How To: Replace Your MacBook Palm Rest, Keyboard

If you have a MacBook with cracking along the palmrest, there’s a very good chance Apple will fix it free of charge. However, for MacBooks that are more than three years old, such as the MacBook 1,1, then Apple will probably turn you down, leaving you to either sell or figure the problem for yourself.

That said, if you still want it fixed, the Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Center will want to charge you $129 plus tax. Further, if you’re a hands kind of guy or girl most of the places that offer the part, the White Keyboard/Trackpad Top Case Assembly, for sale want $119 and up.

Other World Computer’s price for the White Keyboard/Trackpad Top Case Assembly easily beats all other listings I could find at just $54.99. That said, swapping out the part for a new one isn’t that hard and there are two quite excellent guides available online for getting the job done.

Be Prepared

For example, check out iFixIt’s pictorial tutorial or OWC’s installation video. I would suggest watching OWC’s vid a few times — you only need to watch the first 4 minutes 58 seconds of it — and then print out the iFixIt slides to use while doing the actual work.

Regarding tools, just as OWC suggests in their video, the NewerTech 11-piece Toolkit ($17.95) is pretty much ideal for the task at hand. However, you can find similar micro toolkits at your local big box electronics retailer or Radio Shack.

Also, although you can certainly use any small containers you have lying around, storing the screws you’ll be removing in a small parts storage box from the hardware store or a multi-enclosure pillbox can save you a lot hassle. That is, keeping the screws together in sets will be very, very helpful to you when it’s time to put your MacBook back together — stay organized!

Git ‘er Done

Again, watch OWC’s installation video two, three or more times, and then go over the printed directions before you plan to get started. Then once you’ve assembled the stuff you’ll need — MacBook, White Keyboard/Trackpad Top Case Assembly (it’s one part), all the needed tools and someplace to safely organize the screws — it will take you 20 to 30 minutes to do the work.

That’s it — get organized and have fun…

What’s your take?