I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived • Hacker News Board

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#11

Post by justinc8687 » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 7:44 AM UTC

ktallett wrote: post #5

I always thought keyboard covers on macs were not realistic unless removed everytime as there is not enough of a gap between screen and keyboard. However, I found on macs the keys get damaged very easily from oils, far more so than other laptops. I see the need for one, but it does damage the typing experience somewhat.

I've found the screen cover to be almost essential. I had 2 MacBooks where the screen was ruined by somehow making contact with whatever on the keys. Not sure how it's possible but the first thing I do now after buying a MacBook is put a glass screen cover over it.

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#12

Post by Groxx » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 7:56 AM UTC

I really can't stand the typing-feel of covers. Any of them.

I would MUCH rather buy and use a cheap external keyboard that can be trivially disassembled to clean. Plus then you get to sit back further, and not look down at the screen as much. Win/win as far as I can tell.

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#13

Post by Groxx » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 7:57 AM UTC

Arainach wrote: post #7

ktallett wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is annoying mac don't sell Dvorak or Neo2 layouts now.

You are dramatically underestimating the cost of manufacturing, stocking, and distributing an entirely different SKU and probably also dramatically overestimating the number of users of alternative keyboard layouts in the world. Put another way: I am absolutely certain that more users would get a Mac with a Dvorak layout by mistake and want to return it than would actually purchase and keep one.

Given how many other laptop vendors do this and don't charge extra for it, I think you might be over-estimating it somewhat.

Plus Apple already does this for 20(+?) languages, some of which have difference shapes, which for a macbook means different frame milling. One more letter arrangement isn't much.

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#14

Post by _thisdot » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 7:58 AM UTC

ktallett wrote: post #6

hjkl0 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I have only seen them on machines that are ruggedized for harsh environment FWIW, you can also see them used for switching to DVORAK and other alternative layouts. And for adding a second writing script to a keyboard with Latin-only labels.

It is annoying mac don't sell Dvorak or Neo2 layouts now.

It really is not. The people who need to look at keyboards are typing in QWERTY anyway. And the people who type in alternative layouts aren't looking at their keyboards. The few keys that you need to look at (function keys up at the top maybe), don't really change positions between layouts.

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#15

Post by _thisdot » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC

hjkl0 wrote: post #4

JohnFen wrote: post #2

Regular people use keyboard covers?? I don't think I've ever seen that. I have only seen them on machines that are ruggedized for harsh environments or keyboards that are in public areas for public use.

> I have only seen them on machines that are ruggedized for harsh environment FWIW, you can also see them used for switching to DVORAK and other alternative layouts. And for adding a second writing script to a keyboard with Latin-only labels.

Using a keyboard cover when learning a new layout is a bad idea in my experience. Better to have a layout map printed out next to your monitor. The idea is to look at the keyboard as little as possible

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#16

Post by _thisdot » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 8:25 AM UTC

Groxx wrote: post #13

Arainach wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are dramatically underestimating the cost of manufacturing, stocking, and distributing an entirely different SKU and probably also dramatically overestimating the number of users of alternative keyboard layouts in the world. Put another way: I am absolutely certain that more users would get a Mac with a Dvorak layout by mistake and want to return it than would actually purchase and keep one.

Given how many other laptop vendors do this and don't charge extra for it, I think you might be over-estimating it somewhat. Plus Apple already does this for 20(+?) languages, some of which have difference shapes , which for a macbook means different frame milling. One more letter arrangement isn't much.

Which other manufacturers offer this? I went looking for Dell, HP, and Lenovo laptops with Dvorak and couldn't find any. Even Framework or System76 doesn't have one in offer. The separate keyboard sold by System76 doesn't offer it in Dvorak or Colemak. It's difficult to even find MX profile keycaps for any alternative layouts in my experience.

Plus we're overestimating the number of users of alternative keyboard users in the world. There's maybe a few hundred thousands of us. Compared to the millions of speakers these 20+ languages have.

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#17

Post by jemmyw » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 9:01 AM UTC

I use one. I play guitar at my desk then type and I think that transfers a lot of dirt around. It does leave a mark on the screen. It's easy enough to clean off, but I do like how it drives some people bonkers.

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#18

Post by 3stacks » Fri, Jul 03, 2026, 2:31 PM UTC

Groxx wrote: post #12

I really can't stand the typing-feel of covers. Any of them. I would MUCH rather buy and use a cheap external keyboard that can be trivially disassembled to clean. Plus then you get to sit back further, and not look down at the screen as much. Win/win as far as I can tell.

My Ducky Zero keyboard has outlived several laptops in the last 10 years of abuse and it’s nice and portable. You can swap the switches when they die. I see this as a far better solution

Re: I Type Holes in Keyboard Covers – This One Survived

#19

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jul 04, 2026, 5:12 PM UTC

ktallett wrote: post #6

hjkl0 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I have only seen them on machines that are ruggedized for harsh environment FWIW, you can also see them used for switching to DVORAK and other alternative layouts. And for adding a second writing script to a keyboard with Latin-only labels.

It is annoying mac don't sell Dvorak or Neo2 layouts now.

[deleted]