Regular Screen Vs. Glossy Screen

If you're going to be editing photos, stay away from the glossy screen. It deceptively shows more contrast and wider color separation. When you have the photo exactly as you want it on the glossy screen, and then print it out, it will look vastly different on paper than what you see on the screen.

It's also prone to glare.

I went with the matte screen for those reasons.

Second that, the glossy screen is artificially "vibrant" so stick to the more realistic colour on the matte.

I choose the matte due to the environment in which I work. My office is lit primarily with fluorescent bulbs, and I had a hard time seeing the glossy screen of a friends MacBook. I have no problems in this lighting with the matte screen.

I went with the glossy as I have a glossy on my new iMac. I do some photo editing but not a whole lot. I really don't notice the reflections.

It's rather like driving with some dirt on the windshield. Are you the type of person that focuses on the dirt or do you look past the dirt and focus on the road? I had huge concerns going from my old G5 iMac (matte) to the new iMacs (glossy with no choice of screen). I played with one at an apple store and in about 15 minutes, my mind stopped noticing the reflections and instead enjoyed the depth of colors, contrast and brightness. I never looked back. If you do want to make sure the colors are consistent went printing, etc. I understand there is software that will color match but that is something a user must install. I can't comment on how well or poorly they work as i haven't tried it.

Thought I'd throw in my differing opinion to the group. Just my $0.02.

Austin,
You might like to check out the many views on this extensive thread on the matte vs glossy subject here:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1334434&tstart=0

I just bought a MacBook Pro and went matt screen. My decision was based on a single question. Where do I intend to use it. While I do a lot of Photoshop work and color work, that's done on my Mac Pro 30" monitor yadda yadda. The MacBook will be for accessing the web and mail when traveling, downloading images from digital cameras for eventual sorting and processing later and being able to go to beautiful natural spots and write (I love doing that!). OK so most of my work would not be in a controlled environment, most outdoors. Reflections and glare would be an issue.

Then I went to an Apple Store to check out the screens. All they had out were glossy. I couldn't believe it. The glare from all the lighting systems made trying to use the display laptops and iMacs intolerable from my point of view and I immediately decided against the glossy screen even though I really liked the 'pop' of the colors on a friend's new iMac in a stable environment where there are no noticeable reflections.

I'll chime in and say that I personally love the glossy screens. Yes, if you use it in the wrong environment you will get glare, but the clarity and beauty of the screen are outstanding when used under the correct conditions. I'm not a photographer, and don't do a whole lot of work with photos, but for my uses the glossy screen is great.

Message was edited by: r0d

hi

another question related to Matte vs Glossy

taking in consideration my experience with my Macbook, is true that Glossy is easier to clean compared to matte?

thanks

I've been using matt screens since the original Apple Cinema Display 22" back in 2000 or so and have never had a problem as I purchased a large kit of Klear Screen™ with an 8oz replacement bottle and have never run out yet. Plus the cloths provided have proven to be endlessly hand washable.