A laptop screen protector is a piece of film placed over the laptop screen to reduce the chances of the screen being damaged. The screen protector is made of anti-glare and anti-reflective material that helps the eyes from the screen light and reduces eye strain.
Plastic VS Tempered Glass
There are two types of screen protectors: plastic, and tempered glass. Whether which one works best for you depends on your budget and preferences because each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic Screen Protectors
The plastic screen protectors are relatively cheaper and are prone to scratches. The plastic protector does not cover the whole screen, making it ineffective when dealing with a big screen.
It can also interfere with a touchscreen’s fingerprint reading. Some manufacturers have resolved this by including a hole for the fingerprint scanning in the design. There are users who don’t find it visually appealing, however.
Tempered Glass Screen Protectors
The tempered glass screen protector has total resistance to scratches and protects the entire screen. They also work well with fingerprint scanning.
Instead of acting as a different part of the computer and interfering with the feature, it acts as an extension of the screen. However, the tempered glass screen protectors are more expensive compared to their plastic counterparts and are prone to breaking easily.
Recently, phone manufacturers have started to use various materials to create the display of a screen to incorporate features of a screen protector. These range from tempered glass to gorilla glass, to dragon trail glass, to sapphire to make the display screen.
However, they’ve only successfully achieved bringing in partial advantages, making screen protectors still a necessary addition to extending a laptop’s life.
Are Screen Protectors Only Necessary for Touchscreen Laptops?
Both a touchscreen laptop and a regular computer have a delicate display. The screens of both the normal PC, and touchscreen laptops are prone to scratches, smudges, and marking.
A touchscreen has also added sensitivity, allowing it to function as is. Hence, it’s crucial to protect both display screens with screen protectors.
A screen protector isn’t just for screens, however. It also offers other benefits to computer users, making it a purchase well worth the investment.
Benefits of Using a Screen Guard for a Laptop
Screen guards on laptops and notebooks are necessary to protect screens from everyday wear-and-tear, and damage during possible accidents. They also have several benefits to both the user and the display screen. These are some of the advantages of having a screen protector.
1. Protects the Screen
It is the main function of a screen guard. A good quality one does so in more than one way.
It prevents scratches:
Cleaning the laptop is essential as it collects dust over time. In cleaning, the laptop screen may be prone to scratches if you happen to use a rough material. The scratches may also be a result of the rough keypads when the screen flap is closed.
Other sources of scratches on the screen can be from the use of a stylus pen. The pen can leave scratches when writing or drawing. Coarse dirt particles on the screen can also leave scratches when they are wiped.
A screen protector provides another layer to the display screen so all scratches are not directly on the screen. By doing this, the screen guard prolongs the life expectancy of the display screen.
It prevents dust and dirt from accessing the screen:
A laptop’s screen has vents and holes that may trap dust particles. A screen guard prevents the accumulation of dust particles on the ducts, making them easier to clean after.
2. Prevents Smudges from Fingerprints
When you use a touchscreen laptop, it’s easy for the screen to smudge as you scroll through the screen. When wiping the smudges off with a cloth, you also risk scratching the display.
A laptop with a screen protector prevents smudges directly on the screen. They’re also easier to clean, and less sensitive so they’re not as prone to scratches as a laptop’s display screen.
3. Protects the Eyes
Since the pandemic outbreak, the average number of hours a person typically spends on laptops has tremendously increased as people have switched to working and studying from home.
Excessive exposure to a computer screen can lead to itchiness and a burning sensation in the eyes. If it persists, this can lead to computer vision syndrome eventually.
Screen protectors are manufactured with anti-glare and anti-reflective materials that prevent direct glare and excess light. They’re designed to prevent eyes from straining and further damage, allowing people to spend as much time in front of a computer display as they need.
4. Enhances Visibility
Screen protectors that consist of anti-glare materials enable you to see the screen in a brightly lit environment. The anti-glare screen protectors have a matte finish that helps the screen eliminate shine. It breaks up the light reflected off the screen’s surface, preventing migraines and eye strain.
5. Acts as a Shield
Accidents happen. A computer that has no screen protector screen may crack when it’s accidentally knocked to the ground, or when something hits it.
Screen protectors are made from shock-absorbing material that, in the instance of a sudden fall, protects your screen from cracking to a certain extent.
5. Provides Security
There are various types of data theft, and visual hacking is one of them. When using your laptop in a public area or a shared space, you’re at risk.
At a glance, someone walking by can see your password on your screen, as well as other data. They can use these to access your accounts, gain more information about you, or steal your identity.
The screen guard protector, as weird as it sounds, provides privacy. There are types designed to give protect computer users from visual hacking. One of these is the 2-way privacy filter, which is good at keeping the information on your screen private.
A screen protector with an added privacy filter allows the information displayed on the screen to be only visible to the user who is directly sitting in front of the laptop. This feature protects the data from being viewed by other people around you.
In conclusion, your laptop must have a screen guard. From increased screen protection to health benefits, to security, it is clear that a screen protector is necessary for your laptop. When you need a screen protector installed, consider the help of a trusted professional.