Why is Apple insisting on Glossy Displays?

And BTW here is one of the more reasoned discussions on this subject I have found - it's where I found the second link: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3562907

Unsuprisingly it comes down to perception and preference - both technologies have their pro's and con's. The notion that one is "pro" and the other is "consumer" is silly - but if it makes you sleep better at night to justify your position that way, more power to you. I'm done with this topic.

This seems to have got you hot under the collar, Eric.

The technical articles that you reference there written by "science" students and what-not, seem to discount the fact that if my screen content is competing with the reflected image of my environment, it doesn't really matter what the colour rendering is like, because it is being viewed through the reflected haze of whatever is behind the screen.

I know that the glossy screens are no good for work because I owned a glossy screen iMac a while back (it was my first mac for use at home) and if I wanted to do anything for any length of time, to cut the interfering reflections and avoid eye strain headaches, I had to close the curtains and work in the dark.

I am not a photographer and do not care about colour. I care about anything that can help me get through long work days and a laptop with a large, easy to view screen is my main tool of choice. I can take it home, to the office, out on site for presenting work. It is great... now. But when my suped-up but now aging 17inch MBP is no longer supported, along with the two other ones that I bought for my employees, I will be forced to leave the Apple stable because their product line is impractical for real work. PERIOD.

What about the MacBook Air? It seems to be the only matte display in the Apple product line. Is is any better than the glossy retina displays?

Macbook Air has also glossy screen.

I'm Apple user since 1994. I have always sacrificed performance (compared to PCs with same price) to buy Apple solutions/products, because of the OS, applications etc. etc. But honestly no matte option is a deal breaker. Not even two years ago I have bought Win desktop (I was thinking about iMac 27, but I really cannot stand the glossy display; in past I have bought new Macbook Pro just 3 months after another one so I would get rid of the glossy screen) and now I'm considering new notebook to replace my 2010 Macbook Pro (it's sloooooow because of 10.9, especially the startup time is HORRIBLE). No matte option in any line from Apple again..... So I will most likely use my old Macbook for months to come yet and if Apple will not return to reason, I will fully switch to ****** Windows. Already checking PC notebooks in reviews etc.

Same goes with iPhone... Owner of iPhone 4, curently thinking about buying one or two new iPhone 4S, because I do not know why we had to copy Androids with larger phones/displays - iPhone up to 4S had perfect size. I had iPhone 5 in my hand several times, I don't want it, it's too big and not comfortable to use with one hand.

Now I know this all comes down to personal taste but I do not understand where Apple is heading. Best OS X was 10.6 (newer versions are just slower and apart from few exceptions (I do not miss those few exception if I switch back to 10.6 though which is saying a lot) with many bloated shiny options I never use, if 10.6 would work with iCloud, I would never upgrade).

Seems like after 20 years of being loyal Mac customer I will end up with those horrible Windows. :-))) My last issue with Windows is no Spotlight and it's impossible to find acceptable Calendar app, else I have already solved all other issues with the switch during the past two years with Win desktop.

It all comes down to personal preference people, that's it just like how some people are now painting their cars matte colors vs the traditional shiny jobs. Different strokes for different folks.

I use to be on the AG camp hard, but when Apple did away with restocking fees, I ordered 2 LED Cinema displays and was absolutely stunned - to Eric's point, the text clarity was totally night and day different and better than my Dell U2410s. The Dell's were on Craigslist later that night. It works for me since I can control room lighting to so counter the glare issue. I'm sure the newer AG coatings are better, but for me, I will continue to favor glossy displays due to the clarily benefit.

I totally agree. Glossy screens are inpractical if you have to work in all lights and in all environments, as I do. I knew this would be the case, but given the blurb I thought I would give Apple the benefit of the doubt and visited a retail store to check out the Macbook Pro Retina screens. All I could see was my reflection and the store lights in the computer however! I wish I had taken a photo there and then to show.

My Macbook Pro is failing badly (five years old) and I really don't know what to do. Do I switch to Windows or do I basically 'rebuild' my Macbook Pro, so I can retain a screen that allows me to work? The anti-glare screen protectors won't last when working outdoors.

It seems completely nonsensical. I am wanting to spend money, but Apple no longer seems to want it! It is such a shame that they no longer wish to cater for active creative professionals. We used to be a valued customer.

Exactly. I'm in the same position having to work on my machine in all sort of lighting conditions. In fact, did what you did - went down to the Apple store and all I could see on that screen was - myself. Mind you, I had credit card in hand was about to shell out 2.2k (that's Pound Sterling). I left the store without having made a puchase. Currently nursing an old MacBok Pro. I really, really don't want a Windoze machine, but if Apple keep going that way, I'll have to hold my nose and buy one. Horrid thought, but there you go....

I am nursing my OLD screen from way back and a MacBookPro -- 17" matte screen --- and pray over it everytime i turn them on. I actually asked recently if there was a way to get a new MacBookPro without the glossy-screen --- and YES! you can pre-order one --- for 100.00 more!!!! so that is comforting, not the MORE money --- but knowing you can get one .... You can also get an off brand screen to go with the MacPro --- which i will do if my baby ever dies.....

This REALLY interesting! How and where do you order the matte screen on a new MacBookPro ?? There's no such option in the online store....

I went into an Apple store here and asked. They told me it is possible - but you have to pre-order it. It is not online... because i looked there too. I am thinking about doing it -- because the new 15" is OK -- and i think i will have to get it soon. I really love my 17" and am so bummed they are not making them anymore. But, yeah, do go to an Apple store and ask.

Which retail store did you ask in? I asked about anti-glare MacBook Pro's when I went into the Apple store and was categorically told that they no longer made them. Obviously I would be happy to pre-order and pay the additional for an anti-glare screen (not that I would ideally want to!). I also put the question to an Apple customer representive online and was told the same thing - they don't make them 'at this time'. If you have any details, please let me know!

It is very frustrating that Apple didn't warn loyal customers of this development last year. If I had known, I would have bought an anti-glare MacBook Pro then.

What I cannot phathom, is that everyone I know in the creative world (which is a lot of people) has an anti-glare MacBook Pro. They wouldn't even consider a glossy screen, as they wouldn't be able to work effectively. Is Apple wanting to distance themselves from the traditional Apple core customer now? I just don't get it.

I plan to remain loyal to Apple for another two weeks, but then I have to decide. I need to work and my MacBook Pro is failing...

creativeprofessional wrote:

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My Macbook Pro is failing badly (five years old) and I really don't know what to do. Do I switch to Windows or do I basically 'rebuild' my Macbook Pro, so I can retain a screen that allows me to work?

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Be careful before you go back to Windows. It is not a matter of going back to a reasonable Windows like XP. Borrow a modern laptop running Windows 8.1 and really try it. It made me sick.

Win8 is not something I could consider. The hardware quality on the PCs seems low. I would also add the cost of Windows 7 to the budget. And.., Windows still uses the registry. Remember how often the OS had to be reinstalled to keep the computer running fast?

What is failing on your Macbook pro? HDD always seem to wear out. You can by a 1TB SSHD for around $110. Don't listen to the naysayers that claim 8GB cache is too small to make a difference without really testing it. In real-world use, it made my 2010 Macbook pro much faster.

Also, take your RAM to the max. and fix whatever else seems failing.

If the computer is slowing down too much, perhaps going back to snow leopard? My laptop is Mavericks, but my main work machine is snow leopard.

creativeprofessional wrote:

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The anti-glare screen protectors won't last when working outdoors.

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Why do anti-glare films not last? I need to know for my next laptop purchase.

Unsure why hokmah is saying as much, there is NO way to get an anti glare macbook from Apple. Perhaps the store employee was wrong himself but it is incorrect nonetheless. There are no "secret" Apple products handshake whisper or otherwise.

I have no direct experience (I still have an anti-glare MacBook Pro), it is what I have been advised from other people. I can work in varied temperatures (hot, cold, damp etc), from time to time. I am personally not prepared to take that risk on a new computer.

If the anti-glare screen protector is so good, why doesn't Apple have a display model (glossy retina screen with anti-glare protector) in store which can be viewed? I have been into four retail stores now. Not one MacBook Pro displays this.