For the past month I’ve been testing out an Invisible Shield by Shield Zone on my MacBook. Shield Zone’s products are simple, protective pieces of clear film. Shield Zone makes Invisible Shields for just about every gadget out there, in fact I just applied one on my Motorola Q. Anyhow, this post is about the MacBook shield. I originally decided to check out the shield when I had heard about the notorious discoloration defect on the MacBooks.
One thing is for sure – every invisible shield product comes with everything you need. Application solution, the shield and a squeegee. The one thing I was dreaded was applying the shield. From my previous experience with other “shields,” I assumed you had to get it right the first time or it stuck. Not so with the Invisible Shield. You apply the application solution on the sticky side of the shield, place it down and slide it in place. After that all you do is squeegee out the excess solution and let it set over the next day or so.
There are two types of MacBook shields available. There is the complete one that covers the bottom, top and palm rest area and there is the regular one that doesn’t protect the bottom. The easy part of the installation is the palm rest, trackpad and mouse button Invisible Shield application. Applying the larger shields to the exterior of the MacBook is near impossible without an extra hand to help you. Reading from others with the Invisible Shield over at the yet to be launched 123MacBook.com, many others are also having this problem. Several people said they couldn’t get it aligned and bubble-free at all so they left it out.
Regardless of installation woes, Shield Zone offers an effective product. I enjoy the fact that I can use my MacBook right after having eaten a meatball sub and not even worry about sullying the palm rest. The oils stay on top of the shield, making it easy to clean off and prevent absorption into the delicate plastics. The shield is made primarily to protect against scratches and it does that extremely well. I often type with my watch on and having the Invisible Shield ensures me that I won’t damage anything. However, the Invisible Shield does alter the appearance of the MacBook slightly as shown below.
The Invisible Shield by Shield Zone is a high-quality product that does exactly as advertised. The only negating factors are the relatively high price and somewhat challenging application of the product on larger items. For smaller gadgets, Invisible Shields are a breeze to install. If you truly value your expensive Apple computer, as you should, $55 isn’t too much to shell out.
PaulStamatiou.com runs on the Thesis Theme for WordPress
Thesis is the search engine optimized WordPress theme of choice for serious online publishers. If you’re a blogger who doesn’t understand a lot of PHP, Thesis will give a ton of functionality without having to alter any code. For the advanced, Thesis has incredible customization possibilities via Thesis hooks.
With so many design options, you can use the template over and over and never have it look like the same site. The theme is robust and flexible enough not only to accommodate a site like PaulStamatiou.com, but also to enable the site to run far more efficiently than it ever has before.
Stumble This
{ 4 trackbacks }
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Will look into this when I purchase my new future MacBook :P
Birger :)
I’m just going to add this to my “list-of-reasons-I-want-the-black-one”.
Does the shield affect clicking or using the track pad at all?
No it doesn’t affect clicking – the track pad and mouse button use 2 different pieces of film.
i recommend taking a look at http://www.bestskinsever.com. they sell the same type of shields for a fraction of the cost. unfortunately they do not yet have one for the full macbook (though i am assured one will be coming), but you can buy custom sheets to make your own shield.
i did just that, and bought two of the custom sheets to protect my macbook’s wrist rest, trackpad and button.
only some small differences:
- you have to cut stuff out for the macbook (until they release their proper product and it comes pre-cut)
- it doesn’t come with application solution, but this was easily solved with an approximately CAD $2 purchase of baby shampoo that worked just fine
i’ll also add that the texture of the trackpad does change (obviously), but it is still very useable.
anyway, this is the product i recommend as their prices are nowhere near as inflated as the invisible shields recommended here.
You did a damn fine job applying that film. I remember having an annoying bubble on the trackpad when I didn’t to give this film a try.
Good to see a good review of the Invisible Shield. Mine came in last week and I haven’t put it on yet. It looks like it give it a nice glossy look, too.
It looks pretty good. Im going to see if there is any on ebay.
Has anyone tried the Invisible Shield on the MacBook Black? How does it look on the matte finish?
It makes the black MacBook very glossy, there’s a discussion and pictures somewhere in the Apple support forums, but I don’t have the link offhand.
Looks good, but I’m prone to changing my mind. Is it removable?
Also concerned about the discoloration issue, I bought some Fellowes-brand PDA screen protectors, and simply stuck those where one’s right and left palms would rest. They’re just the right size for the MacBook.
No sticky-glue stuff needed. They stay in place just fine. Still on first set. Package came with 12, so I’m good for a long time, I figure.
But frankly I think the discoloration issue was either a hoax or much exaggerated. Nonetheless, I took out a $12 insurance policy.
Good god that is so flippin ugly.
what is your problem dude. that is the best lookin laptop ive ever seen. why dont you just rot in a hole. ugh. i hate people like you
Also the Invisible Shield comes with a lifetime warrenty. I use this product on my Cell Phone and my iPod and will use one on my MacBook when I get one. (Shield Zone is actually a local company to me so if I have installation problems a quick drive down the road solves this, their customer service is one of the best.)
Has anybody only bought the standard shield? It seems as if you do not really need to protect the bottom since you barely see it but it may make some sense to protect the bottom so if you want to sell the macbook the bottom looks nice.
I purchased the shield for my new Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro and for my wifes Black MacBook. I’ve only installed it on my MacBook Pro, and it did take a while to get the top aligned, but i did get it on. It looks great and i’m sure it will protect my computer from the dreaded scratches.
One thing that has happened already while i was stuffing it into a Brenthaven 12/15 Pro laptop case is the back corners look (feel) like they were burnished (turned upwards). This surprised me because i have an older Brenthaven 15 Powerbook laptop case that it fit into tightly, but it didn’t do what the new case did to it.
I’m calling them for a replacement on Monday, but i’m still satisfied with the product overall.
I just got mine, but I’m curious about the top sheet. The apple logo on a Macbook is a little recessed. How does this work when putting a shield on top? Has anyone had problems with the liquid collectin there, etc?
I used the shieldzone on my ipod and i love it.
Hi Paul,
Did you end up applying the top shield?
If so, does it cover the corners? A number of similar products seem to leave the corners uncovered.
@DD – Yeah I had the top shield on my old MacBook (which got replaced by Apple for another issue) and I don’t believe it covered corners. It was a while ago, so I could be wrong.
Julieta posted some pictures at deviantart showing how to apply the large shield “near perfection”. This application technique is the best so far.
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/52751163/
Never thought how easy it was to apply the large sticker until I saw this girl’s tutorial. Recommended.
And I forgot to mention that the standard shield is around 35USDls and not 55 as mentioned in the review.
Hi! I’m looking in buying a new white macbook this fall and I want to protect it. I see that shield zone offers a good product. However, I have a few concerns…
1. Can it be removed? If so, will it damage the finish look of the macbook (is it destructive?)
2. The apple logo ies not perfectly flat with the case; is there a build-up of liquid? Does the shield fit perfectly on the logo or does it curve?
Thanks! :)
If posible, I would greatly appreciate to see photos of the shield on the top cover of a white macbook.
Johnathan
@Johnathan – Yes it can be removed easily and doesn’t damage anything. I didn’t end up putting the top part on my MacBook as it was a hassle to install by myself, although you could probably get it done if you had a friend helping.
Hi! I’m plannig to purchase a macbook pro; it has an aluminium case and apparently it is not good to apply the inivisible shield because it will retain heat; thus overtheating the macbook pro… Keep in mind that it’s one guy on a macworld forum who told me that…
Besides, there are already vents to avoid overheating which the invisible shield doesn’t block… I have another question; I called the invisible shield company and asked them if it has pre-cut holes for screws in case if the mac has to go for reapairs or change memory… Did you notice holes for screws? Finally, Can it be removed easily? The company said yes but they want to sell, so… Do you know if it damages the finish when you remove it? How do you put it back, with the solution?
Thank you very much for your time! I know I’m asking a lot of questions but it will be my first mac and when you pay 2000$, you want to be sure…
Thank you once mnore!
Johnathan
If I apply the Invisishield to the palm and mouse areas, will this in any way nullify my AppleCare warranty?
Hi everyone!
I bought the full body kit for my macbook pro had it looks great! I really have peace of mind! You buy a 2000$ computer and you don’t protect it from scratches!? After all, Apple computers are sleek and sexy….
I really enjoy my purchase.
No I don’t think it will.
lor di lift your name up high!
I just read that if you have current scratches it will “hide” them on someone’s iPhone screen. I wonder if this is true on other devices. Anybody know?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=7249753#post7249753
Do you apply the film to the screen monitor as well?