![CloudValley Webcam Cover Slide[2-Pack], 0.023 Inch Ultra-Thin Metal Web Camera Cover for Macbook Pro, iMac, Laptop, PC, iPad](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Kez7aUF9L._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
I've been in search for a screen protector for my MBP ever since I received it in January 2022 (I was one of the first people to order one). I gave up on this due to the number of reports of people cracking screens with screen protectors like this, or with keyboard covers. My MBP, like many others, has been plagued with the screen having imprints from the keys that are now permanent marks on the screen. It actually hides these imprints on the screen quite well.
I have no idea what the difference is between this privacy screen and the more expensive elite, and this is the only one I've tried. It works great for its intended function as well as protecting the screen while in use. For ~$40 it's feasible to occasionally purchase a new one if the matte side gets dirty, which was one of my initial concerns.
To address some common complaints:
"The bottom corners fall off and make the bottom of the screen blurry and makes it impossible to use the dock on my MacBook" - I don't know what you're doing. The bottom DOES fall away from the screen if your screen is tilted down toward the keyboard. Where on earth are you using a laptop that requires you to tilt the screen down to use it? It clings on its own down to about a 75 degree angle, then it starts to fall away. I think the average person uses their laptop at more than 90 degrees, maybe closer to 110 degrees, so it doesn't make much sense to complain about this unless you're looking for an issue. For what it's worth, I haven't even opened the adhesive yet. I think this is for if you want to leave the privacy screen attached to the laptop, which I don't plan to. In that case, sure, I can see this being a bit of a nuisance, but I've been able to open and close the screen without issue.
"The screen gets darker toward the edges making it hard to see" - I'm not sure where you're using your laptop, but if the brightness is up high enough to see the screen, then you can see the screen very well. Yes it does get a shade darker toward the edges, but that is a natural consequence of a privacy screen with a large surface area. If you don't want someone next to you able to see your screen, then you have to accept that there's a limited viewing angle. If they improved this side effect, it would not sufficiently work as a privacy screen. Why else did you buy this? Be glad it works. Keep in mind the whole point of this technology is to balance it between viewer experience and privacy. It's a very fine line, and the bigger the screen, the more you realize that. Also keep in mind, I'm reviewing based on a 14" screen, NOT a 16", which I can imagine would show this side effect more prominently.
"You can still see what's on the screen from the side" - This is true to an extent. It has a lot to do with how bright you have the screen in relationship to how bright it is in your environment. No, it does not need to be so dark that it's hard to see or read. But, the brighter it is, the easier it is for someone next to you to read the screen. Based on my own testing, at a reasonable/comfortable brightness level, I could not read what's on the screen with someone sitting next to me (ie same seating distance as you'd find on a plane). I've only tested this in a medium-light environment, such as a coffee shop in the evening. Flights tend to be lower light, and I haven't tested this yet, but as long as your screen brightness matches your surrounding environment correctly, you should get the desired effect. To elaborate on my findings, when sitting directly next to someone using this privacy screen at a comfortable brightness, you can see less than 1/5 clearly enough to read, though it is difficult to read as it's very dim (this is a good thing). If you step this up to full brightness, you can read about 1/4 to 1/3 of the screen, with the edge nearest you being easy to read and tapering off from there. One thing worth noting on this topic, is that unless you go below a comfortable brightness, it will be easy for people to make out shapes and possibly infer the content on your screen when sitting next to you. For content that you feel requires more privacy, you will want to sit at least a few feet away or lower your brightness below what you may find comfortable. Keep in mind, all of this testing was done with someone sitting literally shoulder to shoulder, and I'm relaying worst case scenario.
"This doesn't work in lecture style seating" - This is true, and I agree if I needed it for that purpose, I would also find this to be annoying. This privacy screen only works for people sitting to your left or right. The vertical (up/down) viewing angle is almost completely unaffected, which is actually more ideal for every day use, but not so ideal for concerns about the person sitting behind you. I believe the type you're looking for is called a 4-way privacy screen, and I think those are harder to find because most people do not want to have to look at their screen at a very specific angle for every day use.
"This changes colors and makes it difficult to edit photos and videos" - I disagree on any color shifts, I haven't noticed an obvious one, but I also haven't attempted photo or video editing yet. I don't know that I'd have anything modifying my screen when I'm trying to edit anyway. But this will work just fine for editing if you really need to do it in a place where you don't want someone to see your screen.. in other words, you won't find something better for it.
I don't often leave reviews but felt this was a well earned review because of the mixed feedback on the product. I almost didn't order it because of the poor reviews I summarized here, so if you're in doubt, try it and don't buy into the poor feedback.
| Standing screen display size | 13 Inches |
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