is a screen protecter really necessary on the ipad?

I use it "as is". I don't really see a reason for the protector as the screen cleans very easily and I haven't seen any screen wear with normal use.

I do not have a screen protector. I just use the Apple case with mine which protects the screen just fine when taking it with me in my briefcase. I love touching the screen and can't imagine having it covered with a plastic sheet.

I'm going to buy one that combines a screen protector with anti glare features. I hope this will eliminate finger prints and reduce glare when reading an ebook. I know the ones for the iPhone work great.

Not a necessity in my opinion.

Absolutely a waste of money in my opinion. I think it would be wiser to spend you money just getting a really nice case. The one that Apple has is okay, but there are some really nice leather ones that afford a little more protection should you drop it. Then again as big as that screen is if it hits the right way should you drop it, chances are the display will go bye bye. Those display are more rugged than they look though just for daily use.

I haven't found a need for it myself. Fingerprints are the only issue, and those clean off very easily with a microfiber cloth.

I was told by a genius at the Apple Store on 4/3 that a screen protector wasn't needed because the screen was virtually indestructible (and I suspect they did not have any for sale on Day 1, but it may have been due to the fact that I was wild-eyed and dripping wet after standing in line for 2+ hours that morning). So I thought I was covered by just using the black Apple iPad cover.

Unfortunately, I decided to clean off the fingerprints from my iPad yesterday and was greeted by a relatively deep scratch, about .25 inches long (fortunately it is near the middle left edge of the screen and not too visible). I have no idea how it got there.

So ... I am in the market for a screen protector now. I purchased an Invisible Shield for 25 clams at Best Buy, but am looking to repair the scratch before I put my shields up.

I'm currently without a screen protector, however it's only while I await the arrival of my Power Support anti-glare screen protector. Main reason is for the glare.

Update: I was told by the supervisor of an Apple Expert that he recommends screen protectors, and all their iPads at the tech support center have screen protectors, and that the Invisible Shield should do the job.

I have a screen protector on my iPhone and I like it. My experience with my iPad has been different. After putting one on my iPad I found I still managed to get finger prints on it (it was an non-glare type) and that it was harder to wipe the finger prints off the protector than it was off the un-protected iPad screen itself. I removed the protector and feel no need to put another one on.

I haven't used a protector since the 1G iPhone. I never liked how they looked and felt. I have never scratched an unprotected iPhone or iPad. I have a feeling if you do something that has enough force to scratch the screen, it is going to do so with or without a protector...

Glor