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Which is the best screen protector for Macbook Pro

B

bigsmile01

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 17, 2013
56
5
I know a lot of people don't see the point of protectors for laptops, but I like them to avoid getting stains and smears.

In the past, I used purchase NuShield. However, I notice there are new tempered glass ones available. The NuShiled ones are also quite pricey.

I have read reviews of the cheaper ones pulling off parts of the Macbook Pro screen, so which is the best screen protector to get which won't damage the screen.
 
I don't believe you should use any "screen protector" at all on the retina MacBook Pros.

Here's why:

The display surface has a very fine and VERY THIN "sprayed on" anti-glare coating applied to it.

Contact with ANYTHING tends to disturb this coating, and it can start to wear and flake off.

Hence, something called "StainGate". Read up on it if you don't know what I'm talking about.

I'm going to -guess- that the screen protector could "interact" with the anti-glare coating, and cause problems.

Also -- there is VERY LITTLE ROOM between the surface of the display and the tops of the keys. You don't want much of anything "in there" that could put pressure on the display surface.

Are there any others using a "screen protector" with the retina MBP's?
If so, could you please comment on your experiences?
 
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maflynn said:
If you don't touch the screen, you'll not get any smudges and there's no reason to touch it, as its not a touchscreen.
Click to expand...
You do get smudges from the keyboard. And also just dust and dirt that is in the atmosphere.

These marks would not be very drastic, but if there's away to avoid them, then I don't see why one wouldn't.

My sister has a MacBookPro and didn't use a screen protector. She kept it very clean, but after 3 years there were tiny marks. Nothing drastic (and you can't notice them when the screen is on), but they are still there.
 
The OP wrote:
"My sister has a MacBookPro and didn't use a screen protector. She kept it very clean, but after 3 years there were tiny marks. Nothing drastic (and you can't notice them when the screen is on), but they are still there."

What year is your sister's MBP?
If it's a retina, it may qualify for a FREE replacement of the display due to StainGate.
If she is anywhere near an Apple Store, she should make an appointment with the genius bar for an inspection.
She may be VERY pleasantly surprised!
 
put aside losing the quality of the screen...

are there any real issues? some threads on this website have made me skeptical about putting one on...about staining it, or the coating becoming damaged.... but iphones/watches etc they all have coating aswell?
 
I will respectful disagree- I have had 2 staingate replacement screens on my late 2013 13" MacBook Pro Retina. Since I was at the end of the covered period with the 2nd one- this time, I elected to purchase a screen protector. Probably one of the best things I've done- I've always loved Moshi products (NFI) for my iPhone and MBP. They have a line of screen protectors called iVisor: https://www.moshi.com/en/product/ivisor-pro-13-for-macbook-pro-13/black-clear-matte

I got a better price on Amazon.

It not only reduces glare (seems practically invisible), but now, I have no worries of stains to the screen surface. I also use the white paper that ships between the closed screen and keyboard with a new MBP and a mousepad whenever I close the screen.

It's probably overkill, but no more marks on my screen, regardless.
 
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i agree with the above in the past i have had no issues at all......the pressure i cannot seeing it being so much pressure that the display pops out .....
 
Apple say no to the keyboard covers. There is near zero clearance between the keyboard and the screen now!

I know other do not agree but would not use a screen protector or keyboard cover.
 
Newtons Apple said:
Apple say no to the keyboard covers. There is near zero clearance between the keyboard and the screen now!

I know other do not agree but would not use a screen protector or keyboard cover.
Click to expand...
i disagree the screen protector fits directly over the screen if you touch around the whole screen there is a black rubber around the whole screen which touches the opposite side first....meaning the screen does not fully touch it the rubber around the whole screen does....
 
I use a Radtech microfibre set. It has a microfibre sleeve and a miscrofibre sheet that sits between the keyboard and screen when it’s closed. Can also be used to clean the screen and is machine washable.
 
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I considered a screen protector for my 2017 15" MBP but opted not to get one as they can be a pain to get on (in my experience - I think I'm just rubbish at applying them...)

I thought I would be fine if I was just really careful and cleaned the screen gently with a damp cloth every few days. I was dismayed to find a very fine scratch horizontally across the middle of the screen from where it has been touching the area just below the space bar (above the trackpad). I think there is so little space between the screen and the body, and the rubber 'stand-offs' around the screen are not enough to keep the middle of the screen from flexing enough to touch the lower case when it is in a bag and any pressure is applied to it. It is very very fine (initially I thought it was just a smudge but it can't be cleaned off).

Sadly I suspect I would be told that I had been applying too much pressure to the laptop while it was closed, but all it's done is sit in my bag with a folder and book as I've carried it about. I think the tolerances are so small that this was enough to cause the wear (which is a bit ridiculous in my opinion as I don't consider that to be an extreme use case).

I have subsequently bought a microfibre cloth that sits between the keyboard and the screen when I put the macbook in my bag and this should be sufficient to prevent it from happening again/getting worse. If I had done this from the start I'm sure it wouldn't have happened. Lesson learned!
 
esaelias said:
put aside losing the quality of the screen...

are there any real issues? some threads on this website have made me skeptical about putting one on...about staining it, or the coating becoming damaged.... but iphones/watches etc they all have coating aswell?
Click to expand...

Another thread for this? You were in another thread discussing the exact same thing.
 
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stooie wrote:
"I thought I would be fine if I was just really careful and cleaned the screen gently with a damp cloth every few days..."

No, that was the wrong thing to do -- and you found out why.

Your goal should be, "NEVER touch the display surface AT ALL".

Of course, that's an impossible standard to keep, so the "real goal" should be to touch it as little as possible and ONLY when ABSOLUTELY necessary.

So... some basic principles to be guided by:
- NEVER touch the display surface with your fingers.
- Be VERY careful opening and closing the cover so you don't touch the surface.
- If there's some dust on the surface, use a soft cloth and lightly "dust it" WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE to the surface -- just "dust it across"
- If there's something on the display that won't dust away, use a very soft cloth dampened with water. USE AS LITTLE PRESSURE AS POSSIBLE to dislodge it. Then, dry it by the "dusting" motions (as above).

My display is going on two years old and still looks fine, and I NEVER clean it.
I have had to remove a very few "stuck on" particles now and then (rarely).
 
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Screen protector is not necessary as you can wipe of smudges with microfiber cloth.

It's only needed because of the staingate issue. I just sent in my MBP for that issue. The service centre said the maximum number of replacement is 2 so I've used one.
 
Newtons Apple said:
Another thread for this? You were in another thread discussing the exact same thing.
Click to expand...

someone merged the comment i put into to this i didnt write the same thing here...

anyway i dont think screen protector does that damage people are saying there are millions people who put on screen protector and no issue at all
 
esaelias said:
someone merged the comment i put into to this i didnt write the same thing here...

anyway i dont think screen protector does that damage people are saying there are millions people who put on screen protector and no issue at all
Click to expand...

Apple suggests not. Also they suggest that you not use a keyboard cover.

I will stick with the ones providing the warranty.
 
esaelias said:
i disagree the screen protector fits directly over the screen if you touch around the whole screen there is a black rubber around the whole screen which touches the opposite side first....meaning the screen does not fully touch it the rubber around the whole screen does....
Click to expand...

Take a look at the base from the side. They keys rise up above the base almost the same amount the rubber around the edge comes down from the display. This distance is not by accident. Apple made the gap between the keys and the screen as tiny as they could to make the unit every so slightly smaller when closed, and at the same time maximize the height of the keys. Anything you put on the screen reduces this separation.
 
Newtons Apple said:
Apple suggests not. Also they suggest that you not use a keyboard cover.

I will stick with the ones providing the warranty.
Click to expand...


it helps with stains and these dust particles that stick on also...whats the worst that can happen with a screen protector really?
 
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calbear92 said:
I will respectful disagree- I have had 2 staingate replacement screens on my late 2013 13" MacBook Pro Retina. Since I was at the end of the covered period with the 2nd one- this time, I elected to purchase a screen protector. Probably one of the best things I've done- I've always loved Moshi products (NFI) for my iPhone and MBP. They have a line of screen protectors called iVisor: https://www.moshi.com/en/product/ivisor-pro-13-for-macbook-pro-13/black-clear-matte
Click to expand...

I've heard the the adhesive only goes to one side of the screen. Is that true? If so, how well does it stay on?

I've also heard that it is removable and reusable. Is that true?
[doublepost=1537204382][/doublepost]
Newtons Apple said:
Apple suggests not. Also they suggest that you not use a keyboard cover.

I will stick with the ones providing the warranty.
Click to expand...
Do you have a link to where they say this? Thanks!
 
esaelias asks:
"whats the worst that can happen with a screen protector really?"

The thin, sprayed-on anti-glare coating on the surface of the display will start flaking off.
How's that?
 
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