what do you guys use to protect the palm rest?

I'm kicking around the idea of "skinning" my macbook pro 13" Would like to know what you guys are using. I was thinking of 3M carbon fiber film. I'm not in to the hard shell cases as I find they do more damage than good! lol

just wondering.

 

I had a ZAGG Invisible Shield on my old 2007 MBP. It worked great - solid protection and no loss of functionality. Good product, but a lousy company to buy from.

 

I use nothing and my palm rests looks like new, and this is an early 2008 macbook.. So if it doesn't show any wear, i guess there is no need for protection to begin with.


If you like 3M Carbon fiber film, then i got something for you. I was bored last week, so i did this to my macbook.


MacBook 4.1 Carbon by M. Quick, on Flickr

And for those who think i destroyed it, it's just film that can easily be removed without any harm what so ever. Why i say this is because i already got those kinds of comments from jackasses that thinks it's permanent, i tend to get annoyed at ignorance..

 

I had the "pleasure" of using a scratched up macbook pro (my 1st old one before I switched). I believe if you are just using your hands, then you should be fine unless you have crocodile hands. The main problem was that people were wearing watches (who does that now? ) and metal to metal, you can guess what happened.

 

Hehe.. i have both crocodile hands and a watch, and because i got so big hands the watch doesn't even touch the macbook, because i can reach all over the keyboard anyways.

I'm using a bvlgari watch with a see through backing (automatic of course), who wouldn't wear such watches? A clock that will never run out of battery..

 

I bought my wife a 15" MBP 2008 and it had some wear on the right side of the trackpad, like 2-3 years of rubbing, no scratches or anything like that, but you can tell the guy never took his hands off the palm rest! lol

I like the 3M job you did, I would love to see more, It looks sharp, theres one film on ebay I like as it does not have the corner slits, however it's a bit pricy.

 

Hehe, that's funny


Thanks, sure i'll add some more pictures, right in here


MacBook 4.1 Carbon by M. Quick, on Flickr

iPhone 3GS 32GB #3 by M. Quick, on Flickr


iDevices by M. Quick, on Flickr

corner slits? The 3M film is easy to apply, just heat it up and pull it down along the edges, it may take some practice, but as soon as you get a hang of it, it's really easy

Oh btw, if you want it to look like real wet carbon fiber, just clear coat the film before applying, it looks exactly like the real deal

Carbon fiber film with clear coat by M. Quick, on Flickr

 

That carbon fiber skin/whatever looks really nice. I just lack the patience to apply something like that and I always end up screwing things over. Hell, I went through 3 screen protectors for my iPad 2 before I finally gave up, went to Best Buy, and paid them to install one. I am fine with 3.5-5" devices but I stress out over anything higher. I even messed up when I put the skin on the back of my iPad 2.

For the palm rests though, I don't think they need protected. I wipe mine off about once every 2-3 weeks with a soft, damp cloth and that takes care of the oil and grime that are on my hands/wrists. Protection is only required if you have bracelets/watches that will scratch the palm rests. Otherwise regular cleaning will prevent stains, holes, or any other abnormalities that come from standard use.

 

I'm exactly the same way, clean off the keyboard/trackpad/palm rest with a damped cloth every few weeks. Nothing screams USED like a shiny keyboard/trackpad/palm rest. I am extremely particular when it comes to keeping my stuff "shine-free". I go as far as washing any hand lotion off my hands before touching my stuff, even the steering wheel of my cars. That said, there's really no need for protection if you're careful when handling your laptop.

PS I posted this a while back, but just be careful when cleaning your trackpad with a damped cloth. My last 13" MBP's trackpad went nuts after I wiped it, same method I've used for years to clean my laptops. Apple replaced the pad. That was the only time something like this ever happened.

 

I don't use any protection on my trackpad either - 2009 13" mbp - and it's been fine. Occasional (careful) cleaning with a damp cloth.

Hey, I like the carbon fibre mac... I think! Different, anyway!

 

Mine is slowly getting black but i think its some sort of dirt. Gotto get some special cleaning stuff. Dont want to use soap )

 

My own palm

 

I have a 2008 unibody with the right side has a "bald" spot like it was rubbed down a lot! lol I want something to make it confirmable and protect it.

 

You could have a look at this. They're on sale for half price, probably today only (though it doesn't say), and you can get a set that only does the wrist rest and trackpad.

 

I was looking at Protection Pack - MacBook Pro 13? - Shop | Power Support USA

 

Quite honestly, the Power Support USA product looks cheesy to me. It would be alright if they tried to match the color and texture of a MBP but it looks like they used a simple grey marble pattern that makes it stand out. Additionally, since those have a small thickness to them, they might rub your MBP's screen when the lid is closed. I know there isn't very much space between they keyboard keys and LCD of a closed MBP. I even know of people who end up having keyboard key rings (i.e. you can see outlines of the keyboard keys) on their display simply because they put their MBP in a stuffed bag. I would hate to see what those do to the display especially if dirt/dust/fibers get in-between the pads and LCD.

I think a skin (clear or not) would be a better solution since they are a lot thinner and allow you to customize the look of your MBP over the standard aluminum or that cheesy grey marble look.

 

I just use iKlear and clean my laptop every 2-3 weeks, so far its worked pretty well.

 

This is why I still kept the thin styrofoamy sheet that comes in between the lid and keyboard when you buy a Mac from apple. I know I am being paranoid, as I have a non-glossy screen but why let any oily keys rub on the lcd? I have also noted that the screen remains much cleaner with a barrier in between the screen and the keyboard.

 

That sounds well and good, but how long can one keep this up before losing the foam sheet? 6 months? A year?

 

1 year and five months and the foam sheet is still being used when I close my mac. Paranoid individual +1.

 

A little tip for those who hate a shiny keyboard as much as I do. I used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on several keyboards, one of which is the aluminum Apple wireless keyboard with the white keys which were a bit dirty and shiny. After I used the magic erase on it, it looked almost like new, all the dirt was gone and more or less shine-free. I also used it to take out very minor scratches on the bottom on the MBP I had.

I have not had to do it on my MBA yet as it's still pretty new. This is semi-abrasive so be careful. This magic eraser is meant to erase scratches on walls with flat paint which really works wonder. I experimented with it on a really used beatup keyboard and started using it to clean my other gears ever since.

 

Wrapsol | protection for apple macbook, sony vaio, hp, dell + many other notebook computers

and when they say, "lifetime warranty", they mean it. highly recommend. it even gives a sparkly finish to it without being glossy.

 

I was thinking of this, what do you guys think?


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