Thoughts on DBrand Skins for MacBooks...Worth it?

[Black Magic]

I'm currently considering getting a DBrand Skin for my 14" MacBook Pro and I am in the discovery phase. I've see some reviews out there where DBrand customer service is snarky and horrible. I've also heard the installation process is complex although I haven't taken the time to watch the install video yet. I'm curious as to the thoughts and experiences this community has with DBrand and any other skin providers. Please advise.

 

[smithdr]

The installation is not difficult. What is difficult is that DBrand has zero relief from the edges and requires perfect placement. Perfect placement is not possible and you may have to trim some material off the skin off the edges.

I am not a fan of DBrand skins. Previous manufactures generally designed in a little relief. However, there are very few of these guys left. Some of the new brands may be worse than DBrand.

We need some new skin manufacturers who know how to properly design a skin, because DBrand does not know how to design a skin!

 

[maflynn]

I've used dbrand skins in the past and found them to be the best. Both in terms of quality of the product, but also form and fit. The customer service has been very good as well

I recommend them over anyone else. If I were to gripe on the company, I wish we had some newer color selection. We see how popular the midnight blue is of the MBA, why not have something similar, not just that single color but maybe a palette of colors along that theme.

 

[Aggedor]

I used a dbrand skin on a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon, and it was great (that machine was a real fingerprint magnet). It was also completely impossible to remove when I went to sell the machine, so I left it on.

 

[tmoerel]

Honestly.....wrapping a computer size heat sink (your MBP's aluminium body) is not great for thermal management!

 

[robotica]

If you are installing I would advise sticking the logo in the middle first then work out to the edges. They are a complete PITA to install but look good once they are on.

Edit- I just wrap the lid/monitor as I like to put stuff on there like my phone when it’s closed.

 

[astorre]

Honestly.....wrapping a computer size heat sink (your MBP's aluminium body) is not great for thermal management!

it has exactly 0.00001% effect on thermal management

 

[maflynn]

Honestly.....wrapping a computer size heat sink (your MBP's aluminium body) is not great for thermal management!

That's simply not true at all.

Here's a video of a Razer laptop whose case gets very hot to use, unlike the MBP, whose case stays much much cooler. and the results are that it as no discernable effect

 

[tmoerel]

That's simply not true at all.

Here's a video of a Razer laptop whose case gets very hot to use, unlike the MBP, whose case stays much much cooler. and the results are that it as no discernable effect

That is a test with a plastic cased laptop. That is already covered in heat insulating plastic. Macs on the other hand are metal and thus much better thermal radiators. Covering metal with plastic will add a thermal insulation layer.

 

[maflynn]

hat is a test with a plastic cased laptop. That is already covered in heat insulating plastic. Macs on the other hand are metal and thus much better thermal radiators. Covering metal with plastic will add a thermal insulation layer.

Fair enough.

Please provide the evidence to back up your claims. I googled this and came up with that YT, and also other links supporting the supposition that it has no impact. If you have data to refute that I would like to see it

 

[Madhatter32]

If you want to wrap your Mac, DBrand is a very good option. Personally, I like my devices naked.

 

[tmoerel]

Fair enough.

Please provide the evidence to back up your claims. I googled this and came up with that YT, and also other links supporting the supposition that it has no impact. If you have data to refute that I would like to see it

I have done tests in the past with a rMBP15. With a skin it was running 2-10 degrees C higher and the fans where spinning more. Also I work in environments where electronics are often exposed to the elements and one thing we see is that bare metal boxes give us the least problems.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Like others have said, dbrand skins are awesome. Yes, they're EXTREMELY difficult to take off unless you have patience and do it little by little - easy to damage the device by trying to pull it off too fast too hard.

And yes, you need to have PERFECT placement or one edge will be a little off and feel horrible when you're holding the laptop. Thankfully they have YouTube videos on how to install that are actually quite helpful.

I've used them mostly on my iPads cuz I like reading without holding up a heavy case with the iPad and they assist with a grippy texture on the back of the iPad.


My only comment about thermals... I find most people I know use their MacBooks in clamshell mode with an external monitor (I do too). Macs vent a LOT of heat through the keyboard and having your laptop opened instead of in clamshell mode can have a pretty big impact on heat dissipation especially for the intel MBPs. The M MacBooks do much better in clamshell.

I too prefer my MBPs nekkid.

 

[maflynn]

And yes, you need to have PERFECT placement or one edge will be a little off

I've never been good at placing decals on my models that I built as a kid, but I was generally pleased how I did my Mac.

Some laptops will be easier because the logo design is simpler (or non-existent). I think if you go very slowly, review the install YTs indepth and have a good feel of how to proceed you'll be fine.

 

[titanlife]

I used a dbrand skin on M2 Pro 16" model 2023.
after around one year of use , i noticed black horizental line.
I took the macbook to Apple as it was still under warranty and they have replaceed the whole display.
i don't know what caused the black line as the laptop was never put under stress/pressure and i take extra care of it. but i assume it was caused by the external skin.

 

[1madman1]

I used a dbrand skin on M2 Pro 16" model 2023.
after around one year of use , i noticed black horizental line.
I took the macbook to Apple as it was still under warranty and they have replaceed the whole display.
i don't know what caused the black line as the laptop was never put under stress/pressure and i take extra care of it. but i assume it was caused by the external skin.

A black line across the display would be the result of a bonding failure of a ribbon cable to the edge of the display panel. That's a manufacturing defect, a skin would have nothing to do with it.

 

[smithdr]

I had the dBrand skin on my late 2021 MBP. As I previously wrote in this thread, placement was difficult because of the absolute fit without any relief. And, I was never able to set it square on the machine. I recently acquired a 2022 MBA13 and decided to try the EasySkinz--less money than dBrand. Installation was better than the dBrand on my MBP. So, I decided to purchase an EasySkinz for my MBP. Again, installation was better because there is some edge relief.

I believe the EasySkinz to be a better product than dBrand--same materials, lower cost, better design. The only issue is that if you live in the United States be prepared for a little wait as EasySkinz is based in the UK.

Hope this helps.

Don Barar