APPLE MAC (UNIBODY) KEY-CAP REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

Removing a Key-cap

Slide a fingernail, or similarly flat, stiff edge, under one corner of the key-cap and pull up gradually until the key-cap "pops" off.

Fingernail problem? Unless your fingernails are long, it can be a bit tough to slide them underneath initially. I often use the thin, stiff card of my supermarket checkout scanner card to slide under the edge to get going.

key position with key-cap placed over it finger pressing down to clip on key-cap key-cap correctly fixed in key position key position with key-cap placed over it finger pressing down to clip on key-cap key-cap correctly fixed in key position

Replacing a Key-cap

Line up the replacement key-cap and press down to "click" the key-cap onto the scissor hinge mechanism's 4 "clip" positions.

key position with key-cap placed over it finger pressing down to clip on key-cap key-cap correctly fixed in key position
Pressing down on the 4 "clip" positions can either be done by pressing down on the middle of the key-cap to "click" on all 4 points at once or one point at a time by rolling your finger around toward each of the key-cap's corners.
 

Type W1 vs type W2:

 
 Type W1 


  Type W2 
Images larger
(1.5X) than
actual size.
standard size hinge
(e.g. letter & number keys)
Images larger (1.5X) than actual size.
standard size hinge
(e.g. letter & number keys)
W1 vs W2?
For
standard size hinges,
type W2 hinges have holes
(pointed to by red arrows
close to hinge pivot points)
which you can see through
to what's underneath:
Type W1 hinges do
NOT have these
holes.
.
 

Disclaimer

This help guide is provided as is and irithm takes no responsibility for any injury or damage done to yourself or your laptop through actions that include opening the interior body of your laptop or inserting or removing anything into or from any its ports (USB, ethernet etc.) or through the use of laptop key parts (key-caps and key scissors) not purchased from irithm through ebay.com.

Laptop key replacement should not affect warranties but you have to check your own warranty to be sure.
© irithm 2009