Trackpad and Palm Rest Protectors

Why the trackpad needs looking after

The trackpad and the palm rests either side of it get more skin contact than any other part of a laptop. Over months, fingertips polish the trackpad's matte surface to a shine, and wrists, rings and watch straps wear and mark the palm rests. A thin protector takes that wear instead, and can be peeled off and replaced when it has done its job, leaving the original surface as it was.

What is in this range

• Trackpad films are the biggest group. They are thin sheets of PET, from about 0.2mm to 0.42mm by their makers' figures, cut to the exact shape of one trackpad. Many come in packs of two, so there is a spare.
• Palm rest and trackpad skins cover the whole area in front of the keyboard. One here is made for the MacBook Air 13.6-inch with Touch ID and is colour-matched to its finishes, so it blends in.
• A soft silicone case for the separate Magic Trackpad, for those who use one at a desk.

Almost everything here today is cut for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, including the MacBook Neo. For other laptops, a full skin set in laptop skins often includes a trackpad and palm rest piece.

Clear or matte

A clear film keeps the trackpad looking as it did, and some are described as glossy. A matte or frosted film has a fine texture that hides fingerprints and gives a fingertip a little grip, so the feel changes slightly. Which you prefer is a matter of taste; the makers of both say the trackpad still responds as normal.

Finding the film for your MacBook

MacBook trackpads differ in size from model to model, so the choices on each page are named by screen size, such as 13.6-inch or 14.2-inch, and by model number, such as A2681. The model number is printed in small type on the underside of the laptop. Pick the choice that names yours; a film for a neighbouring model will not line up.

Before fitting, wipe the trackpad with a soft cloth that is barely damp, then dry it. Dust trapped under a film shows as a bump.

Questions people ask about trackpad protectors

Will a film make the trackpad less sensitive?

The makers of the films here say not, and a film made for your model leaves the trackpad free to press and click. A matte film feels a little different under the finger.

Can I take it off later?

Yes. They are described as peeling off without residue, and one is held on by static rather than glue.

More to look at

• Laptop skins
• Keyboard covers
• MacBook hard-shell cases
• For MacBook Air 13-inch
• For MacBook Pro 14-inch
• Screen sprays and cloths
• Guide: Privacy and protection: filters, screen protectors, skins and locks
• Guide: How to clean a laptop safely