3M Notebook Privacy Computer Screen Filter Review

A simple method of avoiding prying eyes when using your laptop or PC

In these tricky times, we're all paranoid about personal privacy and identity theft - particularly when using our PCs. At the same time our busy lives means that sometimes working on our laptops on busy trains or in commuter cafes has to be done. So, for the paranoid among us, how to avoid the unwanted attention of those around you?

As if in an homage to UK kids' TV show Blue Peter, the 3M Privacy Filter is an, um, Polarised filter that slots over your existing laptop screen and uses small slivers of sticky-backed plastic to hold it in place.

This Heath Robinson system is primitive in terms of attachment to your computer, but on the plus side means there’s nothing to install on the hard drive, the modification is reversible,  and so you can quickly remove the filter when you don’t need it in place.

I used the 3M PF12.1 filter on my Apple iBook and one downside became immediately obvious, namely the filter reduces screen brightness by around 25%, and, because the filter’s 'micro-louvre' technology - a structure similar to tiny vertical blinds - has as slight graininess to it, it also means it also reduces your screen's apparent resolution.

In other words, for viewing text or graphics it’s okay but critical assessment of, say, colour or sharpness of photos, 3M privacy filters would be a no no.

The filter’s surprisingly thick and has gloss and matt finishes on either side. This means that you can choose whichever side you want, but I found the matt preferable. It both helps reduce glare and reflections and, additionally, I found it would not show finger marks as readily as the gloss option.

The filters are available in various screen sizes, including widescreen laptop and desktop versions, with even filters for iPods as well. So, something to suit everyone who wants to protect their data from the prying eyes of strangers when on the move.