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Sakino · Jun 6, 2004, 10:55 AM

What kind of screen protector do you use for your powerbook?
I should be getting my 15" al pb back tomorrow from Apple. I don't know what they fixed yet, but I do know the screen had to be replaced. I wanted to end the problem with having seeing the keys on my screen, and have better protection of the screen.
Anyone shoot out some good ideas?

vmarks · Jun 6, 2004, 11:18 AM

acmemade.com makes one that's nice. I like it.

effgee · Jun 6, 2004, 02:48 PM

I bought acme's iCover last year together with my 12" PB. And frankly, at a price of $25.00 it's a total rip-off. After a few months of use it began to stretch out and the damn thing wrinkles up like a cheap paper towel when I put the PB in my bag - I hate it.

I'll be buying a nice zippered sleeve soon and go back to using the protective sheet that came in the original PB box.

Just my $ .02

Macola · Jun 6, 2004, 03:16 PM

A clean sheet of paper worked really well for me. And it's much cheaper

Dr.Michael · Jun 6, 2004, 03:42 PM

A piece of silk.

RayX · Jun 6, 2004, 05:38 PM

Buy a better bag.

BlingBling 3k12 · Jun 7, 2004, 12:07 AM

Buying one of these for my 17" when I go and buy it soon: http://www.radtech.us/Products/LaptopScreensavrz.aspx

Dunno which to get, the black one or the grey one...

Sakino · Jun 7, 2004, 01:04 AM

I have a waterfields design bag. I think I might pick up the radtech one!

JKT · Jun 7, 2004, 07:40 AM

When i remember to put it on before I close the lid, a piece of LaserJet compatible OHP acetate.

urrl78 · Jun 7, 2004, 07:48 AM

Although the radtech cushions work perfectly on my 17" Powerbook:

http://homepage.mac.com/bhardy3/PhotoAlbum34.html

Some other poster mentioned his rather brilliant idea of getting some extra 17" feet free from the Apple store from a genious and using those feet on the display frame. I imaginge the thickness and firmness would be perfect and the feet would look much more like a part of the Powerbook than clear cushions. His solution seemed to work well for him as I recall. Perhaps I will try the same when my 17" comes back from repair this week.

Spheric Harlot · Jun 7, 2004, 07:51 AM

None whatsoever.

Total waste of effort on the 12". There is no way the keys can mark the screen - that is, any pressure applied to the screen great enough to touch the keyboard would break the screen first.

-s*

paully dub · Jun 7, 2004, 08:09 AM

Hey, I love my TiBook, but the stupid screen pressing against the keypad issue does kinda suck. Ah well I just stick a piece of 100g/m2 paper in there, and does the job just fine.

McFarmer · Jun 7, 2004, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by BlingBling 3k12:
Buying one of these for my 17" when I go and buy it soon: http://www.radtech.us/Products/LaptopScreensavrz.aspx

I second that! I've got the gray one for my 12" PowerBook and love it.
It's even machine-washable (in case it ever gets dirty).

Bought it as a bundle with the PowerSleevz: http://www.radtech.us/Products/Powersleevz.aspx.

The gray color goes really well with the AlBooks IMHO; they are the best looking 'scratch guards' I've found.
And getting the bundle protects the AlBook inside and out.

On using a sheet of paper

I've always used a sheet of paper on my previous TiBook. Whenever I closed the 'Book I put a sheet between keyboard and screen. Effect: after two years there were definitely scratch marks on the screen!

Not as bad as on my co-worker's TiBook (he never used anything), but they were there.

What really scratches the screen are dust particles which rub on the screen surface while the keys push against it. My guess is that paper is too rigid, still rubbing the dust particles into the screen. That's where a soft micro-fiber cloth should work better as it soft-cushions the dust particles dampening their effect.
At least since paper didn't work for me, I decided to give a micro-fiber cloth a try...

TonTaub · 11:08 AM

When I unpacked my AlBook the first time, there's already a protective material (thin rubber foam or such) inside.
So I would just use that.

BUT: Do I really need that in an AlBook?

Michael.

Spheric Harlot · Jun 7, 2004, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by McFarmer:
I second that! I've got the gray one for my 12" PowerBook and love it.
It's even machine-washable (in case it ever gets dirty).

Bought it as a bundle with the PowerSleevz: http://www.radtech.us/Products/Powersleevz.aspx.

The gray color goes really well with the AlBooks IMHO; they are the best looking 'scratch guards' I've found.
And getting the bundle protects the AlBook inside and out.

No, it just lines their pockets.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

It's your money, not mine.

-s*

vmarks · Jun 7, 2004, 10:23 AM

http://www.coolshield.com/html_pages/screensleeve.html

I use this one and I like it. I've used it on iBooks and 12" Powerbooks.

Do I care that the keys can't touch the screen on the 12"? No.

I know that they can on the iBook. I know that I like having the cover keep any dirt from the keys getting close to the screen, and that I like having the lid of the laptop covered with something soft. Cuts down on any scratches the lid might sustain.

threestain · Jun 7, 2004, 10:53 AM

I use the radtech screensavery thingie for my TiBook - works great, and much better screen since I got it, and cleaned away the gunk. Unfortunately a flying powercord plug chipped the screen slightly the day I got the screensaver, but despite that its still better!

reybart · Jun 7, 2004, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
None whatsoever.

Total waste of effort on the 12". There is no way the keys can mark the screen - that is, any pressure applied to the screen great enough to touch the keyboard would break the screen first.

-s*

Yeah, I agree, in the Rev C PB12 you do'nt need any scrreen protector.

McFarmer · Jun 7, 2004, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by reybart:
Yeah, I agree, in the Rev C PB12 you do'nt need any scrreen protector.

Correct, as long as you have those rubber spacers on the top left and right corners of your screen.
(The TiBook had spacers too but they were worn within half a year...)

Though a micro-fiber or leather cloth serves more purposes than just protecting against keyboard scratches on the screen.

I use it to clean my screen. Wipe it from dust or other gunk. Which is why it's handy that mine is washable.

And it helps make sure that no 'flying debris' from my bag, like paper clips or coins, can enter the gap between screen and keyboard and damage the screen.

Works for me.

wulf · Jun 7, 2004, 06:24 PM

The last time we flew to Spain my TiPB got small scratches on the screen from getting squished in its case.

After that I got a radtech screensaver, more for the peace of mind than anything else.

TonTaub · Jun 8, 2004, 02:57 AM

Yesterday evening I checked the two 15" AlBooks around here.
If something flat lays on the PoBo the screen doesn't touch the keyboard.

But if I rest the palm of my hand on it, the lid easily bends that much that the LCD is able to touch the keyboard.

So I think as long as it isn't carried in a bag full of other stuff, that should be ok.

Which means that I'll keep this thin white sheet of rubber foam which came with the original packing.

Michael.

Dr.Michael · Jun 8, 2004, 03:16 AM

Originally posted by Spheric Harlot:
No, it just lines their pockets.

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

...

You do not need a screen protector for the 12" Powerbook.

It's your money, not mine.

-s*

Hehe, you are absolutely right.

Its unbelievable that these guys spend 20$ on a silly piece of cloth that could be bought for 50 cent (or completely omitted). They even ignore good and well meant advice only to be able to buy these stupid things where "Powerbook" is printed on. This is really cool marketing.

And I begin to get the point why advertisements only adress 14-30 year old people because after this age you don't let yourself kid that easy ;0).

JKT · Jun 8, 2004, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by TonTaub:
Yesterday evening I checked the two 15" AlBooks around here.
If something flat lays on the PoBo the screen doesn't touch the keyboard.

But if I rest the palm of my hand on it, the lid easily bends that much that the LCD is able to touch the keyboard.

So I think as long as it isn't carried in a bag full of other stuff, that should be ok.

Which means that I'll keep this thin white sheet of rubber foam which came with the original packing.

Michael.

I carry mine in a sleeve case in my backpack and, unfortunately, I have keyboard stains on the left side middle of my screen already (hence I started with the acetate). I considered using that foam too, but I was a little worried that it wouldn't be terribly resistant to heat (and my PB does get very, very hot at the top left next to the power socket) - I would hate to open up my PB and find it melted over my speakers/keyboard! Hence the LaserJet acetate.