You may not be an FBI agent with top secret, ultra-classified files to hide, but chances are you’ve used your MacBook to access sensitive material on more than one occasion.
Not to mention, no one likes the feeling of others looking over their shoulder, even if the onlooker does so with complete disinterest and no malicious intent.
While a pair of headphones can keep your music to your ears only, how do you protect your screen from prying eyes, especially if you’re working on a confidential project or just don’t like gawkers?
A privacy screen will change the viewing angle of your screen so that unless you are directly in front of it, viewers will see a black, gold, or tinted display instead of the contents on it. This is especially nifty in open office situations or at home and can solve a lot of problems.
From “Finder” on your Mac, go to “Applications.” Once in “Applications,” scroll to select “QuickTime Player.” Select “File,” and then “New Screen Recording.” In the screen recording box, click the drop-down menu. From the drop-down box, select the features you want to use for your screen recording. How to Record Your Screen on Mac. There are many times when you'll want to make a recording of what you're doing on-screen. You may want to capture some steps for an instructional video, or try your hand at machinima. Launch QuickTime. Screens Connect is the easiest way to make a computer available for connections from outside its local network, but under certain circumstances, Screens Connect isn't a viable option. In such cases, it's still possible to connect to a computer from across the Internet.
In this article, we’ll show you some of the best privacy screens for MacBook and where to look for one that suits your needs.
Quick Summary
- The Kensington MacBook Privacy Screen is magnetic for easy removal and installation, and available in the right size for almost every 13-inch 2016/2017/2018 MacBook Pro and 2018 MacBook Air.
- The golden 3M Gold Privacy Filter for MacBook Air offers a higher visibility level for the user while displaying a solid gold sheen to any onlookers. Available for 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air.
- The Homy Privacy Screen Protector Kit works with the 2016, 2017, and 2018 touch bar MacBook Pros by magnetically attaching to the screen. It also comes with a free keyboard skin for a bit of physical protection as well.
Who Should Get This?
A privacy screen is a matter of convenience and personal need. If you work for clients with sensitive information (i.e. social workers, lawyers, investigators) you would strongly benefit from the added confidentiality that a privacy screen can provide.
It’s also useful if you work in an open office or shared space where people are passing by constantly, or if you are easily irked by peers who always seem to want to know what’s happening on your laptop rather than focusing on their own.
While a privacy screen is rarely a necessity, it can offer a layer of security and comfort to a lot of users.
Buying a Privacy Screen for MacBook: What to Consider?
Size
The MacBook Pro has different dimensions depending on the year, size, and additional features of your model. This means privacy screens are not by any means “one size fits all”, and you’re going to need to check before you purchase a particular model. Most products will list the MacBooks they are compatible with the type and release year. You can check your model by clicking to the Apple icon > About This Mac.
Mounting Method
Screens For Machine
Privacy screen filters can be installed a number of different ways. Some of the slickest include magnetic attachments, while the lower-tech but the equally effective adhesive method works as well. However, if you plan to take the cover on and off frequently something like the tape isn’t going to last long- you’ll want either clips, magnets, or something in that vein. Make sure to think about when and where you plan to use a screen and check how it will be attached to your MacBook.
Image Clarity
Because a privacy filter is essentially a polarized sheet, it’s going to affect the visibility of your display for you too- not just bystanders. The higher quality screens will do their best to counteract this but keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and cheaper screens will likely lead to some display dimness or discoloration.
Best MacBook Privacy Screen in 2019: Our Picks
Please note: all the privacy screen/filters we recommend below are chosen based on the criteria above and our own personal preferences. They are by no means ranked in this order.
1. Kensington MP13 MacBook Magnetic Privacy Screen
Available for almost every recent MacBook, the Kensington filter attaches by magnets to the top edge of your MacBook and blocks out viewers at angles beyond 60 degrees. You can take it on and off easily without worrying about wear and tear.
- Pros: Magnetic design makes for easy on-and-off operation, which is great for the occasional use. Good privacy angles and effective design. It’s also very thin, so the laptop can be closed with it on.
- Cons: The Magnetic strip is only along the top, so when closing the laptop lid you must be careful to not let it slide around.
2. Homy Privacy Screen Protector Kit for MacBook Pro
Complete with anti-glare coating, this privacy filter from Homy attaches with adhesive strips to your Mac. It’s made for the TouchBar MacBooks from 2016, 2017 and 2018 and comes with a keyboard cover so you can have all your bases protected wherever you go.
- Pros: 60-degree angle is comfortable for the average user, and prevent screen scratches as well. Comes with a free keyboard skin to protect your keys too- not just your screen!
- Cons: Adhesive strips are subject to wear and tear if you take this screen off frequently.
Screens App For Mac
3. 3M Gold Privacy Filter for 13″ Apple MacBook Air
If you’re concerned about visibility and screen brightness, the 3M Gold model is your best choice. The lighter tint provides the same protection while allowing you a greater amount of visibility and looks sleek doing it. It’s only available for the MacBook Air.
- Pros: Sleek gold design looks professional and increases visibility for the intended user without sacrificing any degree of privacy. It’s easy to get replacement adhesive if needed through the 3M site.
- Cons: Attaches via adhesive rather than magnetic strips.
Additional Tips & Resources
Have you ever tried to stick a screen protector on your phone and been terribly unsatisfied with the results? This is also a possibility with privacy screens, unfortunately. If you’re using a stick-on model, you can follow the guide in this video to get the best possible fit:
Do you also own a PC? Some of the newer HP models include a feature called SureView, which is a built-in privacy filter that automatically adjusts your screen for maximum privacy. If your laptop has it, you can activate the feature by pressing FN + F2.
Lastly, if you’re more interested in protecting the physical machine of your laptop than what’s on the screen, consider purchasing a backpack or sleeve that will keep it from being damaged while in transit (especially useful if your laptop commutes with you).
Final Words
Whether you’re watching the latest HBO release on the bus or reviewing bank statements in your office, a privacy filter offers a greater degree of personal comfort and document safety. While it won’t block out everything, it will offer a much narrower opportunity for gawkers.
So, how do you protect your MacBook’s content on a regular basis? Leave a comment and let us know.
Duet Display is an app made by former Apple engineers that allows you to use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac. In this article, we'll explain how it works and the steps you need to follow to get things up and running. Duet Display is a great way to extend your Mac's desktop and can come in especially handy when you're working away from home and want to broaden your productivity space, but don't have the luxury of a dedicated external monitor.
In earlier versions of macOS, the app was hampered by changes to Apple's operating system that caused its developers no end of problems, but the latest Duet update (v2.0.3.8+) released on December 5 appears to have resolved those issues thanks to the introduction of full hardware acceleration support.
We are excited to announce a breakthrough.
As of macOS 10.14.2+ & duet v2.0.3.8+, Duet Display is now fully hardware accelerated, making the fastest way to turn your iPad into a second display even faster. 100% free update at https://t.co/VxaXUTgXdbpic.twitter.com/FbbuqAGF1E
— Duet Display (@duetdisplay) December 5, 2018As of macOS 10.14.2+ & duet v2.0.3.8+, Duet Display is now fully hardware accelerated, making the fastest way to turn your iPad into a second display even faster. 100% free update at https://t.co/VxaXUTgXdbpic.twitter.com/FbbuqAGF1E
Duet Display is actually one of two apps best known for letting users leverage their iPad as a second screen for their Mac. The other is Luna Display ($79.99), but that app uses another implementation that requires two small dongles to ensure a consistent low-latency connection.
Duet Display on the other hand is a pure software solution and a lot more affordable at $9.99, which is why we've chosen to cover it here.
How to Use Your iPad as a Second Screen for Your Mac
- Launch the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and download Duet Display ($9.99).
- Open a browser on your Mac, navigate to www.duetdisplay.com and click the Download Mac button at the top of the webpage to download the free Mac client.
- Once the Duet client app is downloaded to your Mac, drag it from the Downloads folder to the Applications folder.
- Double-click the Duet Mac client to launch it.
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to a free USB-A port on your Mac using a Lightning cable. (If you're using a Mac that has the newer USB-C ports, you'll need to use a Lightning to USB-C cable, which Apple sells in 1-meter and 2-meter lengths.)
- Launch the Duet app on your iPhone or iPad and wait a moment while it communicates with the Duet Mac client. You should see your Mac's desktop mirrored or extended on your iPad screen once a successful connection is made.
If you click Advanced Settings, you can choose from a number of Display options to scale the output to your iOS device. The pre-defined resolutions allow you to see either larger text or more desktop space, and Duet helpfully recommends which scale to pick based on device model.
Check the box next to Mirror Display if you want to duplicate your Mac's desktop on your iPad rather than extend it. There are also options to enable Retina display mode, increase the framerate from 30 to 60fps, and switch the image quality from Regular to High, all of which require more device energy.
If you click the cog wheel in the Duet menu bar applet, you'll also find some additional settings worth attending to. If your Mac has a dedicated graphics card then you can set Duet to use it exclusively for faster performance, alternatively you can limit it to the integrated graphics for energy efficiency.
There are also menus to enable or reduce transparency on your iOS device display, an option to start Duet at login, and a link to change the Display Arrangement of your screens in System Preferences.
If you get on with Duet Display, there are Air ($19.99 annually) and Pro ($24.99) versions that offer additional features like wireless connectivity and Apple Pencil support, respectively. For more information and support, check out the Duet Display website.
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