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Skins, Cases, Etc.

D

deliriumxy

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 21, 2016
66
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Do you guys use a skin or case on your MacBook Pro? Just wondering, as DBrand has a cyber monday sale 30% off skins, and I was thinking of buying one.

Not sure if it'll effect the thermal performance, though seems it is negligible based on some brief research. I don't know about a case since it adds bulk and will probably add thermal resistance.

Maybe just use a sleeve and no case? Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
I've had an Incase Hardshell since day one on my MBP and it looks brand new. I've only dropped it three times (i know it should be zero times but i'm clumsy...) and the case has not only protected from dents and scratches but it also didn't break! So they're pretty sturdy and durable. They have holes in the bottom panel for ventilation, but whenever i know i'll be using software that makes my MBP run extra hot, i just pop it off to allow better ventilation. My only complain is that the rubberized matte finish of the case started peeling off pretty quickly, ended removing it all by hand. So, if you decide to go with a case i recommend buying a glossy one, or the matte that's just plastic.

I think a skin would be worse in terms of thermal resistance, as the case still allows air to flow and if you ever need to cool the laptop you can just pop it right off, with the skin is not as easy. I know most brands promise to leave 'no residue' but from experience most skins, vinyls and stickers in general do.

The only flaw i've experience with the case is the fact that it collects dust between the plastic and the aluminium. To avoid scratching, i used to clean it once a month, just with a screen cloth with a tiny bit of water, just enough to make it humid not soaked. Eventually i started forgetting and now i just clean it whenever i remeber/ see any dirt around the corners. Like i said, good as new!

For the sleeve my favorite is also from Incase, i don't know the name of the model but it's the one with fuzzy white fur inside, which helps cushion the computer and keep it warm if you live in a cold place.

If you take good care of your Mac you don't need to buy any skins or cases, IMO it's more of an esthetic thing rather than protective since the aluminium body is pretty resistant, but deffo get a sleeve.
 
A tight sleeve with some padding/cushioning is definitely a must when carrying the laptop.

However, since I get easily irritated by accidental scratches and dings on my devices, I'm using a hardshell case as well. Can be taken off easily for cleaning and does not cause any tangible issue except for adding a little thickness (which doesn't really bother me, tbh).
 
deliriumxy said:
Do you guys use a skin or case on your MacBook Pro? Just wondering, as DBrand has a cyber monday sale 30% off skins, and I was thinking of buying one.

Not sure if it'll effect the thermal performance, though seems it is negligible based on some brief research. I don't know about a case since it adds bulk and will probably add thermal resistance.

Maybe just use a sleeve and no case? Thoughts? Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I have used all of the above. No problems whatsoever. DecalGirls skins excellent quality. No residue. Kuzy plastic cases not bad except for fingerprint issue. I even put the skins on the plastic case for quick changes and reuse. InCase Sling Sleeves (Amazon) are fantastic for carry.
 
Bought a white marble dbrand skin for my Macbook Pro TB 13" from Black Friday Sale. Installed it last night. It was HUGE pain in the. SIZE was the Issue.

Trackpad vinyl fit perfectly. The bottom was somewhat okay too. BUT width of the top vinyl seemed like about a millimetre larger than the laptop. Sides were hanging out. I had to apply and remove the skin twice and the third time there was this air bubble on right side, I had to partially remove it again and then reapplied. Each time I had to manually adjust the sides so the skin doesn't stick out and the bulge in the middle - I had to heat it up with hair dryer and then press the soft vinyl down to compression. IS this normal?

Anyways, after roughly 3 hours everything became prefect. I spent 3 damn hours for what was supposed to be an effortless skin installation.

skin.jpg
 
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I always prefer a skin, myself.
I've always been ultra careful with my stuff, though.

I always use a sleeve when transporting it somewhere, but I like the scratch protection of a skin.
In the past, I used a clear Zagg skin to cover everything, but this time I chose a designed skin and I gotta tell you... I really love it!

The back was tricky to install (its not perrrrrrfect), but all things considered, its pretty good.

Additionally, I contacted the seller bc I really liked their design, but hated that they included a big white logo on the bottom right of the top piece of the skin.
I asked if it was possible to NOT have the logo on it, or if it is absolutely necessary, could it be on the bottom piece instead. They contacted me back right away and said leaving it out was no problem at all!
How cool is that?
Anyhow, it shipped from Australia and took forever to get here, but all in all... I'm happy with it. :rolleyes:
 

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Speaking of 'taking forever', I guess my forever deserves a salute.

Ordered it on 29th Aug 3 days after buying the laptop. I installed it the day I received the skin; 2nd Dec. What happened in between is a story to tell. :D
 
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I just purchased a dbrand black skin. I'm generally happy with how I put it on.

Its not difficult, but its not easy (at least for me). I can see its off a hair on one side, which makes the apple logo cutout off a little bit. I'm talking about a millimeter, but just enough to see a tiny but of silver peek through. I'm not about to mess with it at this point.

The bottom was a lot easier to install, lined up the screws and feet and it was on.

I do like the look at it will offer a measure of protection against day to day uses.
 
Though a little pricier than the competition, I like ColorWare's skins. I use there Mosaic Metal skin and it looks fantastic with the Space Grey. I'll post a pic tomorrow when I get back home.

Right now they are offering 40% off all skins
 
Currently using BestSkinsEver on my MacBook Pro (Matte) and it looks like I have nothing on my MacBook Pro. EXCEPT that I also have a Moshi Hard Case on my Mac.

I've always used both skins and hard cases together with my MacBooks because I feel like once dust gets into the Hardcase, it could scuff up my Mac so I have both. :p
 
I’ve used icarbons.com on a few laptops. I have the brushed metal on my 2016. Still looking good almost 2 years.
 
Regarding dbrands, the only thing I wished for, was that it was a tiny bit smaller. If the skin was just a hair smaller, that would give me a little more play in positioning the skin and not have a bit of over lap.

In my case, on one side the skin looks and feels even. Its right on the edge, but the opposite side there's just the smallest amount of overhang. Front and back its fine, but as I mentioned in my above post, its off center just the tiniest bit because how I see the logo cutout is just a bit misaligned. Perhaps if I buy another skin in the future, it will be without the cutout
 
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BB881630-293C-4B82-9271-1383569510D8.jpeg ADAB053C-29C0-4398-86B9-E36A10C54202.jpeg

It does take some time to get it even. I found working from the center out helps. Icarbons does leave about 2mm gap around all edges.
 
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As promised, here are pictures of the ColorWare Mosaic Metal skin on Space Grey. The fit is perfect edge to edge. Install is very easy as long as you take your time. This is the 2nd time I've done this as I had the same skin on my 2018 MacBook Pro 13 before exchanging it for the 15". Nice texture, gives more grip, and compliments the space grey nicely.


IMG_1120.jpg IMG_1121.jpg IMG_1122.jpg
IMG_1120.HEIC
 
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Gamer-Dad said:
As promised, here are pictures of the ColorWare Mosaic Metal skin on Space Grey. The fit is perfect edge to edge. Install is very easy as long as you take your time. This is the 2nd time I've done this as I had the same skin on my 2018 MacBook Pro 13 before exchanging it for the 15". Nice texture, gives more grip, and compliments the space grey nicely.


View attachment 776775 View attachment 776776 View attachment 776777
IMG_1120.HEIC
Click to expand...


It really looks good. I am surprised that it seems to be covering the speakers or am I not seeing it correctly?
 
maflynn said:
Regarding dbrands, the only thing I wished for, was that it was a tiny bit smaller. If the skin was just a hair smaller, that would give me a little more play in positioning the skin and not have a bit of over lap.

In my case, on one side the skin looks and feels even. Its right on the edge, but the opposite side there's just the smallest amount of overhang. Front and back its fine, but as I mentioned in my above post, its off center just the tiniest bit because how I see the logo cutout is just a bit misaligned. Perhaps if I buy another skin in the future, it will be without the cutout
Click to expand...

I picked up a dBrand skin for my 2018 MBP as I often use it outside at our race events so its very easy to pick up surface scratches. I'm glad I saw your post this morning as I spent way too long last night trying to get the skin to fit perfectly and in the end, its close, but like you say, I have tiny, miniscule bits of overhang in a couple of places. The top piece just feels slightly too large for the laptop as if they're expecting more of a curve on the lid which would take up the tiny amount of slack. I don't understand it.

I know dBrand will say the pieces are laser cut and all the same, but when doing the top piece, no matter how close I placed the top edge, the bottom edge would be a different distance away from the lip. On the bottom piece, it wouldn't line up over the plastic feet exactly. No matter what position I used, there would be a tiny gap by a couple of the feet. And the screws simply don't line up exactly with the cut-outs for them - surely these would be the one guiding point we could rely on and they would be bang centre in each cutout?

End result is that on the right hand side by the USB ports I feel like I should take a razor blade and trim off this tiniest strip I can see.

Anyway, I know these things will only be noticeable by me, but for the price I'd expected all of this to be spot on.
 
I've used Xtremeskins from the UK and Colorware. Both are cut perfect for either the 13" or 15". I get a lot of compliments on my Colorware skin (above in pictures). Nce texture for a little more grip while carrying.
 
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