Why is Apple insisting on Glossy Displays?

What I find really odd, is that almost all Windows PC's are now matte, as well as most 3rd party displays, and so are most flarscreen TV's. It seems like it's only Apple that persists with the glossy screen.

Everyone else seems to be ditching glossy, just as Apple are adopting it full-time.

Bob.

Ideally, Apple should offer matte screens, at least as an option (even if more expensive). Otherwise, this "Invisible Glass" can be the solution, because this is a serious health and productivity issue:

Japanese Firm Develops ‘Invisible Glass’

http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20111028/199970

Amazing Invisible Glass Kills Glare Dead

http://gizmodo.com/5854321/amazing-invisible-glass-kills-glare-dead

‘Invisible glass’ could reduce display glare, fails as food-in-teeth mirror

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/invisible-glass-could-reduce-display-glare-fa ils-as-food-in-t

Apple, are you listening? Please! Thanks.

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This Glossy Screen Mirror iMac nightmare is a real issue! I agree.

Apple is going to have to offer a matte option for people that ACTUALLY use there computers. It is really kind of outrageous professionally to just ignore half there customer base who SERIOUSLY want a MATTE OPTION? It is like a 50/50 percentage of people who absolutely like High Glossy Mirror iMac and absolutly hate High Glossy Mirror iMac.

I have a solution: offer a Matte Screen Option iMac.

______________________________________________

Simple. Smart. Innovation. Design. The New iMac.

The New Matte Screen Option iMac's are finally here!

In 2007, I switched from using Linux to MAC because of system stability issues. I am currently using a MacBook Pro vintage 2007. I am an IT professional and use multiple computers 10 hours/day all of which have matte sceens. I have been to the Apple store on serveral occasions, and while the iMAC is impressive, the glossy screen is a show stopper for any serious professional endevors. Apple truely needs to rethink their so called professional line of computers.

The iMac and Cinema display designs would not allow for a matte screen. You can put a matte screen inside the device but the outer glass must remain clear to have a nice image. I am unaware of any technology that would allow for matte glass that would not cause viewing problems in the current design. The glossy screens are not that bad. I have two sitting in front of me. Yeah they make great mirrors too but they also have very nice clarity and crispness.

One complaint I hear over and over is adopting high gloss displays in lieu of matte screens. At first glance, these shiny, glossy displays can be quite attractive and offer vibrant color. But that’s when you use them indoors under exactly the right viewing angle. But if you take a net-book with a glossy screen outside or use it a room with a bright light you could run the risk of turning it into a mirror.

Now it turns out there might be another reason to choose computers with matte displays over glossy ones. Glossy screens could lead to back pain. No, seriously. That’s according to the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane Australia.

Basically, QUT says that Apple computers and other systems with high gloss displays can “cause the operator to adopt awkward postures” in order to avoid glare and reflections. Eye Strain problems documented aside, some people just love non mirror screens = Matte screen option. Some people love the Glossy mirror screens, but what about the other 50% of people. Particularly professional users who can't work for more than an hour with the non-pro kiddy glossy-screens nightmare (sorry, just reality), or those who use there systems professionally who need a Matte screen option.

Apple.... Offer a Matte Option. Simple. Professional. Customer Satisfaction. Innovation.... like you use too @#%! offer called "matte option" jesus....don't make me buy a PC over this!

I want to leave my PC behind (after 18 years!) and get me an IMac. It is time to get a new computer anyway and so I thought, give Apple a chance. But after I have checked these glossy 27'' monitors in some shops I am really very undecided. I would order an IMac tomorrow if Apple offers an option concerning a matte screen. Of course without extra costs! I run here a very nice HP IPS monitor 24'' with matte display and I thought, ok, if it is not an IMac it could become a MacMini - together with my HP monitor a nice match. But - dual core CPU's are no option really, sorry Apple. And where are the new Ivy Bridge processors? I can show you some interesting companies and they have these new machines with Ivy Bridge CPU, USB 3.0......Apple can you hear me???

We are graphic designers and had no option but to buy a glossy iMac for one of our workstations, it's a nightmare to work on and calibrate for colour correctness.

I looks pretty if you are watching movies, but it's so hard to look at all day.

I also have a MacBook Pro which I ordered with the matt screen option - what a great option, I love my laptop.

For our MacPros we use EIZO displays, due to their professional calibration and matt screens - no glare and accurate colour.

If apple released matt screens we would buy apple, but until they wake up a realise that if you use these machines for actual work and need a matt option, we are unable to use their monitors.

WAKE UP APPLE, remember your core customer base - creative professionals!!!!!!!!!!!

Here’s a great shot comparing the new Retina MacBook Pro (2012) screen in the middle, with the old glass screen on the left and the matte screen on the right:

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/mac/retinaMacBookPro/DSC_7440.jpg

Source and more:

The next-gen MacBook Pro with Retina Display Review

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-r eview/4

Apple, where are thou?

Apple's current trend appears to be toward consumability and away from usability.

I have seven Apple devices in my office and home and have been using them since 1984.

Apple displays?

Zero.

I have 2 NEC displays, a 30" and a 26".

That's $3000 that went to another company rather than Apple.

At the school where I teach design and prepress, we have some glossy Apple screens - we can see reflections of the backyard in the screens unless we turn off all the lights and close the blinds.

It does no use to moan and groan on a forum like this. Each thread eventually ends, and there is no build up of voices. There is no unified voice. So someone like Eric Eskam can just assert that glossy screens are what everyone wants, and matte-lovers are without argument.

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This is a classic reason why CRT monitors have gone "bye bye". There are solutions to this in the lighting world that I'm in. This is uncomfortable even looking at the windows and glaring lighting. A couple of solutions might be to get the screen pointed in a direction away from the windows to a softer back ground and for the lighting (expensive) but get an indirect light source that shines the light up to a white ceiling (common in most offices and homes). The new lighting system would in some cases be energy efficient and would present an option for the owners to kill two birds with one stone by getting more productivity out of the employees as well as save energy. (not a plug by any means, but just stating some facts).

I've seen some that take a task light and lower the ceiing lighting down and use a task light at the desk surface to avoid the uncomfortable screen glare or take some of the newer LED stand lights and shine them up. For windows, a simple shade may reduce the glare as well (screen, not black out).

I personally love the look of the glossy screen (have both on my desk). Feels easier when the right lighting is in the room.

Pic 1 uplight with shades drawn (8w LED lamp @ Home Depot) and Pic 2 is monitor with drawn shades in background. Both light and windows directly behind.

I Agree ...

I was just over at the local Apple store loking at the new 21.5" iMac, and to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed. I have been waiting for over a year to upgrade my Mac, and had high expectations for the new 2012 iMac's .... but seeing and playing with one in the store .... the new one's may not be for me.

Most of all I wanted to believe all the talk about 75% less reflections in the new iMac display, but while in the Apple store, I saw no real difference over the previous model ... and if so, it was more like 25% less reflections. Nothing that dramatic, certainly not like the "anti-glare" screens available in the 2011 MacBook Pro. Basically, my understanding is that the new 2012 iMac's use the SAME DISPLAY as the previous iMac models did. It's the LG "LM215WF3" display, same as those in the 2009-2011 iMac displays. The only difference in the 2012 display, is that they took out the small space between the outer glass and the actual screen surface to get the overall display thinner. It still has the basic "glossy glass" cover screen.

The other disappointment was the extremely poor audio sound from the new iMac's built-in speakers. They just sounded so "tinny", even when playing with multiple iTunes "equalizer" settings. Again, disappointing.

Looks like I'll have to research the possibility of buying a Mini-Mac and an older Apple 20" cinema display off eBay. Or pick up a late model 2011 iMac and get the Rad-Tech "anti-glare" screen film for the display (Ugh!).

Being a graphic designer and art director in profession, I just can't understand why Apple has abandoned the "professional" market for these glossy displays in it's iMac line .... or at least STILL hasn't given us an option for a true "anti-glare" display.

Is it just me, or are my observations on the new 2012 iMac the same for others as well?

I agree.

As a long term Apple Mac user, I too am VERY DISAPPOINTED with the new 2012 iMac re-design. The display is STILL GLOSSY GLASS ON TOP. Apple hasn't really addressed this GLOSS problem, and is basically using the same LG manufactured display it has been using in the iMac's since 2008 .... where's the Apple INNOVATION anymore??????

Looks like I may consider the mac mini and a third party display, rather than buy one of the new 2012 iMac's. It's a shame Apple, and MR. IVE have turned their backs on the "creative community". Guess this explains Apple's current stock value plunge as well.

Apple should offer the option of truly matte displays. Even if more expensive. Because it is a serious health and productivity issue for millions.

Apple: we do not really mind that much if the display is 5 mm or 50 mm thick for that matter (really!!!), but we do mind headaches and red sore eyes, besides distractions, not seeing at all what is on the screen (mostly with black backgrounds and black content) and seeing ourselves instead of the file contents. We want professional displays, not pretty (sic) shiny mirrors!

Please! Thank you.