My Keys are SUPER SHINY!

Message

Dow Jones · #1 Post by **Dow Jones** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 5:22 am

I wonder why they can't make black keys on laptops more resistant to wearing out and becoming shiny.

What causes that shine anyway? Are our fingers acting like fine grit sandpaper giving the keys a polish over time?

Maybe if the keys came shiny in the first place, instead of a dull finish, it would be better.

These shiny keys make me wanna get a new keyboard. I hope that was not IBM's point...

Kenn · #2 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:28 am

Dow Jones wrote:I wonder why they can't make black keys on laptops more resistant to wearing out and becoming shiny.

What causes that shine anyway? Are our fingers acting like fine grit sandpaper giving the keys a polish over time?

Maybe if the keys came shiny in the first place, instead of a dull finish, it would be better.

These shiny keys make me wanna get a new keyboard. I hope that was not IBM's point...

Yeah, I think it's just the friction of repetitive motion taking its toll on the soft plastic of the keys. After 5 months, my most-used keys are as shiney as mirrors, and the thinklight reflects off them

The plastic used is just too soft, some laptops won't show this problem for much longer, and my desktop keyboard doesn't show any sign after 4+ years of typing. Of course, my desktop keyboard weighs about 7lbs.

Dow Jones · #3 Post by **Dow Jones** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:39 am

Heh...
The best keyboards were the IBM keyboards that made the loud clicks and have the removable key tops. Those things were heavy, and could be used as a weapon.

I remember them coming with the early IBM PCs that had flip power switches--286s I believe.

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Chatbox · #4 Post by **Chatbox** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:42 am

Actually, it's the dirt being compact on the keys.
If you spend some time on cleaning the keys each week, you wouldn't have this problem. It's going to be difficult to clean it now, but you can try using some kind of facial wipes on them.

#5 Post by **erik** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:07 am

the shine becomes permanent since your typing does wear away the keys' matte layer.

a new T42 keyboard from IBM maintenance parts is around $50. so, if it really bothers you then you could buy a new one to eliminate "the shining" or replce the keyboard just before reselling.

-erik

Kenn · #6 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 1:17 pm

Dow Jones wrote:Heh...
The best keyboards were the IBM keyboards that made the loud clicks and have the removable key tops. Those things were heavy, and could be used as a weapon.

I remember them coming with the early IBM PCs that had flip power switches--286s I believe.

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Those are the IBM Model M keyboards. I have 3-4 of them in storage, and yes, the buckle-spring mechanisms are phenomenal. I think IBM still makes those keyboards for some of their cash register terminals.

I actually prefer the lighter touch of the keyswitches used in the Northgate Omnikeys. Those had great tactile feedback and were a bit lighter touch than the Model Ms, which gave me 5-6 more wpm at speed. Also, the Omnikey ultra had the row of function keys along the left, which were much easier to reach for while typing.

There's no doubt that the thinkpad keyboards are the best on the laptop market though.

ThinkPad · #7 Post by **ThinkPad** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:41 pm

My keys are really shiny too, im getting the keyboard replaced soon.

Plinkerton · #8 Post by **Plinkerton** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:47 pm

In my unkosher way of typing, even though I type quickly, I notice I never hit the spacebar with anything other than my right thumb. On the right side, it has become quite shiny. I have wondered about why this happens. My thought was an oil buildup of some kind, but actual polishing makes more selse. It does look a little weird.

You could always call IBM and tell them your keyboard is broken, and maybe they'll send you a new one. I mean, you didn't pay for a shiny keyboard, that blinds you when you use the ThinkLight, did you?

ThinkPad · #9 Post by **ThinkPad** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 4:02 pm

I also think it adds character to the laptop

Kenn · #10 Post by **Kenn** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 5:08 pm

Thinkpad wrote:I also think it adds character to the laptop

From my keyboard shine, I have deduced:

1. I only hit spacebar with my right thumb as well.

2. I type with greater force with my left hand.

3. My left hand covers more of the keyboard than my right.

I'll keep polishing this keyboard until it gives up the ghost, but I do wish IBM used a harder material.

#11 Post by **jdhurst** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 5:14 pm

I have a T41 that is now close to a year old. It gets a lot of use. Convinced some time back by this forum not to use Windex, and too lazy to get special solutions, I do the following:

I take an old, well-laundered towel. I crunch up a corner into a smooth ball, wet it with water, wipe the screen, wipe the keyboard, then dry it all with a portion of the towel that is dry. I do this weekly or less on the screen and every other day or so on the keyboard. The keyboard gets shiny from my finger oils, but any time it looks too shiny, I just wash it as above. Looks great.

... JD Hurst

BILLCROCKER · #12 Post by **BILLCROCKER** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 5:52 pm

I like the shine, in fact, I was a little upset when I got my T41p because it didn't look jet black (I think IBM calls it Raven Black?) like my A31. A couple weeks ago I recognized that the blackness was from usage. I think the shine makes your computer look more serious and intimidating.

Dow Jones · #13 Post by **Dow Jones** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 3:23 am

If the keyboards are 50 bucks, it's not worth it. Because the shine will start in the matter of days.

darrenf · #14 Post by **darrenf** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:43 pm

If the shine is starting in a matter of days it's just oil from your fingers (or Fritos

). Regular cleaning will prevent the shine. I don't think it's wear because the first thing to wear off would be the letters which are glued to to the top of the keycaps. If your letters are disappearing then you are wearing down your keycaps. Otherwise, cleaning (sometimes just with water) should get rid of the shine. It has worked for me.

Good luck!

-darren

Dow Jones · #15 Post by **Dow Jones** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:53 pm

Cleaning with soap and water doesn't get rid of the shine for me. What did you use to clean off the shine? I've only concluded that the shine is caused by wear after trying to clean it.

I really don't think it's oil from your fingers.

darrenf · #16 Post by **darrenf** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:00 am

As soon as I see shine I wipe the keyboard down with a damp paper towel and dry with another paper towel. Like jdhurst I often do this when cleaning the display.

It's possible that you have a different issue, but I would really expect the letters to be fading (which I have not seen on a ThinkPad).

Perhaps IBM just needs to cover the whole keycap in the same glue that holds the letters on since the letters (and the small halo around them) never seem to get shiny!

-darren

Champ · #17 Post by **Champ** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 12:10 am

on my dell letters have faded away. but i've gone thorugh like 4 keyboards. they often actually fail due ot heavy usage so i'm hoping ibm is better

the usage and typing rate on my laptop is quite extensive since i'm on it like 12 hours a day and writing reports and waht not requries a lot of typing

Kenn · #18 Post by **Kenn** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 3:18 am

Champ wrote:on my dell letters have faded away. but i've gone thorugh like 4 keyboards. they often actually fail due ot heavy usage so i'm hoping ibm is better

the usage and typing rate on my laptop is quite extensive since i'm on it like 12 hours a day and writing reports and waht not requries a lot of typing

The last 2-3 generations of Dells are INFAMOUS for failing keyboards. The IBM should last much longer.

Highline · #19 Post by **Highline** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:41 am

Kenn wrote:
Champ wrote:The last 2-3 generations of Dells are INFAMOUS for failing keyboards. The IBM should last much longer.

I thought IBM's were well known for their durable and responsive keyboards.

Regarding it being shiny... I personally think that the keys becoming shiny is kind of cool. Does not seem to effect my typing at all.

Elhabash · #20 Post by **Elhabash** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 1:54 pm

Test cleaning it with alcohol. If it's still there, you can safely assume it's not oil...

admsteiner · #21 Post by **admsteiner** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 3:04 pm

Thought I'd let you all know:

I just cleaned my keyboard (I do it occasionally) with an electronics cleaner (i don't remember if it was EndDust or some other company).

It got the oil off the keys (they feel great now) but the shine remains (although it is less noticeable).

I'm guessing that the keys did wear away (interestingly, they did not wear away on the part that has the letters glued on, perhaps IBM should cover the keys entirely with it

).

For me its not such a big deal, I'll first be using the Thinklight for an extended period of time next week on a nice long plane ride but from the few seconds I've used it in the past it didn't seem to reflect too badly.

I'm not surprised (or disapointed) that the keys have worn out, I've been using it 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week since August. I'm very very happy with it.

It's interesting to look at the placement of the shine on the individual keys. For instance, although I have both thumbs right above the spacebar, I apparently only use my right thumb to hit it, that's the only one with a worn out part, and that's on the far right side.

PS: Edited for grammatical mistakes. Content left unchanged. -me

Dow Jones · #22 Post by **Dow Jones** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:43 pm

Hhaha, right side of spacebar? I'm completely opposite, mine is worn on the left side of the spacebar, almost center.

I wonder how long it will take before the letters DO wear out. I mean, they can't last forever...

admsteiner · #23 Post by **admsteiner** » Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:07 pm

Dow Jones wrote:Hhaha, right side of spacebar? I'm completely opposite, mine is worn on the left side of the spacebar, almost center.

I wonder how long it will take before the letters DO wear out. I mean, they can't last forever...

Lefty or right? In all fairness, I don't touch type either. Over the 12-13 years I've been using computers, I've developed my own system for typing.

--Adam

PS: Maybe we should swap keyboards

esxmac · #24 Post by **esxmac** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:01 am

I have an A22m, which is 3 years and 4 months old. I used it 8-10 hours a day all year round. My keys are shiny, especially the right side of the space bar, but none of the letters are faded or warn at all.

I think the matte wears off, but underneath the matte, there is no wear, ie, th e shiny spots aren't diveted. Some of the keys are slightly loose, but that is after typing on it for over 6000 hours.

DavidNZ · #25 Post by **DavidNZ** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:35 am

esxmac wrote:I have an A22m, which is 3 years and 4 months old. I used it 8-10 hours a day all year round. My keys are shiny, especially the right side of the space bar, but none of the letters are faded or warn at all.

I think the matte wears off, but underneath the matte, there is no wear, ie, th e shiny spots aren't diveted. Some of the keys are slightly loose, but that is after typing on it for over 6000 hours.

Jeepers. If that isn't a testament to the durability of these machines, I don't know what is!

Dow Jones · #26 Post by **Dow Jones** » Mon Dec 20, 2004 4:13 pm

The Thinklight does reflect off the shiney surfaces caused by the wear.

My Keys are SUPER SHINY!

My Keys are SUPER SHINY!

Re: My Keys are SUPER SHINY!

IBM Keyboards

Re: IBM Keyboards

not worth it getting a new keyboard

Cleaning doesn't rid the shine.

Wear patterns

Re: Wear patterns

Thinklight

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