I have a computer question

[Tobin S.]

I have a 7 month old laptop and I've rubbed all of the paint off of about half the keys. Since I have to look at the keyboard to type, this is starting to be a problem. They are black keys with white letters. What would be the best way to fix this? White marker? Replace the keys? How would I go about doing that?

Yes, I like to write a lot. :)

[Forkboy]

1. A new keyboard.

Mine is in the same shape. Half the letters are rubbed away (or maybe they're just covered in BBQ sauce...who can tell?). Might as well get a new one for whatever measly amount they go for these days. :)

[Tobin S.]

2. It's a laptop, dude.

Or am I missing something.

[Forkboy]

3. Oh yeah.....

:rofl:

Well, get a white permanent marker and do your best. ;)

[Betty88]

19. Laptop keyboards are not that hard to change out

they cost about $20, or did the last time I needed one. You can get them on line just google make/model then check out youtube and I bet you will find a video how to. It really is very simple most times all you need is a very small screwdriver.


edit for a video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x5SF_NFsw4

covers may come off differently on different laptops but the idea is the same

[taterguy]

4. White-Out

[Kali]

23. or white-out + a sharpie

[Heidi]

5. You can get new keyboards for laptops.

At least you can get one for my Acer Aspire. I wouldn't attempt to install it myself, though. :hi:

[hobbit709]

6. Model airplane paint.

[hunter]

7. Some of the opaque paint markers work okay...

... the kind you shake before using, just like a can of spray paint. They even have the little ball bearing in them.

Michaels has got them.

[Heidi]

8. Okay, here's your solution.

You need a white, 0.8 Edding 780 paint marker. I just did a test on a plastic ink pad case in my studio, and it works fine. Edding paint markers are light and water resistant, and a heckuva a lot cheaper than getting a new keyboard for your laptop. When the letters wear off again, just use the marker to write them on again.

Get one at eBay, or send me a PM and I'll mail you one. (You have to shake the marker for two or three minutes before using it, though.)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Edding-780-White-Paint-Pen-0-8mm-plant-label-marker_W0QQitemZ220451750830QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_GardenEquipment_HandTools_SM?hash=item3353f2c3ae

My experiment. It takes about five minutes for the letters to dry.

[jmowreader]

9. Scribe the keys first

You will need a hand awl--a pointy thing that's very strong. Use the hand awl to scratch the letter into the top of each key, then work some paint into the scratching. (You can use a paint pen for that.) If you just use a paint pen and let the marks sit on the surface, the paint will rub off as you type. The scratches will hold paint, giving you a longer-lasting repair.)

[blogslut]

10. Keyboard stickers, baby!

http://www.4keyboard.com/
http://www.funkeyboards.com/
http://www.thekeyboardcompany.com/keyboard-stickers/

And my personal favorite:



http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/keyboard-stickers---vintage-typewriter-3174-p.asp

[Richardo]

12. That is fantastic! Look, Heidi and CMW!!

:bounce:

[Call Me Wesley]

14. I looked and will show Heidi.

Cool! :hi:

[Call Me Wesley]

13. Check this out:

http://www.datamancer.net/steampunklaptop/steampunklaptop.htm :woohoo:

[blogslut]

15. Isn't it sexy?

Right now, I'm keeping my crappy old laptop lid from flopping off with a brass hinge I've got Gorilla-glued on. I may just go full-out and embellish the whole thing with veneer and metal sheeting. :hi:

[Heidi]

17. blogslut, you are a GODDESS!!!!!!!!!!

I hereby invite you to Switzerland to play with all of my collage and art materials including (in addition to paints, canvases, pastels, wooden and paper supports): nine to 11 (I've lost count) fully functional manual typewriters, vintage books in five or six languages, a wide array of antique officer supplies (no ledgers YET), Dymo embossing label makers, etc.!

:yourock:

[blogslut]

18. Awww

Thanks, Heidi. :)

[cbdo2007]

11. If you type THAT much....why do you need to look at the keyboard to type??

Sounds like a good Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing program will help you in a few weeks so that you can look at the screen while typing rather than the keyboard.

[elocs]

16. Touch typing: perhaps the most valuable class I ever took in high school

and I am still putting it to very good use this morning.

[Tobin S.]

22. I'm self taught

I can probably type about 40 words a minute using my index fingers and I've never felt the need to go any faster.

[gmoney]

20. 7 months and the letters are gone?

that seems like very poor quality on the original equipment.

[bluedigger]

21. That is a lot of typing, indeed!

If it were me, and I used it mostly at home, or in the cab, I would get a cordless keyboard for it. I would think you would like a full size keyboard. I just picked up an ergonomic one with a mouse on sale for about $80. Then either paint or replace the keys on the laptop, and if you only use that when you are on "Away" missions, it should hold up for awhile.

[quakerboy]

24. Is that what they call it nowadays... "Typing"

Huh.. Will file that for future reference.

As to the keys... as others have mentioned, a new keyboard is actually pretty darn easy to install, and if you are patient with ebay can probably be gotten for about $20.
Alternately, you can just use a marker. When I had a similar dilemma, I used a silver sharpie, which seemed to work well, though I had to re apply about every 2 months. Etching the letters in will make whatever paint or marker you use last longer, and I guess since you are altering it anyway you go, theres not much reason not to do that.