3M Privacy Filter PF12.1 Notebook Privacy Filter Reviews

• Does the job...bit too pricy, though

  
  By A1KZDMCI54UXIY on 2005-01-03
  As advertised, the 3M Notebook Privacy Filter does its job by masking what you are typing on the screen from other people. Someone seated right next to you cannot tell what is being typed on the screen...guaranteed. For people travelling on business with sensitive documentation, this filter is a must. For masking personal letters or emails, its a must.
  
  If you read other reviews from other websites stating it is possible for others to see the screen behind you, it's true. But it'll take someone with super, telescopic vision to be able to read the typing from that far away. If they are looking right over your shoulder, then you should have the right to give ther person a dirty look and tell them to back off. This filter's purpose is to mask unsuspecting eyes from spying from the side view in a crowded environment and that is what it does. It's not 100%, though...from a sixty degree angle, your screen will appear really dark, but it is more than enough to mask what you are typing.
  
  This 12.1" filter fits perfectly into an IBM Thinkpad X40. It clamps right on it making it seem like a part of your notebook. There's no sticky adhesives necessary to keep it on.
  
  So why am I giving it only three stars? Well, in my opinion, there is absolutely no logical justification to make it so expensive! At most, I could understand if they charged this product for something like $24.95 or so, but asking for $80, retail, is just plain ridiculous. Even half that amount is too much. It's simply a piece of plastic. I was lucky and got mine at an auction for $0.99, but it is too pricy for private use, seriously.
  
  

• Pros and cons

  
  By ATAW93N558QVA on 2005-06-30
  Here are my pros and cons. Hope this helps.
  
  Pros:
  - Nice thing was that it is quite easy to attach or detach. You don't really need other sticky
  Nice thing was that it is quite easy to attach or detach. You don't really need other sticky stuff for this. stuff to leave it on all the time, either.
  - It does the job. Others sitting next to you will not see what you have on the screen.
  
  Cons:
  - The filter darkens your LCD quite a bit as if brightness level was brought down by a full step. (My laptop has 7 levels.) It is not a surprise, but at the same time, I expect a bit more from a $80(retail value) plastic piece. I actually called 3M to check this before I placed my order, and they were saying that the filter "enhances" the contrast. Don't trust them on this.
  - It has a 3M logo and part number (pf 12.1) printed at the bottom in small fonts, which I found to be annoying sometimes. It also has a notch (1/2" long) at the top, which you do not really see in any of their advertisement/pictures.
  
  All in all, if you really need to have a good privacy filter, you will end up buying this 'cause there is not a good altenative on the market for now. If you are more interested in protecting your screen, check out other products.
  
  

• OK

  
  By AT6ZOTMTP3V4F on 2003-01-18
  This privacy filter is great for an airplane like 3M advertises, but when I'm at home and my laptop is on my desk the person standing behind me can see the screen just as well as I can. I think it is a bit pricy too. If this piece of plastic was around 15 dollars, I'd suggest buying it.
  
  

• It works...but you knew that

  
  By A1K7AGZ7MX87UH on 2008-04-16
  3M makes a great product. I bought this so that people sitting next to me on airplanes couldn't see what was I working on - lest I reveal super top secret corporate information to someone who would neither understand nor care about the content. It works wonderfully in that capacity.
  I also found out that it was helpful for use during business meetings so that my neighbor wouldn't see that I was actually playing solitaire or checking job boards. It also works wonderfully in this capacity.
  I further found it useful at the airport, on the rental car bus,and at crowded restaurants. I wear it over my face to avoid inadvertent side glances or accidentally catching the eye of the wrong person across the room. I will only see those directly in front of me and only those directly in front of me will see me. It cuts down on small talk, believe me!
  Good luck!
  
  

• Excellent Privacy Filter

  
  By A194CQARUXGS31 on 2007-01-04
  This product definitley lives up to the name. An individual must be directly behind you and at eye level in order to see your screen (pretty much on your back). Very easy to attach/detach for every situation.
  
  
• Good but not great
  By A12899XA4V1RIY on 2007-05-09
  The product does it job of privacy from the side. But the little adhesive comes out if you take off the filter too often. Its somewhat of a privacy filter because someone behind you can see your screen. But man, taking it off and putting it back on again is a real pain. Especially, when you have to clean the screen sometimes. I have a tablet PC, interestingly it works even for tablets.
  
  
• 3M Privacy Filter Notebook Privacy Filter Review
  By A20R0RARTYGI8F on 2007-07-06
  Easy to install;
  although instructions not clear as to which side is the 'right' side to face the user.
  Expected smaller angle of privacy; meaning that even my next seat neighour is unable to see my screen...in this case; unless the person is more than 45 degrees away from the perpendicular line of vision, he is still able to read the screen.
  
  
• These are the best.
  By A19YARIHGZ8YWU on 2007-01-12
  I love these privacy filters from 3M. I have 3 on my different computers.
  
  Pros: They do everything they are advertised to do and they have no decent competition.
  
  Cons: Price, but worth it.
  
  
• Does The Job
  By A2R63G2FXERHHP on 2007-01-27
  Very happy with this 3M Filter overall. It does have a couple of minor scratches & a slight bend, but these are pretty negligible. They're barely noticeable unless you're looking for them. The package arrived very quickly and several days earlier than expected--so I was very happy about that. The package was a little beat up, but the filter was well protected. Overall, good deal, especially for the price.
  
  
• A must have!
  By A2MOONC5FGPPRT on 2007-03-26
  This is an excellent product for business travellers. It really prevents others to watch you. The view/clarity is excellent. I should have purchased this product sooner.
  
  

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