Dealing with the Macbook Pro Reflections

Did you get the MBP with the glossy display rather than the matte? If you just got the machine, you might be able to exchange it for a MBP with the matte screen rather than the glossy display. I ordered mine with the matte, display, and am not bothered by reflections. I believe the antiglare option is available on the 17 inch model, but I am not sure about the 15 inch model.

Good luck!

It is an option only on the 17" mbp.

It used to be available on all mbp's but not any longer unless you would prefer a closeout from apple or elsewhere at a much cheaper price. Often that's a better deal.

The headaches are likely due to the heightened brightness of the display which is designed so brightly to try to overcome the reflections. You might try downloading and installing Shades to tone down the brightness. To eliminate the glossiness, you can try using the computer only in the dark, turn down the keyboard backlighting, and try to wear darker clothing that won't reflect too much on the screen.

To eliminate the glossiness, you can try using the computer only in the dark, turn down the keyboard backlighting, and try to wear darker clothing that won't reflect too much on the screen.

Why not just apply a coat of matte black paint to the glass panel? That would certainly do the trick.

Can the complaints get any more absurd? We'll see.

It's not the complaint that is absurd, it's that fact that Apple—normally the champion of user-centred design—has deemed to design a laptop screen that presents major usability issues.

I love Apple design, bit I think success is going to Mr Ives' head, and he's starting to put user requirements second to his design agenda. This does not bode well.

A.

the guy that designed these Dell/ Microsoft looking laptops. As for wearing dark clothes when you see the promotional movies on the apple site they are all wearing black shirts so maybe they've never noticed the reflection from the screen. Plus they all have bald heads, maybe we should all shave ours to help reduce the glare!

Hi Chadwick,
I have the same problems, I know this won't help you. After working two days within a very bright environment with lots of windows I decided to switch back to my old MBP. At the moment I try to figure out what to do with my new one. The folks at Apple are very polite, but up to now no one could help me. The best would be to sell it on ebay, one guy from the Apple Store told me.
I'm trying to trade it in/exchange it for a Macbook Air, since I've planned to get one for presentations and programming courses. But I don't know if that's possible, I'm frustrated...

CClaire wrote:
if things have got to the point of being forced to wear darker clothing to be able to get past screen anti glare we're all doomed!

Ever notice Steve doesn't have a problem with the glossy? Now, ask yourself, what color shirt is he always wearing?

Unfortunately, it looks like your options may be limited. If you could still swap out your machine, you could consider the 17 inch model with the antiglare display. You could also consider an external antiglare display. I have no experience at all with the type of overlay you describe, so don't know how that would work.

You have my sympathy--I do not know why the matte display is no longer offered for the 15 inch MBP--especially since many people have reflection problems with the glossy display.

Good luck at finding a solution!

Please, no more responses like this. Just looking for help getting around this glossiness.

Using it in a dark room while wearing dark clothing isn't significantly less absurd than my satirical reply to said advice.

I am assuming that you were aware that the new MBP display was glossy when you bought it, so hopefully you realize that it is not possible to "turn down the glossiness of it" short of using an anti-glare filter.

I don't have a problem with mine under normal room light. Just make sure you don't have any light sources shining directly on the display and you should be OK. Either adjust the position of the lighting or adjust the position of your MBP.

You might find this interesting:

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3435&p=5

Well, we all know that the glossyness results from a cheaper manufacturing process leaving the antiglare film out. This film makes displays slightly more expensive and reduces the saturation a bit. The solution would be to apply this filter your self. There are some anti-glare foils made for laptops that you can apply, just as if it were a screen-protector. I don't use them nor do I know where to get them, but a magazine I stumbled across a few months featured such DIY-Anti-Glare-Foils.

I'd say Google is your friend.

Maybe someone got some experience with these foils here?

Hope this helps a bit. I would have preferred a matte screen also, but, heh, I guess glossy is fine with me.

Cheers,

Pablo

I've been thinking about getting the new MacBook Pro but I don't like glossy screens.

Here is what I found in my searching:

Picture: http://www.photodon.com/MBP3-450x339.jpg

Web Site - Scroll Down: http://www.photodon.com/lcdprotect-sheet.htm

Looks interesting. I'd like to find some feedback from someone who has it.

if things have got to the point of being forced to wear darker clothing to be able to get past screen anti glare we're all doomed!