Keyboard Wear

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?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

I found this guide for cleaning your keyboard, but I'm not sure it is worth the work!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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)

 

where can you get keyboard skins

 

Good question.

 

Where did you get this information btw?

 

Keyboard skins can easily be found on Ebay.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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..

 

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.