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fireworksdesign

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 8, 2011
93
0
I bought wrapsol for my macbook air 13 last week from their store, it arrived like in 5 days ( not from us ) Paid like 65 usd even with the discount promo and a whopping 45 usd for the custom taxes ( i know insane )


So i opened the box, checked all pieces and I'm pretty sure the top part , was not cut well in all edges, bottom part where the 4 circle rubbers appear and wrist pad was somewhat stretched. Take note I didn't remove them yet. So i started installing the top,bottom,wrist pad and finally the trackpad.

I was very disappointed, I admit it was both my mistake, and wrapsol. Wrapsol for providing misaligned pieces and myself for not installing them properly. But even if i did, it wouldn't look as good as shown in youtube videos and pics here in the forum. Emailed them but I got no reply yet, but anyways I doubt they would send a replacement halfway around the world and pay for the shipping + customs tax.

I have two options for an alternative, the invisible shield by zagg and the speck13 see thru case. For the shield , do you think all parts will be covered well ? We have a kiosk here that can install it for free, but Im worried it won't be fully protected or some parts may not be cut well even with professional installation.

For the spec case, love how it looks, but people say dust and other tiny items can go inside the case and scratch it? Or in some areas, it may crack especially near the clips
 
Be advised....none of these types of products cover edge to edge (if you were expecting that).
 
Be advised....none of these types of products cover edge to edge (if you were expecting that).

yes i know that, but the keyboard & bottom area is way off even before application. its like it wasn't cut for the air ( not talking bout the edges )
 
We have used Best Skins Ever for years on all our Mac laptops. Never disappointed. If any part was a problem they immediately sent us a new one.

I'm only limited with 2 options.

Speck , order it from the apple store.

Invisible shield - we have a kiosk here and they can install it for me.
 
I'm only limited with 2 options.

Speck , order it from the apple store.

Invisible shield - we have a kiosk here and they can install it for me.

Invisible shield it the best clear skins. Also Zagg, give the lifetime warranty which is also useful for when replacements are needed or the Mac has to go into repair.

Or if you don't mind it not being clear, iCarbons are also awesome!
 
I would not put a wrapsol or zagg on my machine to save my life - or for that matter, any wet application. There are dry ones that work much better - icarbons if you like a CF look or power support for clear...
 
Invisible shield it the best clear skins. Also Zagg, give the lifetime warranty which is also useful for when replacements are needed or the Mac has to go into repair.

Or if you don't mind it not being clear, iCarbons are also awesome!

would want to try other products but i want to try whats only available here, speck or zagg, other products can be shipped but don't wan't the unforeseen shipping costs.

For zagg, when you remove the film lets say after 2 years or more , does it leave a mark on the air?
 
I have never, and will never use these types of product, if wanted my notebook to feel like plastic I would just go to HP. I have never had a problem with excessive scratching or marking with any of the aluminium cased Mac`s I have owned, the surface finish is durable by design and stands up to regular use extremely well.

All these "shields/covers" are no doubt a great secondary market, however in my experience completely unnecessary, just truthfully answer this simple question on buying a fully loaded BMW, would your first stop be to buy nylon seat covers to protect the leather ;) I think not, enjoy your Mac as it was designed to be. The touch and feel are all part the experience that differentiates Apple from the average plastic PC :apple:
 
I have never, and will never use these types of product, if wanted my notebook to feel like plastic I would just go to HP. I have never had a problem with excessive scratching or marking with any of the aluminium cased Mac`s I have owned, the surface finish is durable by design and stands up to regular use extremely well.

All these "shields/covers" are no doubt a great secondary market, however in my experience completely unnecessary, just truthfully answer this simple question on buying a fully loaded BMW, would your first stop be to buy nylon seat covers to protect the leather ;) I think not, enjoy your Mac as it was designed to be. The touch and feel are all part the experience that differentiates Apple from the average plastic PC :apple:

But some BMW owners do buy the clear bra to protect from rock chips:rolleyes:
 
Wrapsol over Zagg

Before going for the Zagg product, feel it because it definitely has a different (grippier) texture than the Wrapsol, which I have on my MBA and think has the perfect texture for such a large skin. Take a look, too, because it has a ton more orange peel texture than Wrapsol (which has none).

I really love the Wrapsol skin, but I got it primarily to give the MBA a bit more grip. I've had three Aluminum MBPs over the years, none with skins, and all looked brand new after years of use with a little bit of cleaning. (I did put palm rest covers on them, because I liked the texture.) So as far the aluminum laptops needing protection, I think skins are unnecessary. Plus, I don't care what either company says, the protection from a drop is zero.

So if you want protection, get a case or a good bag.

For what it is worth, learning to install a wet-application skin with pieces as large as what you'd need for the MBA 13 probably is about as challenging as it gets. Doing it right takes a ton of patience and care, and very liberal use of the soap spray, particularly on your fingers. The Wrapsol was much easier to install for me than the Zagg products, even though the pieces were much larger, but that could have been because this was the first time I had installed a skin on a metal surface (v. glass or plastic). Regardless, they all peel eventually, and given the customs in your country, probably are not the way to go.
 
So if you want protection, get a case or a good bag. I have a good bag and its well protected , but when I take my air out you never know when you scratch it or something, do you recommend the speck case?
 
If you REALLY care about scratches

So if you want protection, get a case or a good bag. I have a good bag and its well protected , but when I take my air out you never know when you scratch it or something, do you recommend the speck case?

My experience is that the aluminum Apple laptops are pretty durable and wear well, so I wouldn't get get a case or install a skin for scratch protection only. I put on a skin on my MBA for extra grip. But, being anal in other areas, I fully appreciate that others may really care about no scratches, in which case by all means put on a case. Speck makes great products and has provided me with great customer service in the past, so I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their products. And their "See Thru" cases do look very nice, although I haven't seen one in person. Looks to be a good option for what you want.
 
my only issue with the speck case are the clips,if they get damaged during a fall or something (even with a sleeve + bg) or are they pretty durable? Need opinions of actual speck case owners here.
 
Mine looks absolutely perfect and most people can't tell that I have applied Wrapsol unless I told them I had. Probably something went wrong in the installation process?

I'm using a tight fitting case too, had no problems of peeling or whatsoever. 1 month and still going strong. Bought with discount code too. :)
 
Mine looks absolutely perfect and most people can't tell that I have applied Wrapsol unless I told them I had. Probably something went wrong in the installation process?

I'm using a tight fitting case too, had no problems of peeling or whatsoever. 1 month and still going strong. Bought with discount code too. :)

the films were not cut right, in the bottom area, i noticed the holes were bigger, and especially in the wrist area, the place where theres a hole for the trackpad is way too big ( i havent even applied it yet )
 
the films were not cut right, in the bottom area, i noticed the holes were bigger, and especially in the wrist area, the place where theres a hole for the trackpad is way too big ( i havent even applied it yet )

Have you tried contacting wrapsol CS? I've had nothing but great experiences with my wrapsol (I have about 1mm around my trackpad, and 2mm on the rubber feet, all perfectly aligned - and the film stretches to dry virtually edge to edge over my MBA) and the one time my film came damaged in the mail from the heat, they sent a replacement immedietely. It's worth a shot to send them an email...
 
the films were not cut right, in the bottom area, i noticed the holes were bigger, and especially in the wrist area, the place where theres a hole for the trackpad is way too big ( i havent even applied it yet )

Are you sure it's for the model Air that you have?
I have the new 2011 13" AIR and the bestskinsever full guard fits perfect. It was for the 2010 but the chasis is the same. I think the older rev A,B,C are different.
Also from what I've seen most skins will not cover the bezel and the keyboard area. They will cover the palm rest and the trackpad. They also will not go to the edge. If they did it could get caught on something and pull up.

I have to say that BSE is a great company and have used them on my iphones, iPads, and my Air. They fit and are pretty good quality.
Their customer service is great too. I stained my Air skin somehow, I sent BSE an email and within 2 days they sent me a new set free. So I highly recommend them if you can buy from them.
 
I've had several Aluminum MacBook Pros and always used them without any case, cover, or skin. I find the aluminum is very durable and stays nice looking.

With just a bit of care, it really beats trying to cover up what is a very nice looking laptop.
 
the films were not cut right, in the bottom area, i noticed the holes were bigger, and especially in the wrist area, the place where theres a hole for the trackpad is way too big ( i havent even applied it yet )

I used Wrapsol and was very impressed with it (put it on my 2010 Air). I would contact them if I were you - part of what you get for the high price is another skin if your first one had problems or was cut wrong.

Per your comments on fit, things like the holes for the legs on the bottom are supposed to have some space around them - they aren't supposed to fit perfectly around the holes. It's also very easy to accidently stretch the skin when applying it - I had that problem. But by all means contact them and see if they'll give you another skin.

I can also highly recommend icarbons - I have that skin on my 2011 Air. It is great looking and very easy to apply.
 
Are you sure it's for the model Air that you have?
I have the new 2011 13" AIR and the bestskinsever full guard fits perfect. It was for the 2010 but the chasis is the same. I think the older rev A,B,C are different.
Also from what I've seen most skins will not cover the bezel and the keyboard area. They will cover the palm rest and the trackpad. They also will not go to the edge. If they did it could get caught on something and pull up.

I have to say that BSE is a great company and have used them on my iphones, iPads, and my Air. They fit and are pretty good quality.
Their customer service is great too. I stained my Air skin somehow, I sent BSE an email and within 2 days they sent me a new set free. So I highly recommend them if you can buy from them.


Yes Im sure its new model,. i read the comments too if they are compatible with the aug 2011 13 inch air, and they said yes.

----------

I used Wrapsol and was very impressed with it (put it on my 2010 Air). I would contact them if I were you - part of what you get for the high price is another skin if your first one had problems or was cut wrong.

Per your comments on fit, things like the holes for the legs on the bottom are supposed to have some space around them - they aren't supposed to fit perfectly around the holes. It's also very easy to accidently stretch the skin when applying it - I had that problem. But by all means contact them and see if they'll give you another skin.

I can also highly recommend icarbons - I have that skin on my 2011 Air. It is great looking and very easy to apply.


Yes I know theres supposed to be some small space especially on the bottom with the 4 rubber circles, but the palm area was cut wrong ( not by stretching ) even if i didn't remove the film from the white paper. I don't have options to get other films, like icarbons , and such. Im only limited to zagg or speck but if I decide to buy online ( im rather get a book2x) lol
 
dude, just email them and send it back. they will send u a brand new set no charge!

There is a life time warranty. Even if you remove it (for servicing) and it gets un-sticky, they'll also help to replace it!

I admit its not the easiest to apply, but if done properly, wrapsol rocks...
 
dude, just email them and send it back. they will send u a brand new set no charge!

There is a life time warranty. Even if you remove it (for servicing) and it gets un-sticky, they'll also help to replace it!

I admit its not the easiest to apply, but if done properly, wrapsol rocks...

send them back ? u mean sending them 35usd fedex + 50 usd on custom taxes again? Im not from the us.
 
send them back ? u mean sending them 35usd fedex + 50 usd on custom taxes again? Im not from the us.

Those custom fees are ridiculous - where are you again? It's hardly Wrapsol (or any other manufacturers) fault if you live somewhere they can't realistically ship to.
 
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