Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Reviews, Macbook Pro, MacBook
Mini-Review: Power Support Track Pad Film
While attracting dirt and grime is a hazard of owning a notebook, the neat-freak and 'oh my gosh this is expensive computer equipment' portions of my brains have always been bothered by how icky my MacBook Pro can get over time. I've tried a few products that are designed to protect one portion or another of a MacBook Pro from dirt, and Power Support's Track Pad Film is just such a product. It comes as two separate pieces - one for the mouse button and another for the track pad - and Power Support sells them as a two-pack so you get a backup in case you make a mistake or have a friend who could use some track pad protection.
Since the Track Pad Film is basically a clear sticker that is designed to allow you to still use your MacBook's track pad, application is pretty simple. Some people prefer to wash the heck out of their hands, while I personally just peel back the underside of the sticker and apply without ever actually touching the film. There isn't much to say about how well the film protects your track pad and mouse button: it's a clear sticker, so those two components are pretty well covered, as long as you applied them properly. 'Nuff said.
In terms of the performance of the actual piece of film that covers the track pad, I have a mixed opinion: for the most part, the track pad still responds fairly accurately. I'm a dual-mode notebook mouser myself - I can use a track pad or a USB mouse with almost equal comfort and precision, so I'm not one of those people who's dead in the water if I have nothing but a fingertip to steer with. However, I notice at random times that my trackpad accuracy momentarily goes out the window - for a stroke or two on the pad, it might pick up only half the normal distance the mouse would typically travel, or the mouse might get a little shaky on the screen, as if Mac OS X is having a hard time understanding exactly where my finger is and where I want the mouse to go.
Overall, if we had an official rating system on TUAW, I would give the Track Pad Film a 7 out of 10. It's a decent product that can certainly help protect one's track pad from dirt and general wear and tear, but this occasional drop in accuracy is a big ding for this blogging power user.
I found Track Pad Film in a Colorado Apple Store for $12.95, but you can also order it for your MacBook/Pro (including a version specific for the black MacBook) from Power Support.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Travis Richardson said 5:05PM on 5-25-2007
I would suggest:
http://www.shieldzone.com/item_description/APPMBPFBS.html
but maybe because i'm a little more of a neat freak than most.
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Mike said 5:08PM on 5-25-2007
I would suggest...an external mouse - no dirt on the touchpad then, and a bunch of other buttons to play with in USB Overdrive :)
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Donald Burr said 5:37PM on 5-25-2007
The Power Support films are quite good. They are extremely scuff/scratch resistant and are pretty thick and tough. I use their film for the 5G video iPod and it's taken a lot of abuse, getting jammed into my pocket, backpack, laptop case, etc. and it still looks good. Oh eventually you have to change it (they aren't indestructible), but they can take a LOT of abuse before needing to be changed out.
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Robert said 5:43PM on 5-25-2007
I use this on my black MacBook and highly recommend it. I see no difference in performance or accuracy.
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Navin Mahabir said 4:49AM on 5-26-2007
Seriously, washing your hands if possible makes a world of difference
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tylerch4rles said 5:47AM on 5-26-2007
so it can protect my macbook
_____________
iPod Converter
http://www.ipodconverter.com
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kj said 6:08AM on 5-26-2007
I use a similar product on my trackpad. I purchased from www.applepeelz.com
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JeffDM said 7:11AM on 5-26-2007
I'm not sure if even OCD-level hand washing will prevent wear and dirt from getting onto the track pad. The texture on the pad will eventually wear down.
For me, the track pad is a last-resort thing anyway if I can't bring a mouse because I've really never liked how they work in an ergonomic sense.
BTW: If you do get the Invisible Shield, I suggest getting a fan utility to turn up the notebook's fan a little so that it's not depending so much on the surface to radiate and conduct heat, otherwise I think the invisible shield might cause cooling problems.
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Ben H said 10:39AM on 5-26-2007
The spacebar on that keyboard is really tiny. Is it a Japanese layout or something?
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Ted said 2:14PM on 5-26-2007
I would suggest washing your hands more regularly. I've found it very effective at keeping my trackpad clean.
;)
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MfS said 2:57PM on 5-26-2007
At #4:
Why would you have to "change out" the Power Support film on your iPod? I don't mean to threadjack, but I've had the same film on my 5G iPod for over a year, and I've never had to even think about buying a new set.
What's happened that's made you need to change the film?
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ChuckG said 3:29PM on 5-26-2007
Travis,
I peeled off Shield Zone's film that I applied last 4 months ago because it wore out badly. It turned into a nasty green, even more so in higher pressure points.
It's inevitable that all trackpads will eventually wear down because of all the rubbin' and why sacrifice the feel anyways?
So far the lid shield has been the only worthwhile use for the shield, since it prevented serious abrasion when the Mac Genius recklessly flipped my MacBook to replace the dead battery.
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Macintologist said 5:34PM on 5-26-2007
I just wash my hands before using the Powerbook. Some people are nasty and use their powerbook after eating a burger and fries, or cheetos. Ewww.
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Mahalis said 11:50PM on 5-27-2007
I've found rubbing alcohol to work really well for cleaning off both the trackpad and the rest of the case. It's a bit more work than putting on a sticker, but everything ends up looking pristine and shinified.
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sandy said 5:51PM on 8-08-2007
I would not recommend this item - significant performance issue after putting it on! I had to peel it off soon before it drove me insane. The mouse cursor did not move with the same sensitivity or consistency.
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