Laptop Schtickers Review -- Customize Your Notebook's Looks

By Charles P. Jefferies

Are you looking for a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up the look of your notebook computer? A Schticker may be exactly what you are looking for. A Schticker is just what the name implies -- a sticker. It covers the entire back of your notebook's display, giving it the appearance of having an expensive paint job. But at $24.99, a Schticker is inexpensive and affordable. You can choose from a wide variety of images already on the site, or upload your own and create a custom one.

There's no finer logo... (view large image)

For my Schticker, I created a high-resolution widescreen image in Photoshop that I thought would look appealing on the back of my notebook. After that, I navigated to theSchtickers website and proceeded to create my custom sticker.

The ordering process was very simple -- once I uploaded my image, it only took a few minutes to complete the checkout procedure. Shipping was a reasonable $3.85, bringing the total price of the orderto $28.84.

The Schticker still in the packaging (view large image)

Shipping was very quick -- I placed my order on a Monday night, and received it on Thursday of the same week. It came in a letter size envelope, inside of which the Schticker was encased in plastic. I was informed of its progress via email. My experience with customer service was very good.

Material Quality and Applying the Sticker:

The Schticker feels better than simply a laminated piece of plastic, and has a quality look to it. For those wondering, it doesn't feel anything like a piece of paper.

Applying the Schticker was more challenging that I originally thought it would be. Make sure the surface of your notebook's lid is clean and free of dust to get the best application. The directions on the package explain how to apply the sticker, I followed them and had no problems. It is easiest to start from one corner and go to the opposite one, carefully smoothing the sticker as you go to avoid air bubbles and creases -- using a credit card to smooth out the sticker while applying yielded excellent results. The end result was very pleasing.

The Schticker applied. The small bulge on the upper left is the manufacturer's logo on my laptop, not the sticker (view large image)

Schtickers are removable and reusable -- I did not find it hard to remove; remember to take your time when doing so. It doesn't feel like the sticker will want to tear during removal. It's a good idea to keep the original packaging for the Schticker so you have a place to store it should you decide to remove it.

Durability:

I've only had my Schticker for about a week, but so far it is holding up well. It doesn't appear as if the sticker would peel off unless you intentionally wanted to remove it. Having a Schticker on your lid also adds a measure of durability.

(view large image)

Conclusion:

Adding a Schticker is a great way to improve or modify your notebook's looks. They are available in a number of sizes, and at only $25, are hardly expensive. As far as value goes though, I think that $25 is a bit high for such a product. Under $20, perhaps around $15 would be a more reasonable price. In the end though, I am overall satisfied and would not hesitate to recommend Schtickers.

What sticks:

• Quick and easy
• Good quality printing and material
• Fast shipping

What doesn't:

• Relatively pricey

In case you are a die-hard NotebookReview.com fan, I have uploaded the high-resolution image I used for my custom Schticker in both widescreen and standard format. Enjoy!

Widescreen Hi-Res NotebookReview.comLogo:

(click for fullimage)

Standard Screen Hi-Res NotebookReview.com Logo:

(click for full image)

 

That's not a bad price for a customized sticker, and the quality looks to be pretty good. The nice thing is it's easy to remove, I wonder how long the glue lasts once you remove it though. Like, is it easy to store for a bit and put it back on at a later time?

I love the fact Chaz is a walking NBR advertisement with this schticker, trying to convince him to get several and plaster them on each door of his car

 

Looks pretty good, would give it a go if i lived in the US.

 

Very nice!

I would get one, but i can't with my XPS (The lights and the finish)

 

That looks great Chaz! I think it would be really important for me to place the stickers at my palm area. It gets quite dirty you know

Charlie

 

I am also curious about this... is it truly "reusable"?

 

That looks interesting.
I may have to find a nice image so I can get one for my 5760.

 

I have taken it off once to re-apply it, and I was surprised that it was still quite sticky. The best way to store it would be to keep the original packaging.

I don't think it is meant to be taken on and off all the time though, perhaps just a few times. But you can certainly take it off and put it back on again.

 

http://stalex.exponenta.ru/graphics/wallpapers/the_one_ring1280x1024.jpg
http://www.ladymin.de/Goodies/wallpaper/dereinering.jpg
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=169247

 

Did it leave any residue on your laptop?

 

It does not leave any residue thankfully. The laptop lid is as clean as it was when I put it on.

 

LOL.

I actually call my 5760 "The Precious ..." because well, its precious
I guess "The One Ring" kinda is a good metaphor for my lappy

But I do like the 1st pic you linked.
http://stalex.exponenta.ru/graphics/wallpapers/the_one_ring1280x1024.jpg
I still need to look at other images to finalize which 1 to get.

If the Schticker is as good as Chazman says it is, I will definitely be ordering 1.

 

I know Chaz said that it didn't leave any residue when he removed his NBR schticker, but over time would that nasty gummy gunk be there I wonder...

Kind of like how the stickers come off real easy on a "new" CD case but if you open one that's been on the shelf for a couple of years, it's pretty nasty...

 

A really cool addition would be a special template for Dell laptops, which have a removeable hole in the middle for the Dell logo (kinda like printer ready CD-labels). My Inspiron 9300 has an embossed Dell logo in the middle of the lid, and the sticker probably wouldn't sit right.

 

Ugh.
I didn't even think about that.

But there is only one way to find out how it reacts over time.

 

LOL...This will be funny when I finish my skinit review Chaz. At least I got a good review to copy.

Chaz did you get a pic of the sticky side. I know the skinit that I am going to review doesn't really look like a sticker on the bottom.
Tim

 

I wouldn't mind one for Canada, on the A8jm lid would look deadly!! LOL

Kool review, and thanks for the nice details and specs.

Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

I did not, but it is stark white, the same color as the picture side and it looks like nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Hmm...That is interesting. The skinit that I am reviewing does not look like a sticker per say. It has string? running diagonally under it. I think that is just to make it stronger.
Tim

 

Great revivew! Looks sweet!

Would it be possible for you to cut the Schticker to leave room for the notebooks logo in the top left corner? That would get rid of the buldge and might look a bit more professional.

 

That's not a bad idea Jason, and I will consider doing that. It actually says on the package to trim the schticker to your needs. They size it pretty well, so I don't think the majority of users will need to trim.

 

Lol, I'll do it. I'll put one on my car. Wouldn't matter much if the schtickers ripped paint off mine. A front plate or liscense plate frame works to. xD!

You could probably trim the logo out with an exacto-knife. Cool review. Tell me Chazman, is it okay to leave the sticker on eternally or should it be removed at some point else harm to the notebook will result? Interesting to consider as it could be use simply to protect the lid from scratches. If you didn't want a design stands to reason you could get one in just one color or maybe clear specifically for that purpose.

BTW, so those are the high-rez images Andrew spoke of. Thanks Chaz. I created four user bars for NBR with Andrews permission for use around the web.









I'll use those in the review to make a couple of more. I'm going to post them on usersigs.com when I get some time to.

 

The Schtickers are Schweet!

 

I'm not sure about this, but I don't belive it will leave a residue. It doesn't seem to be the type of, erm, (for lack of better words) 'sticky stuff' on the back of the sticker to do that.

 

Great review, ChazMan! Hopefully, I'll be able to get around to posting my own review of a sticker from Polygfx. My sticker is pretty decent, but I didn't do a sufficiently thorough job of cleaning my laptop, so it tends to peel up along the edges. Also, it looks duller than I wanted it to be, because when I was designing it I forgot to turn off the Nvidia digital vibrance on my display. I do think in the long run, though, given your good experience with Schtickers, I'll have to try one myself.

 

The anwser I'm looking for is, if you leave it on for a long, long while; Weeks, Months, Years, etc. Do you think the schticker could become permanent or much harder to remove resulting in harm to the notebook?

 

Hard to say, considering I've only had it for a week and a half, but judging by how it comes off with no sign of leaving anything behind, I would say no. However, my notebook has an aluminum lid, so that could make my application different than that of a notebook that has a plastic lid.

 

I have a LapSchtick on my laptop. I also got a PodSchticker for the iPod. The instructions on the PodSchticker said that if you leave it on over 3 months, it will become permanent. No such notice appeared on the website, and I was unaware of this when I bought it. However, the PodSchticker is made from a different, more papery material, so I used the form on the Schtickers website to ask them if I can leave the LapSchtick on forever. I never got a reply.

With that said, it goes bad over time, and you wouldn't want to leave it on forever. I have a DTR, so I don't take it out much - all I do is open the lid, close the lid, and carry it from one table to another. In other words, it gets much less friction than a regular laptop that spends a good amount of time rubbing inside a bag. And yet, the top edge, the one I touch to open and close the lid, is peeling off. I've had it for about half a year, and it's been doing that for a few months now. Basically, the transparent layer on top of the sticker that makes it really smooth has separated from the paper and is curling up. It also has gotten yellowish from skin oils - but I think that's only because it's peeling off. So, if you're looking for something to cover up your laptop and leave it on forever, you'll probably want to replace it every couple of months. Drives the cost up way more.

I really don't like their customer service - since they never wrote back and mislead potential buyers through the website - especially since at the time I got the LapSchtick, the advertised dimensions were off by a whole inch! I'm also not thrilled with the peeling, and that the stock image was blurry, but if you want something custom where you use a high res image instead of stretching a 3MP photo, and something that you plan to update every couple of months, this is a decent solution.

Malia

 

Thanks Malia for the information! I think that's the answer a lot of us were looking for regarding the Schtickers.

 

I ordered mine but i haven't get it yet, it's been a week now. The customer service seems there's no one there to answer. I think this is fraud. Luckily i ordered only one lapstick.

I wonder when will i get mine.... any1???

 

I'm sure you'll get it. I bet "the lady" who's doing it is on vacation or something, and since customer's always last, she'll get to it when she gets to it.

If you don't get it, however, you can always get your money back from your credit card.

Malia

 

hope so... cause my card is already charged....