Mac Book Pro keyboard: Letter A is dead - Looking for cheaper solution than THB 14,000

[bangkoklawyer24]

Never had a problem with my MacBookPro6.2 in all the years. Now one button on the keyboard is dead. The Letter A. Today I wend to iServe at Amari for a repair. They offered to exchange the whole keyboard and the price tag would be THB 12,500 for the replacement keyboard and THB 1,600 for their services. I am not sure whether they understood that it is a German MBP with a German keyboard and whether this results in additional issues. Anyway, I would appreciate to get any advice from this fine forum for a cheaper solution.

[webfact]

moved to Apple forum

/Admin

[fritzzz25]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Teardown/590

If you have patience, this would be your start point. Remember to buy some small magnets to put inside some cups to contain your screws.

[BuddhistVirus]

I called infinity mac located at fortune town and the guy said it'll cost around 4000-5000 baht. Depends on your macbook pro version. They have english only though. And he will try to repair it too.

Call and ask him. I am attaching their business card here. If not allowed, mods can remove the card. Thank you.

Edited April 2, 2015 by BuddhistVirus

[noahvail]

Aliexpress.com has a generic German keyboard replacement for US$50. That's a little over 1,500 baht. But you'd have to do the swapout yourself or hire someone to do it.

[bubba]

It's possible to replace a single key on your keyboard. You can find replacements on eBay.

You can also find complete keyboard replacements in eBay and DIY or get a local shop to do it for you. I did this with a MacBook Air. Cost of the keyboard assembly from eBay was about US$55, including shipping. I then took this to a repair show and they installed it for 1200 baht.

[bangkoklawyer24]

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Teardown/590

If you have patience, this would be your start point. Remember to buy some small magnets to put inside some cups to contain your screws.

Is there anyone here in Bangkok who could do this for me?

[bangkoklawyer24]

Aliexpress.com has a generic German keyboard replacement for US$50. That's a little over 1,500 baht. But you'd have to do the swapout yourself or hire someone to do it.

Is there anyone here in Bangkok who could order this and build it in for me?

[bubba]

Just look for the part on eBay. Be sure you get the correct one for your particular model of MacBook.

If you are just replacing a single key (the A key in your case) it's easy to do yourself. The whole keyboard is a much bigger job obviously. You can just order it yourself and take it in to any Apple repair shop and pay only for the labour.

For example, here is a full keyboard for about 1230 baht, including shipping:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-Apple-US-English-Keyboard-for-MacBook-Pro-6-2-/271794828354?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3f483bf442

Edited April 3, 2015 by bubba

[bangkoklawyer24]

OK, I just bought http://www.ebay.de/itm/301470375578?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[BuddhistVirus]

OK, I just bought http://www.ebay.de/itm/301470375578?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Are you replacing the keyboard yourself? Will be wonderful if you posted the progress and results...

Thanks

[T_Dog]

Just buy a USB or wireless keyboard and you are golden. My 10 year old MacBook keyboard went TU and I still use it with an Apple Wireless Keyboard. Really nice unit by the way.

Edited April 14, 2015 by T_Dog

[bangkoklawyer24]

So this is the result: I bought a German 15 Euro keyboard at ebay.de, it took some time to be delivered. Than I went with the keyboard to iServe. First they expected to do the repair, later I got a phone call from the repairman, that he can do this only on a private basis. I accepted, paid THB 1,500 without getting a receipt and now everything works fine.