Computer keyboard /mouse wear-and-tear

[Computer Hope Admin]

Just curious if anyone else out there has the same wear-and-tear situations with keyboard and mice I do. How many of you got keyboard keys that are worn out from typing on them? I've actually got a few myself and strangely I always seem to wear out the "N" and "M" keys the most. Usually I end up replacing the keyboards because anyone who gets on my computer complains they don't know where any of the letters are.

What keys are worn out on your keyboards if any?

Also the mouse I've got on this main computer has a worn finger print into it on the left mouse button. 

I'm also curious if anyone happens to know of a keyboard that doesn't have this issue. Personally with all my searching I've never found such a thing. I thought my current Saitek keyboard wouldn't have the issue since the characters are not painted onto the keys. But later found out that each of the keys are actually painted around each of the characters to allow the glowing keyboard effect to come through the keys.

[Helpmeh]

My E keys often fade...

[rthompson80819]

I've never done it on a computer keyboard, but I've had similar issues with test equipment.

A coat of clear nail polish on the top of a key will keep numbers, letters and words from wearing off.

You just want it on the very top of the key and be very careful about putting to much on to where it drips down off the key or you could really mess things up.

[CBMatt]

Surprisingly, I've never had the numbers/letters rub off of any of my keys, and I've been using the same keyboard for about 10 years.  Of course, by taking a look at the way I type, it appears that my fingers rarely come in contact with the letters.  I almost always hit to the right side or the bottom.

As for my mouse...I've only had it for two or three years, I think, so not much wear there either.  However, I can see a smooth area where my finger goes, so perhaps the plastic is just a solid color rather than being painted.

If you want a keyboard that doesn't wear out, you could always get one of those laser-projection keyboards.  Of course, knowing you, you'd probably wear out the wood on your desk.  Heh.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I've got a faded "L" key. LoL

[patio]

 

[evilfantasy]

My keyboards last forever. Actually I've never had to buy a new one. Whatever comes with the computer lasts be it used or new.

The mouse however is another story. I need a new one about every other year. I don't spend a lot on them for that fact and have found that every Microsoft mouse I have bought usually out lasts anything else. Maybe their keyboards are as good?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I go through about a mouse every 3 months. The scroll wheel keeps breaking.
Maybe because I keep buying cheap mice? Hmmm....

[patio]

I've never managed to completely kill a Logitech...

[soybean]

I've never managed to completely kill a Logitech...

Me either.  I have a Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 500 keyboard/mouse combo that's 5 years old now and the all letters on the keyboard are still perfectly clear. 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Funny....The cheap mice I buy are Logitechs.

[Computer Hope Admin]

...
A coat of clear nail polish on the top of a key will keep numbers, letters and words from wearing off.
...

Good idea. However, wonder how this will feel when typing, will have to try this on an older keyboard.

Attached a shot of one of my keyboards. 

[Saving space, attachment deleted by admin]

[James1431997]

I've never managed to completely kill a Logitech...

I have but not through wear and tear like the keys rubbing off.

Whenever my keys faded, I usually stuck a sticker on it, until I had some free time and try to paint the letter back on using model paints. That really didn't last long.
Now, I use a set of editing stickers key cover things. They cost about £15 each, so luckily they last awhile. I rarely look at my keys when I'm typing other than the number pad.

[evilfantasy]

I've never managed to completely kill a Logitech...

I think that Logitech is behind the MS external hardware products. Logitech makes it, MS brands it. A win for both companies...

[soybean]

If I look closely at the keys on my keyboard (may need to look at an angle to see this), there appears to be some coating surrounding the letters.  I imagine that's a clue to the durability of the letters on the keys.

[patio]

The letters on my mouse are hard to see though...perhaps i did wear one out...

[evilfantasy]

I see a mouse ball joke coming from somewhere...

[James1431997]

If I look closely at the keys on my keyboard (may need to look at an angle to see this), there appears to be some coating surrounding the letters.  I imagine that's a clue to the durability of the letters on the keys.

Yep. I see it. You might have to shine a bright lamp at it to see it. In comparision to an older keyboad, it seems there is more on the newer.

[Helpmeh]

I've never managed to completely kill a Logitech...

My logitech screwed up my computer. I couldn't open new slides in powerpoint, and the mouse would jump around.

[soybean]

My logitech screwed up my computer. I couldn't open new slides in powerpoint, and the mouse would jump around.

Exactly what model is it?  Did you install Logitech's software for it?

[Helpmeh]

Exactly what model is it?  Did you install Logitech's software for it?

It was a while ago, so I don't remember, and yes. It cost $150 for the computer to be "repaired" (aka. the repair-guy saying the mouse was the problem). And he was right.

[soybean]

It was a while ago, so I don't remember, and yes. It cost $150 for the computer to be "repaired" (aka. the repair-guy saying the mouse was the problem). And he was right.

Well, I, and apparently you, don't know the exact nature of the problem and your experience hasn't lessened my affinity for Logitech products one bit.  I've been a user of their products for many years, as have millions of other satisfied users.

[Wefro_froyas]

wasd and E and the C for some reason

[Helpmeh]

wasd and E and the C for some reason

WASD (sometimes used as arrow keys in games requiring mouse input) and E (sometimes used as RELOAD in shooter games [coincidentally requiring mouse input]) are understandable, but I wonder why C?

[Computer Hope Admin]

That's a good observation helpmeh, my C is worn off also on two of my keyboards.

[Helpmeh]

That's a good observation helpmeh,

Thanks.

But I wonder why C is more faded compared to other keys...since E is the most used letter, I wonder why C is more faded...

[Computer Hope Admin]

My only guess, since N and M are also keys I wear off is that the keys on the bottom rows are worn more by the fingers. But that's just an attempt at explaining it without really knowing. However, it is always the bottom row for me that seems to wear out the most.

[Helpmeh]

How about Backspace? Has anyone noticed that wearing down?

[soybean]

That's a good observation helpmeh, my C is worn off also on two of my keyboards.

Do you use Ctrl/C to copy? 

[Computer Hope Admin]

Do you use Ctrl/C to copy? 

I do use C to copy but on all keyboards the left Ctrl key is not even remotely worn out, which is what I use when I do Ctrl+C. But that could potentially be a contributing factor.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Also I don't seem to press C that much. Below is my top key stats from the last two months on my main keyboard.

41,416   E
33,576   T
31,919   O
30,937   S
28,285   A
25,866   I
23,949   R
23,625   N
16,508   F
15,853   C
15,673   H
15,273   L
14,615   D
12,414   M

[Helpmeh]

Do you use Ctrl/C to copy? 

That would explain it...but the V key should be almost as worn out...right?

And Nathan, how do you get those stats?

[rthompson80819]

Wow!  That's almost 550,000 keystrokes, and that's not even all your keys.

[patio]

Proving my underlying theory there are far too many E's in the World.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Proving my underlying theory there are far too many E's in the World.

Right good call! Far too many in my opinion, Patio.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

No E's in my post above, btw

[cruisin702]

41,416   E
33,576   T
31,919   O
30,937   S
28,285   A
25,866   I
23,949   R
23,625   N

First off, what's the fascination with Nair and toes? 

It seems the key wear and keystrokes don't directly relate. Maybe the wear is caused by grazing those keys when you leave the keyboard to do something else like grab the mouse or go to the number pad. A slide across a key should , in theory at least, cause more wear than a direct keystroke.

[patio]

No E's in my post above, btw

I was going to say nice !...but that includes an "e"...
Then i thought of Well Done.....darn ..2 of them now.
Obviously Excellent just perpetuates the madness......

Where's Vanna White when you really need her ? ?

[Computer Hope Admin]

...
And Nathan, how do you get those stats?

Using the program WhatPulse, keeps your local stats such as key presses locally and then your overall key count, mouse movement, and mouse button count online to compete against others. Setup a computerhope team for it but most didn't seem interested, but kept it because I still find it fascinating to see how many keys and what keys are pressed.