I wanted to give my 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro a little more grip and a different look without putting it in a bulky case. I had a dbrand skin on my old M1 MacBook Pro for about two years, and when I removed it, I was surprised by how well it had protected the machine.
The one thing I really cared about this time was texture. I do not like smooth laptop skins because they can feel slippery in the hand. My old dbrand skin had a dragon-scale style texture, but dbrand no longer sells that one, so I went with the black honeycomb-style skin instead.
Quick Answer
Installing the dbrand skin on the M3 MacBook Pro was straightforward, but the alignment matters. For the top cover, the easiest method was to peel back the backing just past the Apple logo, cut that backing section off, and use the Apple logo cutout as the main alignment point before smoothing the rest into place.
For the bottom skin, I started from one side and used the rubber feet and screw holes as alignment guides. I did not end up needing a hair dryer, even though dbrand recommends heat for some corners. The corners stuck well on their own, and the finished black honeycomb texture looked good against the MacBook Pro’s dark finish.
What I Used
You do not need much to install this kind of MacBook skin. The main thing is having a clean surface and taking your time with the alignment.
I used 99% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, microfiber cloths, scissors, and a plastic card. The kit also included a small dbrand microfiber cloth, but I prefer using my own larger cloths during the install.
Some people use a hair dryer around the edges and corners to help the vinyl shrink and stick. I kept one in mind as an option, but I did not need it for this install.
- 99% rubbing alcohol
- Microfiber cloths
- Scissors
- Plastic card or similar flat plastic edge
- Optional hair dryer for corners
The Skin Itself
The black honeycomb skin has a visible texture, which is exactly what I was hoping for. Up close, it has different shades running through the pattern, almost like a snakeskin or leather boot texture.
That texture is the main reason I use skins on laptops. I do not usually put skins on my phones, but on a MacBook Pro, the added grip makes the machine feel less slippery when I pick it up or move it around.
One thing I do not love is that dbrand now includes more pieces in the package than I personally use. In the past, I remember being able to buy just the top and bottom pieces. This kit also included pieces for the trackpad, palm rests, and areas around the keyboard. I did not install those because I like the smooth feel inside the MacBook.
Cleaning First
Before placing the skin, I cleaned the MacBook Pro thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth. This step matters because dust, oils, and fingerprints can affect how cleanly the vinyl sticks.
After cleaning, I tried not to touch the surface with my fingers. Oils from your hands can get right back onto the area you just cleaned, especially around the edges.
For the bottom of the laptop, I spent extra time around the rubber feet and fan areas. I was careful not to spray directly into the vents. I used the cloth to control where the alcohol went.
Installing the Top Skin
The top skin is the part where alignment is easiest to mess up because it is basically one large rectangle with the Apple logo cutout in the middle. The Apple logo is the best reference point.
The trick I used was to peel the backing paper back just past the Apple logo, then cut that peeled-back section off. That leaves the Apple logo opening exposed while the rest of the skin is still protected by the backing.
From there, I lined up the Apple logo cutout first. Once the logo was centered and the top part of the Apple cutout looked right, I pressed that section down and slowly worked outward.
I smoothed in one direction instead of rubbing back and forth. That helped push air out as the skin went down. Once the logo was aligned, the rest of the top skin followed pretty cleanly.
- Peel the backing just past the Apple logo
- Cut off that exposed backing section
- Line up the Apple logo cutout first
- Press down around the logo
- Peel the remaining backing slowly while smoothing outward
The Edge Trick
After the top skin was on, I used a plastic card along the edges. I held it at an angle and lightly rubbed the edge of the vinyl, almost like filing down a sharp corner.
This is not required, but I like doing it because the edges can feel a little sharp right after installation. Smoothing them down makes the skin feel cleaner and reduces the chance of an edge catching on something before the adhesive fully settles.
I did this on the straight edges first, then worked around the corners. The point is not to scrape the metal of the MacBook. The card should ride along the edge of the vinyl.
Installing the Bottom Skin
The bottom skin goes on differently from the top. I did not use the Apple-logo backing trick here because the bottom already has alignment points: the rubber feet and screw holes.
I started from one side and peeled the backing back far enough to expose the first set of holes. I also put a crease in the backing paper so it would not flop back while I was trying to position the skin.
As I worked across the bottom, I paused at each screw hole and rubber foot to make sure everything was still lined up. I was careful not to pull too hard because vinyl can stretch if you put too much tension on it.
The bottom has more curves, so I paid closer attention to bubbles and edges. Once the skin was down, I used the plastic card again to smooth the edge feel.
- Start from one side
- Use the screw holes and rubber feet as guides
- Work slowly across the bottom
- Do not stretch the vinyl
- Smooth bubbles as you go
Did It Need Heat
The instructions mention using a hair dryer around the corners, especially on the bottom skin. In my case, I did not need it.
The corners stuck down well, and I was not lifting or repositioning them repeatedly. If your corners are not laying flat, heat may help the vinyl shrink and settle. For this install, leaving it alone and pressing it cleanly was enough.
The main thing I wanted was for the edges not to catch on anything during the first day or two while everything was still settling.
Final Result
The finished skin lined up very well, including around the Apple logo. The black honeycomb texture looks nice on the M3 MacBook Pro, and the different shades in the pattern work well with the darker MacBook finish.
It is different from the older dragon-scale skin I had on my previous MacBook, but it still gives me the textured feel I wanted. I would not install the inside palm-rest pieces personally because I do not think I would like that texture under my hands while typing.
The MacBook Pro’s darker finish does a better job with fingerprints than older finishes, but it is still not perfect. The skin gives the outside a cleaner look and adds grip without changing how the laptop opens or feels inside.
Key Takeaways
- Clean the MacBook thoroughly before installing the skin, especially around edges, feet, and screw holes.
- For the top skin, align the Apple logo first by cutting away a small section of backing paper.
- For the bottom skin, use the screw holes and rubber feet as alignment guides.
- Do not pull the vinyl too hard while installing it because it can stretch.
- A plastic card can smooth sharp vinyl edges and reduce the chance of peeling.
- I did not need a hair dryer for this install, but heat may help if your corners will not stay down.
Watch the Video
The video above above if you want to see the full install process, including the Apple logo alignment, bottom skin placement, edge smoothing, and close-up look at the black honeycomb texture on the M3 MacBook Pro.
