Best Screen Protector for M4 iPad Pro!
One of my favorite accessories, which I’ve put on all my devices for the last couple of years, is the Mothca matte glass screen protector. Here’s how I install one on the M4 iPad Pro. It isn’t sponsored by Mothca.
Why matte
It’s tempered glass, so it feels good and protects the display, with a matte finish that hides fingerprints and cuts reflections. One of my biggest issues with the iPad Pro outside or in a bright room is seeing myself, or every light in the room, bouncing off the screen when I’m reading or watching a video.
Doesn’t Apple sell a matte iPad Pro? Yes, and it’s really expensive. Nano-texture glass is only $100 more, but you can’t add it to the base $999 model; you have to get the 1 TB or 2 TB model. That’s $1,599 plus $100 for the 11-inch, or $1,899 plus $100 for the 13-inch, when you can get two Mothca protectors for under $15.
In the box
Installation tools and instructions, alcohol wipes, dust-removal stickers, a microfiber cloth, an optional camera-bump protector, an installation frame to align it, and the screen protector.
Installing it
- Clean the screen with an alcohol wipe to get all the finger grease off, then wipe away streaks with the microfiber cloth.
- Check for dust. Tilt the iPad toward the light and blow off anything you see. It’s easier than removing dust later.
- Place the frame. Its cutouts match the buttons, so line those up and set it over the iPad. Check for dust again.
- Peel and align. With the backing side down, peel part of the backing at the bottom, align that edge inside the frame, lean over to check it’s centered, then keep peeling as you lower it. Swipe your finger across so it sticks evenly.
- Push out bubbles toward the edges with the cloth. If some won’t go, lift a corner slightly with the edge of your fingernail, careful not to touch the adhesive, which leaves marks you can’t remove. Then lay it back down.
- Got dust under it? Lift a corner and use a sticker to pull the dust out.
The result
The light is completely diffused, so you don’t see full reflections of lights or yourself. Next to my M1 iPad Pro without one, there’s a lot less glare and you can see the picture better.
- Fingerprints barely show, and wipe off in one or two swipes instead of several hard ones on glossy glass.
- Apple Pencil gets a bit more resistance. The standard glass is too slippery for me.
The catch
A matte surface diffuses light, so side by side you’ll see a slight drop in sharpness. The same happens with Apple’s nano-texture. But when I’m just using my iPad or iPhone, I don’t notice it. For me, less glare and fewer fingerprints matter more. For a few dollars, you get most of nano-texture’s benefits, it’s easy to replace if it gets scratched or cracked, and it feels better with the Pencil.
CalDigit sponsored this video, with its SOHO dock and Element Hub.
Links
- CalDigit’s docks and hubs (sponsored)
- CalDigit Element Hub
- CalDigit SOHO
- Mothca for iPad 13
- Mothca for iPad 11
- Combo Touch vs Magic Keyboard for M4 iPad Pro!
- CalDigit is my dock partner
- https://www.threads.net/@jerryschulzeonyt
- My iPhone Art
- Grovemade Desk Mat and Knife (save 10% JERRY10)
- UNLIMITED Cloud Backup for your Mac with Backblaze
In this video
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. See my ethics statement.
