Review of the Green Onions Supply M17x R3 AG2 anti-glare screen protector

Update:

I received a response from the support team at Green Onion Supply, you can read it here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...nti-glare-screen-protector-2.html#post7684169

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Original review post:


So I was looking for a decent anti-glare screen protector this laptop since I got it. The glare/reflection on the screen was so bad it was almost like looking in a mirror.

The only one I found that was designed for this machine was made by a company called Green Onion Supply. I was not familiar with the company but they appear to make a very broad range of screen protectors for many devices and have mostly positive reviews.

I purchased it from Bottom Line Telecommunications (mostly because they had free shipping, and despite their $2 'handling' fee, it still ended up be a few cents cheaper than elsewhere, at least at the time I purchased it):
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop...110020050047_BGV8953P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!

It is also available at Provantage, and it appears they are slightly cheaper now, despite charging shipping:
http://www.provantage.com/green-onions-supply-rt-spm17xr302~AGRNO01W.htm

Install video (older M15x used in the video, but you'll get the idea):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw4uN4T9Csk

So here's my $0.02

Installation:

The installation is pretty standard when it comes to dry-install screen protectors. The protector itself has 2 thin films on either side to protect it in shipping and prevent it from getting loaded with dust, you peel these off during installation.

The screen protector comes with a microfiber cloth and a 'dust separation sheet'. What this is, is a sticky sheet that you put on the screen AFTER you clean it to keep it clean while you prep the protector for installation. It serves a second function as well. Since it is so sticky, when you peel it off, if there was any dust left over, it picks it up with it. You peal it off slowly while easing the screen protector in place.

I have to say, this system actually worked reasonably well. When I got the screen protector on I had a few air bubbles to deal with but very little actual dust.

But this is where the problems started. I was EXTREMELY careful in lining it up the first time but still managed to misalign slightly causing a lift in the lower right corner where it went up on the bezel. At this point, I knew I was in for a fair amount of work.

I tried to simply peel it up and re-align it, but since the screen protector basically becomes a static supercharged piece of plastic once pealed up, it just wasnt working out, it kept re-sticking to various parts of the screen like a magnet as I tried to re-align it.

I cursed loudly and at great length, then laboriously pulled the 'dust separation sheet' back out, peeled up the screen protector with some packing tape and stuck it back on one of the protective pieces of film, then slapped the dust separation sheet back on the screen. Sticking it back on the protective film helped slightly, but at that point it had already collected some dust (though not as much as it might have).

I did manage to get it back on and aligned properly this time, using the same process as before, then spent the next 45 minutes using many pieces of packing tape to remove the rather large amount of dust that got under it.

So the short of it is this: Line it up right the first time.

Quality:

The dust isolation sheet left slight adhesive residue when peeled off, I wouldnt have noticed, except for the fact that I had to do the reinstall, so when I peeled it up I saw it. Once the screen protector itself is on however you dont see it as the adhesive of the screen protector melds with it.

The precision of the cutout of the screen protector is actually pretty damn near spot-on. There is a bare millimeter or 2 around the edges (give or take due to alignment (mine, not theirs)) and the mic array and camera cutouts are perfectly lined up.

But speaking of the mic array and camera cutouts. The holes themselves are very very very slightly jagged (likely from being 'punched out' when they cut them), which means it causes the screen protector to lift ever so slightly, making it look a little like an edge air bubble. If you rub over it with your thumb it'll smooth back down, only to pop up again a short time later.

Also, two of the edges are similar to those of the mic/camera cutouts, while they will smooth to being flat with the screen, a short time later they will very slightly lift again showing an edge air bubble. Again, this is slight and I can live with it, but it shouldn't happen. I've never had a screen protector that does this, and there is nothing under the edge to cause it, which means it is an issue with the cut of the edge.

Finally, there was a very slight scuff on the screen protector that I did not put there, but unfortunately was not noticeable until after the protector was installed and the blue protective film peeled off, so returning it would be basically impossible. Fortunately when the machine is on, the scuff disappears due to the light of the screen.


Performance:

As I mentioned, I was hoping to decrease the mirror-like finish that the screen has. This didn't do it.

When looking at the screen with the protector on it, it is obvious that it is there, even with it properly lined up. The reflection is at least as bad as it was, although rather than being mirror-sharp it is now a fuzzy reflection. Most things reflected in the screen are still 100% distinguishable. In a dark office room with a fluorescent ceiling ballast 20 yards away, I can still distinguish each individual light bar.

On top of that, it gives it a very slight 'washed out' look to the whole screen. It definitely degrades the quality of the screen image to have this protector on it.

Fortunately if you use your laptop in a dark room this goes away, but then so does the need for an anti-glare screen protector.


Final Thoughts:

I will be keeping the screen protector on the laptop for 2 reasons:

First, it was a major pain to install, and simply to avoid shooting myself after removing it, I'll leave it on. I do understand the misalignment was my own fault, as well as the subsequent difficulties with dust removal, so I dont fault the screen protector itself in this.

Second, a large reason I wanted a screen protector was to... surprise surprise... protect the screen. So since it performs at least that function, I will leave it on there, but I'll be looking out for a better or different option.

Pros:
Screen Protection
Designed specifically for the M17xR3

Cons:
Not really anti-glare, more like... fuzzy glare
Edge cuts are not clean
Punch outs for mic/camera are not clean
Noticeable Image quality reduction when installed

I've had screen protectors on many of my devices over the years. Multiple smart phones, touch screen cameras, etc. While the installation of this wasnt as bad as some, and it doesnt have that horrible rubbery/stretchy feel of the ZAGG shields, this definitely did not live up to my expectations.


I would rate this a 6/10.

 

thanks for the info, any recommendation for keyboard protectors? Im have oily fingers and those prints likes to stick on my m11x's screen.

 

...............:-(

 

Nice review.

I am surprised they do not offer a clear version of the screen protector and only Anti-Glare .

 

Nice review, thanks for taking the time to write it up with such completeness.

 

More of a fun read than a review, but thanks nonetheless .

 

glad i came to this, i recently bought an item from eBay. when i get it, ill post a review about it. it says it comes for our R3.

check it out and post opinions!

LED Screen Protector Cover Skin Dell Alienware M17X-R3 Matte - eBay (item 160612236859 end time Jul-29-11 21:23:24 PDT)

 

The one warning I would give is to align it at the top and work it down rather than the side like they suggest.

The biggest reason for this is to be sure the mic and camera holes line up 100% properly, otherwise they may be slightly offset and detract from the look of the protector.

It may be slightly more difficult to install this way though since the top edge is not straight, so just be careful and be patient. Also, if it is anything like mine, the mic and camera hole alignment is precise, but that means the screen protector will end about 1-2mm away from the absolute edge of the screen on all sides.

Let me know how it works out, I hope the edges of yours are cut clean unlike mine.

 

+ rep

Thanks for the infomative review.

 

Update, I received an email back from Green Onion Supply based on one that I sent them and this review. They seem pretty upstanding and stand by their product, which is respectable.

The person that emailed me mentioned that the issues I experienced with the edges not laying flat is valid for warranty replacement. I have asked to post a portion of the email response if they do not object.

 

For anyone interested, here's the email I received from the support person at Green Onion Supply. Posted only after having requested and been granted permission to do so.

I did email him the pictures and he mentioned they will be sending me a replacement because of the issues I had experienced. I also mentioned that I had originally followed that video as I had found it beforehand in terms of installation from the top down. So for anyone interested in this screen protector, Green Onion Supply does stand by their product, so it may come down to personal preference on whether the look is what you prefer. I can say, however, that the cut is precise, so you should have no issues fitting it on an M17xR3.

 

Can you post a picture of the laptop with the protector on? Is the protector really noticeable? I may be asking for the impossible, but I'd like a protector that you can barely notice unless you're actually looking for it.

 

Isn't there a company that sells new M17x lappies that have matte screens???

 

ain't that the dream? haha Hopefully they'll come out with the next gen AWs with a matte screen. We'll see soon enough.

 

I'm also looking for an AG film. I guess the search continues...

 

Great review. +rep.

It seems a great shame that it's actually not living up to the job of actually being "anti-glare" as I would have loved something similar to this for my machine. Seems like its back to the drawring board.....

 

HID does sell AW with screen protector installed.

I am wondering anyone buy the screen protector from dell? Are they any good?

 

The Green Onion screen protector that was reviewed here is what Dell sells.

 

Ok, thanks Ferrari353.

 

Nice review. Quick question, I have the same and I'm about to swap it to a new system. Can the old one be washed so any dust that was trapped under goes away ? What's the advice for cleaning and swapping ? Thanks.

 

I think that you just use some packing tape to remove any debris from the underside of the film....at least that's what the video from Green Onions shows (about 7 mins in)..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw4uN4T9Csk. I wouldnt know about actually "washing" it...

 

You would think it would be ok though because there isn't adhesive that holds it on right ? Just that static stuff . I mean in the sink not the washing machine btw

 

I guess so. Hot water and maybe a very weak soap solution. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry naturally.....could work, I just don't know if washing it would affect or damage the film itself or affect its properties.

 

I may be the first to try ! I was thinking just water without soap or anything

 

Actually, probably best to do that....now I think of it.