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    Keyboard Wear

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Arcanum84, Nov 24, 2005.

  1. Arcanum84

    Arcanum84 Notebook Consultant

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    I've been really happy with my Vaio S54B (Japanese model) for almost the past two months, but one annoying thing I've noticed is that some of the keys on my keyboard seem to be wearing rather quickly. When I first got this machine, I felt like there was some sort of coating on the keys that made them feel really nice. My desktop keyboard also has this (it has notebook style keys). Mabe it's my imagination, but I feel like there is some kind of coating there.

    However, after about two months of use this coating is either wearing off, or grease and dirt from normal use is causing the keys to change color and feel. To be fair, it's only happening with the space bar and the enter keys, and the numbers and letters aren't rubbing off or anything. There are just these bright spots on both the enter and space keys, which is right where I hit them when I type. The overall feel of the key in this bright spot feels different than on other keys without the bright spot as well. It feels much smoother.

    Does anyone else have this problem? Is there some coating on the keys that my fingers are rubbing off through regular use, or is it just grease and dirt that is rubbing into the keys and causing them the get brighter and smoother? Is there any way to fix this problem?

    It's not a big deal, but these bright spots bother a perfectionist like me. I never noticed them on my old Toshiba Dynabook laptop I was using, but then again maybe it's because the Dynabook had a white keyboard and the Vaio has a black keyboard, thus causing the Vaio's keyboard to show wear more. I was jut wondering if this is a common problem and if there's any way to clean it or not.

    Also, does anyone know where I can buy a replacement keyboard, and how much they cost? I'd like to replace my Japanese keyboard with an English version keyboard, since I am running an English version of XP Pro with the English keyboard layout, and on the Japanese keyboard I have a lot of un-needed keys. I also really, really miss the bigger space and backspace keys. Any idea as to how much one would cost? Is it an easy thing to replace yourself?
     
  2. island_boy

    island_boy Notebook Geek

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    Same problem on my friend's Gateway.. It would bother me too (so we'll see how my S460 fairs) but I don't think my friend even notices it. Heck, she can't even tell the difference between her glossy XBRITE clone screen compared to matte screens :p
     
  3. sky123

    sky123 Notebook Consultant

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    well.. i dont think there anyway to fix that problem..

    If you order the keyboard from sony it'll cost you around 100$

    If you want it to keep it clean, use keyboard skin :)

    it works :)
     
  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    I think this is the same across all notebooks, I've seen it to one degree or another in every one I've owned.
     
  5. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

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    Yes, this precise problem has occured with my DV4000 after only about 2 months of use. I'm glad to see this isn't just apparent with my DV4000.

    I had my Fujtsu Lifebook P5020D for a couple of months and never noticed this problem but it did have a greyish white keyboard, black keyboards tend to show this much more easily.
     
  6. Slappy

    Slappy Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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  7. Jigar

    Jigar Notebook Enthusiast

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    http://www.nexttronics.com/vgn-s53b.htm

    I believe the keyboard on the 54b will be compatible. If your 54b japanese part number located on the underside of the keyboard matches the one on that page, you can be sure the english (US or UK) version will be compatible with your machine.
     
  8. Jigar

    Jigar Notebook Enthusiast

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    at $63 the us keyboard is cheap by sony spare parts standards!
     
  9. avicenne13

    avicenne13 Notebook Geek

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    I am using a HK model here in Turkey. I wonder is there a way to find the part number for the Turkish layout.

    The S series are sold here as well so I suppose there should be a one.
     
  10. aigle

    aigle Notebook Consultant

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    Did you compare your laptop to anyone of your friend,s with black keys?
     
  11. JiantBrane

    JiantBrane Notebook Evangelist

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    I would think that, if you are really bothered by the overly-quick wear, you might be able get them to send you a complimentary keyboard; if they do, though, it might be good to use your current one a little longer, anyway.

    Howie
     
  12. Jigar

    Jigar Notebook Enthusiast

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    1-479-169-31 (Swiss)...KEYBOARD UNIT(CH)
    1-479-169-21 (German)...KEYBOARD UNIT(DE)
    1-479-169-61 SPANISH KEYBOARD
    1-479-169-41 FRENCH /BELGUIM KEYBOARD
    1-479-169-11 UK/DUTCH KEYBOARD
    1-479-169-51 ITALIAN KEYBOARD UNIT
    1-479-166-11 KEYBOARD UNIT JP
    1-479-166-31 KEYBOARD UNIT KR
    1-479-166-91 PORTUGAL KEYBOARD UNIT
    1-479-166-81 SWEDISH KEYBOARD
    1-479-166-41 KEYBOARD UNIT TH
    1-479-166-51 KEYBOARD UNIT TW
    1-479-166-21 KEYBOARD UNIT US
    1-479-166-71 KEYBOARD UNIT LA
    1-479-166-61 RUSSIAN KEYBORD UNIT (RU)
     
  13. davez82

    davez82 Notebook Consultant

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    where can you get keyboard skins
     
  14. steelgrave

    steelgrave Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good question.
     
  15. avicenne13

    avicenne13 Notebook Geek

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    Where did you get this information btw?
     
  16. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

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    Keyboard skins can easily be found on Ebay.
     
  17. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

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    I'm really glad to see I'm not the only one bothered by this. I just returned my HP and got a Toshiba and am afraid to type on it due to the keys getting worn down. I'm actually thinking of wearing gloves or something so the oils from my fingers won't get on the coating and rub it down. :eek: :eek: :eek:
     
  18. JiantBrane

    JiantBrane Notebook Evangelist

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    To dedicate oneself to the wellbeing of a mere tool is usually not the best idea. Remember: You got the laptop so that it could help you. If you wear gloves to better preserve its aesthetics, at the cost of your own comfort, you are reversing your relationship with the machine. Consider wiping a tissue across the keyboard when you're done or something, but wearing gloves would be demeaning.
     
  19. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

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    Hahaha, well put, you got a point there. Besides, its just a notebook, I'll end up replacing it with another one in 1.5-2 years anyways, just a material object.
     
  20. Bomfunk

    Bomfunk Notebook Consultant

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    Hey Arcanum,
    I have the same problem with my (european) S5XP, its just on some keys though. I don't think this should happen after a few months of "normal" use, doesn't this fall under some kind of guarantee? Has anybody tried to get their keyboard replaced arguing on this basis? I might give it a try but don't really have much hope..
     
  21. Rahul

    Rahul Notebook Prophet

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    I don't think you can argue this, it happens inevitably, unfortunately. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one bothered by this, so far the keys on my Toshiba are fine but will eventually get worn down and smooth. :(