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Screen protectors aren't necessary = my iPad scratch test.

DannyNguyener

DannyNguyener

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 13, 2010
117
0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkXlriABfOo

I'm sure many of you guys have seen the "Iphone Stress Test" above. I went with my iphone for a year without any protection. While I accumulated scratches on the back, the front screen is scratchless. I keep keys, coins, and etc. in my pocket as well.

That brings me to my question. After a week of normal usage with my new unprotected Ipad, I've yet to have a single scratch on the screen. In fact, I even purposely scratched it with the sharpest kitchen knife I could find. No damage. I'd record a video if my SLR offered video.

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I tried keys, coins, knifes, anything I could find to scratch the screen. Nothing. Kind of like the glass on Movado Watches.




Don't get me wrong. I love my iPad. But I love it for what it is, the natural look and feel, that a case, or screen protector would take away from it. Share your thoughts below.
 
All I can tell you is that my iPad has a scratch on it - happened before I got a chance to get my screen protector. I bought a cheap $1 screen protector on eBay. It doesn't provide anti-glare or anything else but it does protect my screen. Oh, and it doesn't blur the screen - at least not that's noticeable to me. So, for me it's a no brainer and 1000 "scratch tests" won't change my mind. I also have clear TPU case / skin that add doesn't take away from the looks and in fact the iPad feels better in my hand with it on and is much easier to grip - particularly with one hand. Add to that the fact that the edges and corners are protected enough to withstand a short fall/drop and again, it's a no brainer for me. To each his own of course.

With my iPhone, I feel a little differently - I like the feel of it with no case so that's how I use it at home but when I am out and about, it's in a case to protect from falls. I try to keep a screen protector on it as well, but have been inconsistent and as a result - it has some scratches.
 
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Yeah screen protectors definitely aren't necessary, unless you don't want constant finger prints and glare.
 
I was rubbing a piece of plastic on my screen accidentally and it definitely left a permanent mark.

It's definitely not scratch proof.
 
DannyNguyener said:
I tried keys, coins, knifes, anything I could find to scratch the screen. Nothing. Kind of like the glass on Movado Watches.
Click to expand...

Nothing specific to Movado, BTW. Decent watches use sapphire crystals, not glass. Sapphire is significantly harder than glass.

My iPad has some small scratches on the screen already that got there prior to installing a shield. So, everyone should take this advice with a grain of... well, actually, without a grain of anything, until that screen is protected!
 
DannyNguyener said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkXlriABfOo

I'm sure many of you guys have seen the "Iphone Stress Test" above. I went with my iphone for a year without any protection. While I accumulated scratches on the back, the front screen is scratchless. I keep keys, coins, and etc. in my pocket as well.

That brings me to my question. After a week of normal usage with my new unprotected Ipad, I've yet to have a single scratch on the screen. In fact, I even purposely scratched it with the sharpest kitchen knife I could find. No damage. I'd record a video if my SLR offered video.


I tried keys, coins, knifes, anything I could find to scratch the screen. Nothing. Kind of like the glass on Movado Watches.


Don't get me wrong. I love my iPad. But I love it for what it is, the natural look and feel, that a case, or screen protector would take away from it. Share your thoughts below.
Click to expand...

I've had my iPad since launch day and I have two small scratches on the glass already. My kids play/watch movies on it occasionally and even though it does thend to get smudged when they use they sit still in the couch while using it so my guess is that it's stuff caught on the inside of the Apple case that creates these scratches

Although I have always kept my 3G and 3GS in pocket with coins and keys they have never gotten scratched so the glass using on the iPad differs... surely

If you're really anal about keeping your screen scratch free I would suggest protecting it.
 
There is no such thing as "scratch proof" but the iPad screen has a thick treated glass coating that will pretty much take anything you put against it, except for other materials that are harder or equal to it. This means cetain kinds of sharp plastic, the right piece of glass, and grains of sand are really bad too. For most people they will never see a scratch on their iPad screen. That won't stop it from happening for some people, and a simple matter of bad luck can always happen.

Some people feel safer with a screen protector, which can certainly add an extra layer of protection (again there is no such thing as scratch proof) personally I am still waiting for the right one to come along, the Powersupport comes close, but it is way overpriced for me at the moment.
 
my ipad has been naked since day 1 and fairly abused on a daily basis, not a single scratch on the screen. Even the back has fared very well. These things are built like tanks.
 
It is different strokes for different folks.... why must everyone insist on forcing their opinions upon everyone else? :confused:
-If you feel the need to use a screen protector for peace of mind, then use one!
-If you don't want to use one, then don't. It is called freedom of choice.

Also, to those who try to tell people that iPad/iPhone screens don't scratch -that is your opinion. I know for a fact that you are wrong. I'm speaking as someone who treats his iPhone like a baby but who has seen his screen scratch. ;)
 
I have seen hundreds oh iphones with screen scratches, if yours didn't get scratched, consider yourself lucky. The iPad may be a different story. It doesn't go in a pocket with loose change and keys everyday, it might not need a screen protector.

I'm looking for a security one though for mine. Damn are they expensive.
 
I don't understand these people that need screen protectors. iPhone, no scratches, my iPod touch, no scratches, and now my iPad, no scratches. I don't keep cases on any of my electronics but they manage to stay clean and scratch free. Its a shame Fischer Price doesn't make electronics for some of these people. Take care of your stuff and it won't scratch. Simple as that.
 
Having had an iphone 3g for a couple of years I abuse the living crap out of it. It regularly finds its way into my pocket with keys, mint boxes, etc etc, and it's used regularly in the gym where it gets thrown around a ton as I listen to music and document my workouts. I've never used a screen protector or any kind of case. I have zero scratches on my screen, there are some swirl marks on the black back of the iphone though. I also stressed in the beginning, but these are tough little suckers.

My ipad seems more exposed though, so I put it in an apple case. I worry zero about the screen, based on my past experience with my iphone. But I cannot see how someone can use their ipad naked without a case. Besides being extremely slippery, I just couldn't see putting it down on a rough surface. With the case I don't have to worry about any of those scenarios, and the screen is nice and protected without having some cheap looking screen protector lowering the color/brightness and making it blurry and having it lose the nice glass feeling under my fingertips. The only thing I'll give to the screen protectors is getting rid of the awful glare in sunlight, it looks much better in sunlight with a protector but inside looks better, IMO, without a screen protector.
 
I agree with the original poster in that, I like my devices for all that they are, in there naked glory how they are intended. I dont want to wrap up the ipad in tacky covers and screen protectors and I wish I wouldnt need to make that decision, I wish I dont have to think about protectors for the back, or extra grip or peace of mind for the screen, but there is a part of me that does think about it.
 
RHatton said:
I don't understand these people that need screen protectors....Take care of your stuff and it won't scratch. Simple as that.
Click to expand...

Pretty simple really, we're all human and it only take a small mistake to scratch an iPhone. I'm not sure what is so difficult to understand.
 
aperry said:
Pretty simple really, we're all human and it only take a small mistake to scratch an iPhone. I'm not sure what is so difficult to understand.
Click to expand...

yep you could be carefull all year, dont put keys in your pocket with the phone, keep it in a case and so forth and then 1 day, the week you decide to take off the screenprotector, as it was getting a bit tatty, a split second of lapse in concentration, it slips out of your hand. lands face first onto concrete and puts a small dent/scuff on the screen and your forever reminded of it everytime you look at your phone. .........yes it happend to me :(
 
I find the fingerprints, smudges and the glassy reflections ruin the sleek look and useability of the ipad. My PS antiglare screen is going on soon after my 3G gets here. Protection from scratches is secondary.

but putting a knife to it to prove a very debatable point is crazy. glass can scratch. esp glass that is handled, touched by bejewelered hands, constantly being wiped, and used outside where sand, dust, and dirt is landing on it.
 
What exactly is considered a "scratch"? I think those who go without screen protectors actually do have permanent marks on their screen but perhaps don't have the eye for detail that some have.

For example, any permanant mark on a screen that I cannot wipe away is a scratch--to me. However, other people's screens may be covered by such marks but it doesn't matter to them because they aren't noticed. Therefore, they still consider their screens scratch free.

I scratched my iPhone screen once and it was lightly visible when I watched videos or had the browser open. I don't know if many would consider that a scratch, but I know for a fact that these screens will eventually get permanant marks on them with normal use. That might not matter to some though.
 
aperry said:
Pretty simple really, we're all human and it only take a small mistake to scratch an iPhone. I'm not sure what is so difficult to understand.
Click to expand...

This is iPad forum, won't be putting one of those in your pocket.

Anyway, I use my iPad and when I'm done I, and this is the tricky pary, set it down.

Not sure how scratches can occur by using my method ;). Why would I spend 800 bucks to just toss it around and treat it like crap.

Each is own I guess.
 
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