Laptop keyboard characters wearing off

[BurtononTrent]

My laptop is used for surfing www and paying bills. Some keyboard characters are wearing off.
PcSpecialist say after 2 to 3 yrs use its normal.
My comment is its poor quality control.
I dont want RMA.
Will not buy again

 

[TonyCarter]

You don't say what your laptop specs are, so this is all general thoughts.

Printed letters on keys will respond differently to different usage/users, and can be affected by natural oils in the skin, or chemicals in cosmetics, deodorants, colognes/perfumes, etc. The only way to stop these printed letters from coming off is to have a keyboard that has moulded keys with backlights, so there is no printing to come off.

Have PCS offered to replace the keyboard, or keys? If they have, then the only way for them to do so is via an RMA.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Printed keys are pretty standard on entry level laptops I’m afraid, if you want PBT Caps, they are pretty standard but on more premium chassis. As with everything, you get what you pay for.

Depending on which model, the keyboard may well be user replaceable, it’s not very difficult. So PCS could ship one next day for you to fit yourself, that’s the joy of custom laptops is that most things are replaceable

But if it’s a TongFang model then it would need to be sent back to PCS as the keyboard is part of the upper chassis, not modular.

Also a common misconception, PCS are simply a system integrator, they just assemble the components you order into custom barebones chassis, they don’t make them or any components. There are only really 2 custom chassis manufacturers in the west which is clevo and TongFang, they’re the ones who make the chassis and keyboards (which is part of the chassis)

 

[bladteth]

Depending on which model, the keyboard may well be user replaceable, it’s not very difficult. So PCS could ship one next day for you to fit yourself, that’s the joy of custom laptops is that most things are replaceable

But if it’s a TongFang model then it would need to be sent back to PCS as the keyboard is part of the upper chassis, not modular.

Although not as easy as disconnecting ribbon cable and undoing a few screws, the keyboard on my Ionico (Tongfang GK7 chassis) can be replaced. It's glued to the top deck with adhesive film. In fact, I may check with PCS if they sell keyboards for this model as lettering has worn off rather badly and although it still works, W key became 'soft' (doesn't offer clicking feedback).

 

[Scott]

Most laptop keyboards are poor tbh. I had one years ago that was on an Acer. It was absolutely premium and you felt the difference straight away. The assumption is that laptop keyboards will be used sparingly. My work one is barely touched as I hot desk. My personal one is used far more, but not in a gaming sense so no wear. I think if I used any keyboard the way I use my work one it would be done. I have almost no letters on my current one in the office.

My Octane III from 2016 is mint, it never saw an over the top usage though, still to this day it hasn't.

 

[SpyderTracks]

It’s the huge difference between the early TongFang Models, and the more established Clevo Models.

TongFang painted the key letters on

Clevo used PBT moulded keycaps.

PBT moulding is where the key letter is actually plastic within the plastic keycap itself, so it’s one solid keycap.

I have a feeling the newer TongFang chassis also now use PBT keycaps simply because we rarely get the same reports of keys wearing off anymore since those early chassis.

A lot of laptops are now building in proper low profile mechanical switch keyboards, they’re very good indeed.

But everything comes at a price. TongFang stole the show because out of the gate they were offering higher resolution screens, and Higher GPUs at the same price point. Obviously they had to save money elsewhere and one part was the keyboards, their general build quality was inferior to clevo (saw this with hinges cracking) and the cooling was pretty poor also