13" remains glossy only.
Matte 15" MacBook Pro Ping!
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Posted on 08/11/2009 8:38:39 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Confirming an AppleInsider exclusive tip from less than a month ago, Apple has restored the antiglare upgrade option -- at a cost of $50 -- for its 15-inch MacBook Pro line.
The change is a quiet concession by Apple that the glass-enclosed glossy screens adopted by the Mac-maker may not be for every one. Roughly two years ago, the company began transitioning its entire Mac product line away from matte displays to the highly-reflective option that was the only offering on the 15-inch MacBook Pro lineup.
Previously, only the 17-inch MacBook Pro offered the $50 antiglare option. Tuesday's change brings the features to the 15-inch line, but the 13-inch Pro model remains glossy-only.
In July, AppleInsider exclusively reported that Apple would extend its antiglare option to more Macs.
The transition towards glossy displays appears to have been sparked by the original iPhone, whose glass touchscreen and black border resonated well with customers. The reception was favorable enough that Apple, in a bid to push the envelope and standardize materials across its product families, gave similar treatment to its iMac line a few months later.
Further emboldened, Apple announced in October its new line of unibody notebooks would also forgo matte displays for glossy ones, with the exception of a $50 antiglare option on the pricey 17-inch MacBook Pro. These new displays "provide crisp images and vivid colors which are ideal for viewing photos and movies," Apple said, "and the edge-to-edge cover glass creates a smooth, seamless surface."
Not everyone was thrilled with the move, especially those members of Apple's core professional video and image editing communities, who argued that the glossy displays tend to complicate color matching. Others are indifferent to this effect, but just can't stomach the glare given off by the glossy screens. Some are road warriors who take their notebooks on different assignments each day, and sometimes find themselves at sunny sporting events, unable to escape the reflective properties of the screens.
Whatever the case, Apple appreciates the concern, as it did with the outrage over the brief absence of FireWire on its 13-inch notebook offerings. The Mac maker has been following the numerous petitions and online threads dedicated to the display matter and hears their customers' collective voice, those familiar with the matter told AppleInsider at the time.
13" remains glossy only.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
A laptop is not an iPhone.
Why should the screen on one dictate the screen on the other?
The glossy only thing was a mistake for Apple. I tried to use a Pro with the glossy screen and had a headache in a few minutes...My current MAC Book has Matte and it works very well.
Apple should offer both. I prefer the glossy.
HALLELUJAH.
Honestly, this was a reason I was considering not getting a Mac Pro.
My wife has a super glossy HP laptop. We both hate it outdoors, and since we have an air card, we often use it in the car to surf the net etc. It is virtually UNUSEABLE.
It astounds me because I go online and see the comments by glossy fans saying “just turn the computer” etc. Those people are morons. If it’s sunny, it’s bright all around, and I have tried turning. It doesn’t help but a tiny bit.
Even inside an airport sometimes there is too much glare on the glossy screen. It’s ridiculous.
Matte screens are important. Thank you Apple for bringing the option back. Honestly, after playing a DVD on both a glossy and matte screen, I don’t see much of a difference either.
Yes. I agree. It would be a good selling point. But, wonder how much the returns would go up? Say I buy a glossy, and decide in a week or so I want a matte? They may feel it will open a can of worms if they offer both, and it probably would.
They are nice for some things like movies, but if you go outside or even just go to a window, the computer is impossible to see.
Glossy people say “turn the computer” as if changing the angle works miracles. It normally doesn’t really do anything but help a tad bit, but not enough to avoid a headache.
I want the netbook tablet
I’m with you - equally sick of obnoxious glarey-screen fans.
Long live matte!!!
Keep the Matte screens. I'm a professional photographer and when I've used a glossy screen,
I see the screen and not the photo.
Bought a glossy MacBook because at the time there was no matte option. Didn’t think I would like it, but I did. The glossy screen really is not a factor with reflections for me, and the display is super-crisp.
Give me anti-glare or give me death!
if you want the 13", you're dead!
! typed on a 15" matte screen MacBook Pro
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