I’ve owned
three laptops and I use one almost every day. Typically, I review
several in a year. Throughout this entire length of time, the
same thing has kept happening. No matter how clean I keep the
environment I use my laptop in, nor how much care I take with
a machine itself, it will still keep building up what technological
cognoscenti such as myself refer to as “screen gunk.” No procedure
detailed in any manufacturers’ documentation describes what,
if any, course of action might be conceivably taken to effectively
neutralize gunk. FAQs on a product sites have repeatedly failed
to satisfactorily indicate any potentially emergent resolution
to gunk. In fact, a careful scrutiny of the relevant secondary
literature undeniably reveals a static vacuum of validated technical
analysis on the stated problematic. Accordingly, over the years,
many have approached me to ask “Mitchell, what can I do about
screen gunk?” In the past, I ‘ve just had to stand there and
look stupid (this is the approach still adopted by Neil Schuldiner).
Today, I recommend Klear Screen.
The Klear
Screen product is a polymer-based liquid screen cleaner specifically
designed for use on virtually any type of computer display screen,
from flat-panel monitors to PDA LCDs. To service the intended
device, you simply spray it with a Klear Screen bottle, or wipe
it down with a pre-packaged Klear Screen Single; the latter
being much like a Chinese restaurant’s moist towelette. Then,
dry it with a Klear Cloth polishing cloth until shiny. In just
a couple of moments, the screen will be completely free of dust,
lint, static build-up, and finger oils transmitted by keyboard
contact - all the major constituents of gunk. Plus, that screen
will have essential fluids replaced and replenished, adding
significantly to its lifespan.
Note that
a number of solutions offered in the past, including some by
specialty outlets, should not be used. For example, some other
products advanced for this use contain alcohol and ammonia,
both of which can crack and damage displays made with plastic
compounds. Certain dusting sprays marketed on television claim
to be safe for cleaning laptop displays, but are chemically
identical to products that both computer and cleaning spray
manufacturers admit are hazardous to such items. According to
the company’s website, vinegar and water might be safe for plastics,
but they don’t remove static and finger-prints, or replenish
screens with necessary liquids. By their reckoning, simply using
glass cleaner and paper towels on a laptop screen usually results
in damages averaging $2000. Packs of the very convenient Wet-Dry
Klear Screen cleaning singles, by comparison, start at $5.95
I use
Klear Screen. You should too. It’s inexpensive, it works, and
it comes highly recommended to Education Update readers. A small
investment in this product will go a long way towards protecting
your big investment in computing hardware. More information
about it, as well as online ordering, can be found at the company’s
website www.klearscreen.com, or by calling 1-800-505-5327.#