Gloss Find: Antimicrobial ProTouch Keyboard Protectors By iSkin

The unidentifiable gunk trapped between your computer keys is probably reason enough to start using a keyboard cover but to protect against any unfortunate spillage that could cause permanent damage, they’re essential. For laptop owners, protecting the keyboard is especially important since right below it is the motherboard, a computer’s most most valuable component.

Luckily, there’s an easy (and colorful) way to protect against accidents and everyday wear-and-tear: Antimicrobial ProTouch Keyboard Protectors by iSkin. Made with pure high-grade silicone and an antimicrobial product called Microban, ProTouch Keyboard Protectors guard against bacteria, crumbs, dust, hair, moisture, and anything else that can wreck havoc on your equipment.

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The ProTouch’s thin, unobtrusive design allows full use of the keyboard for a normal typing experience, so those concerned about a bulky design that might interfere with typing speed and accuracy need not worry. I was especially skeptical about this aspect but I found that any noticeable difference is minimal at best. (I sometimes even forget that it’s there!)

The ProTouch line includes three different styles:

* ProTouch Classic – translucent, clear protection (pictured above, right)

* ProTouch FX - glow-in-the-dark lettering, LED compatibility that allows backlight from the keyboard to show through. Available in red, purple and black. (pictured, top)

* ProTouch Vibes – enlarged key characters and printed keyboard shortcut characters for quick reference. Available in blue/light blue, red/pink, purple/light purple, and green/light green.

iSkin products are designed with Apple computers in mind — only wired keyboards and MacBook models released late 2008 and later will be compatible with ProTouch. (Have a PC? Try these antimicrobial keyboard options.)

Because the Microban product is built into the silicone, manufacturers say the antimicrobial properties will not wear off or wash off, withstanding even the cleanest of freaks. Using warm water and liquid soap, ProTouch protectors are easily cleaned - iSkin recommends doing it bi-weekly to “optimize functionality.”

But germaphobe or not, no Mac owner should be without a ProTouch protector.

iSkin ProTouch Keyboard Protectors are $25 – $35 at iskin.com.