to see the keyboard matt like brand new. The tpu material must obsorb whatever is making these keys boards shiny.

[@videosprism9480]

do u have macbook pro or macbook air ]

[@MistaRunIt]

MacBook Pro 2019 16”

[@ThomasEJohnson]

I switched back to the Magic Keyboard, since I’ve been having issues with Bluetooth and Bluetooth keyboards that I have been using. I do have the clear ghost cover on the keyboard, primarily because I am paranoid of spills and so forth. It definitely takes some getting used to to type, but I consider it a necessary trade-off, in the interests of protecting the keyboard from any accidents.

[@christianjmyhre]

Hey guys, I own and have used that ghost cover on my macbook air M1 for maybe 2 years now and I put it on my macbook since day 1 so my keys look new. It definitely protects the keys and they will look brand new if you keep that on. I have the clear one and it definitely doesnt look great, but since I have had it since day 1, its the normal look for me. As for typing errors and typing ease, it 100% does not get easier. I suppose you only get used to it to some degree but I still feel like it makes the keys harder to press, more mistakes, and lastly, the cover leaves marks on the laptop screen. The cover itself does not damage the screen, but if there is finger oils/grease on the cover from typing, when you close it and come back again, you will see grease key marks on the screen. Not sure if grease will damage the screen over time.... but you will for sure find yourself wiping it clean every few days. All that said, it is still worth it to me. Very minimal looking cover, very effective, and gets the job done. The alternative is for your keys to turn shiny.... and for potential spills to seep through. If you buy one, buy the tinted not the clear. Looks much better. Hope this helps.

[@ChrisWilmshurst]

Those stickers look the best to me! I wonder if there is a brand who sells replacement keys in general?

[@JerrySchulze]

I don't know if it is a great option but will see how the stickers go. For replacement keys, I wonder how difficult that is to replace and how long would they last? Thanks for checking it out, Chris!

[@dereknoll]

Thanks for posting this. I thought I had a problem with my fingers being extra oily ha. I hate this keyboard issue.

[@andrewmerriman2963]

I'm picky but neither option seems viable to me. Those self stick pads are definitely an over the top pain in the keister -- especially if you have to replace one.

[@JerrySchulze]

yup

[@EJBert]

Applying those key stickers looks like a fun hobby for someone without a life! How long will it be before the stickers start to peel?

[@incensedmars873]

the fact that a 1000+ laptop comes with low quality abs keycaps its nonsense, there is no real solution since the problem is the cheap plastic they use.

[@icy5619]

i have an alienware 15 r4 that i bought back in 2019 and the keyboard looks flawless especially the WASD keys which are used like a maniac on a gaming laptop so the only reason apple had to do this is probably to make their laptops thin and light

[@auguststas7770]

I got macbook pro 16". I wash my hands with soap before work :DDDD. And still some shininness appears. On the other side of the story, we also have an Asus gaming laptop (from 2014) - despite the fact that it can't run new titles or is slower when calculating stuff still the materials are so good it is enough to wipe it with fiber. The prob is that stickers hide backlight. It would be EPIC if apple provide more keycaps for replacing old ones if they decided to cheap out on them..

[@bvidyadharjoshi4063]

I use my Mac in clamshell mode. It is hardly once in three months that I use my MBP keyboard. So, by the time it turns shiny, I probably would have used it for several years.

[@ByVitoriaMoreira]

It’s been 6 months, how do you feel about the key shorts? Do they leave any marks on the screen? I was looking about this because of the language and not because of the marks on the keyboard but it’s also good to know

[@Whigu]

I wonder how fun it would be to change those stickers... Take all of those out and then put another one in :-D

[@JerrySchulze]

ya, probably not great but since I made it all the way through I may keep them for a while.

[@Millie.4]

The bottom corners besides the trackpad of my 2015 MacBook air are polished shiny where it’s used to much

[@Durzel]

Can thoroughly recommend the transparent Keyshorts. Have used them on a Magic Keyboard and my M1 MBP. They also get glossy in time due to abrasions, but at least it's not happening to the keys underneath, stickers can be more easily replaced than keys. I started with silicone covers and even the ultra thin ones felt wrong, and slowed down my typing. My big recommendation with Keyshorts given how long it takes to get them is to probably order two sets at once, so you have a backup.

[@rg975]

I think the issues with keyboard covers apply only to older MacBooks. I've been using a cover 100% of the time on my M1 MacBook Pro and have had zero issues. My keycaps aren't "shiny" at all

[@QuieroCake]

I used keyboard cover and I never had an issue I did notice a line on my screen from the silicone cover but it always rubbed off and that once happened when it was tight in my backpack. I did notice a few of my keys a lil bit shiny even with cover. I guess that’s an apple problem! I just got an m3 pro MacBook and I placed a key cover so not sure if I want to keep or take it off. Oh btw I used the key cover over 5 years and a case and my Touch Bar MacBook looks new 😅

[@arlencarlson]

I have to say all their keyboards do this…right from my old 2009 MBP onwards. Maybe some sooner than other. And, to dispute this video-and most of the time it is cleanable, at least initially.

[@JavierIabarraG]

I recently bought a macbook pro 16 m3 max and it had this problem in less than a week! I previously had a macbook m1 max but I don't remember it being so fast that the keys got stained, fortunately I returned the m3 max and bought a new one, now it I use it with a cover, but I remove it when I close the MacBook.

[@opninjadude9__513]

Get a sticker for JUST the spacebar, it'll make your experience far less annoying

[@JerrySchulze]

You may be right.

[@m0doavion]

I am an @apple user; however, every year it becomes more expensive and more ordinary. The materials are poor, and you have to buy cases, protectors, or covers that end up making a luxury product bulkier and uglier. I got the new MacBook Pro a few months ago and paid thousands of dollars for a laptop that is supposed to be of high quality, yet Apple tries to use cheap plastics that end up shining like they’re covered in oil. I definitely would prefer if they made thicker keys but of better quality

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

people trash talk butterfly keycaps, but I think they were more resistent to shiny caps.

[@JerrySchulze]

I am using a 2018 air right now with butterfly and it is getting spots too.

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

@@JerrySchulze good point. well, 5 years is fair I think. but 5 weeks is really annoying.

[@stingus]

Well, or you can just let the keys become shiny. It is still not as ugly as space black color coming off from the MacBook body where your palms rest around the touch bar.

[@IvanCalderon]

If the apple car ever got released im sure you guys would install covers, protectors and cases on every wear part.

[@itsjuliescottyay]

You can put a microfiber cloth in between the keyboard and the cover when you close it. They have those on Amazon and they are cut to the size of a MacBook Air, either 13 inches or 15 inches. They are thin enough that the MacBook can close completely, but it protects the screen.

[@joffrey6831]

Me, an intellectual, putting a GhostCover on top of my Keyshorts🧐

[@xiii9800xt]

Add an extra layer of keyshorts on top of the Ghostcover for good measure

[@eduardoforneck3335]

My late 2013 MacBook Pro has this too

[@NattapolWilarat]

Excellent review. I designed to purchase one from your link for my Macbook Pro. Thanks for the best option.

[@nealdevilla3583]

I used a keyboard cover on my 2018 MacBook Air, keeping the keys looking pristine until I sold it four years later. It's worth noting that leaving the keyboard cover on when closing your MacBook is not advisable, as it can leave marks on the screen regardless of how well you clean it. Lesson learned: remove the keyboard cover when closing your MacBook, and put it back on when in use.

[@cjeelde]

I miss PowerBook Pismo! That "MacBook" had the best solution for keyboards!

[@eduardoargueta5074]

I wouldn't mind paying extra for a better keyboard material, but I just hate the shiny keys as it makes the product look bad.

[@domdom-hh9tx]

mine took 1.5 years before it started going shiny (M1 MacBook Air)

[@fallinginthed33p]

The same thing happens to Surface Pro keyboards. The good thing is that they're detachable, so you can just buy another keyboard instead of ripping out the keycaps and potentially damaging the rest of the laptop.

[@JerrySchulze]

good point.

[@claystone7729]

Yes thank you for making this. I was wondering about it and yes it seemed a nuisance as everything else is perfect on the exterior and key board. My space bar has a shiny smudge.

[@theflyingscott1]

I’ve had the same issue with my MacBook Pro 14. The keyboard now looks awful. My other laptop - ThinkPad X1 - is far better in this regard. I love the Macbook but the keyboards still lag a long way behind those on Thinkpads sadly. Apple need to make these keyboards better, regarding use and appearance.

[@tenzingyatso5096]

They did that on purpose so customers won't go for the used macs

[@BobbyG3.14]

i use a cover righ out of the box, to keep my +2K dollar laptop looking prestine and clean!

[@JerrySchulze]

Which one?

[@BobbyG3.14]

@@JerrySchulze But I am now considering The Keyshorts as an alternative

[@videosprism9480]

@@BobbyG3.14 which cover do u use

[@Andrew-zx9wx]

This has bothered me for some time. You’d think Apple’s clever engineers would have come up with a solution already. How about some time of glass bonded on top of the key caps? Notice that the track pads don’t demo same wear as the keys.

[@JerrySchulze]

great point.

[@weaesq]

The plastic that goes over the entire keyboard helps protect from liquid damage. On earlier Macbooks, we did not want to use them because part of the ventilation provided went up through the keys. I don't own a newer Macbook after 2020 yet. I see intake vents on the bottom edges of most newer Macbooks and I think they exhaust heat out the back now, but I cannot be positive. The plastic keyboard cover should not be used on my older Macbook due to heat considerations. Check your earlier macbooks before you do.

[@FlyinRyanProductions406]

I just gave up on worrying. iPad Pro keyboard has same issue. I’m not fond of the clear covers but the skins may be promising. In the end it may be easier just replace the key caps in the future. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ImprovingAbility]

What audio processing did you use for this video? I get a strange “frog in the pond” background noise over my SONY TV speaker… similar to mp3 over-compression but different… never heard this artefact before anywhere

[@JerrySchulze]

weird, do you have that issue with my videos from say 2 months ago?

[@leonugraha]

I did encounter a similar experience when using Intel MBP, thus, starting from MBP M1 Max, I began covering my keyboard with a silicone cover, sure enough, after a year or so, the matte finish on the top of keycaps has not peeled off yet. But, as a you said, the silicone cover, slows my typing speed. In addition, the silicone cover ALWAYS leaves an imprint on the screen when I close my top lid, leaving me constantly rubbing and cleaning my screen. At the end of the day, I would rather have peeling keycaps to risking my screen as I have to frequently wipe the screen.

[@JerrySchulze]

So you are still using the cover then?

[@leonugraha]

@@JerrySchulze Exactly, and I am a little surprised when you also mention several alternatives such as sticker protectors for each individual keycap. Thanks Jerry and great info!

[@Terzaghi12]

Ahh yes the "premium" laptops

[@SimpleAsBDCs]

I thought it was grease 2 I have had my Mac Book Air about a month…

[@JerrySchulze]

arg!

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

yes, I have been complaining about shiny keys for a few months. it hurts a lot re-sale value. I buy cheap membrane key covers.

[@JerrySchulze]

Any specific brand?

[@DanielRodriguez-fg5ll]

@@JerrySchulze I think I got the ghost one you mention. I ended up selling the machine (including the cover) but it left a bad mouth taste.

[@vampireofthedawn]

That issue really frustrated me, I paid thousands of euros for this MacBook Pro and I am using it not heavily and clean as much as I can (I must admit I take care of my devices really good) and anyway I have this stain especially on my space bar. This is unacceptable for such a laptop with such a high build quality on every part except the fucking cheapest part used - the keyboard.

[@ThomasEJohnson]

I’m actually in a coffee café now and noticed that the person at the other table has the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard and her keys are all shiny.

[@JerrySchulze]

sad

[@ThomasEJohnson]

@@JerrySchulze Indeed. the keys on my Magic Keyboard still look like new, but I recently put it aside in favor of ESR’s buletooth version of the magic keyboard.

[@JerrySchulze]

@@ThomasEJohnson I am familiar with that keyboard. Why did you switch.

[@ThomasEJohnson]

@@JerrySchulze I like the feel of the keys/key travel better, also the screen & media controls that Apple omitted, and being able to change the backlight color based on the enviorment. Also, if the Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad 10 is any sign of what is to come from Apple for the future iPad Pros, I won’t be buying it as that design direction isn’t ergonomic for me as I use my machine on my lap often. I see ESR releeased a version of this keyboard for the iPad 10 as well, so people who don’t want Apple’s folio style unit can get one of these instead.

[@mangokilla127]

Bro those keyshort stickers are $30 to $50... that's so much money for stickers lol

[@aPizzaStainedSlob]

My m2 macbook pro already is seeing wear on the spacebar after 3 weeks, it's why i found this video pretty disappointing

[@h.hristov]

yep. ive had my m1 for about 4-5 months and the spacebar is getting shiny on the left side where i usually press it

[@aPizzaStainedSlob]

@@h.hristov i've already decided that i'll order spare keys and then when they all start to wear down i'll take them to a repair store and just have someone swap them out for new ones; fortunately this model has the more replaceable caps; yours might also so it could be worth looking into, shouldn't be too expensive either

[@h.hristov]

@@aPizzaStainedSlob i ordered the transparent keyshorts stickers a few days ago. i’ll see if they’re any good. if not, I’ll just do what you do

[@littlefootfeet]

How are these going for you? do they also do transparent ones- since after all you were after protecting the keys, not changing the letters, so it'd be neat if there were "ghost" keyshorts stickers, backlight would be no issue then. Any issues with damage to the screen after this?

[@EdwardHunterMX]

my macbooks never had this problem

[@TheFaustianMan]

I thought it was just me. I thought I was eating too much grease, and I shit you not, cut out all fried foods and oils from my diet. I lost 15 lbs, and my mother was worried I was sick! It still didn't help! I feel like a filthy degenerate who just watches porn all day and jizzezzz all over their keys and doesn't clean them up! It got so bad I stopped taking the laptop out in public and I don't open it up when my parents are in the room. I am seriously considering just using an ipad when school starts. I just feel a deep seated shame. I know it's silly. But it's my true emotion.

[@gallardo20000]

Buddy. Calm down. It’s literally because you use your keyboard . It’s friction wear due to usage. If it was oil, it would be resolved with an alcohol wipe.

[@h.hristov]

lmao

[@funclips5958]

Me watching from an old android phone 😢

[@lbch_youtube]

I"m super mad at this. Cuz you get the white Apple keyboard, the same issue doesn't happen. And it's super unfriendly to anyone with nails.

[@RivSalTech]

This is a very helpful video

[@superiorbeing95]

new keyboard on aliexpress was 11 dollars including shipping

[@pdubsweir3]

I decided to just switch to a low profile mechanical keyboard like the NuPhy to serve as the keyboard for the macbook. It's far more satisfying to type on and it rests over the top of the current macbook keyboard. The unit is wireless, thocky, and everything is serviceable. I think the matte finish is always a bummer for macs. Might as well upgrade the keyboard itself for a better typing feel.

[@Hiro-me9jv]

Been using silicon keyboard cover for over 7 years, my keyboard is just as just how it was as brand new. (Random info: Recently removed the protection from trackpad and trackpad feels more responsive, my fingertip doesn't get stuck as it did with trackpad protector)

[@ashthewolfdog1380]

How about this for a easy fix. Have apple start making easily replaceable keyboards trackpads screens and batteries again. you can PERFECTLY integrate a sleek thin design but it still be able to be modular. So many people have proven it completely possible these days.

[@glomslevikarical]

Great video! Thx!