White Keyboards (Page 2): You can get black, I have one.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

You can get black, I have one.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

The original IBM keyboards that had a tactical sensation when a key was depressed were great keyboards. I still have one, and I find I make fewer mistakes with it because you can feel from the “click” when a key is depressed.

And just in the event you make the mistake of thinking you can vacuum your keyboard, think twice. Tried it on my Dell only to have the experience of watching the keys disappear up the nozzle - looked like a cartoon. Not only is opening a vacuum cleaner bag and searching for keys not fun (now where is that spider I vacuumed up?), but reattaching them is a nightmare.

And finally, NEVER spill a beer into a keyboard - no matter what you do, there will always be a couple of sticky keys (ask me how I know)

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

BebuLamar wrote:

IBM had white keyboard too and my IBM keyboard made back in 1989 is still working and looking clean as I can really wash it. Pop all the key caps out and clean the with detergent in the sink. When I buy a new computer I simply toss the keyboard and use the keyboard I have since 1898.

Exactly.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TriX wrote:

The original IBM keyboards that had a tactical sen... (show quote)

I'm wondering if I still have my old IBM upstairs in the garage. I still have my first VCR from 1977(?).

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

In years past, with any color keyboard, white or black, I have cleaned them by holding them under running sink water and with a scrub brush to assist removing the dirties on and between the keys. No soap. The main point is to let the keyboard dry completely. I typically stood it on its edge for a couple of days, and then on the other edge for a couple of days. Using an electric fan to blow onto the drying keyboard is optional. The way keyboards are made today, such a cleaning session will not harm the innards.

This method does mean however, that you have to have a spare keyboard during the drying days, assuming that you want to do something on your computer.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

jerryc41 wrote:

I could never understand why Apple decided to use white keyboards. Mine always seems a bit dirty. but the black keyboard on the Dell always looks clean. I'm sure both keyboards are equally dirty, but the white shows it better. I think the slightly textured surface of the white keys is partially to blame. Windows keyboard usually have very smooth keys, but keyboards, even replacements, for Apples are usually white and textured.

Yes, I do wash my hands. 🤣

Every now and then, you could put your keyboard in the washing machine. Don’t put it in the dryer when clean. It makes too much noise and may break. Take the keyboard outside and swing it above your head by the wire. It will dry out. It is called centripetal force. ROFLMAO!

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

Many years ago - maybe 1959 or 60 - I was at the Minnesota State Fair. The grandstand program featured a well known black comedian. He commented that the piano player was hitting the black keys harder than the white keys.

Maybe that's why Apple makes white keyboards. Maybe they aren't as sturdy as the black keyboards and they want you to be gentle when you type.

BebuLamar

Scruples wrote:

Every now and then, you could put your keyboard in the washing machine. Don’t put it in the dryer when clean. It makes too much noise and may break. Take the keyboard outside and swing it above your head by the wire. It will dry out. It is called centripetal force. ROFLMAO!

If you like the kind of keyboard that came with a PC then every now and then you simply toss it and get a new one. They are so cheap. Computer companies do refurbish computers but once the computers returned to them they immediately toss the mouse and keyboard.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

bobbyjohn wrote:

In years past, with any color keyboard, white or b... (show quote)

You can wash SOME electronic devices, but you should rinse them in distilled water. The residue left by minerals and additives can create a resistance bridge between fine traces and leave a residue on contacts (and keyboards have many.) At the Tektronix service center, we had a wash booth for scopes (using distilled water), but some electronics were unwashable because some of the labels were silkscreened with water soluble ink.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Jerry, you're wondering if you still have your old computer in the garage. I can tell you right now that you do. Happy Birthday by the way.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

My new Dell has an all white keyboard. I did like the beige keyboard with the taller keys. This feels like I'm just barely touching anything. I make many more mistakes using this new keyboard.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I very much prefer the feel of the low profile Apple "chicklet" keys. As for dirt, I keep mine covered with a thin vinyl protector that fits perfectly.

Bret P Loc: California

jerryc41 wrote:

I could never understand why Apple decided to use white keyboards... 🤣

My new "spaceship gray" Apple keyboard has black keys, sweet.

jcboy3

jerryc41 wrote:

I could never understand why Apple decided to use white keyboards. Mine always seems a bit dirty. but the black keyboard on the Dell always looks clean. I'm sure both keyboards are equally dirty, but the white shows it better. I think the slightly textured surface of the white keys is partially to blame. Windows keyboard usually have very smooth keys, but keyboards, even replacements, for Apples are usually white and textured.

Yes, I do wash my hands. 🤣

Because that way you know when to clean it. And you can't imagine the germs that build up on dirty keyboards, especially with all the Doritos crumbs. The older ones, with the clear bottoms, you didn't want to flip them over. Especially with the dried up bugs that got caught in them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Scruples wrote:

Every now and then, you could put your keyboard in the washing machine. Don’t put it in the dryer when clean. It makes too much noise and may break. Take the keyboard outside and swing it above your head by the wire. It will dry out. It is called centripetal force. ROFLMAO!

There's a company that makes a submersible keyboard - test nine feet underwater. It's even dishwasher-safe.

https://sealshield.com/washable-waterproof-keyboards/?swoof=1&pa_language=us-united-states&utm_term=water%20proof%20keyboard&utm_campaign=SS+Brand&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=2698037102&hsa_cam=18039164282&hsa_grp=137536390462&hsa_ad=617125757408&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-505494985&hsa_kw=water%20proof%20keyboard&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxMmhBhDJARIsANFGOSsNYMLLaZj5at68WajckD_Wl4RIZHcutz3W2MEN_PjOvIikONbuJgMaAkSfEALw_wcB

Also, maybe -

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=waterproof+keyboard&hvadid=409998355082&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004811&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8069587984695938041&hvtargid=kwd-1715456561&hydadcr=19109_11276355&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4pkuuev2nd_e