[philomath777]

Thank you for this review. This gives me some options to consider. I have held off buying the 15" MBP because of the lack of a matte screen. Some of the pro-glossy screen posters here (esp. one in particular) may not realize that some people have extreme light sensitivity that causes glare (such as that from glossy screeens) to trigger ocular migraines. Even if the colors on a glossy are richer, the glare factor renders glossy screens unacceptable for medical reasons. Please, Apple, bring back the matte screens we've had for years.

[steffi1]

Would you say the reduction in sharpness is comparable to what is observed when an anti glare protector is put on an iphone?

Is there any hint of grain in the appearance of the screen?

[griffman]

I've only used one anti-glare film on my iPhone, and in comparison to that film, I'd say the MacBook Pro film had less reduction in sharpness (i.e. it was a sharper image). However, the film I used on my iPhone was a privacy anti-glare film, so it had a very high degree of polarization (I think), causing a semi-fuzzy image. So sadly, I don't have a good comparison for you :(.

-rob.

[tech_head]

I have the PhotoDon screen protector on my MBP and don't notice any reduction in sharpness.

it's more of a plastic cover and not really a film.
It's easy to apply and I don't have any bubbles.
The "sticky" side has no adhesive. It has a soft, static surface cling surface on the inside and hard surface on the exposed side.

I use it on my MBP to prevent damage from the keyboard over time.

[MacRick]

As long as Apple sticks to its corporate decision to only display (show on the Apple Store sales floor) the Glossy, and continues to keep the 17" Anti-Glare model in the back of the store, out of sight, the numbers sold of the Anti-Glare will be below par. It's almost as if the people at Apple who didn't want to release an Anti-Glare are trying to make sure the sales remain low, and that they end up looking good.
I know that unless I can see one, I won't buy an Anti-Glare. And so, after going to the Apple Store today and finding out thta I can only look at the Glossy, I left thinking that some Apple coporate types are trying to sabotage the Anti-Glare.
No, I can't return it if I don't like it, because I would be buying a custom build from Apple direct, and any custom build is non-returnable, even if I don't like the screen. That's just standard Apple policy, and no way around it.
Not showing the Anti-Glare in stores is just crazy, unless your goal is to make the Anti-Glare sales fall on its face.

I know it sounds crazy, but how else to you explain a whacky policy like this?

[lin2log]

MacRick said:

As long as Apple sticks to its corporate decision to only display (show on the Apple Store sales floor) the Glossy,

WHAT??! LOL!! their "corporate decision", ey??! Mind passing around those insightful "corporate guidelines" you are quoting from, that apparently only you have access to?

Fresh from the "what I see and blindly assume is the global standard, since I don't get out much."-dept. Funny how in the (apparently imaginary NON-corporate) Apple Store I was at, there were in fact TWO matted and only ONE glossy on display.

Oh gee, ya think I should point out to them, that they're going heavily against company policy with such mindless anchorite behaviour??! Should I boycott?

LOL... oh man.

[user1234]

Is the screen still as sharp or does this film blur it?
I'm thinking of getting a 15,4" MBP, so this would be great! to bad that the delivery cost is over 60 USD to my country..

[griffman]

I didn't notice any blurring -- so if there was any blurring, it wasn't enough to bother my eyes.

-rob.

[MacRick]

Hey, you don't have to get so rude. Honestly, that's not really very nice. I wasn't attacking you. I was simply stating what I was told by an Apple employee. I was told it was "Corporate Policy" by the manager of the Apple Store in Buffalo, NY.


I am very happy to learn that you got to see it at the store. I would like to point this out to the manager here in my home town. Would you mind telling me what store that was so that I can point it out to the manager at the store in Buffalo?

They did bring the unit out, but the only let me go as far as the first registration screen (where you select a language). One cannot tell squat about the monitor unless one can actually boot the OS and the Desktop and look beyond that initial startup screen. They wouldn't let me do that, because they said it was Corporate Policy to show only the Glossy. That's what they told me. I don't make stuff up on my own.

[nushieldguy]

You might want to try the NuShield DayVue film which you can use outdoors and still read the display or the NuShield non-adhesive antiglare film for indoor use. The NuShield is easy to apply and you don't need to be in a clean room. The antiglare film costs much less than the one from Mac. The DayVue film has a tacky backside so you don't have problems with bubbles or positioning. Find they at www.nushield.com

[sterlingz]

Rob -
Thanks for this excellent article - it was incredibly helpful. After reading it, I bought one of the PowerSupport films when I purchased my new 15 inch, and am glad that I did. I've used glossy screens before and am definitely in the camp that can't stand them. I gave this one a try for a few days before applying the film and gave up. Just too hard on my eyes. I also like the fact that the screen will have an additional layer of protection. My last MacBook Pro matte screen got totally thrashed, even though I tried my best to keep a protective layer between the keyboard and screen. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the PowerSupport solution.
Regarding sharpness, I do see a slight reduction and an increase in graininess, but as you've said, it's perceptible but certainly not a dealbreaker. The decrease in glare more than makes up for it.
Thanks also to FrankCDN for the tip about running the shower - that worked wonders to get the dust out of the air. It also helped to have a brand new screen that was completely unblemished. If you know you don't like glossy screens, I would recommend applying the film right away before your screen gets much use/dirt/smudges on it.
lin2log - grow up. Your condescending tone is really a disservice to this forum. It's great that you work for a big studio that loves glossy screens and everyone is happy. As you can see from the number of people on this thread who don't like glossy screens, that is not the case for everyone, including creative professionals, and we are grateful to Rob for exploring other options since Apple doesn't offer them in the 15 inch form factor. There is no reason to bash us for seeking alternatives. It's not because we dumb, whiners, or haven't tried the products. As stated, many people have physiological reasons for doing so.
I personally love the 17 inch MBP matte screen (including the aluminum bezel), but that machine is just simply too big for my purposes. I have a feeling Apple will end up offering the matte option on the 15 inch as well on the next rev based on demand.

[heisetax]

Just purchase a 17" mmodel with the optional matte screen.

[BL888]

I made installation air-bubbles and dust free however I found it use-less since in Photoshop images do have sort of moire and even I have experienced strain on eyes.

Its use-less in my opinion and waste of money... Original mat screen which I have on my other 17 inch powerbook is simply the best.

[jon34]

Good review