[mrpuddles]

I posted questions about getting a keyboard replacement for my new iBook and decided to post my experience with Apple and getting the replacement and installing the keyboard.

First, I contact Apple that verified my information that they had from the last time I contacted them (iPod battery replacement).

Then they led me through basic steps to check my keyboard (took 5 minutes). Basically, it involved me unlatching my keyboard and then putting it back in place to make sure it was flush.

After that, I told him that I used to do tech work for the Dell certified techs at UT. He immediately offered to mail me a keyboard. He mentioned that sometimes people must provide a credit card number as a deposit to ensure that they return the old keyboard. However, he let me keep mine.

The keyboard came via DHL two days later. The device was packaged well and included photocopied instructions on replacing the keyboard.

Once I got a screwdriver that was small enough (size 0), I was ready to install. While I replaced the keyboard, I also installed 512 MB of RAM that I purchased from Outpost. The whole procedure took approximately 10 minutes.

My new keyboard is flush and the keys no longer pop off. In addtion, this keyboard is definately more quiet than the original board.

I plan on keeping my old board for parts. I am happy with my experience and plan on upgrading to AppleCare this week.


Hope this is informative to anyone who is also having keyboard problems.

[Carcarius]

Wow, that sounds exactly like my experience, the only difference is I didn't mention I worked for Dell tech support. I was very happy and impressed with Apple's support of the keyboard. I had removed the keyboard so I could update the RAM to 512meg and had a hard time getting it off, one of the latches popped off and a piece of it broke and the lock in the middle also popped off. The keyboard was not locked, but it must have been seated in a way that the lock was stuck underneath the casing somehow. The keyboards are very stubborn, they only go in a certain way.

They shipped me a new keyboard and I also received it within 2 days. I have 3-year Applecare support, but that supposedly doesn't kick in til the end of the 90-day warranty. I bought the laptop a week ago.

The keyboard was still in workable shape, but as a new purchase I wanted no defects so I requested a new keyboard. I have decided to use the current keyboard for a while, or until I have problems, then I will replace it with my "spare".

I am happy with Apple for this experience.