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One of the best privacy upgrades you can give to your laptop costs less than you think

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I spend quite a bit of time on my laptop in public, from coffee shops to public transport. No matter where I go, I can't help but notice other people trying to sneak a peek at my screen. I can hardly blame them; after all, we've become so conditioned to looking at screens. It's tempting.

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Short of typing "stop looking at my screen" in a huge font size, a less passive-aggressive alternative is to add a privacy screen, and I've finally found one I'm happy with: the StarTech.com MacBook Pro privacy screen with a double-sided gold filter.

I get a bit apprehensive before installing any kind of screen protector or filter, as I've had so many bad experiences -- from getting adhesive stuck to my hand, to trapping huge chunks of debris between the screen and the film I'm applying.

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This kit, however, was easy to install and comes with everything you need in the box. There's a microfiber cloth for cleaning the screen, and transparent, residue-free adhesive strips for affixing the filter to the screen. Oh, and there's the filter itself.

No more snooping! Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

The installation took only a few minutes, and I'm pleased with how easy it was and how well it fits. Even the cutout for the camera and sensors at the top of the display are perfect. I'm thrilled with the added privacy this screen offers.

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