MacBook Mods & Hacks

5 Keyboard Mods for the Undecided MacBook Owner


Unless you want/bought the MacBook Pro, you probably spent a few sleepless nights tearing yourself apart over which color MacBook to purchase. Not everyone came to a conclusion, and to solve their indecisiveness they got a little creative..

Exhibit A: Black and White MacBooks Exchange Vows Keys

Keyboard Mod for the Black and White MacBook 1
Keyboard Mod for the Black and White MacBook 2
Keyboard Mod for the Black and White MacBook 3

Exhibit B: A Dash of Black on the White MacBook

Not sure why this owner only swapped half the keys, but it definitely came out.. interesting... Black Keyboard on White MacBook
Black Keyboard on White MacBook

Exhibit C: Want to Play Checkers on my MacBook?

White Keyboard on Black MacBook
Doesn't look that great in our opinion. The keys look crooked and unattractive. The pattern looks more appropriate on a checkers board than on a MacBook's keyboard.

Exhibit D: Black Keyboard on a White MacBook

An example of what a black keyboard looks like on a White MacBook.
Black Keyboard on White MacBook

Exhibit E: Black MacBook With an Identity Crisis

White Keyboard on Black MacBook
White Keyboard on Black MacBook

The story behind this last mod is simple: the owner's Black MacBook broke down but the necessary parts were not available. The Apple store offered to install a white keyboard until the replacement arrives.
The result turned out to be one of the coolest MacBook mods we've seen to date.

The last one looks pretty cool and is reminiscent of an oreo. :D
Posted by Dave on September 19, 2007
I like these Designs. its shows how creative a person can really be!
Posted by Michael on September 25, 2007
like the designs ...
but i guess i wont have the guts to do this mod to my macbook(s) ...
hehe ...
Posted by subcorpus on October 19, 2007
i did this awhile ago to my macbook. am working on take'n out the mouse clicker, the track pad is just a sticker. this will be my next mod.
Posted by Dr0d on October 19, 2007
In Exhibit B: Only the letters are exchanged, thus making it easier to see just the alphabet. I think that's why only half were replaced. A good idea I think.
Posted by Kam on October 19, 2007
Exhibit E looks VAIOish
Posted by Aaron on October 19, 2007
@Micheal
If this is what you consider creative, it shows how tasteless a person can be.
Posted by Aaron on October 19, 2007
My suggestion...black base...white screen. The white base gets dirty with use (hands).
Posted by roy on October 19, 2007
i dunno. the black on white is the only one i really like
Posted by sam on October 20, 2007
the last one roxs
Posted by Aaron eats apples on October 20, 2007
how did you remove the keys without breaking them?
Posted by Pyongyang Abdul-Jabbar on October 20, 2007
Design "B" is a throwback to when keyboards used different color keys for different functions - often the letters and numbers were one color, but all of the special computer keys (symbols, the function keys, etc.) would be another color.
Posted by Charles on October 20, 2007
Sweet. i hate it.
Posted by Jim on October 20, 2007
Very Nice. Good thing tank girl never got a hold of this.
Posted by Omar on October 20, 2007
The designs are all quite cool !! I have a White MB and would like to do some keyswapping, anyone with a Black MB would like to help out ? I've seen whole Keyboard assemblies, but I would only require the keys. Can the trackpad also be changed to black ? Just a sticker ? Nice mods, real inspiration !!
Posted by BBM on November 01, 2007
I have to say that is awesome.
Posted by Kate on November 11, 2007
that is pretty amazing! i would have never thought of something like that!!
Posted by sarah on December 08, 2007
Suck on this lollypop. you bunch of sickos
Posted by Anonimo :D on January 03, 2008
Nah it makes them all look cheap and crappy, not that clever really
Posted by Matty Boy on January 17, 2008
I don't like piano keyboards.
Posted by Scarf*oo on January 19, 2008
if i had a macbook, or two... i would mess up my keyboard with A and B, those are the ones i found most awesome.
Posted by Lola on February 15, 2008
You know what would be cool? Taking the black macbook keys to a wireless keyboard from apple. they are basicly the same and the keys can be switched, so that way I can have the coolest keyboard with my new alu imac!
Posted by Serge on March 01, 2008
Mane this computer sucks. i have one and it is no good. ANd i got to Monrovia
Posted by Devan Davis on March 02, 2008
I got a BlackBook's KB off ebay!! The grey on white keys are hard to see at night, white on black has more contrast and will hopefully be more visible in low light conditions!
Posted by Im doing this mod, Exhibit D on March 20, 2008
i own a black macbook, but i dont like the white keys on it. I only like the exhibit D. anyone wanna switch macbooks with me? lol
Posted by K on March 21, 2008
actually exhibit E isn't really fair since the layer is white. maybe white keys on black will look good. anyone have a pic?
Posted by K on March 21, 2008
where can we get replacement key caps?
Posted by MB on April 06, 2008
nevermind. got a whole set =)
Posted by MB on April 09, 2008
Hey MB, where did you find the whole set?
Posted by JW on April 17, 2008
damm you must have been bored
Posted by o on April 20, 2008
My Apple wireless keyboard mod:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i3/Taintedbeef/24-04-08_1226.jpg
Posted by Kevin on April 24, 2008
if you look on ebay, you can get just the keyboard, not the whole assembly for 25 bucks :)
im gonna do the black keyboard with white mb.
Posted by Jack on May 11, 2008
For exhibit D, does that only look good because the display is black also, or would it look good if the display is on?
Posted by Matt on May 13, 2008
Well I love D and E, I'm gonna try E on my black Macbook :)
Posted by Fatherless One on May 17, 2008
I think the black MacBook with the white top pad is stupid. I think one
of the great advantages of having a black MacBook is you don't have
the dirty spots that appear on the white MacBooks. which is inevitable
if you actually use it....
Posted by Anonymous on June 18, 2008
haha yeah there pretty cool.....> but i would mess it up and dont buy a white macbook u c everything my dad has a coffee stain on his white macbook!!! lmao
Posted by davvvid on June 24, 2008
would you lose ur warrenty if you do this
Posted by petter on June 29, 2008
Any idea if you can switch to black keys with the apple wireless keyboard?
Posted by apple wireless keyboard on July 02, 2008
where do u buy those keys? i've been looking everywhere! r there different colors?
Posted by Amelia on July 20, 2008
how did u switch the actual casings of the macbook yourselves...not the keyboard but the outside shell i guess u could call it
Posted by Kevin on July 22, 2008
Does anyone know if you can put one of the illuminated keyboard from a Pro or Air into the standard MacBook and have it work?

Thanks for the cool mods, but you know you have to much time on your hands ... lol
Posted by Padapa on July 30, 2008
i just got a black keyboard cover and it looks badassss
Posted by Padapa on August 04, 2008
i bought a black topcase off ebay and put it on my whit mac and turned out it didnt work... make sure what you buy is 100% working order, no worries i pulled the black keys and will be replacing my white one soon :P
Posted by mike on August 26, 2008
Really? The checkers keyboard is my favorite and the only one I could see myself doing. I'm not so thrilled with the other ones.
Posted by Emma on October 17, 2008
Would changing the "whole" macbook keyboard, not just the keys void the apple warrenty?
Posted by Ronn on October 26, 2008
one word ::: AWESOME
Posted by Joe on October 31, 2008
^^^^^^^^^^^ !!!!! YOUR RIGHT !!!!!!
Posted by mmiks on November 11, 2008
Very cool mod, I'm going to try this on my own MacBook.
Posted by Jake on November 15, 2008
can you teach me how to take off the keyboard...?
Posted by fishyflake on November 20, 2008
how do you do it, where do u get the keys, do u lose warranty? please answer i am new to website
Posted by sternstern on December 01, 2008
Why doesn't anyone spell the work "definitely" correctly any more?
Posted by Eager McBeaver on December 06, 2008
à¸à¸²à¸¡à¹à¸à¹à¹à¸à¹à¸°^^
Posted by the dlkl1 on December 28, 2008
does anyone know how to checkerboard the front of the mac book not just the keyboard
Posted by cody on January 12, 2009
we used to the same thing with commodore 64s keys back in the day
Posted by Michael on January 15, 2009
Anyone know where to get a black keyboard...like the whole inside
not just the keys...like the white part from Exhibit E. but in black and not for 150$ lol...

or a white one like exhibit e.
im thinking of doing the oreo lol

i got a black mb and the keyboard plate is messed up :/
so i need to replace it ASAP

either in black or white :)

thanks people
Posted by Mario on January 23, 2009
MARIO-- you can get new top cases in black or white off of ebay for about $50. Just be sure you read up on the seller so you know what you're getting. Also keep in mind that there are two versions (1 & 2) depending on when your MacBook was made... you can only use a Version 2 on a Core 2 Duo, but either Version will work with the Core Duos. Side note: Version 2 does NOT have the apple logo on the command key.
Posted by Alicia on January 29, 2009
Thank you for the info Alicia....ive been trying to figure
out exactly what version i have...i have the voulume keys
on the F3 F4 and F5...and i know the other version has the
volume keys on the F10 area
Posted by Mario on February 02, 2009
D) makes sense
Posted by noone on March 09, 2009
anyone looking for a mid 07 macbook white keyboard to put onto their black macbook?? i just made my macbook just like D) and i have this white macbook keyboard around. Fully functional with no flaws. Email munga808@hotmail.com if interested. Thank you
Posted by ben on March 14, 2009
I like to to see white keyboard on the new Macbook Pro
Posted by Alex on March 24, 2009
how do i get my black mac book like this its so cool !!!!!!!! i like the strips of white and black keys
Posted by alice on April 14, 2009
How do you buy the black keys?
Posted by Jeremy on May 24, 2009
in the chinese:"æ¼äº®â
Posted by tiger on June 05, 2009
Hi...Where can I buy a white keyboard for my macbook pro..I hate the black keys...is easy change the keys??..thank!!
Posted by angel on July 04, 2009
I did exhibit D, but I also change the power button to be black. Does anyone know how to remove the mouse clicker and trackpad?
Posted by Derek on July 12, 2009
Yeah, dude! I'm actually replacing my white keyboard/trackpad console with a black one, but I'm going one step further. I'm also switching the lcd bezel with a black one. The entire inside of my white mac will be black!
Posted by Kyle on July 14, 2009
Yea I was thinking about switching the bezel as well, but I just want to take the trackpad and mouse button off separate from the top case so I would have exhibit D, only with a black trackpad and button, which I think would look badass! Good luck with your mod Kyle!
Posted by Derek on July 14, 2009
omg thhats lyk soo kool but i wud nevrr are 2 do thatt
Posted by Cindy on July 27, 2009
Really creative.
I like all them but my favorites are:
white MAC with all keys in black(like MBP)
black MAC with all keys in white, is really good.
White MAC with all keys in black except the letters(a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j...)

How did you do that? Can we buy the keys separate? on ebay or something?
Posted by Joseph on August 01, 2009
I love the white mac with black keys, black mac with white keys and white mac with only letters black!
Posted by Rahul on August 06, 2009
idea is very good if i can design follow in the picture
i difference other user
Posted by rotesin on August 11, 2009
the last one reminds me of the late 2008 macbook, only the black keys missing....
Posted by jusperknusper on August 19, 2009
"spent a few sleepless nights tearing yourself apart over which COLOR MacBook to purchase"

WTF is that? I might spend sleepless nights wondering which hardware to choose or whether I should go SSD or HD or if the i7 is really worth it, or should i just get the i5. Which color?

MacFags.....
Posted by Jared, the linux guy on December 13, 2009
that second example is sweet, tres dece
Posted by liam on January 08, 2010
Dude, I need a new top case for my Black MacBook and totally am considering getting a white MacBook top case even before i saw this thread. now that i did a Google image search and see how cool the finished product works i am definitely ordering a white top case for my BlackBook.
Posted by Mike on January 16, 2010
I LOVE YOUR COMPUTER MODDING SKILLS!!!!!
Posted by Drew on February 01, 2010
I've made the D one with a black front bezel mod, looks good, the plastic is crappy on those mac, it brokes easily.
Posted by buba on March 08, 2010
lelijk
Posted by jaja on March 09, 2010
cool,and well
Posted by sanrenc on April 01, 2010
Any one that wants to change there top case cover can get it done buy going to the apple store and they will replace it for free, that's what I did and my BMB is lookinf xtra fresh.
Posted by Shamir akida on April 22, 2010
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