Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Venkat07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2018
12
4
I am looking for protection for my MacBook, ideally a skin instead of a ultra clear protector. Do not hold much idea or opinion about these 3m made skins. Chanced upon GadgetShieldz skins for macbook and loved the textures especially the ebony wood and black carbon fiber. Are the skins really better than protectors? No doubt they are to give stylish look the mac. I'd need some help if skins work well for my macbook 13 inch 2016-18 - touch bar. This is where I found those skins.
https://www.gadgetshieldz.com/macbook-skins/
 

leman

macrumors Core
Oct 14, 2008
19,528
19,694
What is it that you want to achieve by using a skin or a protector? My experience with skins, especially cheaper ones, is that they increase the chance of scratching the laptop since users tend to apply them carelessly and hard abrasive objects can be trapped between the metal and the skin. An expensive skin, applied properly, will offer good degree of scratch protection, but still very little bump/schock protection. In my opinion, the best option is to use a neoprene sleeve for transportation (your laptop is most likely to get scratched and bumped in your bag) and otherwise just go naked during use :)
 

danieldavis3924

macrumors member
Jun 9, 2015
40
9
I am looking for protection for my MacBook, ideally a skin instead of a ultra clear protector. Do not hold much idea or opinion about these 3m made skins. Chanced upon GadgetShieldz skins for macbook and loved the textures especially the ebony wood and black carbon fiber. Are the skins really better than protectors? No doubt they are to give stylish look the mac. I'd need some help if skins work well for my macbook 13 inch 2016-18 - touch bar. This is where I found those skins.
https://www.gadgetshieldz.com/macbook-skins/

I’ve applied one once to my MacBook. I think it lasted about 2 months before the edges started peeling, and I ripped the whole thing off.

I’ve replaced it with a plastic clip on case. They offer much more protection, and you can take them off for cleaning.
 

DeanPSN

macrumors 6502
May 21, 2018
284
215
Dublin, Ireland
I’ve applied one once to my MacBook. I think it lasted about 2 months before the edges started peeling, and I ripped the whole thing off.

I’ve replaced it with a plastic clip on case. They offer much more protection, and you can take them off for cleaning.

I don't know what brand of skins you applied, but any decent skin won't peel off on its own. I had dbrand skins for years on various macbooks and never peeled on its own.
They were actually pain in the ass to remove, as the adhesive is very strong, but didn't leave any residue.

The plastic clip on case you mentioned is actually the one that will cause scratches over time and there are quite few threads on this subject.
 

jakespeed

macrumors member
Jul 22, 2002
90
71
Skins, assuming you get a high quality one, do a great job of protecting from day to day scratches and give much better grip. They do not help with edges at all so you will still be able to pick up the accessional ding / nick on the sides. For me, its all about grip as I don't get a lot of dents / dings on my MacBooks.

I have had good luck with DBrand, Slickwraps and BestSkinsEver. None peeled and all use high quality 3M materials. They all tend to run sales so watch for that so you don't over pay.
 

Gamer-Dad

macrumors regular
Aug 11, 2018
159
142
Pasadena MD USA
I had no problems with ColorWare nor DesignSkinz. I do not recommend using the snap on plastic covers as it will trap debris and scratch your laptop. The 2 ColorWare's that I had to remove was like removing a glued on protector, but did not leave any residue. Great protection and looks really good.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
I have a dbrand skin on my laptop and I'm happy with the quality of that skin. I cannot comment on other makers, but in my investigation, I found dbrand's selection, price and quality to the best. I'm not saying the other skins are inferior but I felt I was getting a good product with dbrand

Overall, it offers a level of protection from nicks, dings and scratches which is what I was looking for.
 

Paul bakker

macrumors newbie
Nov 24, 2018
11
0
I am looking for protection for my MacBook, ideally a skin instead of a ultra clear protector. Do not hold much idea or opinion about these 3m made skins. Chanced upon GadgetShieldz skins for macbook and loved the textures especially the ebony wood and black carbon fiber. Are the skins really better than protectors? No doubt they are to give stylish look the mac. I'd need some help if skins work well for my macbook 13 inch 2016-18 - touch bar. This is where I found those skins.
https://www.gadgetshieldz.com/macbook-skins/
Yes you can certainly go for GadgetShieldz. Their Product is the best when it comes to precision and fit, and texture quality will be also good. GadgetShieldz price is also very reasonable.
 

pallymore

macrumors regular
Sep 24, 2013
209
270
Boston, MA
I have a dbrand skin on mine. Application might take some patience and it only provides light scratch protection. However my main reason for putting on a skin is the aesthetics.

I used to own a 15inch rMBP and bought a Speck protection case. I ended up throwing the case away just a few weeks later because it makes the laptop really bulky (and kinda ugly).
I'd say getting a nice laptop bag or sleeve is probably much better choice comparing to cases.
 

likegadgets

macrumors 6502a
Jul 22, 2008
785
355
US
I have had best skins ever on several MBP and iPads with great results. When I sell the older equipment I easily remove the skins and the devices look as new. (No drops and no abuse)
 

Venkat07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2018
12
4
Guys, thanks for all your suggestions
I bought the GadgetShieldz skin instead of dbrand. To be frank the skins were extremely good and the texture feels solid. The authentic 3M quality skins came with an aggressive price tag, so settled with Gadgetshieldz.
https://www.gadgetshieldz.com/macbook-pro-13-inch-touch-bar-skins-decals-wraps.html

IMG-20181218-142542-Black.jpg


IMG-20181218-142404-Black.jpg


IMG-20181218-142722-Black.jpg
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
A little late to the party, but I got dbrand for my MBP and was happy with the look and feel of it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Venkat07

SDColorado

macrumors 601
Nov 6, 2011
4,360
4,324
Highlands Ranch, CO
Guys, thanks for all your suggestions
I bought the GadgetShieldz skin instead of dbrand. To be frank the skins were extremely good and the texture feels solid. The authentic 3M quality skins came with an aggressive price tag, so settled with Gadgetshieldz.
https://www.gadgetshieldz.com/macbook-pro-13-inch-touch-bar-skins-decals-wraps.html


Is that actually your machine in the photos? If so excellent job with the installation. I tend to avoid those skins because the couple of times I have tried, have proven that I am *really* bad at installing them. REALLY bad.
 

Venkat07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2018
12
4
Is that actually your machine in the photos? If so excellent job with the installation. I tend to avoid those skins because the couple of times I have tried, have proven that I am *really* bad at installing them. REALLY bad.

Yes it my Mac. It’s not that difficult to apply a MacBook skin, all we need is some patience. I got this skins applied after referring to the gadgetshieldz YouTube channel and ultimately the output came out good.
[doublepost=1548241179][/doublepost]
Just don't try and buy from slickwraps. They will take weeks to "process" your order, and won't respond to inquiries. They are notoriously terrible at delivery and customer service.

Also they try and stack review websites with fake reviews. This is their trustpilot profile, and they just had about 160 reviews removed for being fraudulent.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/slickwraps.com
Yup, it has been ages after I made an order on slickwraps.
 

SDColorado

macrumors 601
Nov 6, 2011
4,360
4,324
Highlands Ranch, CO
Yes it my Mac. It’s not that difficult to apply a MacBook skin, all we need is some patience. I got this skins applied after referring to the gadgetshieldz YouTube channel and ultimately the output came out good.
[doublepost=1548241179][/doublepost]
Yup, it has been ages after I made an order on slickwraps.

The couple of times I tried they looked terrible, had bubbled, got stretched and misshapen. I ended up leaving just the bottom parts on. Apparently I am just particularly bad at it :)
 

trillionaire

macrumors regular
Dec 19, 2018
248
163
Canada
I always thought skins are just for looks. I doubt they give much protection, though it is something that covers parts of your MacBook, so I guess it should prevent scratches. I have a few friends that have skins and they seem to like them for their design. I don't think they purchased them with protection in mind though.
 

SDColorado

macrumors 601
Nov 6, 2011
4,360
4,324
Highlands Ranch, CO
I always thought skins are just for looks. I doubt they give much protection, though it is something that covers parts of your MacBook, so I guess it should prevent scratches. I have a few friends that have skins and they seem to like them for their design. I don't think they purchased them with protection in mind though.

Scratches are mostly what is going to prevent, which is why I stick with the bottom skins, even if I can't put them on well to save my life. That is usually where I pick up scratches. Podiums, tables, etc.

The top pieces I think are mostly for aesthetics, but I they can also prevent scratches from zippers in bags/sleeves and the like.
 

Venkat07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2018
12
4
I always thought skins are just for looks. I doubt they give much protection, though it is something that covers parts of your MacBook, so I guess it should prevent scratches. I have a few friends that have skins and they seem to like them for their design. I don't think they purchased them with protection in mind though.
They protect from scratches and mostly people go for skin because of their looks and to maintain their sleek look.
 

Donnation

Suspended
Nov 2, 2014
1,686
2,083
Just don't try and buy from slickwraps. They will take weeks to "process" your order, and won't respond to inquiries. They are notoriously terrible at delivery and customer service.

Also they try and stack review websites with fake reviews. This is their trustpilot profile, and they just had about 160 reviews removed for being fraudulent.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/slickwraps.com

I couldn't agree more. The experience I had with them was terrible and some of the rudest people to deal with.
[doublepost=1549711260][/doublepost]I like the clear skins from bestskinsever. They last seemingly forever and I put them on all my devices. Its a wet install so if you are uncomfortable doing that then I would avoid.
 

vaugha

macrumors 6502a
Nov 3, 2011
611
206
My 2012 rmbp is almost 7 years old now and the wear and tear on the laptop is conspicuous. If I had put it on a skin, it should have held much better. But when I first got it, I loved the look of it and used it naked everywhere.

Over the years I lugged it around rooms and in and out of tight corners, I nicked the edges a couple of times and scratched the bottom dragging it across a table and so on. I bought a sleeve w/ the laptop but I used it for the first year only. Putting it in, closing the zipper, opening the zipper, taking it out and repeat have grown cumbersome over the years. I just want to take it on the go w/o having to go through all the pre-job briefs.

I'd never put my macbook on a case due to additional weight stress on the hinges but I find skins to be a viable option which respect the look or engineering decisions of such a beautiful laptop.
 

Venkat07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2018
12
4
My 2012 rmbp is almost 7 years old now and the wear and tear on the laptop is conspicuous. If I had put it on a skin, it should have held much better. But when I first got it, I loved the look of it and used it naked everywhere.

Over the years I lugged it around rooms and in and out of tight corners, I nicked the edges a couple of times and scratched the bottom dragging it across a table and so on. I bought a sleeve w/ the laptop but I used it for the first year only. Putting it in, closing the zipper, opening the zipper, taking it out and repeat have grown cumbersome over the years. I just want to take it on the go w/o having to go through all the pre-job briefs.

I'd never put my macbook on a case due to additional weight stress on the hinges but I find skins to be a viable option which respect the look or engineering decisions of such a beautiful laptop.

That's review tells how much you love your laptop:):apple:
 

mar58

macrumors member
Sep 19, 2017
43
38
Another great skin option, that I haven't seen mentioned, is iCarbons. Have them on all my lap tops and never had any problem whatsoever with peeling. Just use a hair dryer to warm and finish off the corners. Very nice, heavy, 3M vinyl that comes off without any residual residue.
 

Venkat07

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 31, 2018
12
4
Another great skin option, that I haven't seen mentioned, is iCarbons. Have them on all my lap tops and never had any problem whatsoever with peeling. Just use a hair dryer to warm and finish off the corners. Very nice, heavy, 3M vinyl that comes off without any residual residue.

Its looks like an small brand but looks decent anyways thanks.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.