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I can’t sleep on the plane. So I’m one of those annoying people who always pulls out the laptop to work. My problem (besides fighting for elbow room on the arm rest) is that the lack of privacy on my laptop computer makes me uncomfortable.
I try my best to make sure that no one is watching and that no one cares about what is on my computer. But I also know that most of the time I can’t help but stare at the bright screen of someone beside me airplane. It’s the same feeling when I work in a crowded coffee shop or any other place.
I’ve always known that I should try a privacy screen for my laptop. I finally did it, and now I’m counting it in one of them Best MacBook accessories you can buy.
No Meeting Required
Photo: Luke Larsen
Secret screenings have been around for years, but I never thought they were for me. I didn’t like the idea of constantly (or permanently) changing the shape of my laptop because of the adhesive used. The last thing I want to do is pay a MacBook Pro A bright Mini-LED display to distract by sticking a plastic sheet on top of it. And when it comes to privacy, it’s not something I always want. Sometimes I want so I can see my laptop in the corner.
But I found the magnetic method, and it intrigued me. Unlike the kind that stick to your laptop computer (kind of like a regular protector), this one didn’t use any adhesive at all. This means—in theory—that it’s easy to turn off and on. And when I tried it, I was sold.
The Internet has many different types of these, and they all work in the same way. But the one I used and tested Targus 4Vu Magnetic Privacy Screen for my MacBook Pro. You need to find something that fits your device’s screen size, and you want to make sure it’s magnetic. Because the MacBook Pro already has magnets built into the top and bottom of the screen to help the lid close, the solution works very well. But be careful: Some of the so-called “magnetic” secret films still require sticking small strips on the bezels of your laptop.
Targus
4VU Magnetic Privacy Screen
And when it’s turned on, bam—it works like magic. You’ve probably seen it in the wild, whether it’s on a phone, laptop, or monitor, and it’s often used in hospitals or banks.
The idea is simple: The technology significantly reduces viewing angles, often by 30 degrees in each direction. Therefore, if someone is sitting to your left or right, the content on the screen is reduced. This privacy screen doesn’t make objects appear on your screen – although this depends on how bright your screen is. On the MacBook Pro, if it’s at 50 percent or more, the side view is about as low as it gets. If you really want your products to be distracting to people nearby, you should reduce the brightness to 25 percent or lower.
In the real world
Even though I didn’t have a flight coming in, I’ve been bringing this to the coffee shop. And when someone sitting in the back can see my screen, I found a new freedom in doing my work in public with this on my laptop. One thing that strikes me first: How easy it would be to store such a thing. Accidentally folding the canvas in a pocket can really ruin the event. Fortunately, Targus offers a very limited storage folder.
The most surprising thing about using this privacy screen was how hidden it was when you looked directly at it. As I put it on, I could see a slightly dark look. But after a few minutes, I forgot it was there. As a result, it’s something I wouldn’t want to leave behind on my long-running MacBook Pro.
