iSkin ProTouch MacBook"
Fits: Apple MacBook and MacBook-
Material: High-grade injection molded silicone
MSRP: $24.00


I've always been bad at separating eating from working on my computer, it's just natural for me to grab and snack and sit down to work for a bit. The downside to this is my keyboard tends to look like a warzone with little bits of jam and chocolate smudged here and there, toast crumbs hiding down between the keys. In the words of one of my friends it's "totally gross"... not that I disagree. This situation was even more pronounced with the all white keyboards on my Apple iMacs which soon took on a greyish hue speckled with stains. Cleaning my keyboards is an hour-long proposal and no matter how hard I try they never look new again. I first found out about iSkin when I purchased replacement Mac full-size keyboard for my 20" iMac. I picked up a Sonic Blue iSkin for my iMac and have loved it ever since.

When purchasing my Apple MacBook 13.3" I knew I had to pick up a keyboard protector or my new laptop would look gross within a month. I even thought about the black MacBook just to eliminate this problem, however I went with white anyway. Since this is a combination work and play laptop I take it with me in my truck on my service calls. Since I diagnose and repair commercial restaurant equipment my hands are always slightly greasy or have some sort of oily residue on them. Even after washing my hands several times I still leave behind undefined sticky stuff on a keyboard after typing.

----- Installing and using an iSkin -----

Installing an iSkin on a MacBook is ridiculously simple, all you do is lay the iSkin membrane over your keyboard, start in the middle and massage the iSkin over your keys working towards the outer edges. Make sure it's fitting snugly around the outer keyboard surround and you're good to go.

I went with the Arctic (clear) colored skin which allows you to see the keyboard letters clearly through the skin. Using an iSkin is pretty much exactly like using a MacBook, just with a tackier keyboard. It takes a bit to get used to the slippy-grippy feeling of silicone under your fingertips (hey, at least it's not latex), but overall I like it now. It gives you a bit of traction when typing and keeps your fingers in place nicely when writing quickly.

iSkins are claimed to protect your keyboard from the following keyboard killers:

• Food particles
• Dust
• Hairs / Dandruff
• Sweat
• Ketchup (and similar liquids)
• Sand
• Spills and Moisture
• Finger oils and dirt
• Key wear

I can vouch for the food particles, ketchup, and finger oils as I've already exposed my iSkin to each of these on multiple occasions. As stated in the included documentation all you need to do to clean your iSkin is remove it and wash in warm water with mild soap. I let mine dry overnight before laying it back on my keyboard. If you use your laptop frequently in public places it's a good idea to wash your iSkin to kill bacteria and stop the spread of germs. If for no other reason you should also wash your skin every few months just to keep it from turning brownish from your finger oils.

iSkins are available in Sonic (frosted blue), Blush (frosted pink),
Arctic (frosted clear), Ghost (phosphorescent opaque
white glow in the dark, printed keys), Eclipse
(opaque black, printed keys).

----- Bottom Line -----

Many times on a laptop crucial components are lodged under the keyboard, the last thing you want is a small liquid spill or grains of grit getting down into the internal bits. For someone who takes their laptop to work and spends downtime at internet/coffee shops, the iSkin ProTouch is a no-brainer purchase. It's a great gift for friends or co-workers as they'll use it every day... unlike that golf club styled bottle opener.

Oh yeah, one last word to parents of college age children, if you're buying them a laptop for school make sure you include an iSkin. College life is hectic enough that spills and messes will happen, make sure all they need to clean up their keyboard is soap and water. :)


Related links:

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•Apple iMac Intel Duo 20"
•Apple iMac Intel Duo 24"
•Apple iBook G4 12"
•Apple Powerbook G4 17"
•Apple iPod Photo 40GB
•Apple iPod 20GB

•Toshiba Satellite A215 15.4" Laptop
•Nikon D70 Digital SLR
•Viosport Adventure Cam 2 Kit

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment!

© Openroad 2007

Recommended: Yes