Black Cloth, Mistaken for Mousepad...

[Phtosynthesis]

When I bought my Alum iMac, I thought the black cloth included was a mousepad, and I have been using it since because my mouse doesn't work on my glasstop. Anyway, I read that it is a black cloth used for cleaning the screen, and I was wondering if I should wash it and use it to clean the screen. Also, does anyone recommend a good, inexpensive, black mousepad I could find somewhere?

[overcast]

wtf. :confused:

[jnc]

Err alrighty then...

Anyway here's a good mousepad ... black, too! http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Belkin%20Mousepad%20with%20Wrist%20Rest%20Mouse%20Pad:1990300495

[rdowns]

This is a tough one. Were it my screen, I know it would be jealous after the cloth had been rubbed all over by the mouse, especially if it were wireless. Washing it is a must. Then again, you could just go on using it as a mouse pad, not wash it and leave the screen as it is. If I come up with any other ideas, I'll come back and edit my post.


kthxbai

[LaJaca]

Yeah, glad someone started this thread as well. I thought is was a really strange envelope to store the backup Leopard disc. What do I know?

Hadn't thought of it as a screen wipe cloth...that makes a lot more sense than my idea. Having said that, I don't dare use it unless someone here posts that they've already tried to use it and didn't cause any harm.

[mickhyperion]

It's not a screen cloth either!

It's a chamois (pronounced shammy) for polishing up the aluminum.

It's too dry and abrasive for the previous plastic screens, but may be ok for the new glass screens. For best results, buy some cleaning cloths that come pre-moistened with an appropriate cleaner for that type of computer screen.

[queshy]

lmao....

[SaSaSushi]

It's not a screen cloth either!

It's a chamois (pronounced shammy) for polishing up the aluminum.

It's too dry and abrasive for the previous plastic screens, but may be ok for the new glass screens. For best results, buy some cleaning cloths that come pre-moistened with an appropriate cleaner for that type of computer screen.

I like to use mine to polish the hubcaps on my Buick.

[overcast]

It's not a screen cloth either!

It's a chamoise (pronounced shammy) for polishing up the aluminum.

It's too dry and abrasive for the screen. Between it and the dust, your screen will be a sea of fine scratches if you use it for that. Buy some recommended LCD cleaning cloths that come pre-moistened with an appropriate cleaner for that type of computer screen.

Don't use windex either!
No it's not, the screen is glass and the panel is behind it. You aren't going to scratch anything with that. It's for wiping down the display. You honestly believe a soft cloth is going to polish aluminum, and that they actually included it for this purpose? lol, cmon man.

Those "recommended" cleaning clothes are a bunch of nonsense. Use a damp(water) microfiber cloth, something like that included with the iMac on normal LCD panels.

This forum is seriously full of misinformed people.

[ntrigue]

LMFAO. My MX Air came with one of these. I thought it was silly to include but never thought it a mousepad.

[Phtosynthesis]

I don't see how someone doesn't understand my mistake? It's square, looks like a mousepad, and has two different textured sides. Oh well, I have micofiber cloth to clean my screen anyway, but I just need a mousepad, since this one is starting to bug me.

[SaSaSushi]

I don't see how someone doesn't understand my mistake? It's square, looks like a mousepad, and has two different textured sides. Oh well, I have micofiber cloth to clean my screen anyway, but I just need a mousepad, since this one is starting to bug me.

I've yet to see a cloth mousepad but OK. Wouldn't it keep getting bunched up whenever you moved the mouse?

Wait I just tried it and my mouse won't even budge on it.

Both sides of my cloth have the same texture. One just happens to have an Apple logo on it.

[TimJim]

:confused::confused: I'm embarrassed for you.

[divedude]

Page 63 of the booklet that came with the iMac sys it can be used to clean the display and the scroll ball of the mouse. So maybe he just found another use for it ;)

[Phtosynthesis]

It works fine as a mousepad, but whatever guys. No point in arguing further.

[ClassicMac247]

lmfao, did u think it was a tissue too?

[annk]

It works fine as a mousepad, but whatever guys. No point in arguing further.

To me, it was pretty clear it was to be used for wiping the screen, but obviously you've found another use for it, so you were thinking outside the box. It's yours, you can use it for whatever you want.

Don't let them get to you. :p You had a question, you asked it, and some of the replies did have some relevant info.

I'm a firm believer in asking questions. :cool:

[mojopixel]

ok, everybody here needs to go out and find a girlfriend! :p

[BruceEBonus]

The Black Cloth is in fact a `prop' to be placed on the owners head before he sentences his iMac to death(!). For example .. "If you dont buck your ideas up Mr.Mac.. then its back to the shop for you", etc.

Its simply a money saving device from AppleCare.

Try the `black cloth on the head' threat first BEFORE ringing tech help!

OR it could just be for screen cleaning.

:rolleyes:

[skubish]

:confused::confused:you mean its not toilet paper?:confused::confused:

[nando2323]

When I bought my Alum iMac, I thought the black cloth included was a mousepad, and I have been using it since because my mouse doesn't work on my glasstop. Anyway, I read that it is a black cloth used for cleaning the screen, and I was wondering if I should wash it and use it to clean the screen. Also, does anyone recommend a good, inexpensive, black mousepad I could find somewhere?

If you have a Radio Shack near you they have a pretty good selection for rather cheap. I bought a black one from them for less then $10.

[juanster]

i found a black one, nice looking one too at ikea for 99 cents

[Gerard.]

I use mines as a mousepad, even though i knew it was for wiping down the screen. It is actually working really well. And Yes, it does have two different textured sides. When you flip it over, one side it slides all over the place when you use the mouse on it, and the other sticks quite firmly.

[je1ani]

My friend was using it as a mousepad and I was like WTF!

[JAT]

You people use mouse pads? Wait, is this an old thread from 1999?

[Big-TDI-Guy]

You people use mouse pads? Wait, is this an old thread from 1999?

Nah - it's still a problem. Except it went from friction of the surface to optical problems. If you have a very shiny surface - even laser mice have a hell of a time tracking. For those of us with matte or nicely textured surfaces - they seem to track well. Put it on a glass top, or something with a lot of contrast variation (say a nice coating of shellac) - and tracking not so fantastic.

24" imac has glass screen cover - windex away. Using windex or strong alcohol on a plastic LCD - can prove problematic.

I worth with hi energy optics and lenses for a living - and those "chammy" clothes given for cleaning camera optics / displays and glasses down-right scare me. First thing I do is pitch-em, to make sure nobody uses them.

[MacBoobsPro]

I thought it was an airport antenna to increase my wireless range. No wonder I have a crap quality signal.

[mickhyperion]

No it's not, the screen is glass and the panel is behind it. You aren't going to scratch anything with that. It's for wiping down the display. You honestly believe a soft cloth is going to polish aluminum, and that they actually included it for this purpose? lol, cmon man.

Those "recommended" cleaning clothes are a bunch of nonsense. Use a damp(water) microfiber cloth, something like that included with the iMac on normal LCD panels.

This forum is seriously full of misinformed people.
Actually, I had already edited my post before you posted. Originally, I hadn't realized that this thread was specific to the new iMac. Prior to it and the iPhone, displays used to be made of plastic and were prone to scratching. That's why I had mentioned all of those precautions.

The chamois has been coming with Powerbooks and Cinema Displays for years. Despite your disbelief, it really is for the aluminum not the screen. Look up chamois online or in a dictionary for more information. From one source... "Being somewhat spongy, it easily retains oil, making it good for wiping fingerprints from polished metallic surfaces."

[SaSaSushi]

The chamois has been coming with Powerbooks and Cinema Displays for years. Despite your disbelief, it really is for the aluminum not the screen. Look up chamois online or in a dictionary for more information. From one source... "Being somewhat spongy, it easily retains oil, making it good for wiping fingerprints from polished metallic surfaces."

Sorry, but you are incorrect. Not only is the black cloth included with the aluminum iMac designed for cleaning the screen it even says so in the manual. They recommend moistening it with water which is exactly what I do. It couldn't work better.

[overcast]

Actually, I had already edited my post before you posted. Originally, I hadn't realized that this thread was specific to the new iMac. Prior to it and the iPhone, displays used to be made of plastic and were prone to scratching. That's why I had mentioned all of those precautions.

The chamois has been coming with Powerbooks and Cinema Displays for years. Despite your disbelief, it really is for the aluminum not the screen. Look up chamois online or in a dictionary for more information. From one source... "Being somewhat spongy, it easily retains oil, making it good for wiping fingerprints from polished metallic surfaces."
Quit while you're behind. Next you'll be telling me the iPhones calculator app is incorrect because it does order of operations.

[Vocalvoodoo]

I'd put money on it being for polishing the iMac. I just bought a DeLorean, and it came with one too, albiet A LOT bigger. WORKS GREAT!!

[iammac100]

i used my black cloth to wipe my screen and that worked great. Then i wiped down my hole new White Macbook and all the finger prints were gone but it left little black things everywhere. I do not suggest wiping ur hole Macbook with the cloth only the screen. Does anyone think that it would work to clean ur entire Macbook if you washed it first ? ? what do you use to clean ur keys?

[johny5]

you have to buy the limited edition imac that comes with the "white mousepad/cloth" for cleaning your white macbook


:D

[jsw]

... it even says so in the manual.
Indeed. Page 63 here (http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iMac_Intel-based_Mid2007_UserGuide.pdf).

96476

[iammac100]

well acually i just finished washing my black cloth and it works great for cleaning my screen and even the top of my white mac

[davekarn]

well acually i just finished washing my black cloth and it works great for cleaning my screen and even the top of my white mac

No joke, I was wondering the same thing about washing it, because I use it for the whole iMac along with my iPod and iPhone screens and it gets dusty after a while. Not to sound ignorant but how did you go about washing it? With it being microfiber, I didn't know if washing it would ruin the fabric somehow. Thanks for the info!

~Dave

[Big-TDI-Guy]

No joke, I was wondering the same thing about washing it, because I use it for the whole iMac along with my iPod and iPhone screens and it gets dusty after a while. Not to sound ignorant but how did you go about washing it? With it being microfiber, I didn't know if washing it would ruin the fabric somehow. Thanks for the info!

~Dave

Washing shouldn't ruin it, drying on the other hand - might. (especially at hi temps)

I'd just wash by hand with soap under a faucet, rinse it out good, and air dry. Once dry, "wrinkle" it around to get any dust / crud out of it, and it should be good for re-use.

But I still say these are the devil, and disposable soft-wipes are far better / safer. But that is my opinion...

[iammac100]

what i did is took it and just filled up a sink then let it stay there. Put it under running water and mix it around. Drain the water then let it fill up and soak again. You should follow those steps a few times then air dry it. After words it should work great. :D

[Rustman]

The cloth in question looks almost exactly the same as the cloth that came with my 42" Samsung Plasma (and yes there is a problem with that screen too...darn you and your cheap screens Samsung).

It is by process of deduction that I call the supplied black cloth (in a horrible and un-reusable crappy envelope) a screen cleaning cloth.

[biturbomunkie]

i've always used 3m's mouse pads when mice still had balls in the old days. they were easy to clean and provided good traction. 3m now also has pads that are designed for optical mice (http://www.amazon.com/3M-Precise-Optical-Mouse-Silver/dp/B0002HLGM2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199636933&sr=1-1) also.

i used my black cloth to wipe my screen and that worked great. Then i wiped down my hole new White Macbook and all the finger prints were gone but it left little black things everywhere. I do not suggest wiping ur hole Macbook with the cloth only the screen. Does anyone think that it would work to clean ur entire Macbook if you washed it first ? ? what do you use to clean ur keys?

you mean whole, right? ;)

in any case, i used to clean my entire black MB w/ iklear (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=7E4F2D7D&nplm=TK129LL/A). it has worked well for my white BT keyboard, and should work for your white MB as well.

[nout72]

I thought the cloth was meant for wiping the gushing sweat of your body after 'patiently' trying to install some extra RAM.

[ThunderSkunk]

Well, I've had my nice shiny iSmack for a few months now, and just got to thinking, "Boy, this dinky little mousepad they included is really annoying! Slides around *just* enough that it makes me wonder if it's really not a mousepad at all..."

Nice to see I'm not the only one who doesn't read owners manuals. I mean seriously. This shiny new $3400 system finally shows up, I pull it out of the box, set it on my desk, plug it in, and what, settle in for a nice long manual read? Ach, no. Turn it on! (and, as it were, watch the infinite loop of crashing commence! Oof. Should have RTFM!)

[Cassie]

This is just one more reason we need the original iMac G3 manuals back. 36 words.... ahh....

[Jonnyfive]

This is really funny. I totally thought it was a joke at first.

I know Ikea sells a mouse pad for 99cents.

[harcosparky]

I thought it was just a black handkerchief, to give to your Windows using friends when the begin to cry upon seeing your new iMac!!!! :D:D:D

[LaJaca]

The gift that keeps on giving; I can't believe this post is still making the rounds!

[brop52]

I just bought a mouse pad with a nice wrist rest. Perhaps I won't get carpal tunnel anymore for my hours and hours on this computer.