Do they make industrial strength laptop keyboards?

[Jamastiene]

My old computer keyboard had the letters worn off of most of the keys and a worn place almost completely through the space bar on the right side. I paid attention and I do use my right thumb to press the space bar when typing. I kept using it, because I know where the keys are, but it wore out in other ways and I had to replace it.

I have had my new laptop for just over a couple months now and the space bar on the keyboard is starting to get worn on the space bar in the same spot. Washing that spot doesn't seem to remove the worn looking place. Everything else seems to polish up nicely. So, I know it's not dirty. It's just worn.

My question is do they make industrial strength keyboards or at least space bars? That poor space bar seems to take the most wear and tear. Maybe plastic (or whatever most laptop keyboards are made of) isn't my best option.

[intaglio]

1. Look for a discounted gaming keyboard

I found a new Logitech G105 "Call of Duty MW3" branded keyboard for the equivalent of $30, just because the game was out of date.

It is designed to take gaming and the keys are under lit so the letters cannot wear off.

[ChromeFoundry]

2. You could clean the keys with alcohol ...

and then cut squares of clear packing tape to cover the keys. This will buy you years of wear. If your keyboard really takes a beating, you may need to replace the space bar tape when it starts to look ratty.

[BlueJazz]

3. I've heard of people spraying some polyurethane* on their pads/keys.

Of course, tape off the part you don't want sprayed.

*The stuff you coat wood floors with...

[DavidG_WI]

4. Buy better laptops

Business grade, ruggedized and high end gamer laptops are built much better then cheapo consumer laptops. Theres nothing you can do after the purchase because theres no standard dimensions for keyboards and due to the race to the bottom the build quality of laptops has really gone downhill.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2014/may/09/which-thinkpad-laptops-have-the-best-keyboards

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-business-laptop/

http://ultrabooknews.com/2014/01/12/your-tips-whats-the-best-notebook-keyboard/

[Jamastiene]

6. Alienware 17 is not good quality?

Wow, well, at least it does have lights on the keyboard. Hopefully, those will stay working after I've worn the letters off the keys, lol.

[DavidG_WI]

7. Not really...

It's pretty much just an over priced Dell, just like VoodooPC is an overpriced HP/Compaq.

If you're looking for a higher end laptop try shops like http://www.xoticpc.com/ http://avadirect.com/ http://www.pugetsystems.com/ and https://www.powernotebooks.com/ as they are all extremely well rated on shop raters like http://www.resellerratings.com/rankings and offer far more BTO options then pretty much anywhere else.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ and http://www.notebookreview.com/ are also invaluable resources about laptops.

[steve2470]

5. a plug for my keyboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816010

The only downside is, it's $112. However, it's built like a Mack truck. The ONLY thing that will ever go bad on this sucker is the keys being wiped out, perhaps, and then you can use the remedies others have given you.

I probably won't replace this KB for many many years.