Appletell

Provides: Keyboard protection
Developer: iSkin
Minimum Requirements: MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or Apple Keyboard (wire or wireless)
Retail Price: $29.99 to $34.99
Availability: Out now

Sleek. Slim. Svelte. Apple’s wireless aluminum keyboard is razor thin, edgy, and perfectly balanced. Any addition to such a perfect package runs a serious risk of ruining this perfect image. It was with a degree of skepticism that I approached the iSkin ProTouch keyboard protectors, with visions of old public-library keyboards covered in a thick plastic shield harboring years of residue. To my pleasant surprise, iSkin has achieved wonders; the ProTouch keyboard perfectly compliments the Apple Wireless keyboard, adding both comfort and protection, while masking none of the traits that make this keyboard shine.

The ProTouch cover is made from a smooth and pleasantly tactile silicone, with enhanced home key ridges and the added protection of Microban® antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria (something all too common on keyboards). As an added bonus, the ProTouch can be removed and handwashed with mild soap and water, so refreshing your keyboard is as simple as a quick trip to the sink! The ProTouch covers not only all 78 keys on the keyboard, but also the space between keys. This is especially helpful for those of us who eat, drink, and do other non-keyboard-safe activities; iSkin understands.

While the ProTouch never got in the way of typing during the week long review, it does dampen the tactile feedback of the keyboard. True touch-typists who desire this feedback may be disappointed, though they would likely avoid the current generation Apple keyboards, which mimic their less-tactile laptop cousins. The ProTouch also deadens the sound that they keyboard makes, no matter how hard you type on the keyboard. With such miniature scissor switches, the Apple Wireless keyboard is not really all that noisy to begin with, but in a shared space such as an office, the reduced key sounds could be a distinct advantage.

Don’t have the latest aluminum wireless keyboard? No problem! iSkin manufactures a range of ProTouch covers for both current and past versions of Apple wired/wireless keyboards, as well as the built-in keyboards of all current laptop models. Prices range from $29.99 for a translucent cover to $34.99 for a version with printed keys. The printed key version (see gallery images below) is great for users with visual impairments or hunt-and-peck typists, as the white-on-black lettering offers higher contrast than Apple’s grey-on-white silkscreening. The ProTouch covers even come in a variety of funky colors from clear (Arctic) to pink (Blush) to a groovy Kiwi Green. So, if aluminum just isn’t your thing, you can change it up a bit.

On balance, I am calling the ProTouch keyboard cover a keeper. As a barrier against dirt, spills, and grime, I value the protection of my keyboard investment. And as an ardent germophobe, I love the quick washability! For long typing sessions where tactile feedback is important, I might pull the ProTouch off and get back in touch with the keys; luckily, this is as easy as lifting the cover off. After years of using iSkin cases for my iPods, I’ll be adding another iSkin cover to protect more of my Apple gear!

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