How long do notebook keyboards last? Should I replace mine?

I can go back and push individual keys off center and duplicate missed input. My keyboard does not pick up unless each key is pushed in all the way in the exactly in the center and I make more typos now, but not letters being out of order, so I don't think it's my typing.

I can avoid it by typing slowly and making sure I push on each key a little harder, but this is fatiguing.

I've had this Pavilion for about three years and I take all my class notes on it.

Is my keyboard reaching end of useful life?

 

I personally would just replace the keyboard. There are a ton of them on Ebay for $10. With many laptops it's a relatively easy fix. Certainly easier than typing five words per minute .

 

Try to clean the keyboard before change it. The best way to do it is to remove the keyboard from the laptop, hold it vertically and clean it with a tooth brush. If this doesn't help you could put it under running water. But with the water option you'll have to leave it to dry before putting it back. 24 hours should do.
Also you could try to clean the connection using alcohol.
If cleaning the keyboard doesn't help you'll need a new keyboard.

 

I have XPS M1530. Can I change it with keyboard like the MacBook's keyboard which is one key per hole?


Thanks.

 

It's around $30 shipped and I have to really look hard to make sure I'm getting

1. from US
2. OEM
3 New

Many unethical Hong Kong China land sellers are listing them as "HP keyboard" then you read on and it says "compatible with HP part" instead of telling you upfront it's a third party replacement.

 

If you want new than it's a little bit more. I've only twice needed to replace a keyboard and I settled for used. In both cases the keyboard was in perfect condition. Both from Ebay for $10 (I also only order from the US). But $30 shipped isn't that expensive, so it seems worth the money.

 

I have had notebook keyboards for some 6-8 yrs and they still function, just the letters have long been work down and the keys are all shiny and polished from contiunal finger action.

K-TRON

 

I suppose it depends on the quality of the keyboard itself. My old one from NEC was horrible, it couldn't even make 2 years without buttons breaking under pressure or the rubber foot slowly ripping apart. I'd say for known reliable laptops, keyboards should be able to last 3 - 5 years without much failure.