Apple charge on average around £350 for a new keyboard because they supply it as part of what they call the ‘top case’ (TC) which includes the metal case with pre-fitted keyboard, trackpad and battery.

I just replace your keyboard so it works out far cheaper and kinder to the environment – generally around £200 for parts and labour.

For clarity the keyboard part is available and costs around £40 -£80. However, there are 3 to 4 hours of labour required to fit it because it requires complete disassembly of the Macbook to access the keyboard.

Apple just say boo to the environment and replace half your Macbook with a keyboard/battery/trackpad/case (TC) assembly at your expense!

The manufacture of a new Macbook generates over 350kg of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming and ultimately the end of life on earth!

Work involved is the removal of:

  1. Aerial
  2. Screen
  3. Logic board
  4. Speakers
  5. Battery (held in with adhesive strips)
  6. Keyboard backlight
  7. Keyboard (held in with 100 rivets which must be individually removed and replaced with 100 tiny screws)

On the plus side it is an excellent opportunity for a very thorough clean  which is included – your MacBook will be immaculate again and wont smell of coffee!

 

This photo shows the many adhesive strips that held the battery in place.

Care must be taken to ensure that the battery is not damaged during removal as damage can result in a short and a fire.

 

Removing the keyboard backlight layer reveals the 100 rivets holding the keyboard in place.

 

 

 

At last its time to clean the aluminium frame ready for a new keyboard to be fitted followed by a new backlight layer.