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Protecting MacBook Pro 16" Screen when closed

Redneck1089

Redneck1089

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 18, 2004
1,211
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I have ordered a new 16" MacBook Pro and I'm worried about the keyboard marring the screen when the display is closed.

I've read horror stories of screen/camera covers cracking screens on these new MacBook Pros, as the tolerances are so tight and the additional thickness of a cover adds pressure on the glass.

So, my question is: what are people using to protect their MacBook Pro screens?

I have seen the RadTech keyboard cloth. Does anyone have experience with it - if so, any long term ill effects from using it? Again, my concern is putting added pressure on the glass when the screen is closed.

Additionally, I recall Apple used to include a thin sheet between the screen and keyboard when shipping their new computers. Does Apple still include that sheet? If so, is that worth just saving and reusing to protect the screen?


Thanks in advance.
 
I don't use anything.
What caused you to be worried about this? Have you seen any report of people having problems?
 
Wando64 said:
I don't use anything.
What caused you to be worried about this? Have you seen any report of people having problems?
Click to expand...

Yes, I’ve seen plenty of examples of the keyboard and trackpad eventually scratching screens on MacBook Pros, including on my own 2015 MacBook Pro 13”.
 
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Redneck1089 said:
Yes, I’ve seen plenty of examples of the keyboard and trackpad eventually scratching screens on MacBook Pros, including on my own 2015 MacBook Pro 13”.
Click to expand...

OK.
I have a 2015 MBP 13” and no problems at all after all these years.
I’ve never heard of this before so it can’t be all that common, but I’d be pretty cheesed off if it were to happen to me.
 
That paper is just for looks an would scratch the screen if used regularly
 
Redneck1089 said:
I have ordered a new 16" MacBook Pro and I'm worried about the keyboard marring the screen when the display is closed.

I've read horror stories of screen/camera covers cracking screens on these new MacBook Pros, as the tolerances are so tight and the additional thickness of a cover adds pressure on the glass.

So, my question is: what are people using to protect their MacBook Pro screens?

I have seen the RadTech keyboard cloth. Does anyone have experience with it - if so, any long term ill effects from using it? Again, my concern is putting added pressure on the glass when the screen is closed.

Additionally, I recall Apple used to include a thin sheet between the screen and keyboard when shipping their new computers. Does Apple still include that sheet? If so, is that worth just saving and reusing to protect the screen?


Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Use Nothing. Don't put heavy books on top of MBPr16! I put MBP in neoprene sleeve, inside good backpack.
 
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Unless you're putting your MacBook Pro in a backpack with tons of books, you won't have a problem. That said, if you're worried, I use a RadTech (no affiliation) cloth - and have on all of my MacBooks I've ever used.

www.radtech.com

MacBook Pro keyboard cover, screen protector and cleaner

Display screen protector, cleaner and refinisher for MacBook Pro. Custom sizes available for any laptop computer
www.radtech.com www.radtech.com

But I only use this to cover the keyboard if I leave the laptop opened at night.

For travel I use a sleeve for the laptop and for my iPad: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1YSG1D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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I dont use anything to protect the screen. I clean it in a way to reduce the chance of damaging the optical coating, and then I don't make any contact with the screen whatsoever except to occasionally 'swipe' (i.e., not polish) particles sticking to the screen. And by no contact whatsoever I mean I do not allow my thumb or any other finger to make contact with that class when closing the shell. However, I do frequently wipe down the palm rest, trackpad, and keys (i.e., the entire topcase) with a gentle screen cleaner and a microfiber, and I feel this is the key to avoiding the screen damage you are concerned of (as well as preserving the cosmetic finish and slowing 'shining'). (Obviously a larger particle sitting on the palm rest + someone closing the clamshell forcefully is a potential issue, as aluminum and glass don't exactly have a lot of give.)
 
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Redneck1089 said:
Thanks for the link. And you close the display with the screen protector cloth on the keyboard still?
Click to expand...

Yes. At least I have on my 15" MBPs for more than a decade and my 2019 13" MBP. I've only had my 16" for a couple days but plan to do the same. It fits well in my case for the 2014 MBP 15".
 
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Are you planning to carry it around in a backpack?
If you do, DO NOT use a backpack that puts a lot of pressure on the MBP (from either side). Not much different than placing it under a stack of encylopedias...:)
 
Fishrrman said:
Are you planning to carry it around in a backpack?
If you do, DO NOT use a backpack that puts a lot of pressure on the MBP (from either side). Not much different than placing it under a stack of encylopedias...:)
Click to expand...
I think even the weight of the top cover can cause issues , meaning if the MBP is upside down in the rucksack
 
Redneck1089 said:
Does that add increased pressure to the glass of the screen when closed? Also, is there any concern that the adhesive that keeps it on will leave a residue or remove the screen coating?
Click to expand...

There is no adhesive used. You can take off and clean (if needed) and reinstall with no loss to the screen coating. I’ve been using mine for almost a year now with no ill effects. It is not made of glass so there is no outstanding pressure against the screen. It adds a nice anti-glare look that replicates the former Apple anti-glare screens of a decade ago very nicely.
 
This just happened to me. I have had mine for 3 months, always keep clean and never close. I closed it to go to a meeting, carrying with a notebook on top in hand. Long story short, after troubleshooting black screen, thinking dead battery, somehow the screen was damaged. No visible or feel of damage anywhere except after a while the screen backlight showed some spider cracking in bottom left corner. Seems internal but Apple says "Severe impact" causes this. Definitely no impact other than closing it normal and carrying it. Crazy to think it can damage that easy. Be careful!
 
Did you have something between the screen and keyboard when it was closed, or was it bare and just somehow cracked?

jaegersa1 said:
This just happened to me. I have had mine for 3 months, always keep clean and never close. I closed it to go to a meeting, carrying with a notebook on top in hand. Long story short, after troubleshooting black screen, thinking dead battery, somehow the screen was damaged. No visible or feel of damage anywhere except after a while the screen backlight showed some spider cracking in bottom left corner. Seems internal but Apple says "Severe impact" causes this. Definitely no impact other than closing it normal and carrying it. Crazy to think it can damage that easy. Be careful!
Click to expand...
 
I just closed it with nothing covering the screen/keyboard when closed. I wish I had read before about the sensitivity, my bad. I just switched to Macbook and was so happy until now. Apple wants $750 to replace because I do not have Apple Plus care.
 
Although not related to keyboard - Apple is warning against any type cover on the camera https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/10/21320321/apple-camera-cover-macbook-pro-air-warning
A strip of tape should be a safer option than a hard plastic stick-on cover if you don’t fully trust the light, but Apple warns against using anything “thicker than an average piece of printer paper (0.1mm),” and also discourages camera covers that leave adhesive residue.
Click to expand...

The above RadTech cover is listed at 0.6mm. I am reluctant to use any type of cover between keyboard and screen in case damages screen further or in the past I've used keyboard skins and they have left imprints on the screen.
 
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