zCover vs iSkin: Keyboard Cover Comparison

[mousouchop]

This is sort of more of a rant-- type thing, but it can be taken as a review I suppose too.

Two years ago, I got my first Macbook (Blackbook). After the first year, the state of the keyboard/trackpad really bothered me. They both had become very polished from frequent use. So I went to the Apple store and got myself a black iSkin keyboard cover and some trackpad/mouse button sticker covers. This was one of the best investments I had made toward that system.

The keyboard cover made the thing look like new and was great after I broke it in a bit. The trackpad/mouse button stickers were great too because unlike the stock plastic, they did not become polished from exposure to hand oils. The Macbook looked virtually new.

When I purchase my Aluminum Macbook in October, I made sure to get the keyboard cover right along with the computer. However, the Apple store did not have the iSkin products instock but instead zCover products. I bought one, and while it has done one thing for me (keep the hair from 4 dogs out of my keyboard) it has failed largely in one aspect.

The first major problem is that is doesn't fit as precisely as the iSkin. The zCover is noticeably skewed, the cover bows over the spacebar and has an extra 2mm cut out for the F keys. Sometimes the misfit makes typing spaces rather difficult.

Then, removing my cover today at work under well-lit conditions I expected to see a perfect pristine keyboard as it has never been typed on directly. Instead I was greeted with a very blotchy looking keyboard. Needless to say I am very disappointed. I have no idea what quality of the cover has done this, but I won't let it go on any longer! I tried cleaning the keyboard with cleaner wipes and a moist cloth to no avail. Any suggestions?

Another complaint is that the iSkin made my keystrokes noticeably quieter while the zCover has made them increasingly louder.

I have placed an order on iSkin's site for a transparent cover for my keyboard and I can't wait to get it. All I can say is do not get a cover from zCover.

While I do not know if iSkin has this same effect (as I only ever used one on a pre-worn keyboard), I can say that it doesn't matter too much seeing as the keyboard still looks perfect with the cover on and it will always have a cover on.

Moral of the story. BUY iSkin, NOT zCover!

Any stories of anyone's experiences with either cover would be good to hear!

 

[amrk47]

This is sort of more of a rant-- type thing, but it can be taken as a review I suppose too.

Two years ago, I got my first Macbook (Blackbook). After the first year, the state of the keyboard/trackpad really bothered me. They both had become very polished from frequent use. So I went to the Apple store and got myself a black iSkin keyboard cover and some trackpad/mouse button sticker covers. This was one of the best investments I had made toward that system.

The keyboard cover made the thing look like new and was great after I broke it in a bit. The trackpad/mouse button stickers were great too because unlike the stock plastic, they did not become polished from exposure to hand oils. The Macbook looked virtually new.

When I purchase my Aluminum Macbook in October, I made sure to get the keyboard cover right along with the computer. However, the Apple store did not have the iSkin products instock but instead zCover products. I bought one, and while it has done one thing for me (keep the hair from 4 dogs out of my keyboard) it has failed largely in one aspect.

The first major problem is that is doesn't fit as precisely as the iSkin. The zCover is noticeably skewed, the cover bows over the spacebar and has an extra 2mm cut out for the F keys. Sometimes the misfit makes typing spaces rather difficult.

Then, removing my cover today at work under well-lit conditions I expected to see a perfect pristine keyboard as it has never been typed on directly. Instead I was greeted with a very blotchy looking keyboard. Needless to say I am very disappointed. I have no idea what quality of the cover has done this, but I won't let it go on any longer! I tried cleaning the keyboard with cleaner wipes and a moist cloth to no avail. Any suggestions?

Another complaint is that the iSkin made my keystrokes noticeably quieter while the zCover has made them increasingly louder.

I have placed an order on iSkin's site for a transparent cover for my keyboard and I can't wait to get it. All I can say is do not get a cover from zCover.

While I do not know if iSkin has this same effect (as I only ever used one on a pre-worn keyboard), I can say that it doesn't matter too much seeing as the keyboard still looks perfect with the cover on and it will always have a cover on.

Moral of the story. BUY iSkin, NOT zCover!

Any stories of anyone's experiences with either cover would be good to hear!

stick with a brand if it works for you

should of just went to iskin.com

now your keyboard is worse

 

[impreza98]

I had the iSkin Protouch FX on my MacBook for quite a while. It protected the keys fine but typing was mushy, it collected a lot of dust and hair, it cheapened the look of the MacBook, and for whatever reason the silicon never laid on the keyboard flush.

I now use the Moshi Clearguard. Its a thousand times better than the iSkin. You can barely tell its on there, its paper thin, and typing feels almost as good as a naked keyboard.

 

[Primejimbo]

When I got me new Aluminum Macbook in October I was told none of the current keyboard covers would work. I had one on my Wife's whitebook and it almost fit, but not perfect like the problems you had and it was an iskin. I finally saw one (again iskin) on Apple.com and got it. It said it was made for the Aluminum Macbook also. It fits perfect and for fun I put it on the whitebook and doesn't fit quite right, like the whitebook's cover on the Aluminum. So maybe it's not the brand, but just not made for the Aluminum Macbook.

 

[VSMacOne]

IMO Moshi ClearGuard is the best way to go. Very thin, easy to type, and covers the keyboard very well. I fooled around with the other ones in the Apple Store, but i hated how THICK they were and the sticky feeling i had when typing.

 

[mousouchop]

Thanks for the responses guys. I have definitely thought about the Moshi Clearguard. I still have my doubts about it though.

I decided to try to wipe my keyboard with the microfiber cloth that comes with the Aluminum Macbooks, and it actually took all of the greasy splotches off. I am really excited now. I am going to try out the iSkin and see if it has the same greasy effect on my keyboard. If it does, then I might give the Moshi Clearguard a try. My only real beef with that covers is that it ends directly at the end of the keys (or so it seems from the pictures). I like the iSkin/zCover because they extend hand an inch past the edges of the outer keys and help to keep dog hair and dust from getting anywhere near the holes of the keyboard.

I also read a review that you can't be quit as rough when you clean the Clearbaurd as you can with the silicon ones. I can scrub these ones against themselves and wring them out and they remain perfectly composed. I read that the Moshi Cleargaurd is just a thin plastic that creases and wrinkles with excessive bending. :/ I like to clean my keygaurd somewhat frequently.

 

[VSMacOne]

Well, i'm not trying to sell you on the Clear Guard, but it definitely covers the whole Keyboard bay, and lines up very nicely with the sides. I hope that makes sense.
And, from what I could tell so far, you probably dont need to be as rough with it when cleaning, since the material is not as rubbery so the dirt will most likely come off easier. I haven't personally washed mine yet, but i might do that before my next over seas trip here in a week.
oh and FYI, the clear guard is thin enough to where at least on my machine, it's not touching the screen, so the dirt from the keys is not getting on the screen. being a little OCD, that would BUG the crap out of me