rMBP Keyboard + Water...

tntcoder · 22 Apr 2014 at 21:09

Hi,

I spilt a small amount of water on my rMBP keyboard tonight

wiped most of it off, but some got under the keys and into the keyboard, as a result the volume and more importantly the power button are 'fried'. I'm fairly confident it will just be a shorted keyboard rather than mainboard, but I don't know how modular it is for repairs... It wont turn on now, but I've left it in the airing cupboard on the off chance that will sort it.

Being realistic though.... what kind of price is a new 15" rMBP keyboard going to cost? I have Apple Care but I assume that won't cover water damage?

I do have it specifically listed on my home insurance under accidental damage, is that worth the hassle of £100 excess?

Guess I'll pop it down to an Apple repair place asap.

Thanks a lot!

Blackhawk47 · 22 Apr 2014 at 23:50

Put it in a container full of rice and keep the lid on it for a day or two.

shiver · 23 Apr 2014 at 09:01

A rMBP keyboard is part of the top case, which includes a trackpad and battery too so it's quite expensive. In the region of £200 +

With liquid damage I'd never be satisfied that rice will sort it out, it may definitely help dry it but the damage will most likely already have occurred.

Blackhawk47 · 23 Apr 2014 at 19:53

Worth a try though, then try booting up and backing up or whatever.

deusexlumina · 23 Apr 2014 at 21:41

yeah i wouldn't try the rice trick unless it was drenched. The airing cupboard will help, then some cleaning alcohol over the "fried" bits.

Very expensive to replace that part. Apple may be nice and do it for free though.

cokecan · 3 May 2014 at 20:54

to be honest, if you leave it turned off for a couple of days in a warm place it'll probably work fine after.

Seen many a laptop drenched in water and they still worked fine after being turned off and left to dry out

ocmanus · 6 May 2014 at 00:37

Blackhawk47 said:
Put it in a container full of rice and keep the lid on it for a day or two.

First time I've heard that and though you were joking until I read up on it!

Cokecan, if it's the main board it's going to be expensive - at least £500 (depending on your spec). Suggest you look into home insurance and weigh up if the excess (and increase in premium if you don't have no claims protection) versus new board is worth it.

sbi5ar · 6 May 2014 at 22:33

Unlucky... I spilt coffee over the left side a couple of days ago... managed to wipe all of it away (thank god)... No problems what so ever! (little eye opener for how close I shall be keeping my coffee to the rMBP from now on)