How to replace the Keyboard and Trackpad on an Apple MacBook

Chad W Smith of ChadWSmith.com shows you how to replace the keyboard on a MacBook. This could save you hundreds of dollars. Step by step instructions can be found here - http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-Upper-Case/515/1 - thanks to iFixIt and Roger of RogersVids - http://www.youtube.com/rogersvids - for your help and advice.

I found my keyboard/trackpad/bezel on ebay. I would check there first.

You can replace a white keyboard with a black one, and vice versa.

I do not know about unibody or later MacBooks.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• chadwsmith
• macbook
• repairs
• diy
• doityourself
• keyboard
• tech
• laptop
• apple
• mac
• osx
• fix
• brokenkeyboard
• replace
• parts
• screws
• broken keyboard

[n0ledge]

just wondering, can I put the macbook pro trackpad or the more recent mackbook trackpad on my macbook (it's the one from 2009 2ghz intel core 2 duo, 2g of ram now upgraded to 4g) since I upgraded to lion I look at all the options that I cant use because my trackpad isn't compatible...

[chadwsmith]

@n0ledge To be honest, I don't know. I haven't attempted that, and I don't have any MacBooks except my MBP 2010 15" - so I can't even look to compare. I would check out iFixIt.com and see if you can find a compatibility chart, or at least a close up of the connectors for the glass trackpad, and compare it. Just based on the differences between the 2 systems, I wouldn't think it would work - but it doesn't hurt to look. Good luck!

[scienceandart]

Where do you buy the new keyboard?

[chadwsmith]

This question has been answered at least twice in the comments already.

[triangular]

Instead of an icecube tray, I use a stretch of upside down masking tape, taped at both ends to the table top. With tweezers I add each screw to the sticky side of the tape, in order from left to right. The tape holds them in order no matter how much action goes on around it. Reassemble from right to left.

[chadwsmith]

that could work too

[chadwsmith]

The Macbook I was using to record the video was on my desk. however, my desk was not engaged in the act of fornication at the time - or ever to my knowledge. But it is a used desk and I am not around it 24/7, so it may have been involved in that activity at some point.

[ShermCraig]

Thanks for making this video. Can you recall (I know it's been a while) the number of different screws there are? I understand there are 21 or 22 total, but are there 2 different types? 3? More? Thanks in advance!

[s3x7bLACKoRANGE]

hey thanks so much im going to get a new keyboard soon, because my sister spilled wax on it so this video defiantly helped me alot! Thanks

[VIK96T]

@chadwsmith i am sorry and i understand that this question has been answered but it is hard to look through so many comments if you could post it in the description or recommend and get likes to raise it to the top of the page to view. Because i would also like to know.

[SoyJames]

Great video but where do you buy a new keyboard?0

[bdrummeylounge]

Success!! Very helpful. I was a bit confused as to which screws to unscrew inside the battery bay because the camera angle was not on the computer, but by lining up the new keyboard over the bay, it became sufficiently intuitive. I could not find a 'spudger' at local stores, so I used a plastic tweezer to seat the keyboard connector. By the way, my macbook (black'06) had 22 screws. Hope this helps others. Very impressed with your tutorial. Thanks

[bdrummeylounge]

Success!! Very helpful. I was a bit confused as to which screws to unscrew inside because the camera angle was not on the computer, but by lining up the new keyboard over the bay, it became sufficiently intuitive. I could not find a 'spudger' at local stores, so I used a plastic tweezer to seat the keyboard connector. By the way, my macbook (black'06) had 22 screws. Hope this helps others. Very impressed with your tutorial, and with myself for saving a g-note on the replacement. Thank you!

[n0ledge]

@chadwsmith this is what I think too but ill check the website anyway thanks!

[mrlittlewhitekid21]

i gotta black macbook and put a white keyboard on it its beast!!! :)