hardware rec - What laptop keyboards are easy to disassemble and clean?

08
2014-07
  • Zac B

    I often use my laptop on construction jobsites or in very dirt-filled situations. Over time, the keyboard gets dusty, greasy, etc. Pieces of detritus fall down underneath the keys, and come to interfere with their action over time. We're talking about a lot of dirt: people have dumped sawdust on it, accidentally spilled a bag of grout over it...you name it, and that's without the average high-mess daily use I put it through.

    I personally really dislike latex or similar laptop keyboard covers. So my question is:

    What models of laptop or laptop keyboard are very easy to disassemble and thoroughly clean?

    What I've tried/considered: I'm reasonably technical and have plenty of time in which to perform said cleaning, but after taking out and cleaning the keyboard on a 2009 unibody MacBook Pro (so many tiny screws), I'm hoping for something that is easier to disassemble/access/clean.

    Hardware specifications and platform are irrelevant, since I do most of my work in a browser anyway.

    I've looked into the ToughBook line, but they seem to simply isolate the keyboard from the rest of the laptop (reducing risk from a liquid spill), but aren't particularly cleanable.

    • Answers
  • tbenz9

    I would highly recommend the Lenovo Thinkpad T series. We have dozens of them at work and we have standardized on them because of their easy to swap parts. You can take out the keyboard with about 2 screws and it just pops off. The keys also easily pop off (but only when you want), and are easy to clean, change, etc.

    It was built to be taken apart, and upgraded or cleaned and yet it's tough enough for the road warriors and fast enough for the engineers.

    Good luck in your search, definitely check out the Thinkpad series.


    • Related Question

    cleaning - How to clean a keyboard
  • gabr

    My keyboard is a) full of dust and other particles that are flying around us (hair, skin parts etc) and b) very dirty (keys are not white anymore but dark gray - except on keytops where my fingers are constantly cleaning away the dirt).

    How should I dust & clean my keyboard?


    • Related Answers
  • terdon

    apparently you can put it in the dishwasher.

    http://www.boingboing.net/2005/05/30/clean-your-keyboard-.html

    Please note: I wouldn't do this with an expensive one but if all else fails...

    Josh

  • Ross

    I did this to my (admittedly shocking) keyboard recently. What I did was:

    1. Have a cloth and dustbuster ready, it could be scary (depending if you eat at your PC, length of time since last clean, pets etc.)
    2. Take a photo of the keyboard layout if you have a complex keyboard (mine was a G15 so there's lots of special keys).
    3. Using a screwdriver carefully pry the keys up. I recommend starting at the spacebar, as you can see how the keys are attached (usually a plastic clip and metal bar). It's easy to break the plastic clip (I did twice) but it hasn't really affected my keyboard.
    4. Clean it out!
    5. Put the keys back into their positions.
  • Jonathan Sampson

    Pressurized air for your situation. You can buy this at nearly any large retailer in your area.

    If you spill coke into it (like I did last week), it's going to be much more difficult. I ended up tossing the entire thing. That's one of the reasons I prefer to work on $10-$20 keyboards.

  • MicTech

    Cyber Clean Electronics Cleaning Putty from ThinkGeek

  • David M

    I pop the keys out on mine from time to time, clean them with Dettol wipes, and blow out the crud with compressed air. I've been using the same Goldtouch keyboard for nearly 10 years, and it comes up nearly like new every time.

  • kpoehls

    maybe its time for a fresh new keyboard....would increase your productivity by giving you a whole new reason to use your computer - gotta break in the new toy!!

  • Berek Bryan
    1. dust-buster, compressed air, or brush - for debris
    2. alcohol wipes - to get all the grime and bacteria off

    Where your fingers are constantly hitting is probably the dirtiest part of the keyboard.

  • Ian Potter

    Most desktop keyboards can have their keys pried off with a screwdriver or pocket knife. This will let you really get in deep and clear out all the crap that's built up over the years. The best way to clean is probably a bunch Q-tips and possibly some soapy water.

    I wouldn't recommend trying this with a laptop keyboard or the Apple chicklet keyboards; they're not designed to be cleaned in this way.

  • Manuel Ferreria

    I usually pop out the keys (using a simple flathead screwdriver on its side), clean them one by one (with a wet towel or dumping them into water and scrubbing later with a tissue) and with a brush I clean the space between the keys on the keyboard itself. Finally I just push the keys right in again when I make sure it is spotless.

  • martineau

    For cleaning the outside of my keyboard I've had excellent results using Mr.Clean® Magic Erasers®. Nowdays Safeway sells a store-brand knock-off product called simply Disposable Erasing Pads which are much cheaper and seem to work just as well. These are also great for cleaning lots of other things. Sorry if this sounds like a commercial....