Cloth still necessary to protect screen from key imprints?

[Superrenz]

i am working for a big TV station and almost all of our editors use microfiber cloths to protect the screens of their 16'' MBPs from key imprints when closed.
On the other hand I talked to an Apple technician about this and he claimed that this is not necessary anymore since the screen coating supposedly got better over the years. He even argued that it is counter-productive since the microfiber cloth reduces the space between keyboard and screen when closed and therefore increases contact.
I myself us a Torro microfiber on my 13'' M1 MBP and I discovered that besides the cloth I do find key imprints on the screen when the MBP was not in use for some time - even when I didn't pack it in a backpack or so.

What's your experience on this? Still necessary or a relic from an era long ago. THX for your expertise.

 

[GumaRodak]

I have them after a while when lid closed, so i use a white paper since i dont have the cloth

 

[chscag]

i am working for a big TV station and almost all of our editors use microfiber cloths to protect the screens of their 16'' MBPs from key imprints when closed.

Do the same with yours. Never mind what the Apple tech said, he's not the one who has to pay for a new screen.

 

[baypharm]

I use iVisor antiglare screen protector on my mbp

 

[JPack]

Hard keys impacting a soft screen coating. Simple physics tells you it isn't ideal.

 

[Superrenz]

I have them after a while when lid closed, so i use a white paper since i dont have the cloth

But paper can be pretty hard. Aren’t you afraid of damaging your screen?

 

[Superrenz]

Do the same with yours. Never mind what the Apple tech said, he's not the one who has to pay for a new screen.

That’s what I thought too. But I still get imprints after a few hours not using it even with the cloth. But they’re easy to wipe off.

 

[GumaRodak]

But paper can be pretty hard. Aren’t you afraid of damaging your screen?

I do use a standard A4 for priters

 

[GumaRodak]

That’s what I thought too. But I still get imprints after a few hours not using it even with the cloth. But they’re easy to wipe off.

Well yes, mine are easy to clean too, but then i read some comments that cleaning the screen too often will damage the coating. This is for sure my first and last mbp.. its too expensive to accept all these restrictions which i have to follow while basic usage … never had this with imac

 

[Superrenz]

I do use a standard A4 for priters

Hard stuff....

 

[Superrenz]

Well yes, mine are easy to clean too, but then i read some comments that cleaning the screen too often will damage the coating. This is for sure my first and last mbp.. its too expensive to accept all these restrictions which i have to follow while basic usage … never had this with imac

I am totally happy with mine. Which restrictions did you encounter?

 

[pshufd]

I have this sometimes when there is a dust buildup but there's no damage to the screen. I just wipe off the dust. If you store the MacBook Pro where there is pressure in the middle, then it could be a problem.

 

[Thirio2]

Do new laptops come from the factory with a thin sheet between the keyboard and screen? That should answer your question.

 

[pshufd]

Do new laptops come from the factory with a thin sheet between the keyboard and screen? That should answer your question.

My Macs have come with a thin sheet of foam. I haven't bought a non-Apple laptop since 2008 and don't recall.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

On my MBP 13" (2015), there are no imprints because the keys do not touch the screen when the lid is closed. After a dusty period, the dust on the screen follows the structure of the keyboard but this is only dust, as @pshufd writes, and not an imprint.
Might be different if you exert serious pressure on the lid but that could have other drawbacks, too 🤔

 

[GumaRodak]

I am totally happy with mine. Which restrictions did you encounter?

Cleaning the display and trasporting the mbp in a bag with other stuff. Automatic gpu switching is joke as well, cannot set the aps manualy

 

[ISKOTB]

I use this micro-denier polyester fabric

 

[Superrenz]

On my MBP 13" (2015), there are no imprints because the keys do not touch the screen when the lid is closed. After a dusty period, the dust on the screen follows the structure of the keyboard but this is only dust, as @pshufd writes, and not an imprint.
Might be different if you exert serious pressure on the lid but that could have other drawbacks, too 🤔

No pressure on the lid over here. 'cause of the lockdowns it rarely leaves the house. Design is just very tight these days.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Put a sheet of computer paper between the screen and the keys (noting which side is a or b with the paper so as to not inadvertently transfer oils). As others stated, you can also use a very thin microfiber cloth. If you still have the white packing piece that came with your Mac (inserted between the keys and screen) use that.

Definitely don't listen to the tech.

 

[Superrenz]

Put a sheet of computer paper between the screen and the keys (noting which side is a or b with the paper so as to not inadvertently transfer oils). As others stated, you can also use a very thin microfiber cloth. If you still have the white packing piece that came with your Mac (inserted between the keys and screen) use that.

Definitely don't listen to the tech.

No I wont listen to him for sure. But why do I get imprints even when using the cloth?

 

[Apple_Robert]

No I wont listen to him for sure. But why do I get imprints even when using the cloth?

More than likely, you didn't mark the cloth to note which side is touching the oily keys. And the side of the cloth you think is clean has gotten oily as well. That is why I make a small mark (if need be) so that doesn't happen.

 

[Superrenz]

More than likely, you didn't mark the cloth to note which side is touching the oily keys. And the side of the cloth you think is clean has gotten oily as well. That is why I make a small mark (if need be) so that doesn't happen.

I surely have an a and a b side. 😉But du sometimes use the cloth to clean the screen. That’s probably where I comes from. Not a big deal. Just wipe it clean - ore is cleaning the screen with a soft cloth a bad thing too?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I surely have an a and a b side. 😉But du sometimes use the cloth to clean the screen. That’s probably where I comes from. Not a big deal. Just wipe it clean - ore is cleaning the screen with a soft cloth a bad thing too?

Cleaning the screen is not a bad thing per se. However, you want to limit how often you do that as I believe delimitation of the screen coating still occurs. If possible leave your screen open. I use a feather duster on my screen every 3 - 5 days.

 

[Superrenz]

Cleaning the screen is not a bad thing per se. However, you want to limit how often you do that as I believe delimitation of the screen coating still occurs. If possible leave your screen open. I use a feather duster on my screen every 3 - 5 days.

Even if you use a soft microfiber cloth only...?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Even if you use a soft microfiber cloth only...?

Unless you have to close the lid for transport, keep it open. That prevents the problem of finger oils and smudges from getting on the screen. If you do have to transport, do as we have discussed and clean with the cloth when needed.