Hands-on review: ShaggyMac MacBook protector pad, OptiMist cleaning spray

There are a lot of cleaning accessories for computers out there, and it can be difficult to sort through them all. Here's a hands-on review of at least a couple of them from ShaggyMac.

USE

First up is the new Universal Fit Protector Pad, a micro-fiber piece of fabric that will keep both a keyboard and an LCD panel clean and safe from scratches. The Protector Pad measures 10.9- x 4.5-inches, and it is intended to fit fine for very MacBook model ranging from the 11-inch Air to the 17-inch MacBook Pro.

As seen in the picture at the right, this cloth fit just perfectly on my 13-inch MacBook Pro. It also fit snuggly when I repeatedly open and closed my laptop. It never slid off the keyboard nor bunched up when the computer was folded up like a clamshell.

I'd recommend a product like this for avid travelers who tote a laptop around often. Even when closed, a laptop is susceptible to attracting unwanted dirt and oil particles. Additionally, even if you use a laptop sleeve, this will help preserve the monitor. This micro-fiber cloth obviously doesn't require a Mac notebook, but that's how it's being advertised.

Next up is the OptiMist Prime Cleaning Spray, which goes nicely with the Universal Fit Protector Pad. Every computer owner should really have some kind of LCD-safe cleanser around to keep a display as clear as possible. I found the OptiMist spray to be a fine enough solution.

I tested the ultra-fine, clear spray on the same MacBook Pro (as well as a regular MacBook, an iPhone 4, a Nook Color and even my sunglasses). It's a bit hard to tell in the photos, but the OptiMist really did the job well and cleared up all the spots, fingerprints and dust that had collected on the display.

Before:

After:

I didn't find any streaks or damage to my display on any of the products I used the OptiMist spray on after I was done. I also used the Universal Fit Protector Pad to wipe the display clean as it won't harm the LCD panel. I threw the micro-fiber cloth in the washing machine and the dryer afterwards, and it was like new again. Together, these products really did clean up my laptop considerably within a minute.

AVAILABILITY

The Universal Fit Protector Pad retails for $9.95, and it is available in five boldly-named shades: alloy, panther, admiral, mantis and goldenrod. The OptiMist cleanser costs $8.95. Neither of these prices include taxes and shipping, the latter of which you'll have to budget for as these are only sold online.