🛍Get a GhostCover: geni.us/z92L3 🛍Get Keyshorts: geni.us/AaCd2fw 👀See my MacBook Pro desk setup and accessories: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_T1XHSuvnPM.html
@@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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
This is normal for all keyboards. there isn’t a plastic that won’t wear down. I built custom mechanical keyboards, and my 700$ main one uses PBT keycaps from polycaps. one of the hardest plastics you can buy for keycaps. it still wears and gets shiny. it’s normal.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
@@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 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.
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 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!
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.
Yours still looks like new compared to mine! Mine is a couple of months old and it's more worn out than my previous 2015 daily driver. The matte finish is already worn off.
I am using keyboard covers for years and I don’t have any shiny spot on either the Pro or Air, various intel versions since 2009. My MBA from May 2023 had start showing shinny keys after 3 month. The daily use of the keyboard is app 4 hours in total. On the the Pro I see some slight “imprints” but can easily wiped off with a glass cleaning cloth from time to time.
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.
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.
Even my VIVOBOOK which runs Arch Linux BTW doesn't have color wearing out from keys after 2 years of ownership and someone who uses the laptop on a constant basis.
Apple... It's unbelievable, this macbook pros all cost more than 2k$ and you can't give the buyer the same quality keyboard as in your macbook pro unibodys? For real now? 😮
Horrible waste of time. Think how long it will take to try to trade in in future. The longer its applied, rhe harder it will be to remove if at all... completely
Ya, they look gross, so bad I bought a cover, I don't like the cover too much so I'm going to try vinyl stickers next. Another dumb move by Apple for no reason, almost as dumb as the freaking dumb notch.
@@perfectlyfine No not yet, still trying to get used to the cover but I'm about to throw it out as it's annoying and takes away from the keyboard travel, you have to push harder on the keys.
@@dosdont I use my macbook very frequently and type an insane amount. I really don't want to hinder my typing speed/efficiency, do you suggest I try out the stickers (keyshorts) rather than a cover? It seems like all covers make typing harder.
Aaaaaand I just lost my faith in this guy. MacBooks are EXTREMELY THIN! There is almost little to no space between the screen and the keyboard. Don't put anything between there. Your wallet WILL regret it with hinge and screen repairs.
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.
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.
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
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 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!
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)
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
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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..
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.
@@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 ☠️
@@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.
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
@@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’
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.
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.
@@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.
I got a cover by the same company for the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro. I have similar issues with typing that you are, and I just can’t get the cover to lay flat and stay put when typing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
maybe apple sacrificed the keys to for a lighter build and breathable unit for these new chips. im not sure at all but just a guess. sucks cause we pay so much and invest in these computers for +years and end up with these cheaply built keys.
