Thinkpads Forum

The lighted icons below the ThinkPad screen (the little antenna for the wireless connection, the NumLk up-arrow, the hard-disk activity icon, and so forth) on my new T42 and also on a T40 that I have . . . those are covered by a strip of what looks like transparent tape. I wonder whether that strip is intended only as a temporary covering for protection from factory to consumer, which may be peeled off by the user. Or is it supposed to stay in place? Is there any reason not to peel it off? The one on my T40 has developed several bubbles, which are somewhat distracting (I keep wanting to smooth them out).

It's a protective film, so that your new notebook arrives without any scratches. Just peel it off.

Muchas gracias. The ThinkPad looks nicer, and the icons are easier to see, now that the film is gone.

I know so many people that leave this film on for the life of the product.. cellphones, digital clocks.. "don't remove it, it protects the screen!"

Heck, even a scratched screen would look better than that cloudy film.