Question key lifespan
Question key lifespan
I accidentally bought an extremely inexpensive Rii907 USB cabled keyboard. It works fine, but after a year the keys lose their print quality and I had to paint over them. Apple used to make keyboards with deeply embossed letters that didn’t wear out. Do you have any suggestions for affordable keyboards with durable printed letters?
Not intended to come across as rude, but the keyboard you mention is under $10 on Amazon at the moment. It seems that about $0.84 a month isn’t too much. I usually buy the MK120 wired combo mouse and keyboard for around $15 and replace them for the same reason. I haven’t experienced one of the KB units stopping working, though the keys tend to stop working as you mentioned.
As I mentioned, it was extremely inexpensive, but the real issue isn't the price—it's the work put into replacing a keyboard whose keys are no longer readable. I’d be willing to spend a little more for a reliable one that lasts several years. You might think manufacturers would prioritize durability, but they don’t seem to. You can even purchase sets of label stickers for keyboards! Just apply one when the labels start to fade.
I now realize that the top keyboard keys are "double-shot" or "double-injection molded," not merely painted letters. Apple keyboards used to be the earlier type, though they aren't inexpensive. Who exactly promotes these products? Regarding the painted-on ones, I know that applying a nail polish protector every few months helps maintain them. I don't see them as disposable items.