iPad Pro Struggling with the screen protector and Apple Pencil

[marlonapp]

I’m really at a crossroads on what to do. I got a screen protector obviously to protect my expensive investment. However, the feel of writing with the Pencil has been ruined. I noticed how slippery it was immediately and it still doesn’t feel as good as when the protector was off. I recently replaced the screen protector, and while it was off, decided to test it again. It felt so much more natural to write on the pad and my handwriting was clearly much neater.

My question is this: how risky is it for me to take the protector off? Obviously I’m looking to avoid scratches and cracks, but how durable is the screen against it? Should I not even risk it? Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[ManyThreads]

I have this screen protector from Sparin, I find it to be very high quality and I notice zero difference before or after the install with the pencil. Obviously pencil feel is subjective and YMMV:

https://www.amazon.com/iPad-Pro-10-...F8&qid=1498495571&sr=8-1&keywords=sparin+10.5

One tiny piece of sand/dust/grit on the end of that pencil and you have a scratch on your screen, especially with applications demanding significant pressure. One little piece of debris stuck on the inside microfiber cover if you use a case, and you have a scratch. I'd rather not be constantly stressed out about that, or permanently damage my $1000 tablet. I've run into a lot of people who say they don't have scratches, and when you hold it up to the light, the device is covered in them, they just can't be felt by a fingernail or seen when the screen is on - up to you how much something like that would bother you.

Finally, looking at the 10.5" Pro's at the Apple store after only one day on display, they are absolutely covered in scratches, some that can be felt with the fingernail. I realize that is a worst-case scenario, but still a data point.

 

[FrankySavvy]

I just got my 10.5" iPad and already have a scratch, like the poster above stated, it isn't the Apple Pencil that necessarily scratches but any little grit that gets on there, forget it, I am going to Apple to see if they will do anything about it. Not sure if I want a screen protector either, just need to clean the screen on the daily.

 

[ManyThreads]

I just got my 10.5" iPad and already have a scratch, like the poster above stated, it isn't the Apple Pencil that necessarily scratches but any little grit that gets on there, forget it, I am going to Apple to see if they will do anything about it. Not sure if I want a screen protector either, just need to clean the screen on the daily.

Just to elaborate on your last point, cleaning the screen is another time a lot of people get scratches. If there is any foreign material in your cleaning cloth, you run the risk of scratching the screen every time you clean it, especially with how vigorously a lot of people clean to get rid of greasy finger prints. I use quality microfiber cloths for a lot of other applications, and they pick up EVERYTHING, including things you don't want them to. Your best bet is probably those smoother microfibers like the ones used for cleaning eyeglasses to minimize the chance something damaging is caught in the fibers.

I am reminded of the last time I installed an inexpensive screen protector on a different device. After the install, I gave the protector a good scrub down with the included microfiber cleaning cloth, held it up to the light to check, and it looked like the clear coat on a 20 year old black car in bright sunlight. Totally ruined. Now, the bare screen would have probably held up better, but it makes you think twice.

And yes I am super anal about keeping my stuff in perfect shape if that wasn't obvious

 

[sracer]

I’m really at a crossroads on what to do. I got a screen protector obviously to protect my expensive investment. However, the feel of writing with the Pencil has been ruined. I noticed how slippery it was immediately and it still doesn’t feel as good as when the protector was off. I recently replaced the screen protector, and while it was off, decided to test it again. It felt so much more natural to write on the pad and my handwriting was clearly much neater.

My question is this: how risky is it for me to take the protector off? Obviously I’m looking to avoid scratches and cracks, but how durable is the screen against it? Should I not even risk it? Any feedback is appreciated.

A lot of it depends upon the environment in which you'll use the pencil. In typical home/office scenarios, there is very little risk. I've used styli on my iPads since the early days of the iPad 1, without screen protectors, and have never scratched the screen.

The root cause for scratches on the screen using styli are due to a small piece of grit embedding itself into the contact point of the stylus... or grit finding its way onto the screen itself and then the stylus sitting upon it and moving it as one slides the stylus over the screen.

The Apple Pencil is probably LESS likely to catch a piece of grit than those fat rubber-tipped capacitive styli since grit can embed itself into the rubber than the fine point of the Pencil.

I've been using the Pencil on my unprotected iPad Pro for 15 months. No scratches. But I do keep a microfiber cloth handy due to the screens ability to attract and show finger smudges.

 

[movieator]

I've never had a screen protector on any of my iPhones, never had an issue once, and I don't plan on having one on my first iPad (10.5 Pro SG Wifi/LTE).
I got AppleCare+ for this one, so if the screen does get scratched, I'm covered twice in the next two years.

 

[seadragon]

Just throwing this out there, but having scratches on the screen really isn't the end of the world. My phones and tablets have scratches, but they cannot be seen when using the screen. I know some people want to keep their devices in perfect condition, so this advice may not matter. But I don't mind scratches as I view it strictly as a tool and they don't interfere with its use. Just my 2 cents and opinion.

 

[MrGimper]

I've never had a screen protector on any of my iPhones, never had an issue once, and I don't plan on having one on my first iPad (10.5 Pro SG Wifi/LTE).
I got AppleCare+ for this one, so if the screen does get scratched, I'm covered twice in the next two years.

I'm in the UK and have been told a number of times that screen scratches aren't covered by AC+... it's considered "wear and tear".

 

[spiderman0616]

I keep my iPads VERY clean and still managed to scratch my 9.7" iPad Pro while using the Pencil. Like someone else said, it's not the Pencil itself that scratches the iPad, it's the grit that gets caught in between the Pencil and the screen. So when I got my 10.5" model, I put a protector on there immediately. I know it makes things a bit more slippery, but it's a price I'm willing to pay. Scratches drive me crazy.

 

[movieator]

I'm in the UK and have been told a number of times that screen scratches aren't covered by AC+... it's considered "wear and tear".

I'm still not worried. I'm very carefull, but it's meant to be used and not kept behind hermetically sealed glass.
Besides, wouldn't scratched be considered accidental damage? I mean, just pay the fee and go, right?

 

[augustya]

I'm in the UK and have been told a number of times that screen scratches aren't covered by AC+... it's considered "wear and tear".

I was just gonna ask this does Apple Care covers replacing the iPad Screen also ?

 

[movieator]

I was just gonna ask this does Apple Care covers replacing the iPad Screen also ?

One of us will find out soon enough, I'm sure.

 

[ManyThreads]

Just throwing this out there, but having scratches on the screen really isn't the end of the world. My phones and tablets have scratches, but they cannot be seen when using the screen. I know some people want to keep their devices in perfect condition, so this advice may not matter. But I don't mind scratches as I view it strictly as a tool and they don't interfere with its use. Just my 2 cents and opinion.

It mostly matters for resale. If you keep it until it breaks, then it's not as big of a deal. If you sell it every 1-2 years to upgrade to the latest & greatest like so many people do, a damaged screen is one of the worst things you can have for resale value.

 

[sracer]

Just throwing this out there, but having scratches on the screen really isn't the end of the world. My phones and tablets have scratches, but they cannot be seen when using the screen. I know some people want to keep their devices in perfect condition, so this advice may not matter. But I don't mind scratches as I view it strictly as a tool and they don't interfere with its use. Just my 2 cents and opinion.

I'm still not worried. I'm very carefull, but it's meant to be used and not kept behind hermetically sealed glass.
Besides, wouldn't scratched be considered accidental damage? I mean, just pay the fee and go, right?

There is only one response to you both...

 

[seadragon]

It mostly matters for resale. If you keep it until it breaks, then it's not as big of a deal. If you sell it every 1-2 years to upgrade to the latest & greatest like so many people do, a damaged screen is one of the worst things you can have for resale value.

Yeah, I look at it like vehicles, which are way more expensive. Scratches will happen and I just don't worry about them. Now a broken screen is much different of course.

 

[Suckfest 9001]

rofl, im so glad im not as ocd as some of these people

"when you hold it up to the light"
yeah because that's totally how i use my ipad, especially when i forget its not a gameboy and actually has a built in backlight

 

[aevan]

I’m really at a crossroads on what to do. I got a screen protector obviously to protect my expensive investment. However, the feel of writing with the Pencil has been ruined. I noticed how slippery it was immediately and it still doesn’t feel as good as when the protector was off. I recently replaced the screen protector, and while it was off, decided to test it again. It felt so much more natural to write on the pad and my handwriting was clearly much neater.

My question is this: how risky is it for me to take the protector off? Obviously I’m looking to avoid scratches and cracks, but how durable is the screen against it? Should I not even risk it? Any feedback is appreciated.

1. I asked a similar question and everyone agrees that it's not that risky. Take care of your iPad and you'll be fine without a protector.
2. A good screen protector can, actually, make the feel of Pencil even better than without, but you need a matte screen protector which will make the image slightly less sharp (like any matte screen, really). I recommend Photodon MXH 25% screen protectors because they offer best Pencil grip with minimum matte surface.

 

[movieator]

There is only one response to you both...

This made me almost spit up coffee.

Also, like yourself, I keep three different microfiber cloths in my bag and always give my screen a quick dusting when I use it.
Also, iKlear FTW.

 

[sracer]

This made me almost spit up coffee.

Also, like yourself, I keep three different microfiber cloths in my bag and always give my screen a quick dusting when I use it.
Also, iKlear FTW.

I'm with the both of you on this. Common sense and let the device be your slave, and not be a slave to the device. Thanks for the tip on iKlear.

 

[FrankySavvy]

i dont even bring my iPad anywhere, it has stayed at home. I have no idea what could have gotten on the glass that would scratch! Debating the matte screen protector, but I hate how the display looks with a screen protector on it

 

[eoblaed]

I've never had a screen protector on any of my iPhones, never had an issue once, and I don't plan on having one on my first iPad (10.5 Pro SG Wifi/LTE).
I got AppleCare+ for this one, so if the screen does get scratched, I'm covered twice in the next two years.

Yeah. I've never used a screen protector and to the best of my knowledge, I've never experienced a scratch. Then again, I rather baby my devices, whether it's my iPhone or my iPad (just recently upgraded from the original 12.9" iPP to the new 12.9" iPP).

To me, a screen protector would just get in the way of my interaction with the device.

 

[SinkOrSwim]

I am thinking about getting the 10.5 iPad Pro with a matte screen protector. Any other users who has a matte screen protector? Thoughts about it?

 

[LibbyLA]

I am thinking about getting the 10.5 iPad Pro with a matte screen protector. Any other users who has a matte screen protector? Thoughts about it?

I have the iCarez one and love it, but I'm accustomed to the look of matte screen protectors because I have used them on almost every color device I've had in the last 10 or 15 years (and I have middle-aged eyes). I love the feel of the screen with the screen protector and also love not seeing every dratted fingerprint. The screen protector has the feel of nice paper so finger-scrolling is a real pleasure.

 

[augustya]

Yeah. I've never used a screen protector and to the best of my knowledge, I've never experienced a scratch. Then again, I rather baby my devices, whether it's my iPhone or my iPad (just recently upgraded from the original 12.9" iPP to the new 12.9" iPP).

To me, a screen protector would just get in the way of my interaction with the device.

And a lot of people here still feel that a screen protector makes no difference in the feel of using the iPad !

 

[ABC5S]

Very expensive Apple products + screen protectors = Peace of mind