When I read that article (gosh, maybe 25 years ago) I thought, Well of course you’d want to cover up your ugly Windows PCs.
Like you I’d rather use my gear, and I don’t mind scratches or wear marks. My pocket pen is a nicely patinated and worn brass pen, its looks improved by marks of time. The only reason I have a case on my iPhone is to make it less slippery. But I’ve never been a sticker guy.