[enb14]

My husband has a glossy 24" iMac and he has moved it to literally five different spots in his office to try to get away from the glare and reflections. LIke someone else said, glossy screens are STOOPID. Neither of us is going to buy another computer that has one.

[ToddBradley]

Well, after long and careful consideration, I placed an order last night for a refurbished previous-generation MacBook Pro 15" (with matte display, of course). It's the top of the pre-unibody line with a 2.6 GHz processor. I played out the various scenarios in my head and decided it's not likely I'll see Apple offering what I want any time soon.

First, there's unfounded hope that Apple will offer the 17" model (rumored to be released "early" in 2009) with a matte option. But even if they do, I don't want a 17" notebook because I do use mine as a portable and 17" is kinda big to comfortably fit on the coffee shop table or in my backpack.

Second, while some 3rd party may release an anti-glare sticker for the new glossy 15", I'm skeptical that it would look as good and that I could install it without some bubble or piece of lint stuck under the sticker or whatever.

So I got the Penryn 15" model, and 4 GB of RAM for it. This should be enough of a bump up from the 15" MBP I currently have that it'll feel like a major upgrade. And with the Apple Care I bought with it, I'm guaranteed Apple will support me for 3 more years. Not only that, but I can use my existing spare battery with it.

I'll check back in probably in late 2009 or early 2010, assuming the US economy hasn't thrown us all into a Mad Max post-apocalypse, and see if Apple has a unibody MBP with matte finish. I have noticed the MBP holds its value quite well, judging from prices on eBay. So if Apple does come out with a usable product in the next year I can upgrade again without losing much money. Especially given the great deal I got on the refurb.

But the new (current) product line just isn't suited for my type of use, so I'm voting against it with my wallet.

FWIW, I did send feedback in to Apple on this. Another commenter here posted the response he got when he complained. In my case, nobody has responded. I guess they either have so many complaints about this or they just don't have anything to say.

[griffman]

I actually did exactly the same (though not bumped to 4GB yet). I assume I'll have to use this for at least the next three to four years; perhaps by then the glossy era will have passed (or they'll figure out how to do glossy + no glare) and I can once again buy a Mac laptop.

-rob.

[folklore]

I'd be doing that as well if I could afford it.

But I've got a 2.33gHz MBP, and it's real hard to justify getting a new one just 18 months later. That's especially true since my previous PowerBook G4 was replaced earlier than originally scheduled. My hope is that enough users will scream about the matte option that Apple will listen. Unlike other areas (mid-tower, anyone?) this one might actually hit Apple hard. If the pro crowd can't/won't use Apple portables because of the glossy screen, then the primary audience for the upper end of the line disappears.

[xwni]

Ditto,

I have seen the new 15" MBP Unibody at my local apple store, and the new glass/glossy screen is just awful, suffering from very severe reflections. I could almost use it as a shaving mirror!.

I can't wait for apple to sort this mess out, and indeed, I don't think they will. I think they'll bury their heads in the sand, and leave it to the third parties/market to produce a decent screen overlay.

Having said that, I do need an upgrade, my Powerbook G4 is getting a bit long in the tooth, and needs replacement. I have ordered a sensible 15" (previous gen) MBP, with matte screen. I'm not ready to give up my firewire 400 port, and am really not ready to give up my tv-out (s-video) facility.

Apple has lost any new business from me for the next few years, although I may still buy myself an applecare incase the nvidia graphics chip in my MBP turns out to be one of the failing ones.

XW

[griffman]

No Air for me -- that's Jason (though he's contemplating a switch to the new MacBooks). The only glossy screen in our home is on the kids' iMac.

-rob.

[pleasenogloss]

I was kind of confident that when this unibody 17 inch comes out it would have to have a matte option. The glossy screen is just too ridiculous at that size - anyone can see that. I was thinking Apple can't just completely turn a blind eye to this discontent amongst visual professionals. They're supposed to be Mac Book PROs after all. The 17 inch will be the Mac book pro pro and they'll allow us a matte screen with this one. But then I thought about the overall new design, particularly the way in which the glass goes right to the edge of the screen with that thick black rim. That black is there to really sell the gloss isnt it? A matte screen with that black rim wouldn't create the fluctuating highlights that give this new model that whole shoulderpads 80's look. It really is pretty unlikely they'll give us a matte option I'm thinking now. The whole design is about contrast and that sleek overpolished sportscar fetish. Do you know what I'm saying? It really is quite unbelievable really. I kind of thought that there was some sort of intelligent integrity up there in apple design land but no, there's not is there. Oh its so annoying because I love the larger, smoother, buttonless trackpad... why cant they just tell us what they are going to do? Do you think it's possible they havent decided yet and that all this angst may sway them somewhat?

[icerabbit]

I couldn't agree more and thanks for sharing the images with all readers here.

I noted the glare in several review photos too. With the nearest Apple store closed in Seattle, I wasn't going to go out of my way to check these out in person, but, by chance I did step into Fry's. First time (afaik) I was close enough to visit one and they had a nice selection of Apple hardware, including the new MacBook Unibody. I give Apple top marks for the aluminum chassis. Solves my complaints about delicate cases (scratchy MB & flexing PB) After seeing it in person I am still partial to the two-tone style. That mini-displayport is really tiny ... about half the size of regular HDMI.

With the curve in the lower shell, it is surprising actually that Apple kept the ethernet adapter, and didn't go for mini-ethernet ;)

The glossy screen is too much, just as bad as the current iMac, with additional the downside that you're actually tilting the notebook screen back some. It is considerably worse than the old glossy MacBook, which was right beside it, and the black bezel makes it worse, as you now have a black mirror around your screen.

In direct comparison between a matte Cinema Display and a glossy iMac, which were also side by side, yes, the colors do look brighter and more vibrant on the iMac or new MacBook. It is like bright colored candy that really draws you in. I do however question how realistic the presentation is. To me it just seems high on saturation and contrast; not unlike many people's TV sets.

Back to glare. I know that I saw the new MB (and current iMac) in a brightly lit store, but I know 100% certain that I could not work on such a system beyond minimal casual use in any environment other than a dark room. I have used at least 6 systems with glossy screens by now, in different notebooks & desktops, and I have glare problems wherever I go. Sometimes its minimal and easy to ignore or overlook but more often than not it is a problem where you have to refocus your eyes constantly, shift around to compensate, etc. I'm not about to go back into the curtain closing days of CRT TVs & monitors; which incidentally we had to do last week in the hotel in order to see what was on our glossy notebooks.

Honestly, Apple's move to glossy only notebooks and displays supposedly as well, on top of the long absence of a mid-range system; has forced me to start looking elsewhere for hardware. I have been using a pair of windows notebook for over a year now and my next primary desktop may sport windows too. I like OS X and hate Vista; but I can live with Vista or XP if Apple doesn't provide the hardware I want to buy. We've paid for many Apple systems, we love our Cubes, I love my Cinema Display, the G5 has been great but unfortunately is way too big for what it does, the MacBook has been mixed (narrow viewing angle, glossy, ...) ... Anyhow.

I would absolutely love to upgrade and even drive a whole day, wait in line etc to buy a brand new Mac tomorrow, but Apple has to build the right one first.

... Ideally this would be another Cube type system, dual display capable (24" 30"), dual (notebook) hard drive capable, optical drive with full I/O (it has to have firewire) .

[icerabbit]

I'm not saying I totally agree with the methodology (as the viewing angle isn't identical at all times) but Gizmodo did post some pictures that others may find interesting as well. In a video response from one of the commenters you can see the viewing angles aren't as bad as in the photos, depending on what you are viewing.

Hope it is OK to link off-site: http://gizmodo.com/5...-vs-macbook-air

If only Apple would use something better than the cheapest of cheap panels like every other $500 notebook out there.

[PhoTobes]

I've decided to start my own little campaign called An Apple Email A Day. In an attempt to get an appropriate response from Apple regarding this Glossy/Matte issue that is affecting 99% of us, I'm going to send them a new email via their feedback form every day. Will I ever get a response? It's unlikely. But for some reason I feel better about it. They may just hit that delete button and never even read it. But hopefully, one person will see my email numerous times and feel like I deserve a response. You have to wonder if there is anyone at Apple that has read the 13 pages of replys to this one single thread on Engadget. How many other threads are out there on this issue? A ton!



If anyone's interested in joining my campaign, send an email to Apple via their feedback form with the Subject "An Apple Email A Day - Give Us Matte". Maybe we can annoy them into a respectful response.

[smdkeef]

Great idea. I'll send feedback once per day. I actually sent this note to Steve Jobs (sjobs@apple.com, but I suspect he has people who triage his email, and I've not received a reply).





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,

[Starfall]

smdkeef said:

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.

Yes, I completely agree.

With the new unibody manufacturing technique, Apple had an opportunity to take their previously minimalist MacBook Pro design to the next level. Imagine the new unibody shell but with machined aluminum chiclet keys instead of black ones, and a matte screen with a minimal aluminum bezel. That would have been a laptop design for the ages, in my opinion. Nothing too dramatically different than the previous generation, but still a nice refinement. Instead, the new two-tone aluminum/black design seems to undermine the whole minimalism look in my eyes, to say nothing of the glassy reflections.

It's interesting. When the iPhone first came out, none of the previously released fan mockups/guesses even came close to matching the quality of what the actual product looked like, or how it worked, in my opinion. However, I've seen quite a few fan mockups of the new MacBooks that look better than what Apple actually released.

[farleftone]

Starfall wrote : " Instead, the new two-tone aluminum/black design seems to undermine the whole minimalism look in my eyes..."
I could not agree more. If you look at the front of any iMac you'll see a Black Apple, black at the core. This is far from the happy rainbow Apple I once knew.
Steve in Hawaii

[jasonh1234]

An Apple E-mail a day?

Sounds good to me. Where the Applescript for iCal to take care of this for me though? :-)