Keyboard protection for m2 air

[Deep.sky]

I have just taken delivery of a new m2 air, and I don't want to worry about getting keyboard marks on the screen like my 2016 mbp did. I have read that anything placed there will eventually damage the hinges, but I was wondering if that is true, and if there is something I can place there when I close the laptop when not in use to prevent said marks.

 

[fisherking]

is that even still a thing? (altho i've never seen keyboard marks on my many macbooks/powerbooks). if the problem is real, ok, but be sure it is before you do anything.

anyone else? (i don't have my M2 yet)...

 

[tranceking26]

is that even still a thing? (altho i've never seen keyboard marks on my many macbooks/powerbooks). if the problem is real, ok, but be sure it is before you do anything.

anyone else? (i don't have my M2 yet)...

I had slight marks from the keys on my 2015 MBP's screen.

 

[Deep.sky]

I don't know if it is a problem with m2 airs yet; I'm simply trying to head this off at the pass because it happened on my MBP.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Maybe some plastic wrap if you’re super hardcore. To be honest, I would try it without anything while you’re within the return period and if it creates marks then decide from there.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't know if it is a problem with m2 airs yet; I'm simply trying to head this off at the pass because it happened on my MBP.

Use the white sheet that came with the Mac. That is what I use. If you threw that away, use a sheet of paper and mark the down side, so you don't end up having the oily keyboard side of the paper against your screen and wondering why it keeps getting dirty.

 

[russell_314]

I have just taken delivery of a new m2 air, and I don't want to worry about getting keyboard marks on the screen like my 2016 mbp did. I have read that anything placed there will eventually damage the hinges, but I was wondering if that is true, and if there is something I can place there when I close the laptop when not in use to prevent said marks.

I don't see any marks on mine yet. I try to keep the keys clean without any food or whatever on them. If you notice anything maybe try keeping a thin piece of paper in it. Mine came with a thin piece of paper when it was new. I wouldn't put anything thicker because not only the hinges but the screen could be damaged.

 

[chabig]

Here is a relevant thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/microfiber-cloth-screen-protector-keyboard-cover-for-macbook-pro-16.2220827/

 

[whizkid11]

Deleted

 

[whizkid11]

It’s still a thing. I have the M2 air and use the radtech keyboard cloth which is a perfect fit. I have to clean the display weekly because the keyboard marks transfers even with the cloth. At least it protects it from scratching. It is annoying though. The more you wipe the display the more likely you are to get scratches or mess up the coating. I wouldn't have to clean it except for the darn keyboard transfer.

It's probably from light flexing in my backpack even though my backpack has a laptop compartment and I'm extra careful. It always go in the Von Holhauzen Portfolio, too.

When I clean it I only use distilled water and the Radtech microfiber cloths and lightly wipe. It's like a 20 minute ordeal though to get it clean because the screen smudges easily.

 

[Flash1420]

Use the white sheet that came with the Mac. That is what I use. If you threw that away, use a sheet of paper and mark the down side, so you don't end up having the oily keyboard side of the paper against your screen and wondering why it keeps getting dirty.

I think this is the best thing to do. Why not just use something that came with your MacBook.

 

[whizkid11]

The paper was not intended to be used for sufficient protection outside the box due to normal use.

 

[0906742]

The paper was not intended to be used for sufficient protection outside the box due to normal use.

Does it say so? I see no reason why not use it as long as it is not torn or wrinkled and you place it on the screen the same side it was from the factory.

If keyboard marks keep appearing on the screen without anything between the display and keyboard while is it placed on the table with lid closed and nothing pressing the lid, I’d get the machine checked. There should be small gap to prevent keys from touching the screen normally. Obviously if it is packed tightly in a bag, something heavy placed on the lid or it is pressed during transporting, keys may touch the screen then causing imprints.

 

[chrono1081]

This kind of thing only happens when the screen is getting squished against the keys, they don't touch otherwise. I would grab a better sleeve/backpack to carry your laptop in.

 

[0906742]

This kind of thing only happens when the screen is getting squished against the keys, they don't touch otherwise. I would grab a better sleeve/backpack to carry your laptop in.

Yeah, Apple has designed small gap there and keys definitely do not touch the screen when the lid is closed, if it does I’d get it checked. Of course unless the screen is being pressed by something too hard. My MacBooks (MBA 13” 2018, MBP 13” 2019, MBA M1 and MBP 14”) never had this issue.

 

[Technerd108]

This can be an issue with any laptop.

Since all Mac displays have an anti reflective coating the oils could over time wear down the coating.

Wipe down the display with a microfiber cloth and a solution with propylene glycol or distilled water. I would avoid alcohol or harsh cleaners.

I would get a microfiber cloth after you clean the screen and wipe down the keyboard before you close the laptop. This way there won't be any residue to transfer onto the screen.

If after you clean your keyboard and have cleaned the screen and the problem persists then as 0906742 said you might want to get the laptop checked by Apple. Also be careful that if you put the laptop in a bag nothing is pushing down on the device or putting compressive force on the screen lid.

As a side note be careful not to clean the screen too often or with a dry microfiber cloth that is not clean as dust could scratch the AR coating and over cleaning could wear the coating off. I am pretty sure you can use an Apple cloth dry just make sure to wring it out and tap it hard so there is no dust in the cloth before use.

You can use the paper that came with the laptop to protect the display but there is a problem. The paper is super thin and will wear out eventually. There are no markings on the paper so you could inadvertently put the side of the paper that was touching the keyboard and flip it without knowing and then accidentally transfer the fingerprint oils onto the display. So using the paper over an extended period of time might not be a good idea. You could get a sharpie and mark the side that faces the screen so you always know what side of the paper should face the screen but this is not a long term solution.

 

[whizkid11]

If you carry your MacBook in a back pack that has a compartment/ pocket, it’s going to flex sometimes and imprint the keyboard on the if you exert enough pressure on it, regardless if you even have it in a sleeve.

I have the keyboard cutout cloth from RadTech for both my M2 Air and MBP. Both machines still get imprints of the cloth on the screen from carrying in a backpack. It’s happens from the flexing. The cloth at least protects the screen regardless of the imprint. Better the imprint transferred from the cloth - which can be wiped clean - than imprint from the keys that could possibly damage the coating.

 

[0906742]

If you carry your MacBook in a back pack that has a compartment/ pocket, it’s going to flex sometimes and imprint the keyboard on the if you exert enough pressure on it, regardless if you even have it in a sleeve.

I'd choose the bag that has hard enough walls to prevent too much pressure on laptop, to help avoid this from happening.

I have the keyboard cutout cloth from Shaggymax for both my M2 Air and MBP. Both machines still get imprints of the cloth on the screen from carrying in a backpack. It’s happens from the flexing. The cloth at least protects the screen regardless of the imprint. Better the imprint of the cloth - which can be wiped clean - than imprint from the keys that could possibly damage the coating.

So cloth only covers the keyboard area. I'd rather use something that covers the whole area as the paper from factory.

This is simply for the reason that if cloth really stays in place on the keyboard during transporting machine, it must be just that thick that it actually touch the screen all the time, otherwise it would not stay in place! So this is the reason you now get the cloth imprint on the display. I'd use something that is thin enough not having contact between keys and display all the time and when it does it would cover the whole screen area, to avoid getting imprint only on small area (imprint likely forms on the edges of the cloth you now have only covering the keyboard).

 

[whizkid11]

I'd choose the bag that has hard enough walls to prevent too much pressure on laptop, to help avoid this from happening.

So cloth only covers the keyboard area. I'd rather use something that covers the whole area as the paper from factory.

This is simply for the reason that if cloth really stays in place on the keyboard during transporting machine, it must be just that thick that it actually touch the screen all the time, otherwise it would not stay in place! So this is the reason you now get the cloth imprint on the display. I'd use something that is thin enough not having contact between keys and display all the time and when it does it would cover the whole screen area, to avoid getting imprint only on small area (imprint likely forms on the edges of the cloth you now have only covering the keyboard).

The paper from the factory is only the size of the keyboard.

I got the RadTech keyboard cloth. It’s very thin and covers the whole keyboard area precisely unlike the Shaggymax. I still use the Shaggymax to clean the screen and for glasses. It’s a bit too short in the length to fit the keyboard and a bit too thick. Glad I tried both though.

Also, a full size cloth that extends to the trackpad will not prevent any marks either. The cloth will still transfer onto the display with an outline of the keyboard. The idea is that the Soft cloth doesn’t cause permanent marks like the keyboard would over time.