Get off the keyboard, cat.
June 3, 2009 11:26 AM   Subscribe

Keyboard Cat question: My cat enjoys knocking my water glass onto my keyboard every few months. Last night, I lost keyboard #4. Are there any good keyboards that are Apple compatible, high-quality, and water-proof or water-resistant?
posted by Pants! to Computers & Internet (20 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Can I ask why you just don't not keep a glass of water near your keyboard? I lost a keyboard to a wine spill last month, so I am not gonna be drinking while computing again.

Having had many cats, I know better than to suggest the cat be made to stay away.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 11:29 AM on June 3, 2009


Might be cheaper to look at solutions like this instead...
posted by hermitosis at 11:29 AM on June 3, 2009


From time to time on various Mac sites people report that they can dishwasher clean certain Apple keyboards. Try this and this for starters. The second link has some additional posts, including an NPR story and a boing boing post. They all seem to be wired keyboards, as I would doubt that a bluetooth/wireless keyboard additional electronic innards would withstand the dishwasher treatment. One would think that if a keyboard can stand going through the dishwasher, it might stand up to a mere glass of water.
posted by webhund at 11:37 AM on June 3, 2009


Sorry to add to the non-answers but maybe this tutorial might be of help in the future.
posted by puritycontrol at 11:39 AM on June 3, 2009


I use commuter cups that close.
posted by jgirl at 11:40 AM on June 3, 2009


I'm going to have to second not keeping a water glass next to your keyboard.
posted by InsanePenguin at 11:43 AM on June 3, 2009


Maybe something like this?
posted by 2oh1 at 11:49 AM on June 3, 2009


The other option is to drink out of coffee mugs instead of tall water glasses.
posted by 2oh1 at 11:51 AM on June 3, 2009


Response by poster: Yes - I agree that I could be more intelligent about water glasses. However, habits are hard to break etc.
posted by Pants! at 12:04 PM on June 3, 2009


If both keyboard and glass are on the same level, maybe you can just raise the keyboard up on something to keep it out of harm's way, like a piece of wood or a couple books? Then just maintain a distance between the two, greater than the height of the glass.
posted by orme at 12:11 PM on June 3, 2009


...or plant some sort of cup holder in place, so the glass cannot be knocked over.
posted by orme at 12:13 PM on June 3, 2009


Are there any good keyboards that are Apple compatible, high-quality, and water-proof or water-resistant?

Pretty much any USB keyboard will work with your Mac. Even a Microsoft branded keyboard, complete with Windows key, will work. (The WIN key will function as the Command). The roll-up keyoard suggested by 2oh1 would fit all your criteria, except possibly "high-quality". I've used it, we usually have one on the floor of my store. I don't care for the key-press distance or the feel, but it's workable and durable. KBcovers are useful as a first line of defense. While they won't prevent a soaking or a full immersion, they're pretty great for crumbs, skin, dander, condensation-drops, etc.

I agree that I could be more intelligent about water glasses. However, habits are hard to break etc.

So _modify_ your bad habit slightly. Use a sippy-cup, or a nalgene, or a glass with a lid so you unscrew it every time you drink and the close it up, or a travel coffee mug.
posted by now i'm piste at 12:20 PM on June 3, 2009


As a recording studio engineer, I have a hard and fast rule about open containers: KEEP THEM OFF THE EQUIPMENT. There is no other way to prevent accidents from happening.

I offer you my example because musicians are even worse than cats when it comes to glasses of stuff near computers.
posted by Aquaman at 1:38 PM on June 3, 2009


The other option is to drink out of coffee mugs instead of tall water glasses.

I tried that but ours sticks his paw in the mug. Oy. The closed container option, I think, is really the best!
posted by fusinski at 1:40 PM on June 3, 2009


I saw this online and thought it was pretty clever - a diy cat cozy that is irresistible and keeps them off the desk.
posted by O9scar at 1:54 PM on June 3, 2009


To clarify an above point--you can dishwasher-clean keyboards, I've done it. The REASON you can do this is the keyboard is unplugged and, thus, no electrical current is running through the keyboard.

When plugged IN however, water is another matter as it creates unwanted pathways for electricity and, zap, bye bye keyboard.

Depending if you want a "normal" keyboard or not, if carpal tunnel matters, you can try this:

http://www.sourcingmap.com/ultra-slim-mini-foldable-waterproof-keyboard-for-laptop-green-p-8586.html

but it seems more built for travel.

Then I DID see this:

http://www.electronix.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/4_38/products_id/18126

It SAYS waterproof, but I don't believe it.

But, if you want a REAL keyboard that is waterproof, be prepared to pay for it. They do make them, there are people with computers in environments where dirt, dust, and water are unavoidable (I've had to build computers and sell cases/keyboards/monitors built for such dirty and wet environments). There are even laptops that can resist being run over by a car.

But you're paying (through the freaking nose) for this security.

This site has a number of "rugged" waterproof keyboards, some of which are actually attractive as well.

http://www.ruggedtech.com/

Starting price seems to be $65. The "really cool" one is $315

They also have waterproof mice, if you want to play it safe.

Now if you can only stop the spillage from dripping into the computer case...
posted by arniec at 2:16 PM on June 3, 2009


I've recovered many keyboards through careful drying, disassembly, and a hairdryer on low blasting the water out from between the membranes. It's actually pretty easy, and you can probably recover your existing keyboards.

You could also try a keyboard skin: http://lifehacker.com/037688/keyboard-skin
posted by jenkinsEar at 2:35 PM on June 3, 2009


Completely rubber keyboard. Not as bad as it sounds but not good either.

Rubber to place on your keyboard. Better but not as robust.
posted by chairface at 2:45 PM on June 3, 2009


wide-base cup or bite-valve water bottle.
posted by Zed at 5:06 PM on June 3, 2009


Refill a cheap plastic water bottle that has a screw cap. Or a coffee mug with a close-able slit in its screw lid.

Don't get a special keyboard - all the waterproof keyboards I've used are expensive and/or unwieldy.
posted by ostranenie at 8:55 AM on June 4, 2009


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