BStrong Tablet PC Notebook Screen Protectors (pics)

by Perry Longinotti, Canada

Introduction

There seems to be two dominant schools of thought when it comes to the subject of screen protectors on Tablet PC notebook:

1. You believe that people are crazy if they do not use some form of protection on the most valuable part of their tablets.
2. You believe that whomever engineered your tablet accounted for scribbling on the screen in the design and that screen protection is just a waste of money.

Depending on what device you are using, either opinion could be correct. Some tablets are more scratch resistant and more robust. But do you want to take a chance? With some screen protectors costing $50 or more, how do you decide?

How do you use and treat your Tablet? How often you use pen input and to what degree do you take care of your device. If you use your Tablet as a laptop more of the time, you are probably safe. There is no point in spending a lot of money on the screen protector if you do not need one. It all boils down to cost versus benefit.

Recently we discovered a product from Strong Engineering (http://strongengineering.com/bstrong.htm)that might make the arguments against using screen protectors moot and certainly makes the cost barrier vanish. At $15 or less each, the BStrong screen protector is priced significantly lower than other solutions on the market. You are not risking much money to test these out.

Currently, the only way to obtain BStrong screen protectors is online. They are not available in stores yet. Some folks have reservations about ordering online - as hard as that is to believe in 2005 - but I can say that the browsing and checkout process was easy.

On the Strong website you will find hundreds of devices for which a screen protector is available. If you cannot find what you are looking for, they will make it for you. The secure checkout process was a snap.

Great care was taken in the packaging of the screen protectors we ordered. The envelope used was bend resistant and the screens made it across North America with no damage at all.

The BStrong screen protectors arrived in a sturdy package

Out of the box, the BStrong screens come with a protective film and backing on the adhesive. They have a hard surface that gives the impression of being quite scratch resistant. BStrong screen protectors are also rigid - not at all like the majority of screen protectors on the market that are made from soft vinyl and use static or are 100% covered by light adhesives on one side. Strong's solution to this problem is unique as far as I can tell.

Installation

Strong Engineering's departure from the status quo of screen protectors is apparent as soon as you as soon as you try and mount a BStrong. If you have ever attempted to apply a screen protector to a PDA, then you know what an agonizingly frustrating experience this can be. Air bubbles and soft easy to scratch protectors can really dampen your enthusiasm for these products. Happily, the design of the BStrong eliminates this headache by using a thin strip of adhesive on the four edges of the screen rather than a full adhesive or electro-static backing. Application of the screens is a 30 second job. There are no issues with air bubbles.

The M200 screen fit perfectly without the adhesive stripe interfering with my view of the LCD. This is because the M200 has a glass screen that extends half an inch past the LCD screen on each side (kind of like the matting you would see on a framed painting). Averatec's Tablet screen is designed differently. It has a plastic frame around the LCD like most notebooks do. Unfortunately this means that the BStrong must be secured via adhesive to part of the viewable area of the screen (approximately a quarter of an inch on each side). You can still see through the adhesive areas, but it is noticeable. Other than this small area, these protective screens have no adverse affect on the LCD viewing experience.

Toshiba M200 Tablet PC Notebook with BStrong screen cover on

These screens feel right too. In the case of the M200, I felt that the BStrongs closely matched the feel of the M200's screen. How Tablet screens should feel is very much a matter of personal preference, but I really like the BStrong's smooth surface. I use my Tablet with Corel Painter and did not encounter any problems. I should also point out that I use the Wacom Penabled driver for greater pressure sensitivity and the BStrong had no adverse effect on my Tablet sketching and painting activities.

Averatec C3500 with BStrong screen protector

In long-term use, the BStrong screens perform exactly as expected. I initial impression was that they would be quite scratch resistant and actual use bares this out. After four months of use, one screen protector is just starting to show signs of wear on the M200 and the C3500 still looks good. We ordered two for each but have not needed to use our backups yet.

Conclusion

This is an easy product to recommend. BStrong screen protectors are inexpensive insurance against damaging your tablet's screen. There is virtually no impact on viewability (if that is a word) and their smooth surface feels right. Unlike other products, there is no problem applying these protectors to your screen - no trouble with air bubbles at all. The BStrong requires very little adhesive to hold the protectors in position which means they can be easily removed. From what I have seen, they are quite scratch resistant and wear slowly. The durability is very impressive for such an inexpensive product.

The final point I would like to make is regarding customer service. We ordered a couple of screen protectors for a Toshiba M200 and Averatec C3500. There was some trouble with shipping whereby the package was delivered to the wrong address. Strong Engineering demonstrated exceptional service and couriered a set of screen protectors using a better delivery service than what was paid for. I did not disclose that the items were for review purposes.

So, combine a great product with excellent support and you have something that is easy to recommend. If you need a screen protector for your Tablet, or are sitting on the fence as to whether or not you need one because of price, then you owe it to yourself to try out Strong Engineering's BStrong screen protectors.

Company Site and Purchase

BStrong Screen Protectors by Strong Engineering (http://strongengineering.com/bstrong.htm)

Laptop Screen Protector Store: Laptop Screen Protectors

Tablet PC Screen Protectors Store: Tablet PC Screen Protectors

 

The BStrong Tablet PC Notebook Screen Protectors are not legal. They are not to be sold within the USA.

The BStrong Screen Protectors are sold illegally. Strong Engineering does not honor the Constitution laws of the United States.

We have the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing the patented invention throughout the term of the patent. Strong Engineering is excluded. Any website that promotes an illegal product is put on notice.


Best Regards
VSPS.com Inc.
http://www.vsps/com/

 

check that dude's site, sounds like a member of the tinfoil hat crew

oh, he entered the link wrong, it's obviously vsps.com, not vsps/com

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Dice

 

can you be more specific? you're being kind of vague here buddy. i'm guessing you compete with BStrong and sell a similar/the same product and don't like this promotion of them?

DigitalCameraReview.com | BargainPDA.com | TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

Huh indeed? what is VSPS to start with? And what's the problem with competition, since they seem to be a registered company!

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N6010: P4M 3.2G, 512MB Dual 333MHz, 60GB 7200RPM, ATI 9700M, 17" WXGA+
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Some clown long ago patented the idea of a sticky plastic sheet covering screens of PDA'S and has been chasing down "imitators" ever since. Everyone with common sense ignores them and sells their screen protectors on both the web and in retail stores across the US.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by lewdvig
There is virtually no impact on viewability (if that is a word) and their smooth surface feels right.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

I think the word you are looking for is 'visibility.'

 

Yeah, that's the word!

Visibility: The capability of providing a clear, unobstructed view: a windshield with good visibility.

laptops: Toshiba Portege M200-86E, Toshiba Portege 4000, Latitude C600, Toshiba 7010CT, Thinkpad A30, Toshiba R100, iBook 800, PowerBook G4 400, iBook 600, Compaq 2811CA, Sony VAIO Z505JS, NEC Versa SXi, Compaq Presario 1685, Thinkpad 1411

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by abaxter

 

I ordered 4 of these for my Tecra M4 on June 21st and I've received nothing from them beyond a confirmation email telling me they were happy to take my money, no shipping information, nothing.

I've called their contact number 3 times and I GO STRAIGHT TO VOICE MAIL. I would strongly urge you not to consider this company, pay the extra money and deal with someone reputable.

 

People in our tablet forums have not had trouble getting product. Certainly call your credit card company if you feel jipped, but I don't think this is normal.

 

It's true, for whatever reason this Strong Engineering place seems to be out to lunch. I ordered a screen protector based on this review on 6/29/05. It's been nearly a month with no word from them. I've tried calling, emailing, etc. and nothing seems to provide me with feedback. I either get nothing or voice-mail. They haven't actually charged my card though, so I'm thinking about notifying them to cancel my order and go with someone else.

 

Hello, i ordered the screenprotectors throught Bstrong it took them three weeks to send them. ur right sometimes the call does go through to voicemail but i HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM. I THINK THEY ARE DUMB, IM NOT SAYING THIS OUT OF NO WHERE, i have a dell inspirron 700m(Screen Size 12.1") so i received the protector today and it looks retarted. it seems like they never measured it against a screen i had to cut it and i still have close to .7cm space on eachside. what a waste of money. to anyone who is going to but them call them and ask them about the exact measurments, and if any one has any sugestions im open to them please let me know.

 

First you say that it's illegal and then you say that it's junk. It kinda feels like pure and simple bashing. Be more elaborate if you want to be credible and hopefully convince someone.

EDIT: wow, maybe i'm paranoid and this is just a coincidence but there's a lot of 1-post newbies with negative reviews in this thread.

 

All joined recently and with 1 post.

I'm pretty sure all their IP's are the same.

 

well im a newbie because i just recived the item, why would i lie? i came to this forum and i read about bstrong it was my mistake to believe what people say about their product. i finished cutting the screen and i have the spaces on eachside, DO U HAVE A 700M AND HAVE U USED THE SCREEN PROTECTOR? NO, so u just think im lying but the screen is not made for a 12.1' laptop. i will take some pictures for proof on tuesday and i will post them by tuesday night, after that i want to see what ur answer is.
Thanx

 

Fine, Prove me wrong then.

And if there was something wrong, as Brian said, call your credit card company and make them get your money back instead of trolling here.

 

wow someone is haveing a bad day. its not about $20. its about the fact that i waited one month for an item that doesnt fit. why didnt they post it on their website?

 

It's not just you, I'm also talking to the other people.

 

Hi, just got off the phone with Bstrong and they were very helpful, it was a misunderstanding and they are sending me a new set, i recommend them to everyone, sorry for the previous posts.

 

Also, If I sounded harsh or was being offensive, please disregard it, I just kinda found it fishy with various claims from new posters.

Glad to see everything's going ok

 

no problem thank you

 

I agree 100% with the LEWDVIG original comments re BStrong screen protectors. I tested 4 others and this was the only one that had no bubbles to deal with. It laid on flat and quickly, minor adjustments to fit properly - less than one minute. It does have a fine line around the perimeter of the screen, but it is not noticable when viewing a site. Great product, excellent communication when enquired about product, fast delivery to Canada, and the price is right.

 

Just wanted to post something, on this thread, since there were some complaints and I encountered this thread researching them. They seem to have gotten their stuff together from earlier. I got my protector in about 2-3 days with usps. It needed a slight half a millimeter trim to fit the screen perfectly..but that might be due to slightly different bezel sizes or whatever.

I was a die hard b&e protector customer, but their price increases made me look to bstrong. Comparing it with the B&E it has slightly more texture, that I prefer, but unfortunately it may be slightly easier damaged than the B&E, and slightly less durable to pen strokes. It may be just a fact of the grainier surface that some has to be worn away some before it becomes more stable and uniform.

*update* It does seem that the stroke marks have disappeared after some use, so perhaps it was just oils on the surface or like I said a top layer of texture that needed to be worn in before it became uniform. Looks really nice currently.

Not having to apply the entire thing over the lcd with sticky stuff is definitely the way to go, they figured something out there.

If you're an absolute stickler, there seem to be very faint horizontal lines every few millimeter across the protector visible on light surfaces which doesn't occur in the b&e.

I almost wonder if there's a top surface protector I haven't pulled off or something, but attempts to separate it haven't been fruitful.