Why is Apple insisting on Glossy Displays?

Dear all,

I had the same concerns with the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display. My old MacBook Pro form 2007 was simply too slow to do any meaningfull video and image editing work on it and I needed to upgrade.

So I bought the glossy screen version and the anti-glare film from Moshi (iVisor Pro Mate Screen Protector) that is offered by Apple in the apple online store custom fit to the MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

I'm really pleased with this combination. You an easily remove and apply this film since it sticks only to the black border of the display. The overall effect is similar to my old MacBook Pro and the retina effect of the new screen is preserved. It just attracts dust to the screen a little bit stronger but this can be removed easily every second week or so.

I'm curious that Apple is not putting more emphasis that this anit-glare film is available which gives you a very good mate screen in the endt.

Greetings

Thomas

Thanks for the info.

What is your computer environment? Do you work just indoors? If you work outdoors, what sorts of conditions do you work in? Can you use cleaning spray on the film? Does the film go exactly to the edges or is there a visable gap (even if it is tiny)? Thanks again.

I work mainly indoors. You can work in a very bright room with many windows that are not exactly behind you.

I never tried cleaning spray in the last three month. A special cleaning cloth coming with the film was sufficient so far.

The film goes exactly to the edges. You do not see it since there is anyway the black border of the retina display.

The only thing that is different to my old mate-screen MacBook Pro, is that the mate-film attracts more dust. I guess this is due to static electricity. But this i no major problem. Cleaning every two weeks was fine for me.

Hi - hokmah here. I am in the Atlanta, Georgia area where we have several Apple stores. I have asked on several occasions and talked with one of the Buisness associates and the manager of the store -- they have all told me the same thing, i can pre-order the MacBookPro with anti-glare --- actually they call it the matte screen, non-glossy etc. I go on buiness trips to the Detroit and Toledo areas and have gone to their store as well, and asked about it. They say the same thing. Maybe all these people are lying to me?? I really don't think so.

Just to get the terminology straight here:

hokmah, you use the term 'pre-order'. Do you mean 'built-to-order' (like the options in the online store) or do you (and the Apple people) refer to 'pre-order', as in ordering a product that's not available yet. Much like the Mac Pro was available for pre-order from something like Oct '13 but only shipped in Feb '14.

There is obviously a huge difference between the two terms (and if you are really referring to pre-order, this would explain the absence in the online store). Did the stores you visited offer to sell you one? Delivery time frame?

I haven't yet had time to go to one of the stores here in London, but will do so asap and check what they have to say.

hi there... well, i used the term 'pre-order' perhaps incorrectly, not as something released at a later date....but more as: 'built-to-order' as you say. what they tell me is that i can order it - but, it would have to be ordered in advance with the requested screen. I know it is not available online, as i have checked this out. I have not ordered it --- or started the process- just checked about it, in preparation for having too -- and this is what they ALL have told me. I suggest you go to a store and ask. I know it is NOT available online ...

I'm happy to be wrong but the information could be dated, as you could get a macbook with a matte screen in early 2013 but they have since discontinued that model.

Think of it this way, if Apple allowed a matte screen currently, you'd see reviews of it somewhere especially since there are many online petitions asking Apple to being back a matte option.

Hi, I called up the sales department of Apple - 1 800 692 7753. They said that I could order an anti-glare MacBook Pro over the phone to my requirements.

When I clarifield that it was definately an anti-glare MacBook Pro, the person I spoke to said it was the retina screen which has anti-glare. I took it that she meant the glossy MacBook Pro.

Has anyone else spoken to the sales team and got to the bottom of this? I am now totally confused! Thanks.

Wow, I think we all appreciate the effort but I'm trying to save you from wasting your time. There is no secret matte Macbook Pro that you can buy new right now. Why don't you create a post in the MacBook Pro forums and ask others, many experts will tell you the same.

Update: I was one of the original complainers. I had late 2009 iMac 27". I solved problem by removing the cover glass.

UPDATE: Have late 2014 iMac 27" retina. It is not matte, but does not seem to cause any of the problems that the old computer did. I have no problems with reflections - they did quite a good job! I have really great res and the focus problem I had with tiny reflection being out of plane with the image is completely gone. I don't see reflections. sweet screen!

off topic but - Too bad they dumbed down the OS.

i don't know if any executive member of apple is reading this post but we need MATTE DISPLAY FOR MACBOOK PRO.i bought a macbook pro but no matter what i did i couldn't look at it more than a 1 hour.everytime i try to, i got dizzy, i've had headaches and my vision gone blurry.why are you doing this ? we have right to use the world's greatest laptop but thanks to you i am stuck with a windows laptop again and i hate every second of it.i am sick of windows' crashes,freezes,boot problems,problems after i install an windows update,lags.I am so regretful that i sold it but there was nothing to do.You have made your biggest mistake apple, by removing matte display option.It's not like removing optical drive or floppy drive.This is serious.glossy screens look good in apple store but people with sensitive eyes like me cannot stare at it for a long time.charge me for matte display option if you want.I am willing to pay the extra if that means i can have a macbook with matte display.I also send you a feedback but i don't know if you guys give a **** about your customers' needs anymore.

I edit Photographs and so need to know what colours are there. On a matte screen once calibrated I know that if I see a colour then it will be that colour, BUT with a Gloss screen, small changes in viewing angle have large changes in colour perception.

It frustrates me that Apple has forgotten that creative professionals saved them back in 1997 when WIRED magazine featured an article proclaiming the end was nigh. We kept buying macs, keeping them in business while they got their act together. Today, with the success built on phones, ipods, and imacs, they've largely forgotten the professionals who kept them alive. We wait years for updates to Mac Pros, and now can't even buy an Apple monitor, because the developers don't care in the least what we need to be productive in the workplace – they just care that it's shiny and pretty on the sales floor.

Extremely disappointed, Apple, as I now research other manufacturers to replace my beloved old 23" cinema display, simply because you couldn't be bothered to create a matte version of yours for professionals.

Jason BC wrote:

It frustrates me that Apple has forgotten that creative professionals saved them back in 1997 when WIRED magazine featured an article proclaiming the end was nigh. We kept buying macs, keeping them in business while they got their act together. Today, with the success built on phones, ipods, and imacs, they've largely forgotten the professionals who kept them alive. We wait years for updates to Mac Pros, and now can't even buy an Apple monitor, because the developers don't care in the least what we need to be productive in the workplace – they just care that it's shiny and pretty on the sales floor.

Extremely disappointed, Apple, as I now research other manufacturers to replace my beloved old 23" cinema display, simply because you couldn't be bothered to create a matte version of yours for professionals.

Give feedback to apple -- at http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Is your display not working - I have the 14" I guess cinema display (the flat one anyway) from 2001 with my 2008 pro - just had the video card repaired - was happy it wasn't the monitor - because all of the shiny displays upset my vision.

Maybe Apple should spin off it professional computing division.

It's working, notcloudy, but I'd like to upgrade to a larger monitor – a 27" or 30". Really wishing they still had a 30" cinema in matte, as I'd buy one today. I'm looking at other manufacturers, and seeing nothing but complaints on the forums about faulty monitors. I was looking at the Dell U2713H, but it too has been plagued with problems. My 23" Cinema has worked flawlessly since 2007, and I'm worried I won't find that degree of reliability in another brand. I read that Wall Street Journal referred to Apple's removal of the matte screen as one of Apple's worst design decisions. I couldn't agree more.