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Do I really need a screen protector?

I've always had screen protectors on my expensive stuff - iPod Touch, Blackberry... But my friend has an iPad 2 and I was surprised she did not once consider putting a screen protector on her iPad, especially since she's the only one in the group that has one, and we're all always using it. But she does not have a single scratch on her iPad (surprisingly).

I'm planning to buy a new phone and I removed my sticker off my Blackberry and was surprised how clear it was. It was so much clearer.

Same with my friend's iPhone 4. I'm always playing games with her iPhone. One day she removed the sticker and I asked why does her phone look so different, did she upgrade to an iPhone 4S. She said no, she just removed the sticker.

So I guess the sticker can tremendously ruin the experience, especially with the iPad 3 with it's high quality retina display. Is there a point having an amazing screen if you're gonna put something over it?
 
You don't need a screen protector, but I like to have one on to keep the screen in perfect condition for when I resell it.
 
The ironic thing is screen protectors are much more likely to scratch than the glass.

Mine looks quite bad now but I can't bring myself to remove it because I caught my 2 year old trying to write on the screen with a pen. I'm glad I had one on because that might just have resulted in a scratch.

No kids and careful day to day use is highly unlikely to result in scratches and is a much better experience.
 
I know that most of the guys here hate screen protectors and say you dont need them, but I'll add my $.02 anyway. I work for a reseller in Australia and give demos on iPads almost every day. Our demo model iPads that were set up on release day already have several fine scratches running across the screen. Admittedly, they get used and abused by customers, but that's after only a week and a half. I put one on mine and I can't tell the difference optically or in smoothness even when I compared them side by side.

The demo models are also running all day at 100% brightness and they only get slightly warm on the bottom left corner. :)
 
donster28 said:
Again, I'm going to use the car analogy I posted just now. You don't have to wax your car to use it, but by doing so can preserve it's actual factory coating. Why do I need to preserve the oleophobic screen on my iPad? Well, in a couple of years, when I don't feel that I have to put a screen protector on, the coating will still do its job until I decide to upgrade.

It's all a matter of preservation and feeling good about it my friend, nothing else.
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Kinda like covering your couch in plastic I guess. Whatever floats your boat.


bp1000 said:
The ironic thing is screen protectors are much more likely to scratch than the glass.

Mine looks quite bad now but I can't bring myself to remove it because I caught my 2 year old trying to write on the screen with a pen. I'm glad I had one on because that might just have resulted in a scratch.

No kids and careful day to day use is highly unlikely to result in scratches and is a much better experience.
Click to expand...

This is the only reason I would consider putting a screen protector on mine, if I had toddlers in the house.
 
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Zeos said:
Even Apple (in the iPad user's manual) says the coating wears off with use. However, what's the point of using a screen protector to preserve the coating? You're going to be buying a new iPad in a year or two anyway. Perhaps the best reason to use a screen protector is to help get another $40 or so when you resell it.
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Over time you finger will wear, too!:p

Covering the screen to prtect the coating is stupid!:eek:
 
As others have said, the main thing is to get a quality protector. I prefer Martin Fields protectors. Very expensive, but you can't tell they're on once applied - they're so clear. In addition, they have a great feel to them, and they don't collect smudges.

The fact is it only takes one incident to get a scratch on your screen. Then it's there forever. Gorilla Glass, while highly resilient to scratching, is certainly not immune to it. When spending hundreds on a new device, you owe it to yourself to protect it, especially if you plan on keeping it for the long term. Scratch it once and you'll be forever starring at the scratch wishing you had applied a protector in the first place.
 
Buy a cheap protector just in case, don't be dumb like those guys who buy expensive protectores LOL , i have a cheap for 1 dollar and is perfect and iPad is more protected
 
Do you need one? No.

Does it make maintaining it easier? Absolutely.


What I love most about screen protectors is that I can put any glass cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe it down. You can't do that on the iPad's oleophobic coated glass b/c most cleaners have alcohol and/or ammonia which break down the coating and make the glass streaky looking over time.

I use the least expensive protector I can find -- just bought a 3 pack of generics on Amazon for $5 shipped. They work great.

If you have a new iPad I do not recommend the matte/anti-reflective ones. I use to buy those but, unfortunately, they effectively turn your Retina screen into a lower rez iPad 2 screen.
 
If you're the type of person who is clumsy, I can see a screen protector can be useful. After you've owned iPhones and iPads for a while though, you realize it's not needed at all. Might as well use the screen the way it was meant to be used instead of covering it up for 24 months and then selling it.
 
No need for a screen protector. If an iPad 2 can survive 1 year + with my kids and still be scratch free. Apple did a great job.
 
Um..... Maybe I'm just being childish but with all this talk of people liking the feel of their device naked, or protected......... I can't help thinking about condoms......?
 
Since I've never been able to put a screen protector on without getting dust or a bubble underneath, I've given up.

I've had dozens upon dozens of devices with LCD screens over the last 15 years, and I think I've put a scratch in maybe 2 or 3 of them.
 
JayStarr said:
Do I really need a screen protector?
Click to expand...
Always subjective no matter what the device. Polling isn't the way to answer your question. Do what works for you. See every prior screen protector thread. This topic is constantly rehashed and never produces any new info but the same old opinions and arguments on both sides. It's not a one-size-fits-all matter despite what many seem to assume.

bp1000 said:
The ironic thing is screen protectors are much more likely to scratch than the glass.
Click to expand...
Nothing ironic about it. Screen protectors are sacrificial parts. They're cheaper and easier to replace than the screen itself.
 
already got a small scratch on mine. but you can only tell when it is off, but you have to hunt for it. after only a week.
 
I just purchased my new iPad three days ago. And I got a new screen protector to put in professionally, and I'm telling you it wasn't cheap I paid about $20 for it, and the person that put it on did a great job, no bubbles what so ever .But the first thing I noticed as soon as I start playing with the new iPad is the screen quality was soo bad. then I thought to myself and said the main thing about this new iPad was the screen quality, so what's the point of putting a screen protector on this thing, reducing the quality of the screen when its famous with its screen quality. So guess what I did next? I dumped the screen protector in the bin.

So the moral is,enjoy the iPad instead of worrying about it being scratched, make the most out of it instead of trying to keep it clean and scratch free.

Well, that is my idea anyway :))
Enjoy
 
I say YES !!!

The other day I was working on small electronics and had a small pointed phillip screwdriver in my hand. I had the iPad real close to where I was working. The screwdriver slipped out of my hands (fumble fingers) and the screwdriver flew up in the air and the pointy end hit the screen protector and made a nice mark on it.

During normal use it's your call if you want to use one. But protecting a device I paid $600 + dollars is my call especially when I suffer from fumble fingers. :)
 
All the Apple employees I've spoken to have advised against screen protectors. I haven't used any on mine.
 
jojoba said:
All the Apple employees I've spoken to have advised against screen protectors. I haven't used any on mine.
Click to expand...

And to represent the opposite view I put a screen protector on every device I buy immediately! Buy a decent protector and you never even think about it being on your device. I've removed some fairly beat up protectors from my devices prior to selling them and I take very good care of my devices. In every case the screen was completely undamaged. I'd much rather be removing a worn screen protector than dealing with a worn screen. Its a very easy way to protect your investment and an inexpensive way to ensure peace of mind.
 
I work on motorcycles and have calluses on my fingers. I have a screen protector in mine as it is possible to scratch the coating over time. If your hands are baby soft you probably don't have to worry.
 
I'm not sure where people get that screen protectors alter the images or look tacky. I guess they're buying the wrong ones. It's foolish to pay more than a buck or two for one. Not sure what they are buying but I order a pack of 6 generic clear ones from eBay for $5 from a US seller and they are excellent. It's static cling - no liquid installation BS - and once on, I swear to you, you cannot tell it is on. They are just as good as the WAY overpriced Powersupport. There is NO distortion of the screen whatsoever and I am extremely picky. Just steer clear of the "antiglare" or matte versions- those are God awful as far as image distortion. Also, both the iPad's glass and screen protectors can scratch (doesn't matter what brand). It happened to me with the first iPad and it was never even around anything sharp - in fact, it stayed in Apple's iPad case. Always save yourself the hassle and install a screen protector on day one, and buy them in multiples so you have spares. $5 well spent.
 
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