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delsoul

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 7, 2014
459
720
I've tried to look online at apples website and other places but can't seem to find any information. What are the screens made out of for the MacBook Air and pro, do they have gorilla glass coating at all? How scratch resistant are they?
 

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
Gorilla Glass isn't a coating, it's the actual glass formulation. That said, I don't believe there's actual glass anymore, but I could be wrong. Also, based on the anti-reflective coating peel issue, "staingate", there may not be much in the way of anti-scratch. There shouldn't need to be, though, since the Macbook screens aren't being shoved in a pocket without any protection or touched/swiped on a regular basis like phones and tablets are.
 

russell_314

macrumors 604
Feb 10, 2019
6,680
10,284
USA
You should never have a need to physically touch your MacBook screen but if for some reason you feel like carrying a MacBook in your pocket open you can get a screen protector.

 
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delsoul

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 7, 2014
459
720
Thank you for the replies. I wasn’t sure if it had a coating or what the screen is made of...plastic or glass?
 
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Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,256
13,331
The retina screens don't have any "protection".
In fact, they have a great "vulnerability" -- the sprayed on "anti-glare" coating.
It's very thin, and just about any contact at all with the surface of the display begins to wear down the coating.

Hence, the condition known as "StainGate".
You need to use extra care in handling the display -- don't touch the surface at all when opening/closing the lid.
Also, "clean" it as little as possible.
Just use a soft cloth the "dust away" particles on the surface (NO "pressure").
If something won't dislodge that way, use a moist cloth, and AS LITTLE PRESSURE as you can get away with. Then... dust dry.

Perhaps this may change with the new "Mini-LED" displays coming next year.
We'll just have to wait and see.
 

Marty_Macfly

macrumors 6502a
Apr 26, 2020
963
272
The retina screens don't have any "protection".
In fact, they have a great "vulnerability" -- the sprayed on "anti-glare" coating.
It's very thin, and just about any contact at all with the surface of the display begins to wear down the coating.

Hence, the condition known as "StainGate".
You need to use extra care in handling the display -- don't touch the surface at all when opening/closing the lid.
Also, "clean" it as little as possible.
Just use a soft cloth the "dust away" particles on the surface (NO "pressure").
If something won't dislodge that way, use a moist cloth, and AS LITTLE PRESSURE as you can get away with. Then... dust dry.

Perhaps this may change with the new "Mini-LED" displays coming next year.
We'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for the advice ?

ok, will keep using the iPad over breakfast, I get loads of splashes from that ?


never really thought about. The iPad and iPhone screens are really impressive in this regard


I’m a bit OCD with cleaning screens so will tone it down big time with my 1st MacBook
 

trevpimp

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2009
697
301
Inside A Mac Box
For some tips word of advice

The reasons why "Staingate" becomes an issue is when people touch the display with dirty hands then continuing to clean the screen with cleaners and sprays. Spray cleaners are necessary for the screen but Apple uses a special coating that if you use spray cleaners the screen becomes vulnerable of the coating going away and the staingate appears. I had a 15.4 inch computer for almost 3 years with no issues at all (If you make sure to clean your hands before touching your Mac and only using a lint free cloth to wipe the screen clear of residue. Don't use water or wipes. Keep the screen dry and use a cloth to keep clean. Also when your keyboard is dirty your screen will get dirty as well. So clean hands is the way to go.

cheers
 
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marcomar

macrumors newbie
Sep 5, 2014
6
2
For some tips word of advice

The reasons why "Staingate" becomes an issue is when people touch the display with dirty hands then continuing to clean the screen with cleaners and sprays. Spray cleaners are necessary for the screen but Apple uses a special coating that if you use spray cleaners the screen becomes vulnerable of the coating going away and the staingate appears. I had a 15.4 inch computer for almost 3 years with no issues at all (If you make sure to clean your hands before touching your Mac and only using a lint free cloth to wipe the screen clear of residue. Don't use water or wipes. Keep the screen dry and use a cloth to keep clean. Also when your keyboard is dirty your screen will get dirty as well. So clean hands is the way to go.

cheers
Sorry @trevpimp but that's not quite correct. I have both a 2014 MacBook Pro 15 and a 2016 MacBook Pro 15" and unfortunately the newer 2016 suffers from abrasion from the keys hitting the screen and it starts to deteriorate. I have never used cleaning agents or touched my screens because I hate my screens being dusty or dirty. I use a soft microfibre cloth to take the dust off and if it has any droplets of any kind I use a moist microfibre cloth and buff it off with a dry one. I have swapped the 2016 MacBook Pro screen twice already with defects due to abrasions on the keys and Apple Geniuses keep telling me not to press the cover in the carry bag too much. I have had MacBook Pros since the initial Intel machines and they either had the Matte LCD or the glass on top of the LCD. They never deteriorated because I don't believe they had any anti-reflecting film. The newer models since 2012 and the Retina Screens all have suffered from staingate. I came looking for answers whether the M1s suffer from the same issue.
 
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pictonic

macrumors newbie
Oct 26, 2013
20
6
England
Basically, laptop screens are fragile when compared with tablet screens, which are generally better quality too. I think only get a laptop if you cannot cope with on screen keyboard and, maybe, the lack of a normal filing system.
 
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