Hi, for MBP made about 15 years ago, we used palm rest and touch bar protectors because for some users, the sweat from the palms left ugly dark sports on the palm rest areas. For the MBP 2019 15" (aluminium silver color), is there any point to get protectors for the palm rest, trackpad and perhaps also the touch bar?
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Are trackpad, palm rest and touch bar protectors recommended for the MBP 2019 15"?
- Thread starter hajime
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Some people will always recommend protectors, others consider them unnecessary in most situations. If you feel better using them, then do. If you're looking for votes, maybe you should create a poll.
For whatever it's worth, I don't recall seeing any discussions along the lines of, "You should use a protector for your MacBook Pro/MacBook Air" - if it was once a popular topic for discussion, it doesn't seem to be one over the past five years or so (the limits of my memory). These days, butterfly keyboard and the Touch Bar are the big discussion-drivers.
In some circumstances protectors are undoubtedly a good idea - environments where it's hard to keep hands or surfaces clean, etc.). In more typical situations... it's harder to know.
I don't use screen/surface protectors for any of my gear - iPhone, iPad, Watch, Macs (though I haven't had a laptop in many years). I'm concerned that protectors will have an impact on touch performance/sensitivity. Since I've never used protectors, I don't know if my concerns have any basis in fact. I've also yet to break or seriously scratch my screens, so nothing bad has happened that might encourage me to do something to prevent it from happening again. (I do have cases for my iPhone and iPad - I'm not totally care-free.)
Others, of course, have had bad things happen and may want to take extra steps to prevent those bad things from happening again.
The anodized aluminum surfaces of a Mac/iPhone/iPad are highly resistant to damage from routine handling. Any chemical substance that might harm the aluminum is far more likely to harm your skin. If the palm rest was regularly exposed to abrasive dust, then I can imagine your hands gradually polishing the aluminum. But in most home/office environments, dust is mostly soft - sloughed-off skin cells, lint from fabrics and paper, etc.
If oils build up, some gentle cleaning should remove them. While Apple's "How to Clean" article https://support.apple.com/HT204172 says to not "spray cleaners directly onto the item," and to not use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives, overall I interpret that to mean that it's probably OK to lightly dampen a non-abrasive cleaning cloth with a mild cleaning solution if the grime can't be removed with a clean, dry cloth.
People also have differing attitudes about wear-and-tear. If I regularly use a tool, I expect it to show signs of that use. Others want their stuff to look brand-new until the day it is retired. In the end, do what will make you happy.
For whatever it's worth, I don't recall seeing any discussions along the lines of, "You should use a protector for your MacBook Pro/MacBook Air" - if it was once a popular topic for discussion, it doesn't seem to be one over the past five years or so (the limits of my memory). These days, butterfly keyboard and the Touch Bar are the big discussion-drivers.
In some circumstances protectors are undoubtedly a good idea - environments where it's hard to keep hands or surfaces clean, etc.). In more typical situations... it's harder to know.
I don't use screen/surface protectors for any of my gear - iPhone, iPad, Watch, Macs (though I haven't had a laptop in many years). I'm concerned that protectors will have an impact on touch performance/sensitivity. Since I've never used protectors, I don't know if my concerns have any basis in fact. I've also yet to break or seriously scratch my screens, so nothing bad has happened that might encourage me to do something to prevent it from happening again. (I do have cases for my iPhone and iPad - I'm not totally care-free.)
Others, of course, have had bad things happen and may want to take extra steps to prevent those bad things from happening again.
The anodized aluminum surfaces of a Mac/iPhone/iPad are highly resistant to damage from routine handling. Any chemical substance that might harm the aluminum is far more likely to harm your skin. If the palm rest was regularly exposed to abrasive dust, then I can imagine your hands gradually polishing the aluminum. But in most home/office environments, dust is mostly soft - sloughed-off skin cells, lint from fabrics and paper, etc.
If oils build up, some gentle cleaning should remove them. While Apple's "How to Clean" article https://support.apple.com/HT204172 says to not "spray cleaners directly onto the item," and to not use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives, overall I interpret that to mean that it's probably OK to lightly dampen a non-abrasive cleaning cloth with a mild cleaning solution if the grime can't be removed with a clean, dry cloth.
People also have differing attitudes about wear-and-tear. If I regularly use a tool, I expect it to show signs of that use. Others want their stuff to look brand-new until the day it is retired. In the end, do what will make you happy.
I've never used one. Just clean up the trackpad and palm rests with a microfiber cloth that is very slightly damp.
The F and J keys seem to shine more than any other key after a couple of years.
The F and J keys seem to shine more than any other key after a couple of years.
If I recall correctly, those black dots were developed due to strong acid concentration in the sweat of some users. I think people called it pitting?
By the way, do the surface of the keys of those butterfly keyboard get scratched by the fingernails easily? I remember that in some older MBP models, without a protector, thin scratch lines showed up on the keys easily.
By the way, do the surface of the keys of those butterfly keyboard get scratched by the fingernails easily? I remember that in some older MBP models, without a protector, thin scratch lines showed up on the keys easily.
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If someone's sweat was that acidic, it would affect far more objects than the metal palm rest of their computer - their touch might bleach dyed fabrics, for example. Presumably, they'd know they had some sort of problem, and eventually learn to wash their hands more frequently, and clean surfaces after they've been touched. However, even the most acidic sweat would be very mild compared to something that can damage anodized aluminum.
Does bare aluminum darken when exposed to acids (like wine in an aluminum saucepan)? Yes. That's the reason for anodizing aluminum cookware. I think "acidic sweat" is a hypothesis, not a known cause. If the anodizing of the palm rest was defective/insufficiently durable, then perhaps discoloration of the exposed bare aluminum could occur, but "pitting" is probably overstating things.
What seems far more likely to me is a mixture of skin oils and dirt filling depressions in the textured surface of the metal, not unlike a "seasoned" iron frying pan or wok. This hypothesis requires fewer unusual conditions (i.e. unnaturally acid sweat + failure of anodizing), so it seems more likely to me. This, too, is a hypothesis, so take it or leave it.
I wouldn't...usually those keyboard protectors make the typing experience terrible. You'd make an already subpar keyboard even worse...
Just wipe it down with a microfiber (slightly damp if needed) and if you're worrying about keyboard marks on the display, put a dry microfiber in between the keyboard and display when transporting.
Just wipe it down with a microfiber (slightly damp if needed) and if you're worrying about keyboard marks on the display, put a dry microfiber in between the keyboard and display when transporting.
I just bought a new 15" 2019 MBP and researched it a bit. The issue is my AppleWatch. It scrapes on the left palm rest. It's actually uncomfortable to type while wearing a watch. I found kits on Amazon for $10. I only need the left side one.
No need for the keyboard protection in my opinion.
No need for the keyboard protection in my opinion.
I have this exact same issue. I buy complete skins for any MacBook Pro I purchase. The palm rests are really easy to install, as well as if you want one on the trackpad (I always do it). The ones I purchase are from bestskinsever.com and they are awesome. I've never had to replace one and they don't ever get yellowy or peel off at the edges.
I will say this though, its a wet install. Its just a small amount of moisture and you need to take your time but if you are just wanting to do the palm rests it should take you about 10 minutes and you'll be done. I highly recommend it.
Excellent. I bought one for my Apple Watch Series 4. Wet install. Took maybe two minutes to install. I am shocked how great it is. I can't tell it's there. Protects my watch perfectly. It's been on for two months now with zero discoloration or peeling at the edges. Best part is they sent six of them for $8 so I have five more. I'll take your advice and get the ones above for my new MBP. Thanks!
Tbh (I know this is old but maybe someone would find it useful), I've had 2 aluminium macbooks and they both started pitting. I have sweaty palms and yes that is a thing - @ApfelKuchen, it isn't that the sweat is so acidic it will ruin things at contact, but when you use your computer for 8-10hours every day it eventually shows, after months of use . The sweat also makes the areas around trackpad pale, so space-grey finish rubs off. I know it is for certain the sweat as I don't wear jewellry and I only carry my macbook in a felt case. Plenty other threads about "Pitting" proving the theory too.
Which aluminum MacBooks are you talking about? There were serious petting issues with those MBP made about 20 years ago. Is it still affecting 2019 16" models and on?
It happened to me on my old MB Air 2014 and on my late 2016 MBP 15". Both had the corrosion issue and the MBP with pale patches on Space Grey finish.
I came across this thread as my 2019 MacBook Pro, bought in April 2020, is showing signs of the Space Grey finish wearing off around the palm rest area. Very disappointed and I would not buy a Space Grey, or any other kind of dark finish, Mac again. My sweat must have some kind of corrosive properties. My other regular silver MacBooks have no such signs of damage.