Macally’s keyboard protective overlay can help prevent ‘keyboard-gate’ on your Mac laptop

Though the 2018 MacBook Pros apparently have better keyboards than their predecessors, Apple has been sued multiple times for alleged flaws in the butterfly keyboards of 2016 and 2017 Mac laptops, so you might want to invest in Macally’s $14.99 KBGUARD TBB keyboard protective overlay for 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Touch Bar.

According to the lawsuits, “thousands” of MacBook and MacBook Pro owners have experienced some type of failure with Apple’s butterfly keyboard, thus rendering the machine useless. The suits claim the design is such that small amounts of dust or debris impede normal switch behavior, causing keystrokes to go unregistered. 

Macally’s KBGUARDTBB is a clear keyboard protective overlay designed to to provide protection for your keyboard against water spills, dust, and debris. It also protects your screen from scratches when the laptop is closed. The awkwardly named KBGUARDTBB is flexible, washable, and easy to apply and remove for cleaning or disinfecting.

There are some concerns that such covers make a laptop run hotter. I’ve not noticed this, but some folks argue that if you run your laptop continuously while doing intensive tasks, it could make the computer run hotter. However, as I understand it, the MacBook Pro processor can handle temps up to 100ºC, and will then automatically slow down or shut down. 

On the other hand, a spilled cup of coffee can do a lot of damage in an instant. That — and the desire to protect my MacBook Pro from scratches on the screen — make the KBGUARD TBB a must-have accessory for me.

Apple World Today Rating (out of 5 stars): ★★★★★