Tilt your MacBook towards a window and look at the screen. You’ll probably see fingerprints, a smear along the bottom edge and a few specks of dust that definitely weren’t there yesterday. It happens to anyone who uses a laptop for more than a few minutes a day.
The MacBook Pro 13 is a bit of an all-rounder. It’s the machine you write assignments on at 11 pm, build spreadsheets on during the day, edit photos on at the weekend and stream a show on when you finally switch off. That’s a lot of hours, and the screen is the part you look at for every one of them.
A screen protector is one of the easiest ways to look after it. It won’t make your display indestructible, but it adds a thin layer that takes on the everyday wear, so the screen underneath stays clear and is easier to keep clean. Below, we’ll look at why that’s worth doing, what to look for, how to fit one properly, and where the AirGlass from ScreenShield fits in.
Why bother protecting your screen?
A laptop gets moved around a lot. Yours might start the day on the kitchen table, travel to work in your bag, spend lunch on a café table and finish the evening on the couch. Every stop is another chance for dust and smudges to settle on the screen.
Most of the wear builds up slowly. After a while you may notice the display looks a bit dull, with fine marks and smears that only show at certain angles and never quite wipe away.
A protector can’t prevent every accident, but it can help reduce everyday scratches and make cleaning easier. That counts for a lot if you use your MacBook for work, because long hours of reading, editing photos and checking fine detail are much easier on a clean screen.
There’s one catch worth knowing before you buy anything. Two MacBooks can share the same screen size and still differ slightly in their dimensions. A protector cut for one model might not fit another, even if the numbers on the box look close. So before you order, check your laptop’s exact model name and year, which you’ll find under About This Mac in the Apple menu. It takes thirty seconds and saves you the hassle of sending the wrong one back.
What to look for in any screen protector
Whether you go with the AirGlass or shop around, a few things separate a good protector from a disappointing one. They aren’t all built the same way, and some feel quite different on the screen. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Clarity. If you work with text, photos or detailed graphics, you want a protector you can barely see. A good glass protector guards the screen without changing how it looks. If a product makes the display look cloudy or dull, it’s defeating its own purpose.
Scratch resistance. Tiny scratches build up over time and gradually make a screen look worn. A protector can reduce the damage from everyday contact, but it’s important to be realistic, because no protector can promise to survive every knock, drop or impact. Tempered glass is a popular choice because it has a firm, solid surface and is known for scratch resistance. Nano Glass is a thinner, more flexible option. When you’re comparing products, read the manufacturer’s specifications rather than assuming every glass protector offers the same quality and reliability, because they don’t.
Fingerprint resistance. A screen that’s used all day shows every fingerprint and bit of dirt. An anti-fingerprint layer helps stop the display from looking grubby too quickly. It’s a nice feature if you touch your screen a lot, adjust it often or can’t stand seeing smudges. It won’t replace regular cleaning, but it makes the days between cleans much nicer.
A precise fit. This one is easy to overlook, and it matters more than people expect. A protector should be made for your exact display, otherwise it won’t sit properly. Look up your MacBook’s model name and year, then check the listing to make sure the protector is meant for your screen. Don’t go by screen size alone. ScreenShield also notes that because some displays have curved edges, some of its protectors are deliberately cut slightly smaller than the display.
Glass, film or Nano Glass: which one?
There’s no single winner here. The right choice depends on what you value most and how you use your laptop. Here’s a quick, plain-English comparison.
Traditional tempered glass has a firm surface and a clear finish, and many people pick it for its scratch resistance. Depending on the product, it can be thicker and more rigid than the alternatives, which some people like and others find a bit chunky.
Film is generally thin and flexible. If you’d like something lightweight, it can be a good fit. The catch is that surface feel and scratch resistance vary quite a lot from one film product to the next, so it’s worth reading the details.
Nano Glass takes a middle path. It’s made up of several layers, which gives it a different balance of thickness, flexibility and surface protection. AirGlass is designed to be thinner and lighter than other tempered glass protectors while still offering high transparency and an anti-fingerprint layer.
Whichever type you lean towards, it comes back to three questions. Does it fit your exact model? Does it keep the screen clear? And does it offer the level of protection you’re after? If you can answer yes to all three, you’re on the right track.
How to put a screen protector on properly
Installation is where a lot of people get nervous, but it’s very doable if you slow down. Getting it right means the protector sits neatly on the display without trapping dust underneath, and preparing the screen carefully matters just as much as lining up the protector itself.
One note first: always follow the instructions that come with your product. Different materials and adhesive systems can need slightly different methods, so the guide in the box takes priority over any general advice, including this. ScreenShield also has a guide on how to apply a screen protector if you’d like to read through the process first. With that said, the routine usually looks something like this.
Set up your space. Put your MacBook on a clean, stable surface in a room with as little airborne dust as you can manage, away from fans and open windows. Wash and dry your hands, and keep the application tools within easy reach so you’re not scrambling halfway through.
Clean the display. Use the alcohol wipe and polishing cloth as directed. Wipe away visible fingerprints and dust, then check the screen again in good lighting. Specks have a habit of showing up only when the light hits them at the right angle, and it’s far easier to deal with them now than after the protector is down.
Line it up. Use the aligning kit to position the protector. Check the edges and placement carefully before letting the adhesive touch the screen. Taking an extra minute here is worth it.
Lay it down gently. Follow the supplied directions to apply the protector. Try not to touch the adhesive side, and don’t press harder than you need to. Slow and steady beats fast and fiddly.
Check your work. Once it’s on, look it over for trapped dust, bubbles or alignment problems. If something needs adjusting, follow the manufacturer’s guidance. Never use sharp objects or too much force, since you could damage the protector or the screen.
This is one of the reasons AirGlass is a handy choice. It comes with the polishing cloth, alcohol wipe, aligning kit and instructions, and its adhesive layer is designed to let the protector glide on smoothly for a bubble-free, easy installation.
Keeping the screen clean afterwards
Fitting a protector is only part of looking after your screen. Regular cleaning and careful handling matter just as much if you want it to stay in good condition for years.
Start with the basics. Shut down your MacBook and unplug any cables or accessories before you clean it. Wipe dust away gently rather than rubbing back and forth, so you don’t drag tiny particles across the surface. Never spray liquid straight onto the display, and don’t let moisture get into any of the laptop’s openings.
If you have a protector fitted, follow its care instructions too. Abrasive cleaners or too much pressure can damage the protector’s surface and adhesive, so keep it gentle.
It also helps to think about where your laptop lives. Dirt and dust can work their way onto your device while you’re carrying it around, so keep your laptop sleeve or bag clean as well. A quick wipe-down every so often is a small habit that pays off for your screen.
What about your phone and iPad?
Plenty of us own a laptop, a tablet and a phone, and each has a screen worth looking after. Just don’t expect to share protectors between them. Every device needs one made for its own display, so a MacBook Pro protector won’t work on an iPad or a phone, however similar they might look.
For your iPad, choose a screen protector made for your exact model, and think about how you use it. Someone who reads, draws or writes on their iPad all day may care about different things from someone who mostly watches videos on it. The same goes for your phone, where the model, touch sensitivity and finish all need to suit the way you use it. ScreenShield’s Apple range covers iPhones and iPads as well as MacBooks.
Knowing these differences makes accessory shopping a lot less confusing and helps you avoid ordering something that was never going to fit.
Where to buy a screen protector
If you’re looking for a screen protector, ordering online is often the easiest way to go. You can read the product specifications, check which models are supported and look over the installation details before you spend a cent, all without leaving the house.
Shopping in person can be handy too, but online listings tend to make it easier to find a protector for your exact MacBook model, which is what matters most. ScreenShield lists its protectors by device model and year, and if you’re not happy with the fit or finish, they’ll make it right.
Whichever route you take, go by your laptop’s model and year rather than screen size alone. Then compare the available materials and features, and confirm which display the product is designed to cover. A few minutes of checking up front means the protector you receive is the one you wanted.
Give your display some backup
Your MacBook screen is where you work, study and unwind, so it’s worth a little care. Keep it clean, handle your laptop gently and add a protective layer to help with everyday scratches. Those small habits keep the display looking good for longer.
The AirGlass Glass Screen Protector for Apple MacBook Pro 13 2017 pairs lightweight Nano Glass with high transparency and an anti-fingerprint layer, and it comes with an application kit to make fitting easier. If you’re after a MacBook Pro 13 screen protector, contact ScreenShield to check that AirGlass suits your device. Make sure your MacBook is a 2017 model before you order, then follow the installation instructions for a neat fit.