[DIY + Review] How to install paper-like matte screen protector on an iPad and is it worth it?

I made a video on Youtube on how to install a matte screen protector on my iPad Mini. Here it is:

In this blog post however I'm gonna review how it's been like using a matte screen protector, especially its pros and cons with regards to using the Apple Pencil. 

Let's start with WHY?

Why did I get a matte screen protector?

I like the texture and how it diffuses light for people with sensitive eyes like me. Also, the main reason I got a mini is for reading and drawing purposes and what better way to equip my screen than to get a matte protector? I think it's also a matter of preference, even for my phones I always choose to get matte over clear or tempered.

Pros of using a matte screen protector

✱ It's great for artists. The glide of the Apple Pencil on a matte surface really gives it a familiar paper-like feel. Attaching tempered glass creates a gap between the screen and that pencil that I don't like, and drawing on a glass screen feels weird too hehe.

✱ It's great for reading, I almost wanted to say it's kindle-like now but it's still a far cry from Kindle's e-paper display.

Cons of using a matte screen protector

Before and after applying matte screen protector

✱ It reduces sharpness and clarity. So much for retina display right? But it doesn't ruin the experience entirely. In fact, I enjoy reading more on my iPad because of the screen.

Before and After 1 month of daily use

✱ It wears down the Apple Pencil faster. True enough. The paper-like texture kinda sands the tip, making it pointier but it's expected. Although not at this rate! 

The tip of the Apple Pencil is replaceable by design anyway so sooner or later it will really wear down, no matter what your screen protector is. If you look at the photo above you'll notice how the tip used to be rounder originally. In the After photo the tip looks a bit pointier. And it's only been a month.

Does it affect drawing experience? Not at all, at least not yet. I don't know how blunt it has to be to affect note-taking ability but pressure sensitivity is still there.

Note that the level of wear depends on how often you use it. In this case, that kind of pointiness was achieved after 1 month of DAILY usage. It's really case to case. That's my husband's pencil actually and he's uses the pencil to create dark art pieces using Procreate app. Just for context, here's his portfolio and the type of work he does: https://www.instagram.com/jecdaveart, He does lots of manual strokes and shading I can see why the pencil would give up easily. hehe

UPDATE: After a month and a half of daily use, we had to replace the nib already because the tip has been sanded to the point that the metal thingy inside is getting exposed. Look,

Look there's like a ball point poking out of it hehe. It's kinda disappointing how fast it deteriorates the nib like that. The exposed metal, or whatever that is, scratches the screen protector so it's no use keeping it. Luckily the Apple Pencil comes with 1 extra nib so we don't have to worry for now.

Apple sells replacement nibs too for ₱1,090.00/pack of 4 tips. So that sets the nib at around ₱250/pc. Alright. But if we had to replace it every two months or so, that's gonna be very costly!

So we thought we'd look for cheaper alternatives. Like this nib protector from Shopee! 

It's just a silicon sleeve that you attach at the tip. It's supposed to project your tip from wearing down faster BUT I find that it's not so good for drawing! It totally killed the paper-like feel of our matte screen protector. Though some of the feedback mentioned it's okay for drawing, I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it. hehe

Finally

My husband's iPad

If you only do regular note-taking you probably don't need a matte screen protector unless it's your preference. 

BUT for artists using the Apple Pencil? You might want to consider getting a paper-like screen protector like this one! If you hate it you can just peel it off and get a clear one, right?

Life lately and probably the scariest day of my life

Updates!

Last week was pretty eventful. Early Thursday dawn I got rushed to the ER after collapsing. But earlier that day I was already having some weird allergy. Been itching and scratching all over. Rashes everywhere. It's the first time I experienced this level of allergic reaction. Just look at this freakin map..

Oh wait, let me distract you with my favorite quarantine dessert first, so that this gets set as the default thumbnail instead of my freaking allergies hahaha

Alright now back to last week's "high"light.

Wednesday afternoon I woke up with these...

I remember getting disturbed in my sleep because of itchiness, but I didn't think it'd be this bad!

I pretty much ignored the annoying feeling for the most part of the day. I took an antihistamine too and just hoped for the best. But as the day progressed, it's become more and more unbearable. After my shift at work I went ahead to rest. I tried to sleep, but grabe talaga yung kati! Around 1 in the morning I was so tired of my allergies and got out of bed to get a drink...

Then it happened. On the way to fetch water from the fridge, I somehow collapsed. Next thing I know I was lying on the floor motionless, my vision a blur, I could hear Jeckie calling my name repeatedly, but I couldn't respond. In my head I was like, Lord help me. Lord help me. Lord help me please. I can see Jeckie's faint silhouette within my peripheral.

I don't want to die.

After a few seconds I slowly regained consciousness. Jeckie was panicked. I was feeling pissfull, charot lang. Naiihi ako hahaha. So he slowly guided me to the CR.

Then ayun nanaman.

I lost consciousness again while sitting on the toilet. When I got to my senses, napu-poops naman ako. Ano ba hahaha.

Ganun pala yung feeling. It felt like nothing but recalling the whole thing made me feel really afraid for myself. The gaps in my memory after collapsing, Jeckie filled in for me.

I passed out by the ref and fell on the hallway. Good thing I didn't hit my head. The next episode, I just lost consciousness while on the toilet, my back bumping on the seat cover, which prompted my husband to check on me. So yon.

After a few moments of realizing what just happened and waiting for my blood to circulate better (I looked so pale daw, ), we went to The Medical City to get checked.

The triage was quick and I was attended to immediately. They injected some IV, meds, tested my blood, and ran a CT scan because of the fall. Also because Jeckie thought I had a seizure while unconscious. Everything came out normal. After almost 7 hours in the ER I was discharged. They couldn't tell me what I'm allergic to, they said I have to consult an allergologist for that.

I have no idea what I could be allergic to! Last thing I took before waking up with rashes was Smooth Move Senna Peppermint tea. Something I regularly take naman, so I don't know what gives. Our meal the night before was leftover bicol express and chicken tandoori. Mga paborito ko naman, also nothing new! 

Thank God it's nothing serious. I'm supposed to consult to an allergologist pero ang hassle trying to look for one that's Intellicare accredited and available this quarantine period. Tapos kukuha pa ko ng LOA haha. 

I tried to discover which of my tea bags is the culprit to while on medication tinatry ko yung mga tsaa ko. I only have 3 variants. Aside from the senna peppermint I also take Yogi Blueberry Green Tea and Caramel Apple Slice Slim Life. None of them gave me an allergic reaction. Hmm.

Wait ang sakit na ng ulo ko haha