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Ipad Screen Protectors

W

wmcy

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 12, 2009
42
0
Charlotte, NC
I am surprised that Apple did not offer screen protectors as an one of the first accessories. Anyone aware of 3rd party offerings? Given the popularity of the iPhone protectors, I am sure many new iPad owners will want to add the protection right away.

Anyone heard anything?

Thanks.
 
I don't think any are out yet, but several companies have listed them (iLuv, Griffen, etc.)

Also there are the Invishield type products (Zagg, BSE, Phantomskinz).
 
I think screen protectors are overkill.

The new oleophobic coating is great! Just wipe and its good as new! I haven't had any trouble with scratches, if it did, it is not noticeable at all. Just use common sense (ie put iPhone in pocket with car keys).

I like how the screen feels in the buff, no screen protector, which just makes the screen feel plasticky. But different strokes for different folks.
 
The screen is pretty resilient, I had my original iPhone in the same pocket as my keys for a few months without the slightest scratch to the screen.
 
Screen protectors have always been overkill. Even on soft plastic screens.

The screen protector looks worse than 20 year old unprotected screen, so what is the point?
 
the ipad isn't going to be in your pocket or rattling around in a purse. There is no need for a screen protector in my opinion.
 
I love my Power Support anti-glare iPhone 3G protector. It fits perfectly, my only regret is that it's a bit pricey for what it is. I cannot even imagine how much it would be for the iPad. It would look stupid if it was slightly more expensive than the small version.
 
kernkraft said:
I love my Power Support anti-glare iPhone 3G protector. It fits perfectly, my only regret is that it's a bit pricey for what it is. I cannot even imagine how much it would be for the iPad. It would look stupid if it was slightly more expensive than the small version.
Click to expand...

So far other companies have not been pricing their iPad screen protectors much more than their normal ones. For example, Phantomskinz (similar to invishield) has their iPad full body coverage listed at $29.95 which is only $5 more than their iPhone 3GS kit of $24.95. Zagg has a difference of $10 for their version.
 
Bytor65 said:
Screen protectors have always been overkill. Even on soft plastic screens.

The screen protector looks worse than 20 year old unprotected screen, so what is the point?
Click to expand...

This is what I've never understood. For what reason are you protecting a screen? In order to keep it pristine, but degrading the image quality so that it looks like crap the whole time you own and use it? Makes no sense to me.

It's the same thing with these thick rubber protectors people put on smartphones. All this research and development go into designing a thin/light device, only to be bulked up by a thick, ugly protector.

Just be conscientious and you'll be fine.
 
I forgot to mention that the anti-glare protector makes touching the screen similar to using the unibody trackpad. On top of that, it makes a lot of difference in bright sunlight.
 
I was thinking of using sran wrap or that cling wrap from Glad. What do you guys think about something like that. I am kind of a cheapskate.

I figure I could cover it onto the iPad and then use a hot iron to seal it on there.
 
robotkiller said:
This is what I've never understood. For what reason are you protecting a screen? In order to keep it pristine, but degrading the image quality so that it looks like crap the whole time you own and use it? Makes no sense to me.

It's the same thing with these thick rubber protectors people put on smartphones. All this research and development go into designing a thin/light device, only to be bulked up by a thick, ugly protector.

Just be conscientious and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Not all screen protectors degrade image quality. Usually the ones that do are either cheap, or anti-glare. Anti-glare obviously has it advantageous, but will also result in a less crisper image quality.

With that said, there are several quality (non anti-glare) screen protectors that do not degrade image quality. In some cases you can't even tell they are even on.
 
jedolley said:
Not all screen protectors degrade image quality. Usually the ones that do are either cheap, or anti-glare. Anti-glare obviously has it advantageous, but will also result in a less crisper image quality.

With that said, there are several quality (non anti-glare) screen protectors that do not degrade image quality. In some cases you can't even tell they are even on.
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt I couldn't tell pure glass from glass with a home applied stick on piece of plastic.
 
Screen Protectors are overkill but I love being able to take off that protector when I have sold a few devices on eBay. Screen looks brand new still. :)
 
Bytor65 said:
Screen protectors have always been overkill. Even on soft plastic screens.

The screen protector looks worse than 20 year old unprotected screen, so what is the point?
Click to expand...

Have to disagree.

The good protectors are barely detectable. Everyone that's used my iPhone has been surprised when I point it out. The anti glare covers do affect the look of the screen but the crystal film is pretty much invisible if applied correctly.
 
NB here...

Has anyone used the protectors from BoxWave? I'm not connected in any way w/the company. Used their screen protectors on several devices (various cell phones, the Kindle (a few), etc) and thought they were great. FWIW, I ordered both their Crystal screen protector and their Flexiskin. We'll see how these work. Will post again once the IPAD & the BW stuff r here.
 
I'm getting one, not only for the basic screen protection (higher resale value later), but primarily for the anti-glare feature. I understand Apple wants to make everything with highly saturated colors, but the glare really gets to some people.

If I ever get a Macbook Pro or iMac, I'll get an anti-glare for that too - it's just too distracting (not to mention that you can't effectively color correct images on a glossy screen. That's one reason I got my Mac Pro with my choice of matte screen.)
 
DWIM said:
Has anyone used the protectors from BoxWave? I'm not connected in any way w/the company. Used their screen protectors on several devices (various cell phones, the Kindle (a few), etc) and thought they were great. FWIW, I ordered both their Crystal screen protector and their Flexiskin. We'll see how these work. Will post again once the IPAD & the BW stuff r here.
Click to expand...

Boxwave screen protectors are pretty good, but I think they are going to be overpriced compared to the competition ($25 for a single screen protector?). There other stuff is hit or miss. I got one of their Flexiskin for the Kindle and the fit was poor. A cheaper one off ebay was much better. I also tried there rubberized hard shell for the PSPGo and it had a flaw in the design. The fit was perfect, but the cut out for the USB charger port was too small and did not allow you to plug in the charger while the case was on.

Their customer service is decent, but slow. They only communicate via e-mail and will only send one e-mail every 24-48 hours.
 
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