Is a Protective Case Skin Really Needed?

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Level 1

50 points

Is a Protective Case Skin Really Needed?

Since I am new to all things Apple I am curious as to why so many MacBook owners apparently feel a clear protective skin is needed to protect the case from scratches. Is it really that prone to that sort of damage during normal handling? I tend to take pretty good care of my equipment and have never felt such a need, except for the iPhone 4, which I do have in an Otterbox Defender. My MBA "sleeps" in a leather portfolio with a smooth nylon fabric lining.

Macbook Air 11" 1.6 Ghz, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iPhone 4

Posted on Nov 10, 2010 10:52 AM

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Answer 1

Tony T1

Level 6

10,247 points

Nov 10, 2010 11:01 AM in response to Xav8tor

I don't know of anyone that applies a clear 'skin' to their Mac laptops.

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Answer 2

Xav8tor Author

Level 1

50 points

Nov 10, 2010 11:38 AM in response to Tony T1

There are two current threads about these on the MBA over at Mac Rumors and and a couple here over the past few months on the MacBook Pro forum. Since the Air and Pro lines have the same basic case design, that's why I asked. Apparently, a significant number of folks do use them.

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Answer 3

Nov 10, 2010 3:17 PM in response to Xav8tor

i saw someone with a translucent red hard case just today. it looked quite nice. and another time i saw someone with a semi-translucent black one. that one was really nice. i have always coveted one of those black macbooks. as for needing them i dont think so. i think its just for fashion. i have had my macbook pro 13" for 18 months and i take it everywhere and it doesnt have a single scratch. so i agree with you that a case is probably needed for iphone ( in case you drop it) but just cosmetic on a macbook.

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Answer 4

Nov 10, 2010 3:36 PM in response to Xav8tor

You might see some threads on the here and there -- but you are looking at fan-boy sites and there are always these types of questions. You might as well ask "are Shure headphones necessary" or "are extra power cords necessary".

The answer is no they are not. And in fact, you will find just as many people complaining about those clear cases as those who love them (they tend to scratch up the MBA if dirt gets between the plastic and your MBA).

I administer an office with dozens of Macbooks and MBA's....not one of them have the clear plastic skin case. The only reason you would "need" it is if for some reason you "Want" a different color on your case. Otherwise, they do nothing and add bulk to your book.

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Answer 5

Xav8tor Author

Level 1

50 points

Nov 10, 2010 3:52 PM in response to RonAnnArbor

Thanks guys for the clear reasoned answers. I wouldn't think of not having the iPhone protected, but it is with me everywhere in all environments. The Air is inside, and usually with good lighting.

As for audio, like the Shure, I always laugh at what people will spend on a mic and ear buds to feed a two dollar internal audio chip. For pristine audio, I have a Motu Ultralite Mk3, Sony pro mics and Sony studio headset monitors. Now that is how to record and listen to audio on the road. Of course all of that weighs about three times more than the MBA!

Thanks again.

Message was edited by: Xav8tor

Message was edited by: Xav8tor

Message was edited by: Xav8tor

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Answer 6

yetch

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2010 6:48 PM in response to Xav8tor

You know, it wouldn't hurt. I have been using the Invisible Shield on every thing; Macbook, iPhone, iPad, iPod, I even have the 3M application for my car. It is a great product, provides great protection, and is unobtrusive.

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Answer 7

Dec 17, 2010 1:42 PM in response to Xav8tor

http://www.macthink.net/mac/MacBookAirCases.aspx

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