This MacBook Privacy Screen Totally Changed How I Work in Public | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersBest Computer SpeakersOutdoor Security CamerasBest Smart RingsRouters vs. ModemsBest Power BanksDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoLivestreamsMerchSearchSearchLuke LarsenGearMay 29, 2026 7:01 AMThis Privacy Screen Totally Changed How I Feel About Working in PublicI’m one of those people who enjoy using my laptop on planes and in public spaces. But the issue of privacy was always a hurdle.Courtesy of TargusCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyI can’t sleep on planes. So I’m one of those annoying people who always pulls out a laptop to get some work done. My problem (other than fighting for elbow space on the arm rests) is that the lack of privacy on my laptop screen makes me uncomfortable.I try my best to convince myself that no one's watching and that no one cares about the possibly embargoed information on my screen. But I also know that I often can't help but look at someone else’s glowing screen beside me on a plane. It's a similar feeling when I'm working in a busy coffee shop or other public space.I've always known I should try out a privacy screen for my laptop. I finally did it, and now I count it among one of the best MacBook accessories you can buy.No Assembly RequiredPhotograph: Luke LarsenPrivacy screens have been around for decades, but I never thought they were for me. I never liked the idea of permanently (or even semi-permanently) altering the display of my laptop due to the adhesives used. The last thing I'd want to do is pay for a MacBook Pro's brilliant Mini-LED display only to hamper it by gluing a sheet of plastic over it. And in the case of a privacy screen, that's not even a feature I'd always need anyways. Sometimes I want to be able to see my laptop from an angle.But I came across a magnetic option, and that intrigued me. Unlike the kind that stick to your laptop screen (kind of like a standard screen protector), this one didn't use adhesives at all. This means—in theory—that they're easy to pop on and off. And once I tried it, I was sold.The internet is filled with different versions of this, and they all work essentially the same. But the one I used tried is the Targus 4Vu Magnetic Privacy Screen for my MacBook Pro. You need to get something that fits your device's screen size exactly, and you really want to make sure it's magnetic. Because the MacBook Pro already has built-in magnets at the top and bottom of the screen to assist with lid closure, this solution works especially well. But be careful: Some privacy screens that say “magnetic” still require sticking small adhesive strips to the bezels of your laptop screen.Photograph: Luke LarsenPhotograph: Luke LarsenChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistTargus4VU Magnetic Privacy Screen$80 Targus$63 CDW$97 Best BuyAnd once it's on, bam—it works like magic. You've likely seen these out in the wild, whether on a phone, laptop, or monitor, and they’re often used in either a hospital or bank.The idea is simple: The technology drastically reduces viewing angles, usually by 30 degrees on each side. So, if someone is sitting to your immediate left or right, the content of the screen dims. This particular privacy screen doesn't make things completely invisible on your screen—though this depends on your brightness levels. On a MacBook Pro, if it's at 50 percent or above, the view from the side is equivalent of having the brightness as low as it goes. If you really want your content to be blacked out for people nearby, you need to reduce the brightness to 25 percent or lower.In the Real WorldWhile I didn't have a flight coming up, I have been bringing this out to the coffee shops with me. And while someone sitting directly behind could still see my screen, I found a new freedom in doing my work in public once I had this on my laptop. One thing that concerned me at first: How easy would it be to store such a thing. Accidentally bending the screen in a bag would really ruin the experience. Fortunately, Targus provides a thin folder for storage.One big surprise when using this privacy screen was how subtle the effect was when viewing it straight on. Right when I slip it on, I could see the slightly dimmed effect. But after a couple of minutes, I forgot it was there entirely. As it turns out, it's something I wouldn't mind leaving on my MacBook Pro long term.Photograph: Luke LarsenAnother thing privacy screens do, simply as a consequence of how they function, is reduce glare by quite a lot. If you own a recent MacBook, that's likely not something you have to deal with too much, as they already get over 500 nits of brightness. The later MacBook Pros can even go up to 1,000 nits of brightness when you're out in the daylight. But if you didn't opt for the expensive nano-texture panel on the MacBook Pro, a privacy screen like this isn't a bad way to reduce glare.My only real complaint is that the magnets are only located in the top corners. So, the bottom corners sometimes become detached and flip up on the edges. It seems to me that it would be more secure with some additional magnets. Keeping your laptop screen clean would help with this too.But really, I came away with my assumptions about privacy screens overturned. I'll definitely be using this when working in public in the future—and especially on planes.CommentsBack to topTriangleLuke Larsen is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED, covering laptops, PCs, Macs, monitors, and the wider PC peripheral ecosystem. He’s been reporting on tech for over a decade, previously at Digital Trends as the senior editor in computing, where he spent seven years leading the publication’s daily coverage. ... Read MoreProduct Writer & ReviewerTopicslaptoplaptopsShoppingprivacyRead MoreMy Home Office Is a Lighting Nightmare for Zoom Calls. Here’s How I Fixed ItI have a horrendous lighting setup in my home office, but as a mixed-use room, my options for fixing it were limited.Luke LarsenThe Best Espresso Accessories for Home BaristasA longtime pro barista’s favorite tools for dialing in the perfect shot at home.Pete CottellHow to Choose the Right Laptop: A Step-by-Step GuideShopping for a laptop can be infuriating. 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The author details how the use of a privacy screen for a MacBook fundamentally altered their comfort level with working in public spaces, such as planes and coffee shops, where the issue of privacy on laptop screens presented a persistent hurdle. Despite an initial reluctance regarding permanently altering the display surface due to adhesives, the author explored magnetic privacy screen options, which were intriguing because they eliminated the need for adhesives, theoretically allowing for easy removal. The specific product examined was the Targus 4Vu Magnetic Privacy Screen for a MacBook Pro, noting that this screen utilizes the built-in magnets in the laptop's screen to ensure secure attachment.

The technology behind these privacy screens functions by significantly reducing the viewing angles, typically by thirty degrees on either side, which consequently dims the screen content when viewed from the side. The effectiveness depends on the screen's brightness level; the author found that for typical MacBook Pro brightness settings of fifty percent or above, the side view is equivalent to the lowest possible brightness. To achieve near invisibility, the screen brightness must be reduced to twenty-five percent or lower. In practical application, the author found that while a person directly behind could still see the screen, the presence of the screen created a new sense of freedom when working in public.

The author addressed practical concerns regarding the use of the screen in public, specifically storage. The author noted that the Targus product included a thin folder for storage, mitigating the risk of damage from bending the screen in a bag. Furthermore, the author observed that the effect of the screen was subtle when viewed directly, allowing the user to adjust to the dimmed effect easily. Beyond privacy, the screen also provided a notable reduction in glare. Although modern MacBook Pros often possess high brightness levels, the privacy screen offered an additional means to manage light reflection, which was beneficial even on models without specialized nano-texture panels. A minor critique mentioned was the placement of the magnets, as the bottom corners sometimes detached, suggesting a need for additional magnetic securing elements, and the user suggested keeping the screen clean to prevent this issue. Ultimately, the experience led the author to overturn prior assumptions about privacy screen technology, confirming their decision to use them for future work in public environments.