Nov 24 2002
iSkin Keyboard Protector for iBook
Here’s what happens: you get an iBook and its all pristine and virgin white
— not a scratch on it. You tote it around in the polystyrene envelope that it
came packaged with while you show it off to your friends. They marvel at the
iBook’s beauty while they test the keyboard and trackpad (after agreeing to
wear the extra set of cotton gloves you carry in your backpack). It’s your baby
and its never gonna lose its shine.
Me, I’m passed that phase now. My iBook has quite a few scuffs and minor scratches
— I’ve even broken and replaced one of its Command keys. Those things don’t
phase me.
What does phase me are the little things. Like oil and dirt coming off the keyboard
and onto the screen when I close the iBook. Like the hundreds of hairs (mostly
from my dog, Gracie) and crumbs that find their way under the keys. Like the
fact that that orange stuff that they use to color the “cheese” on cheese puffs
has a nasty habit of greasing up and even staining the keyboard.
I’ve tried the leather screen protectors, but they always seem to get left behind
as I move from location to location. I need something that stays with my iBook,
doesn’t get in the way and still keeps it protected. That’s where the iSkin
Keyboard Protector comes in.
Available for both PowerBook G4′s and iBooks, the iSkin protects the keyboard
against dirt, dust, crumbs, hairs and even spills. Since it’s made of silicone,
it is durable, flexible, and sticks to the keyboard without any adhesive or
special installation. If your keyboard gets a little gummy somehow, just wipe
the offending residue off the iSkin with a soap and water dampened cloth.
The iSkin even comes in six different colors (called Skin Tones) so if your
keyboard has been permanently stained by your “Cheeto fingers”, you can camouflage
those marks and look at them through a Creamsicle (light orange) colored membrane.
iSkins are also available in Blue Mist (light blue), Bubble Gum (light pink),
Lemonade (light Yellow) or LimeLight (light green) for those who miss the fruit
flavored iBooks days or White Frost (frosted clear) for the rest of us.
The only thing I found lacking with the product was the packaging and documentation.
The iSkin arrived folded in a plastic bag with a cardboard insert the size of
a business card that contained no apparently useful information. Even though
there is really nothing complicated about the installation or maintenance of
this product, it would be a good idea to tell consumers how to apply the iSkin
and warn people not to use solvents to clean it. Most people won’t need to be
told that information, but it wouldn’t hurt to have it there for those that
might. Of course, the manufacturer’s web site does provide much of this information
and the URL for that site is provided on the aforementioned cardboard insert.
Perhaps clearer documentation will come packaged in later runs of the iSkin
once demand for this fine product increases.
I found the iSkin to be an excellent product and a great solution to my keyboard
maintenance problems.
MacMerc’s Field Manual Breakdown:
iSkin Keyboard Protector for iBook
Price:
$24.99 US
Performance:
Takes a while to get used to the rubbery feel but, overall, very good.
Compatibility:
Available for PowerBook G4 (667MHz and above) and iBooks that use the U.S. English
keyboard layout.
Complaints:
The product’s packaging and documentation could use improvement.