much as i think the sofa with plastic on is a valid concern, i would highly recommend a screen protector for the n900! screen protectors increase visibility and PROTECT the only way of interacting with the touch screen. I learnt mine the hard way when i nicked the screen using the stylus of an old winmo device, never got the same legibility back! also, resistive screens are softer and prone to more scratches than capacitive scratch resistant touchscreens. just a heads up, because i really don't like to see anyone with a scratched screen!