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Is a screen protector necessary for a MacBook Air?

L

lsquare

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 30, 2010
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Given that there isn't any reason to touch the screen, I wonder if a screen protector is necessary or not. I have also read that screen protectors are very difficult to install on a Mac since they're much bigger than a phone.

Is there enough clearance between the screen and the keyboard when the lid is closed on the M1/M2/M3 MBA? I don't want the screen to be scratched by the keyboard. Or should I place something in between the screen and the keyboard? If so, what?
 
lsquare said:
Given that there isn't any reason to touch the screen, I wonder if a screen protector is necessary or not.
Click to expand...
No, you shouldn't. The screen has its special chemical protection. If by chance, your MacBook's screen gets dirty, first try to clean it with the cloth included in the box, otherwise, wipe it with a damp (not wet), lint-free cloth. Don't clean the keyboard with damp cloth, but with the included wipe.
 
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russell_314 said:
No,

It’s not necessary and can cause damage.

Don’t touch the non touch screen and make sure the keyboard is free from debris and sand before closing the lid. If you’re worried wipe the keyboard with a microfiber cloth.
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How can a screen protector cause damage?
 
chmania said:
No, you shouldn't. The screen has its special chemical protection. If by chance, your MacBook's screen gets dirty, first try to clean it with the cloth included in the box, otherwise, wipe it with a damp (not wet), lint-free cloth. Don't clean the keyboard with damp cloth, but with the included wipe.
Click to expand...
Is there enough clearance between the screen and the keyboard when the lid is closed on the M1/M2/M3 MBA?
 
lsquare said:
How can a screen protector cause damage?
Click to expand...
Here’s Apple’s official guidance

“Leaving any material on your display, keyboard, or palm rest might interfere with the display when it's closed and cause damage to your display.“

Source

Using a camera cover, palm rest, or keyboard cover on a Mac notebook – Apple Support (UK)

If you use a camera cover, palm rest cover, or keyboard cover with your Mac notebook, remove the cover before closing your display to prevent damage to your display.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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owilderman said:
They don’t know. The gap is very small and a screen protector can put pressure on the display and break it. I’ve seen people damage their displays with webcam covers as well
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So there is a gap and that it's impossible for the keyboard to scratch the screen unless there is debris in between?
 
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lsquare said:
So there is a gap and that it's impossible for the keyboard to scratch the screen unless there is debris in between?
Click to expand...

The keyboard does touch the screen if any pressure is applied to the outside of the laptop when it is closed.

However, unless your keyboard is covered in gravel it won’t cause any damage that cannot by wiped off with a damp cloth.

If you are concerned you can leave the sheet the laptop is delivered with between the keyboard and screen when it is closed.

Any crap you put on your display will degrade your experience.

That said, I have a Kensington privacy filter permanently mounted on mine because I need it. It has never caused any issues, but as stated above, Apple recommends against it.

(These discussions always remind me of people in the 80s who would cover their furniture and carpet in plastic, and never take it off.)
 
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Arctic Moose said:
The keyboard does touch the screen if any pressure is applied to the outside of the laptop when it is closed.

However, unless your keyboard is covered in gravel it won’t cause any damage that cannot by wiped off with a damp cloth.

If you are concerned you can leave the sheet the laptop is delivered with between the keyboard and screen when it is closed.

Any crap you put on your display will degrade your experience.

That said, I have a Kensington privacy filter permanently mounted on mine because I need it. It has never caused any issues, but as stated above, Apple recommends against it.

(These discussions always remind me of people in the 80s who would cover their furniture and carpet in plastic, and never take it off.)
Click to expand...
I'm guessing you don't use a screen protector on your iPhone? I do.
 
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lsquare said:
Given that there isn't any reason to touch the screen, I wonder if a screen protector is necessary or not. I have also read that screen protectors are very difficult to install on a Mac since they're much bigger than a phone.

Is there enough clearance between the screen and the keyboard when the lid is closed on the M1/M2/M3 MBA? I don't want the screen to be scratched by the keyboard. Or should I place something in between the screen and the keyboard? If so, what?
Click to expand...
No.
 
Arctic Moose said:
The keyboard does touch the screen if any pressure is applied to the outside of the laptop when it is closed.

However, unless your keyboard is covered in gravel it won’t cause any damage that cannot by wiped off with a damp cloth.

If you are concerned you can leave the sheet the laptop is delivered with between the keyboard and screen when it is closed.

Any crap you put on your display will degrade your experience.

That said, I have a Kensington privacy filter permanently mounted on mine because I need it. It has never caused any issues, but as stated above, Apple recommends against it.

(These discussions always remind me of people in the 80s who would cover their furniture and carpet in plastic, and never take it off.)
Click to expand...
This:
(These discussions always remind me of people in the 80s who would cover their furniture and carpet in plastic, and never take it off.)
 
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My M1 Pro MBP started to develop a keyboard outline on the screen, so I just put a clean piece of printer or note paper in between the keyboard and the screen. It hasn’t worsened and it’s been two years so I’d recommend that if you’re worried about the keyboard damaging the screen. Some may say that the paper will damage the screen, but two years in there hasn’t been any additional scratching and I’ve regularly inspected the screen in great detail. Make sure that a bit of the paper is visible from the outside to give enough clearance, you don’t want the paper to be completely inside otherwise there is even less room for the screen.
 
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A sheet of tissue paper between the screen and keyboard would do the trick. It's thin, cheap, and can be found almost anywhere gift wrapping supplies are sold.
 
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TechRunner said:
A sheet of tissue paper between the screen and keyboard would do the trick. It's thin, cheap, and can be found almost anywhere gift wrapping supplies are sold.
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Yup. In fact. your MacBook may have come with just such a thing when new. But yes, I use a sheet of standard tissue paper - cut to fit - from store.

If anything, I'm more concerned with the gunge - and potential spills - that collects on, between and internally on the keyboard, and to that end, I use a keyboard skin there. Much easier to keep that clean. I know some heat venting occurs thru keyboard, so a skin might seem problematic - but I don't do long-term processor-stressful work on my MacBook, and monitoring the heat, its well within normal operational limits.
 
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Bazza1 said:
Yup. In fact. your MacBook may have come with just such a thing when new. But yes, I use a sheet of standard tissue paper - cut to fit - from store.

If anything, I'm more concerned with the gunge - and potential spills - that collects on, between and internally on the keyboard, and to that end, I use a keyboard skin there. Much easier to keep that clean. I know some heat venting occurs thru keyboard, so a skin might seem problematic - but I don't do long-term processor-stressful work on my MacBook, and monitoring the heat, its well within normal operational limits.
Click to expand...
If you need to eat or have a coffee thats natures way of telling you (or anybody else) to take a break from their computer ;)
 
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my old macbook screen was marked from the keys so i was worried but so far my screen has been fine. it does get marked but just clean it with a micro fiber cloth now and then (make sure you clean between the keys too). you shouldn't need to touch the screen so it shouldn't get finger prints... maybe around the edges when opening/closing it.

i wouldn't put a screen protector on it. i don't think there is enough clearance unless you're using a cheap plastic protector which is not only going to get scratched much quicker but will have a load of air bubbles/trapped dust.

just use your macbook and enjoy it.
 
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I've used mac laptops since 2001 and didn't even know screen protectors on computers were even a thing, and I've never had any damage happen to a screen, and I'm not particularly careful. You seem like a careful enough person that you wouldn't need one.
 
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I wouldn’t put a screen protector on for the reasons above.

However, I’m super paranoid about my screen so i leave it open all the time and never close it as it lives mainly at home. When i do close it, i wipe the keys and palm rest with micro fibre to make sure No oils from my grubby hands make it on the screen.

My older laptops in time would get the keyboard outline marks on the screen which use to annoy me which is why i baby this one.
 
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