[myramoki]

rogrerogre said:

If there was a good demand for matte screens on 13 and 15 inch macs Apple would offer it.

This is one of the argument's one of my Apple 'apologist' friend makes. Well I have a simple counter argument: multi-button mice. Nobody, except my mom who could never get the hang of two button mice, wants a single button mouse, and Apple ignored us forever. I know a mouse isn't enough to stop a person from buying an Apple, but its an example I think that shows that people that say "If people would want it, Apple would make it" doesn't really hold true.

rogrerogre said:

The big downside I see in all of this is that Apple seems to have lost efforts to provide good tools for lower end professionals. The consumer market is so good for Apple that it pushes all Apples decisions.

Amen brother. I would also contend that they are really only aiming at mid to low end consumers also, and definitely not higher-end consumers. They want converts, and your probably less likely to win high-end PC users over than you are gonna get Joe "Look at dem fancy colors on the screen" Sixpack. So why bother to build higher end machines for the customers that want them, or the professional users that kept Apple afloat for years.

rogrerogre said:

The Mac Pro cost a lot but it is not expensive. It is hard for me to buy a Mac Pro now that I am older and work less, but it is about the same price as what I have always payed for a Mac tower. With a Tower you can buy any display you want, and that is probably why Apple has not replaced their displays for so long.

This is the other argument my friend makes and Apple is pretty clear on. "Buy a mini". No thanks, underpowered, poor graphics, expensive. "Well get a MacPro". Um, behemoth tower, way more power than I'll ever use, and expensive. "Well here's an iMac". Glossy screen, no thanks. A scratched cornea would be less annoying. Oh, I'll get me one of them nice mid-tower's. Half the size, power, less expensive than an MacPro, but good graphics options. Great, I'll take 2. Oh yea, they don't make that. Because nobody could possibly want that could they?

I am very disappointed that Apple is trying to expand their user base not by offering additional choices that appeal to more customers, but narrowing their choices to only appeal to new PC customers, and ignoring their existing user base, especially professionals.

[folklore]

griffman said:

I visited the local Apple Store last night -- there weren't any MacBook Pros in stock yet, but they did have three new MacBooks out on display.

My local Apple Store had both the MB and the MBP today. The new chassis really is something to behold, and the overall fit/finish/feel of the new models is second to none in the industry. It really is a work of functional art.

The glossy screen isn't as bad as it could be - meaning it's better than other computer manufacturer's glossy screens (on the whole). And the brightness really does help cut back on the visibility of the reflections - turn the brightness all the way down and there are noticeably more reflections visible.

But futzing around for 5 minutes in a retail store is one thing. I'm still not convinced that glossy is better for long periods of work with text (what I do for a living).

At the end of the day, I'd still much, much rather have matte and I'll continue voicing that preference to Apple. But it's not like I'm going to buy a Windows PC just for a matte screen.

[Mac212]

I just ordered one of the previoius generation refurbished 15" Macbook Pros for $1,350 from Apple. Link



That gives Apple about three years to fix the new laptops. :)

[Rogue68]

The more I think about it, the more I think, for health reasons, it would be good to have the matte option on all laptops.

To start with I thought this was a pro/personal choice issue, but the more responses I read about people getting headaches from continually refocussing while using the glossies etc., the more I think it's something that should, ideally, be available to all. Who's to say someone with a low-end MB won't need to stare at that screen for long periods of time, or students won't end up using them to edit video work at college etc.

Their technological needs might be different to those of us who use them as everyday working tools , but their comfort needs won't be.

I'm annoyed at the thought of having to pay for the option, but like others, I would.

[RogerKni]

I believe a poster named "glawsee" on MacDailyNews put his finger on the root of the problem:

<i>"I'd be willing to bet that all the screens are going glossy due to Apple's efforts to go green. ... Matte glass an/or plastic overcoats probably y kill their ' kill their 'green-ness.'"</i>

I urge Macworld to write a similar editorial on the absence of Firewire in the MBs. Here's a free title: <i>Insanely Grating</i>

[dougster]

...I'll second 'Matte matters'. I'd purchase an iMac today if there was an option for the matte display. A buddy that works at ClubMac said many folks emailing and calling in want the matte iMacs and an option for all laptops. He thinks its a price issue w/ Apple... :_| Sheesh, I'd even PAY MORE...

[rogrerogre]

I thought that it may be a green issue with the glass, but I don't know enough about the manufacture process to make the comment.

My solution for a tower Mac will probably a second hand Mac Pro. I see that some are going to use the same solution for a matte screen. There are some great prices on Macbook Pros right now.

[montgomery_burns]

Glossy is so the wave of the future:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=E18fOYdesv8

[xwni]

Ok, so I finally made it into my local apple store to take a look at the new MB/MBP last night.
Unfortunately, the visit confirmed all of my worst fears. I simply cannot purchase one of the new models, on account of the awful screen. The glossy screen is very reflective, seriously, It's almost a proper mirror, I could probably shave with this thing. Not cool.

I am not a graphics professional, I'm more of a sysadmin/Programmer type. Perfect color accuracy is not particularly imprtant to me, however what is important is that reflections caused by the glossy screen do not cause me to take headaches. Sadly, the reflections are that bad, rendering the laptop unusable for me - If I bought one, I'd also need to stock up on headache pills.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping apple come to their senses on this issue. Idiots.



XW

[smdkeef]

I completely agree with this article. I was deeply disappointed with Apple's decision to adopt the glossy display, and I will definitely not buy a notebook with a glossy screen. I was even more disappointed to read Jason Snell make the ridiculous suggestion to use some third party screen filter to mitigate the glare. His lack of critical analysis is why I'm letting my subscription lapse. I don't need to pay to read an Apple apologist.
I sent the following note to Steve Jobs, using an address found on Gizmodo.
*
Dear Mr. Jobs,
I've been a die hard Apple fan for many years. I still occasionally fire up my LCIII, and I am greatly enjoying my Mac Book Pro and 2G iPod Touch. I was eager to see the new notebook line launch in October, but was disappointed by two features, one aesthetic, one functional.
My aesthetic concern is the adoption of black keys and screen frame. This makes the notebook look piecemeal, which is the very last word that comes to mind when thinking about Apple products. The Powerbook and Mac Book Pro products sit at the zenith of aesthetic design, and I feel Apple has taken a step back.
My functional concern is the availability of only a glossy screen. What is the motivation to provide a display that forces a user to stare at his or her reflection with even a modest amount of ambient light? The LED matte display of my MBP is wonderful, and it distresses me that I would probably not purchase an Apple notebook with a glossy display. It is really that bad.
Is there any guidance you can provide on these two concerns?
Thanks very much for your attention.
Best regards,
[address removed for privacy]

[narrowneck]

I was planning my first Mac in 16 years having been wandering in PC land for all those years. What I was looking forward to was putting my money down and getting a Mac that I could love. How can anyone who wants to work on the go (like on a train or at a cafe) love a glossy screen? It's not about colour accuracy it about being able to switch on and get on with the job. That is what a Mac is all about. You can be productive - it just does what you want - it is a tool that you love. I could see this coming in the last round of MacBooks so it was interesting to hear the guy in the Apple store explain why MacBook Pros are matte by default. Now he will need to have a convincing bit of spin to explain the opposite.
I have gathered around glossy PC screens many times and never has everyone been able to see what is going on due to reflections. Maybe an accessory like the sheets used with old plate cameras will come into fashion. Draped over the users head and the screen. With squeals of delight at the richness of colour coming from underneath. As far as turning the screen is concerned that is just laughable nonsense. And the reflection shown in every shot on Apples website especially the display section just goes to show it's the Web2.0 zeitgeist gone mad! More cost? Let the glossy lovers peel the factory fitted matte off the screen that's what I say.
So will I buy a new MacBook Pro? I'm still undecided it's a shame it's such a hard decision.

[KevinUptime]

The_Fox

Just use a display port to DVI dongle. It doesn't require a new monitor.

[KevinUptime]

The FW800 port on the new latop just needs a FW800 to FW400 cable to get it to attach FW400 peripherals.

[peterw]

The Macintosh used to be the chosen platform for creative people, thanks to whom DTP as well as many music applications (notation, sequencers, etc.) came into being.
Musicians and music lovers have been offended for years by the ridiculous 'gap problem' in iTunes: whenever you import a CD (say an opera) consisting of several tracks into iTunes, this software introduces a very audible gap between any two tracks (e.g. between a recitativo and the subsequent aria) that should be (and on a normal CD player are) joined. (The 'Join CD tracks' menu item is not a solution.)
Now users of visual applications (DTP, photography, art history, and what have you) are flabbergasted by Apple's decision to do away with the traditional antiglare displays. The new glossy displays are simply useless to us, and will force us to think of other platforms.
My last hope as far as laptops are concerned is that the next 17" MacBook Pro will offer the choice between glossy and antiglare. I am not sanguine in this hope.
Peter Wesly, Amsterdam