Rearranging Apple Powerbook/MacBook Pro Keyboard Keys
Nov 6, 2006
While I learned to type on your typical QWERTY keyboard, about three years ago, I switched my keyboard arrangement to Dvorak. I'm not going to preach the benefits of Dvorak over QWERTY (though my wrists thank me). Nor am I going to discuss why I think Apple's laptops are so fantastic. This is simply a quick article on rearranging the keys on most of Apple's laptops.
The first time I switched around the keys on my Powerbook, I had to learn how to pop the keys up and reattach them without breaking them. I managed to figure it out, but twice since then I've had to relearn how to do it; after all, it's not something I do terribly often. So, below I've thrown together some pictures with captions on how the keys on Apple's high-end laptops attach, pop up, and reattach. At the least, I can use this page for future reference. Hopefully, now that I've written this, Murphey's law will take over and Apple will change the key mechanism on their Pro laptops (which I'm not a huge fan of).
Pulling up a key. This is hardest with the first few keys because it's rather crowded. Pull upwards on the top edge of the key, or at both top corners. Holding down the bottom edge of the key helps. You might be surprised/scared by how much the key will bend before it pops off. When it does, you'll hear and feel two clicks. There are other, perhaps more graceful, ways of doing this (some involving small tools or screwdrivers), but this method works. I've never broken a key. (Clickable images pop.) |
The key off, we see the rubber "plunger" that registers a keystroke. The plastic lever mechanism has been taken off. Note the metal tab at the bottom. Sometimes this will get bent upwards when removing the key. When reattaching a key, if it doesn't seem to set right, it might be that this metal tab is bent upwards. You can usually bend it back down by firmly pushing down on the key. |
Here's the lever mechanism. It attaches the key to the computer and provides proper feel. Normally, the lever mechanism will stay seated on the computer, but sometimes it will unseat when you remove the key. |
If the lever mechanism needs to be reseated, insert it under the metal tab as shown here. Next, pop in the two plastic tabs up top. |
Here's the lever mechanism properly attached. |
I've used a small flathead screwdriver here to raise the lever mechanism so you can see how it attaches to the key above it. There are four attachment points, one on each corner. |
Comparing the bottom side of the key I'm about to reattach with the lever mechanism. Reattachment is basically the opposite of removal; place the bottom of the key then firmly press on the top edge. You should hear and feel two clicks. |
