I'm like you in a lot of ways. I wonder why Apple didn't make a bigger gap or other design choices to better protect the screen?
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Is a screen protector necessary for a MacBook Air?
- Thread starter lsquare
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No. There is not enough clearance. Not in the Air, nor the Pro. I had a 14" Pro which developed keyboard AND trackpad marks on the screen. As mentioned, even slight pressure on the lid can cause the screen to meet keyboard. The clearance is basically close to non-existent in these new devices.
So everyone in this thread thus far have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, or... they don't care or... they don't ever travel with their Macbooks being sandwiched in between 10 lbs of other stuffs.
Unfortunately, I do so very often and I had to put a screen protector on my 14" MBP to keep it from receiving even more damage. And I did so with my M2 15" Air as well when I got it to replace the 14" Pro.
Guess what? I just peeled the screen protector off after 1 year. Same issue: the screen protector had keyboard AND trackpad marks on it due to pressure on lid. Took the protector off and the screen was brand-spanking new again. I just applied a new protector and now I don't have to worry about damaging the screen for another year.
So definitely put a screen protector on.
This has been an issue ever since 2016. My 2015 Macbook Pro 15... almost 9 years later... has... ZERO MARKS on the screen despite being exposed to everything possible. The old Macbooks were built like tanks. These new ones are not just thin and flimsy but also the screens are no longer the same hard glass we were given way back then.
Having owned the MacBook Pro since release and many subsequent models have never seen the need for a screen protector. Have travelled the world in the Oil & Gas industry with good deal of weight in the bag. Only Mac that I've had any issue with was the 12" rMB as that has zero clearance. Save your $ and just buy a good quality sleeve for your travels...
Have doubts? Mac's are a lot tougher than many would think...
12" rMB survived this with ease, still runs but the battery is shot. 2020 MBP is still pristine, my other 13" Intel Mac has been dropped numerous times. It now rattles as something is loose inside as a direct result. It's SSD has mostly been at 90% of capacity for it's lifetime, yet it still boots up and runs with no issue.
Mac's are not on ThinkPad levels of durability, equally they are not the fragile flowers some would like to portray...
Q-6
Have doubts? Mac's are a lot tougher than many would think...
12" rMB survived this with ease, still runs but the battery is shot. 2020 MBP is still pristine, my other 13" Intel Mac has been dropped numerous times. It now rattles as something is loose inside as a direct result. It's SSD has mostly been at 90% of capacity for it's lifetime, yet it still boots up and runs with no issue.
Mac's are not on ThinkPad levels of durability, equally they are not the fragile flowers some would like to portray...
Q-6
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I mean, bad screen protectors do be bad feeling, but I never had one feeing like a condom unless it was plastic and filthy.
Or are you talking about using condoms isn’t a great feeling?
This. I was just comparing two things that are equally bad, not necessarily saying that they are literally the same.
True enough, but I'm a grazer - no full meals done at computer, but I might have a snack of fresh fruit, a chunk of cheese, maybe a cookie, or a glass of water or a coffee alongside. Potential sticky fingers also an excellent reason for a keyboard skin.If you need to eat or have a coffee thats natures way of telling you (or anybody else) to take a break from their computer
Same here, my 2010 MBP wobbled around on deck, got sprayed with salt water and was dropped, knocked and crushed. It was finally put out to pasture (as a Minecraft server for the offspring) eight years later, after outliving all the Panasonic Toughbooks.
I'm sort of surprised that Apple never bothered to develop an IP68 iPad and MacBook.
The ThinkPad's have always faired well. Panasonic ToughBooks to me are a mixed bag and their bulk is a big trade off. Biggest draw with the Mac is the battery life as even the Intel Mac's could fair a lot better than comparative PC's off the mains.
Learnt a long time ago if a portable is dead, it's just dead weight irrespective of spec. Needing deal with charging is just another factor in an already overly busy schedule, nor practical in some circumstance. I once squeezed just over 12 hours out of a 13" Intel MBP. It paid dividends way past the cost of the HW as client was appreciative of timely delivery at very short notice.
Have one of the ill fated 2011 15" MBP's as a media server. This one seems impervious to abuse, only time it's shutdown is when we move house. Ironically I held on to it as they are known to be problematic and didn't want to pass it on. Over 12-1/2 years on it's still good as ever. Still a stock machine, nor ever clean installed. More seriously many did fail why this one hasn't, no idea as it's been well & truly abused...
Q-6
Or… we just wipe those non-permanent marks off with some isopropyl on a high-quality microfiber cloth?
In decades of laptop ownership and use, I have never used a laptop screen protector. Phones yes..of course.
As someone posted that we don’t know what we are talking about, maybe you need to reconsider your travel strategy and protect the laptop a little better. Use a bigger bag, use a padded section or generally be more careful.
R
As someone posted that we don’t know what we are talking about, maybe you need to reconsider your travel strategy and protect the laptop a little better. Use a bigger bag, use a padded section or generally be more careful.
R
The marks are permanent. I still have receipts from Apple having replaced displays since 2016 because of this issue.
You're basically suggesting that I keep my Macbook on its own, absolutely away from everything else. Or just get a bigger bag to leave more room for stuffs.
That's doable as well. But that means I'm adding at least 1-2lbs to my travel gears. I did try that, too. That's how I know exactly how much weight is added. And any bumps will still cause the screen to hit the keyboard by the way. It's inevitable.
For me, I prefer not to do that when a super thin screen protector solves the issue and allows me to get away with having less weight overall.
It may be a unique issue but again... try traveling with 10lbs of other stuff (specifically: camera gears, clothes, essentials) in the same backpack as the Macbook on a regular basis and the issue will show up after a mere 2 weeks. You can wipe it all off the first 5-6 times you see the marks. After that? Micro scratches will show up on the screen (just use your phone or a flash light to shine the screen), and then eventually, the marks will indent on the glass (specifically, not the glass but the anti-glare layer) and then they will stick there. Forever.
Yes, I have been through this many times for years even up until now on the M2 15" Macbook Air.
Maybe people don't care enough. Some micro scratches shouldn't bother anyone. But I just prefer not to have to worry about it at all. I don't want to have to "baby" my Macbook. It's not a special piece of gear that requires special handling.