Buying guide for best privacy screen filters for laptops
The passage of time has brought us many technological marvels, but it has also resulted in increased lawlessness. People are trying to steal your information and hack your accounts all the time. Studies show that hackers could gather five or more pieces of highly sensitive information off your computer screen in 15 minutes or less using nothing but their own eyes. And they could gather even more information if they were to use a smartphone to photograph your screen.
If you have important information on your laptop that needs to be protected from prying eyes, you need a privacy screen. If there’s an unscrupulous coworker trying to get ahead by stealing your ideas or a thief sitting quietly beside you on an airplane looking sideways at your laptop, you need a privacy screen. These are just two possible scenarios out of hundreds.
Which privacy screen should you get for your laptop? Keep reading to discover one that’s right for you and your system.
How privacy screens work
If you’ve ever seen vertical blinds, you know that when they’re open, the thin blades turn sideways so their thinnest edge is facing the window. This lets you see out the window between the blinds without problem. When you start moving to the side, the body of the individual blinds begins to block out the light until you can’t see out the window at all. Privacy screens use micro-louvre technology to accomplish the same thing for your computer screen.
Key considerations
Dimensions
The size of your laptop screen and its aspect ratio will dictate the privacy screen you need. If you don’t know those numbers, it’s easy to get them.
Size: To determine the size of your screen, measure from a top corner diagonally to the opposite bottom corner. Don’t measure the casing around the screen; just measure the screen itself. The number you get is the screen size.
Ratio: Next, measure the width of the visible screen. You can measure it across the top or the bottom or anywhere else on the screen, as long you’re holding the tape measure completely horizontal. Then, measure the height of the visible screen. Divide the width by the height to get the aspect ratio. If the resulting number is closer 1.33, your screen is a standard full-screen size. If the number is closer to 1.78, you have a widescreen ratio.
Attachment methods
Most privacy screens come with one of two methods of attachment, but many have both. Adhesive strips are popular but, once in place, it can be difficult to remove the screen. If you do remove, the adhesive will lose much of its strength, and you may not be able to put the screen back on.
The other method involves mounting tabs on the top and bottom of your laptop screen so the privacy screen can slide in and out.
Expert Tip
People directly behind you can see what is on your screen even if you use a privacy screen. Turn your desk or screen so that anyone approaching you is no longer directly behind you.
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Laptop privacy screen features
Material
Privacy screens are manufactured from thin plastic film that is no more than a few millimeters thick. They are made into flat panels that come in two varieties — with frames and without. Either way, they are lightweight and won’t noticeably add to the weight of your laptop. However, those with frames may make it difficult to completely close the lid of your laptop.
Glare
Some, but not all, privacy screens include glare-reducing film in their construction. Due to the way privacy screens work (see the FAQ section for more in-depth information), glare can reduce screen visibility even when you’re looking directly at the screen. Reducing screen glare improves your viewing while still protecting your data from prying eyes.
Color
Privacy screens are normally black, but manufacturers have begun experimenting with other colors in an effort to improve your viewing experience. These new options are more expensive, but users have reported good results from them with less blur than the black screens.
Matte finish
Privacy screens often wash out the bright colors on glossy computer screens, resulting in a matte finish appearance. It helps reduce distracting reflections, but the colors wind up looking dull. Lately, manufacturers have begun producing reversible privacy screens so you can choose a matte finish look or a glossy look.
Image clarity
Privacy screens reduce the amount of light coming from the computer screen, even if just by a small amount. This makes the screen dimmer than it would otherwise be. You can overcome this by adjusting the brightness controls on your screen, which will drain your battery faster, or by spending more for a higher-clarity privacy screen.
Expert Tip
Privacy screens aren’t designed to work with touchscreen laptops.
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Laptop privacy screen prices
Inexpensive
A low-end privacy screen for a 14-inch to 15-inch laptop will cost $20 to $30. This will be a plain black privacy screen that protects your screen from sideways views.
Mid-range
In the middle price range, from $30 to $45, are privacy screens that also offer protection from UV and blue light to protect your eyes. Many privacy screens in this range are reversible with both a matte finish side and a glossy side.
High-end
The high-end price range for laptop privacy screens is $45 and up. This subset of products includes privacy screens that are reversible and protect your eyes from UV and blue light. You will also find different colors that mask the screen outside of the normal viewing area.
Note: All these price ranges are for laptops with typical 14- or 15-inch screens. Prices are higher for laptops with larger screens.
Expert Tip
Privacy screens can reduce reflections on the screen that are often highlighted by the light coming from the screen itself.
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Tips
- A laptop privacy screen with adhesive strips will allow your laptop to close with the privacy screen attached. With a laptop privacy screen that uses attachment clips, the lid may not close completely. Be aware of this if you close your computer to turn it off.
- Privacy screens allow viewing from straight on but only to 30 degrees on each side of you. If you need to make a presentation to several people, take the privacy screen off, or they won’t be able to see it.
- Some privacy screens cause blurring even when you look directly at them. Before mounting a screen with adhesive, hold the privacy screen against your laptop screen and check for blurring. If you have a reversible privacy filter, turn it around and try again. If there is still unacceptable blurring, return it and get a replacement.
- Privacy screens do not protect your laptop from condensation or other environmental factors. If any liquid is spilled on your privacy screen, wipe it off immediately.
FAQ
Q. How do you clean a privacy screen?
A. Normally, a soft, lint-free cloth will keep it clean. Every few days, however, you should use antistatic cleaning wipes to prevent dust buildup. If stubborn fingerprints or smudges won’t come off, spray a vinegar and water solution onto a lint-free cloth and wipe the screen with it.
Q. Can people see the screen from above?
A. Yes. Referring back to our example of the vertical blinds, moving up or down wouldn’t obscure your view through the window. Micro-louvres are no different. Anyone looking at your screen from directly above can see it just fine.
