Review: ZAGG invisibleSHIELD Macbook

ZAGG invisibleSHIELD Macbook
Manufacturer: invisibleSHIELD
Site: Buy from invisibleSHIELD
Price: $54.95 (full body coverage); $39.95 (standard coverage); $24.95 (wrist rest coverage); $17.95 (battery coverage)


Overview : Your search for a(n) Apple MacBook 13 inch case, skin, or cover is now over. The invisibleSHIELD™ is an exceptionally clear and virtually indestructible film that will protect your MacBook 13 inch from unsightly scratches. Our exclusive nano-memory™ technology covers and shields your device, keeping it as pristine as the day you took it out of the box.

The precision pre-cut invisibleSHIELD applies directly to your MacBook 13 inch, providing the toughest, most durable protection you will find. The invisibleSHIELD has its origins in the military, where it was used to protect high-speed helicopter blades from dust, dirt and debris. Now you can use that same powerful technology to protect your MacBook 13 inch.

The invisibleSHIELD is only .2 millimeters thick making it the slimmest MacBook 13 inch skin or MacBook 13 inch cover of its kind. It is so tough that we back it with a lifetime guarantee. So, if it ever does wear or scratch, we will replace it for free, for the life of your device. And if you ever need to remove the invisibleSHIELD, no problem; it comes off clean and leaves no sticky residue.

If you're still not convinced, check out our demo video and see for yourself how strong the invisibleSHIELD™ really is.

Features:

• Full Body coverage: Top, bottom, wrist rest, track pad and mouse button(s).
• Standard coverage: Top, wrist rest, track pad and mouse button(s).
• Wrist Rest coverage: Wrist Rest only.
• Battery coverage: Battery only.

Quality/Usability : I thought I would spice up the reviews with something not gaming related.

I've been wanting to protect my 13.3" Black Macbook from scratches or marks and possibly give it that glossy look but still keep its cool black color. Since its black, its more visible and noticeable if it there was a blemish so I thought I'd give ZAGG's invisibleSHIELD for the 13" Macbook a try. You've probably have either heard of invisibleSHIELD or seen some form of their advertisement such as key scratching ipod, pen trying to go through invisibleSHIELD. They protect everything from your precious iPods, to cellphones to cameras and even your PSP.

invisibleSHIELD comes in a cardboard tube. Inside the tube are two complimentary bottled solutions (just water), squeegee, instructions and 3 invisibleSHIELD sheets. One sheet contains the cover, second sheet contains the battery and bottom and the third sheet contains the wrist rest, button and trackpad. All invisibleSHIELD products are clear giving you the ultimate protection without changing the looks.

I've installed numerous DecalGirl skins on consoles and those were easy. Even if you messed up, peeling and reapplying was easy. So I thought this would be a walk through the park....boy was I wrong. First, they suggest washing your hands so that your fingerprints arent all over the sticky side of the invisibleSHIELD. OK, I have no problem with that. Next, spray your fingerstips with the SHIELDspray (its just regular water) and peel the invisibleSHIELD off the paper backing. Once peeled off, hold the invisibleSHIELD in your hands with the adhesive side up. Lightly spray the front (instructions states to spray back also, why? I dont know) of the invisibleSHIELD. DO NOT spray on the laptop itself. Once you have applied water to the invisibleSHIELD. Apply it to your laptop and slide it into place. STOP! What they didnt mention is that this method is for glossy Macbook's. My Black Macbook is matte. Its not glossy like the white ones. Had it been glossy, installation would have been a lot smoother. So sliding into place on a matte surface would be very hard to do as the invisibleSHIELD grips onto the matte casing. Since I can not slide into place, I had to lift up the invisibleSHIELD. Use the squeegee to push the excess moisture and bubbles away from the center to the edges. Again, it was impossible with the Black Macbook.

Since I'm a perfectionist and a bit anal when it comes to things like this, I had to lift and re-align the invisibleSHIELD multiple times on the cover. Just when I thought I had it, it was uneven. So I had to take the whole part off and reapply. Doing this also stretched out the invisibleSHIELD. So when I finally had it aligned correctly on three sides of the cover. The fourth side was too long. No way for me to even it out.

The battery was easier as the invisibleSHIELD piece was small and easier to handle. Same goes for the rest of the bottom invisibleSHIELD. But you would think that the wrist rest, button and trackpad would be even easier. Wrong. The illustrated image at the top from invisibleSHIELD shows that the wrist/trackpad area should be four piece. The piece I received was one big piece. I couldnt even take the trackpad or button piece off. You can see the indentation or semi-cut out but was unable to remove it or tear it apart thanks to invisibleSHIELD's guarantee. Even using a box cutter to try and separate the pieces wouldnt work. So I thought to myself that maybe its suppose to be like that. I applied it but since its one big piece, when clicking on the button, it wouldnt work normal because its attached to the remainder of the invisibleSHIELD.

Conclusion : Overall, the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD Macbook is very durable but the application would not work well at all with the matte Black Macbook. Installation of the invisibleSHIELD was a pain and cumbersome. The poor indentation or cut out to separate the trackpad, wrist rest and button was poorly done. What would of been best would be to include a disclaimer or warning that the invisibleSHIELD would not work best with the Black Macbook due to its matte finish. Luckily, my friend was over and brought their White Macbook. I took the cover, battery and bottom invisibleSHIELD and applied it to the white Macbook. Installation was a whole lot smoother as it was easier to glide on the glossy casing. invisibleSHIELD is intended more for the White Macbook since it is prone to scratching but not for the Black Macbook.

The Lifetime Guarantee unfortunately only covers the product. They claim its scratch resistant, so if it scratches, they'll replace it. If you mess up, thats user/installer error.


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