4 Protective MacBook Accessories I Won’t Buy (and Why)

Some accessories that claim to protect your MacBook may not actually do a good job. In fact, they can even be harmful and end up booking you an appointment at the Apple Store. Here are the MacBook accessories I’d avoid and why.

1 Hard cases

Most of us use cases for iPhones, iPads, and even AirPods, so it seems logical to do the same for MacBooks, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. Many hard cases are heavy and add weight to your MacBook’s hinges. Over time, this extra stress on your hinges can cause them to wear and loosen. Finally, it can prevent your MacBook from staying open at certain angles.

Additionally, for MacBooks with cooling fans, there is also the possibility that the vents could be blocked by a hard case. Since MacBooks tend to overheat easily when you’re running multiple apps at the same time, a case that isn’t designed with heat management in mind could trap heat and ultimately hurt your MacBook’s performance.

Hard cases could also damage the exterior of your MacBook, which is basically the opposite of what you want. While these issues may not occur with every hard shell case you purchase, there is a high chance that they may occur. Personally, that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

If you primarily use your Mac at your desk, you probably don’t need to take additional steps to protect your device. However, if you’re traveling everywhere with your MacBook, I recommend investing in a well-padded and padded laptop sleeve for that extra layer of protection.

2 Webcam cover

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We all fear accidentally leaving our webcam on during a Zoom call. After all, no one wants their teacher or boss to see them lounging in bed during a meeting. This is one of the main reasons why many choose to use webcam covers for their MacBooks. Even though webcam covers are incredibly small, they still create a layer between your Mac’s screen and keyboard when you close it.

Apple states that closing a Mac notebook with the camera cover installed can damage your display. This is because the gap between your Mac’s display and keyboard is designed with very tight tolerances, which is consistent with what I mentioned earlier.

While this may not be as much of a problem on older Mac models, it is a problem on newer ones. A webcam cover can also cause your Mac’s ambient light sensor to stop working, disabling features like Auto-Brightness and True Tone. Instead of relying on the webcam cover, it’s best to watch the green camera light that lights up when the camera is active.

3 Keyboard cover

I’m the type of person who always has a drink and a snack next to me at my desk while I’m working on my MacBook. If you’re like me, you’ve probably considered getting a keyboard cover to protect against accidental spills and prevent dust and debris from getting under your MacBook’s keys. Keyboard covers also help protect the original keyboard from wear and tear, so I can definitely see their appeal.

However, the same concern applies here as with webcam covers. Because the gap is designed with very tight tolerances, there should be no keyboard cover between the screen and the keyboard when the Mac lid is closed.

If you’d like to be extra careful, you might consider using the keyboard cover while you’re working and removing it before closing the lid. According to an Apple Support article, you should remove the keyboard cover before closing the device, as it can interfere with the display or otherwise damage the screen.

However, as someone who forgets things easily, I’d probably forget to remove the keyboard cover, and that’s not a risk I’d take. Instead, I try to be careful around my Mac and clean the keyboard before closing the MacBook.

4 Screen protectors

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Much like we all rush to Amazon for a screen protector when we get a new iPhone or iPad, you might be tempted to do the same for your MacBook. However, the same logic doesn’t apply here because unlike an iPhone or iPad, you often close your MacBook.

Basically the same issues apply to the keyboard and webcam covers. Most screen protectors, especially those made of glass, are quite thick and can prevent your MacBook from closing properly due to the gap design. If you accidentally close the lid of your MacBook with too much force, you could end up cracking the screen.

The real concern comes when it’s time to remove the screen protector. Since MacBook displays have an anti-reflective layer, the adhesive on the protector can peel off this layer. There is also the possibility that your screen protector might shatter when you remove it, which is obviously dangerous and could damage your display. Even users on Reddit shared their negative experiences and warned against using protective glasses.

After purchasing such a premium product, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hundreds of dollars on repairs. It’s only natural that you feel protective of your device and want to take precautions to protect your MacBook from drops and scratches. While some claim to have had good experiences with the accessories I mentioned above, I’d rather not risk it.