My brand new 2023 MacBook Pro 16" - one day in and I already have anxiety with this online talk of closing the lid/screen and causing imprint/damage from the keys?

I think the complaints are much ado about nothing.

First: You simply shouldn’t be a slob around ANY expensive laptop. After all, It’s NOT ruggedized, crumb, or fluid resistant.

Plus there ARE other devices built FOR such hostile environments)

I’ve used a “high-end” MBP 15” for over 6+ years in a wide range of field environments.

I do not eat “finger food” or drink from “condensing” containers while typing. (again, that’s just a bad practice for ANY keyboard)

Yes, I occasionally wipe my paw prints off the keys and track-pad. (It’s called housekeeping and applies to any device)

Yes, the keys do imprint on the screen.

Yes, I also occasionally DO have to clean my screen as well.

But my screen is still in as good a condition today as when it was new.

I do NOT use any additional screen or keyboard protector. (IMO it would unnecessarily stress the hinge).

I DO occasionally slip-in a piece of paper if my keys have become unavoidably dirty - usually from typing with sweaty hands in the tropics.

This is only temporary until I can clean the keys.

Katana-San speaks only for themselves.

The "company postion" on this issue is stated in this article:

Using a camera cover, palm rest, or keyboard cover on a Mac notebook - Apple Support

.

Hi,

I'm using silicon keyboard protector which also protect screen.

Hello ~ I have a quality screen protector on mine. In fact it’s the very first thing I do with any new Apple device followed by a case. I am obsessive about cleanliness and protection of my devices though. Take a look here as well…

How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

Don't start out dreaming up monsters that don't exist. Considering the millions of devices out there, the tiny faction of users who have serious problems you read about is hardly a trend.

If something goes wrong, seek help then, but until that time use it and enjoy it and stop sweating what might happen.

Katana-San wrote:

Hello~ Just wondering for the sake of wondering…why would Apple sell anything in store or online that itself was against their own company position? I like you take nearly anything with a grain (or two) of salt. 🙂

~Katana-San~

Because they make money from the sale. I would not use anything between the screen and the keyboard as recommended by Apple.

Echoing K-San’s post:

I DO use the heaviest, most ruggedized polymer + rubber-armor cases AND screen protectors available on my iPhones & iPads.

They are MUCH more “exposed” and “vulnerable” round-the-clock than the MBP.

Hello ~ I don’t use a camera cover, palm rest cover or keyboard cover on my MBP. It is only my opinion as well….you are correct. The Belkin is sold in the Apple Store and just chatted with a Specialist and they assured me it is fine?

~Katana-San~

My opinion: I would not use anything if it is not recommended in the official "company position". Today's super thin and super light weight laptops don't have much tolerance for anything, so allowances had to be disposed of. That is the price you pay for today's electronics. I sometimes wonder how they manage to actually fit the necessary parts into the micro sized space. And, I take anything from a sales person with a grain of salt.

Hello~ Just wondering for the sake of wondering…why would Apple sell anything in store or online that itself was against their own company position? I like you take nearly anything with a grain (or two) of salt. 🙂

~Katana-San~

A store is a store - it exists to sell goods.

As long as they meet Apple's criteria, they are available. I do not know what those criteria are. Apple gets a cut or commission on everything that is sold.

Hello again ~ I hear you for sure. I was in an Apple Store Tuesday and what a beautiful money making machine. I think it would be hard for them to make a case if it caused an issue having sold it but that’s neither here nor there right? I myself have one due mostly to OCD issues.

~Katana-San~

In 2020, I purchased a refurbished 2017 Macbook Air from Apple - it is very thin and light. I've not had anything between the screen and the keyboard and the screen is in pristine condition. Unfortunately, the Applecare just expired and they did not allow an extension (probably because it is a 2017 model and going on 6 years old), but I am keeping it even though the main purpose of having it has ended: I ran seed betas on it, but it doesn't allow the latest OS, so I can't do that anymore.

Probably not - I've had to cut down on "activities" since my stroke and typing is one of the toughest to do with numb fingers which have refused all efforts ot gaining back the nerve signals. I am right handed and the two are the thumb and forefinger - the ones you need the most and I am not at all ambidexterous. The iMac keyboard works the best and the iPad is the worst. Half the time it doesn't recognize my finger.

Hello once more ~ Any plans for another?

~Katana-San~