MacBook Mods & Hacks

The gloss screen is much better than a matte one if you keep it well kept. Get some iClean. The photo of the gloss screen white macbook turned off looks like you have cleaned it with water and a crap cloth, very smudged

Wow! only reason which have kept me from not upgrading to Macbook have been the damn glossy screen. Well not buying a Macbook though, as it might be quite hard and expensive to get a hold of those 13,3" matte ones.

yes I want a macbook but because it comes with glossy only I am thinking of a Macbook Pro. The warmth of the matte screen is far better than seeing any reflection. I want my photos in a silk finish so I sure as heck don't want to see my images like the glossy photos. They say that a glossy photo is also sharper but so what? The silky artistic image is more beautiful even if it is slightly less sharp.

The glossy screen is for me the reason to never buy a Macbook. I was lucky to get an iMac with a matte screen before Apple ruined those as well with glossy screens.

I actually kinda like my Macbook's glossy screen and never really thought much about it before... Is it really that much of a bother?

i thought i was the only one who hated the glossy screen.
i too purchased a 24" imac before the plague of the glossy screen.
from the first time i saw a macbook with a glossy screen i hated them. why do i want to see myself in every video or photo i edit?

I prefer the glossy

I'm not defending the glossy screen, but I have to mention that you're missing the point... It's not glossy to be shiny, it's glossy because that's the result of leaving off the matte finish. And you would want to do THAT because the matte finish blurs pixels slightly. This hasn't been a real concern in the past, but the smaller pixels get, the more pronounced the blurring will be.

Can you tell us the part number of the matte display?

Glossy better!!!! ugh ugh

i have no problem with the clarity of the matte finish on my screen. it's very clear and any additional clarity you get from the glossy screen is ruined by the glare and smudges that show up in a much more pronounced way

the glossy really only has the advantage if you're working in the dark and theres no other source for a glare

i used to dislike glossy screens until i upgraded from my ibook to my current macbook. the clarity just seems to be much better on the glossy, just keep it clean like everyone is saying.

You should have replaced it with a screen from an OLPC machine. Those things are purported to be visible in direct sunlight! I love taking my MacBook out to the deck in nice weather to work, but I have to keep shifting it around as the sun moves to find shade.

Mac now offers antiglare, FYI

Why has no one mentioned the fact that reflections from highly reflective surfaces can be significantly reduced through the use of coatings. Good camera lenses and filters are all multicoated, as a re spectacle lenses. Why doesn't Apple give the best of all worlds by multi-coating their glossy screens?

Why not get that gloss really revved up with some gloss wax? Seriously, if you want glare, reflections, and uneven image viewing, the glossy screen is what you want. Sort of like a shiny car, but worse.

I detest this glossy screen. I ordered a MacBook from Apple, and nobody mentioned the damn glossy screen - nor was there a word about it on their website. I would not have bought it had I known.

I hate the glossy screen. Never mind the lights reflecting in it, my problem i what the glossy screen is doing to my eyes. An hour or longer of use leaves me with eye strain, dry eyes and a dull headache.
I ordered an anti glare screen protector and I'm looking into anti glare glasses, but if they don't work I will be getting shut of my Macbook. Which would be a real pity as I love everything else about it.

yet again mac truy to dictate what its users want rather than giving them what the really want .
why will mac os not maximise its windows

My employer just got me a new Dell peecee (not my idea) last week that has the glossy screen and I already can't stand it. If I have a bad hair day I'm reminded constantly because all I can see is my own reflection and the florescent light fixtures behind me on the ceiling. No degree of futzing with the position of the computer or tilt of the screen completely cures the problem. I don't care if the pixels are slightly less crisp or the contrast a little lower on a matte-finish screen. I found out Dell doesn't give you a choice on the Precision 4300 either. Bleh!

i can see both sides of the discussion and personaly would prefer a matt screen but does it realy make so much difference ?

I am (still) a PC user and would like to make the switch, but the glossy screens (of MacBook or iMac) are preventing me from doing so.
I cannot tell you how many times I was standing in front of a MacBook in a shop, pondering whether the glossy screen isn't that bad after all and finally coming to the conclusion that I really hate glossy screens. I also hated myself for taking a look at a MacBook again as I had done this several times before, coming to the same conclusion.
One would assume that Apple should have good reasons for choosing glossy screens, but in this case they miss the opportunity as many customers dislike glossy screens and rather buy a Windows notebook.
@Apple: Why don't you capture the customer group of 'glossy screen haters' by offering a matte screen for the MacBook? You are already trying to position the black MacBook as premium model. Why don't you just add a matte screen?

coming from matte screens, moving to glossy is really not that big of a deal. you may think there's a world of difference but there really isnt. because the problems with glossy screens before was that it wasn't bright enough/ nowadays they are so bright and vibrant that you don't notice the reflections.

Also once those hi-def screens roll in, only glossy will do it justice. as the matt screen simply just blurs it all.

seriously, look at what is gained, you get darker blacks,sharper image and wonderful vibrant colors.

you only notice reflections when you remind youself. look at things objectively. then be honest with yourself. i think you see what i mean.

even though the fingerprints suck on glossy, i still prefer it

glossy is exactly the same. the only way someone could notice a glossy screen is if they had it on all the way dim or were outside. since i am in neither of these conditions i think you are all stupid. yes i know. biased and inconsiderate. but i dont care either

I'm pretty sure any professional will prefer the matte. Anybody who is just using it as a toy and wants to get headaches from the screen will LOVE the glossy.

I have a Dell Inspiron 1505 (Core Duo 1.66) with a glossy screen, and I will never buy a glossy screen again due to the reflections. This week, I took delivery of a refurbished 2.16 Core Duo iMac with a matte screen direct from Apple. I am very happy with this iMac. Sure, I don't get the 3 ghz and the Firewire 800 of the newest iMac, but what I have is fast enough and I get the matte screen.

I freaking hate glossy laptops. I have one matte and one glossy and the matte is 100 x better in terms of saving my eyes from strain :)

what about macbook Air with LED

glossy sucks. I personally have an anti-glare macbook pro, but I used a friend's macbook at college once in a lecture hall and all I saw was the faces of the people behind me.

Well here s how i would advertise the Macbook. You not only get a laptop but also a MIRROR with it . I simply hate glossy screen. i went to the apple showroom to buy macbook and i just couldn convince myself that it is even "manageable". It reduces the readability by 80%.

Yes, I bought a white, matte iMac, in spite of the availability
of the glossy metal iMac, and have been very satisfied.

THe glossy disply is preventing me buying an iMac for my biochemistry lab. A colleague has one and the reflection from the fluorescent strip lighting is terrible. Worse still the MBPros and new displays are ALL glossy, with no option anymore!

To those saying all you need to do is pump up the brightness to counteract the reflection: How about when you are travelling and want to save battery life? How about when you don't want to burn out your retina staring at an overbright display all day giving a headache.

I agree that the old Powerbook/Macbook LCD diplays were not so great, but the display on my last gen MBPro 15" Matte LED is absolutely perfect. I don't need it ay brighter. I generally use it (even when plugged in, in my office) at about 80% brightness, thereby matching the luminance of other things in my office, like the keyboard, desk and paperwork. If I have it too bright, my eyes need to constantly adjust, giving me a headache after a while.

To Apple: Give your user base OPTIONS.

Tell Apple how much you want the matte screen option back for MBP's:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

u can choose if u want glossy or not so wats the point

does anyone else relize that this fued has been going on for a little over 2 years... dont you thing its time to stop?

yeah, when apple decides to get rid of glossy screens. It was one of the main concerns I had about buying an macbook. I loved the old matte display of my ibook g4, although I will admit it's not as vibrant. I also get fing tired of the really crappy view angle with darks. I understand the macbook is only a consumer model, but at it's price, it's a premium consumer model, and Apple really needs to have better screens put in for sure.

This will not be possible with the new MacBooks.

i used to have an ibm with a matte screen, and have worked with matte screens a lot at work. i am also forced to use a matte screen on all the computers at school. i will tell you i hate it. the glossy has a much more beautiful picture. i really enjoy picture quality and when i look at my macbooks screen i feel like i am looking out a window instead of at a computer screen. i have also never really had a problem with glare or headaches, and i have been known to play WoW for hours on my front porch. idk why everyone is complaining, although i guess its personal opinion.

I own 3 Macs all with matte screens. I do photography and graphic design. I will never own a glossy screen. apple needs to correct this and fast. Also, I have a lot invested in firewire. I want more firewire ports, not less.

Apple just needs to make the option for the screen. Honestly I dont think any of you complainers will ever be happy.

with this surgery, the isight and the airport antennas are removed, so how does the computer work? unless you get a similar lcd panel with the same connections, its screwed!

fred - 14 - uk

In my opinion matte screens are better. I also dislike the glossy ones. I have worked on HP Pavilion & Toshiba L300 with glare screens. Four months ago i changed my laptop. I have bought Lenovo Thinkpad T61 with matte screen and now i'm very satisfied. No reflections anymore. Maybe glossy screens have better colors, but reflections are unacceptable, especially outside the house.

But last time i have seen in electromarket near my house the laptop with half matte (half glossy) screen - New Sony Vaio Z11. I think it's good compromise. There are no reflections, and image is also as vibrant as in glossy screen.

Apple should introduce matte screens again. Every customer should be able to decide about type of screen finish.

best regards from poland ;)

mike

That is just a scary sight... (not the matte screen but the surgery). I would fubar that project, no doubt.

What do you have against a glossy screen. At Start-up you see your reflection, that's the only time. Once the monitors back-light kicks on you can't see your reflection. Apple didn't kill the product with the glossy screen. It delivers way better picture than a Matte screen. The matte screens remind me of my old Dell Latitude work computer...terrible.

Glossy screens are excellent. The glare issue is really over hyped bullshit.

i would buy the imac and switch from pc but the glossy screen hurts my eyes only after a few hours. matte screens i could stare at much longer without strain

i've had macbook for about a month and have had no problems with the glossy screen. it reduces my eye strain and i don't get headaches anymore compared to my dell inspiron laptop with matte screen, contrary to what some of you have said

Glossy sucks.

Speaking of Mac Book Pro's it could be better to have the matte option as well. Glossy is a pain if you talking business specially when you shoot outdoor. Hell, i prefer matte..

I need to see the pics on the screen, not myself all the time!!!

I can't stand glossy screens, and yes i have both. The gloss just shows too many damned reflections, meanwhile the matte is much nicer to look at.

I agree. The glossy screens are inferior for everyday use. Apple used to give you the option and should consider this again.

glossy screens cause eyestrain and headaches because there are two images your eyes are trying to focus on automatically. The computer image and the slightly out of focus reflection.
Glossy screen computers are only good in locations where one can control the glare, for a laptop this is just not a option.

visit this site and please leave a intelligent comment

http://macmatte.wordpress.com/

As a professional retoucher, I find that the glossy screens make my job harder since what is being reflected on the screen is in direct competition with what I am retouching. High end image manipulation is not possible on the glossy screen. As a freelancer, there have been times when I had to use my own laptop with a matte monitor because the company I was doing work for was using iMacs with glossy screens to do retouching on.

I prefer the glossy screen, it is for people who actually take care of a macbook but the matte is for people who cant take care of their laptops! Who's with me?

Mate is why i bought a macbook pro pre unibody (just the last model before unibody, aka early 2008). Now they sell a sheet of mate plastic for the glossy unibody (which makes the image crappy)
APPLE, GET YOURSELF TOGETHER AND OFFER MATE OPTION!

I prefer matte, no doubts. Too many things became glossy recently. Far too many.
Here is a good page about it http://www.annystudio.com/misc/matte-vs-glossy/
I totally agree.

I just left manhattan apple store without buying before of hate for glossy screens. I ran my fingers all over the displays in the store with my sandwich greased hands and left a trail of horror. All hail the matte screen. It was the same in photography - why do we have to peddle to the lowest common denominator all the time - give us our niche product!

GLOSSY SUCKSSSSSS i m on asus F81 now, i need to change my laptop just because it has glossy screen. Because i m new to it i totally fall for its trap, its reflection is giving me headache, i m selling my laptop now after 3 months of headache the glossy screen giving me. HATE REFLECTION! HATE GLOSSY!!!!!

I didn't even know there was an issue about matte v. glossy until I went to the Apple store yesterday intending to buy an iMac. I saw all these reflections in the display and asked the salesman about it. He told me about all the virtues of their glossy display. Then I realized I had been using matte all these years and I much prefer it. Much as I would love to own a Mac, I will be upgrading to a Windows 7 computer and a matte display. Too bad, everything else about the Mac seems to be great.

yes, thank god i bought the matte screen before Apple stopped putting them on Macbook Pros. I want to see what's on the computer, not a reflection of what's behind me.

The folks whom have posted here in favor of �glossy� screens are most likely viewing content on their computers which primarily has a high "average picture level" (APL). Think about it: most web pages, e-mail programs, word processing programs, etc. have WHITE backgrounds. Images on the screen which have a higher APL tend to minimize the appearance of reflected glare (although in reality, the glare is still actually there; it's just not as noticeable as compared to when viewing lower-APL content).

But not ALL content viewed on computer screens has white backgrounds with a high APL. Most content may be, but for some people, the APL tends to be darker, and thus shows the (annoying and eye-straining) reflected glare much more obviously.

So the argument here is not only about Glossy vs. Matte; one must also consider the APL for the majority of content typically viewed on their computer screen. This is why elsewhere you find surveys saying that 40% of users HATE �Glossy� screens: and this is probably because most of those 40% are viewing lower APL content than the average person. I�m willing to bet that if all the web pages, e-mail programs, word processing programs, etc. were to use dark gray or even black as a background instead of WHITE, then this Glossy vs. Matte issue would be a cause for all-out war.

Another big factor in the objection to �glossy� screens is the environment: more ambient point-light sources from above and in front of the screen surface will be reflected. So the jokers here advocating glossy screens most likely are working in environments with few or no external point-light sources. Couple this with viewing mostly high APL content�and viola; the glossy glare issue isn�t too much of a problem (for them).

Let's face it: the only reason glossy displays are even considered as a surface option for computer screens is due to the fact that today's Marketing Gurus believe "gloss" makes consumer objects "look prettier" as compared to "dull, matte" objects. Thus, "Glossy" equates to "more attractive" to the casual, ignorant consumer. There is no technical reason for glossy screens: they do NOT make the images sharper than matte screens, nor do they make the colors more accurate. People who believe as such are either: (a) marketing gurus making excuses for their choice; or (b) ignorant consumers who are simply reacting to the "pretty glossy consumer object" � and not to the actual issue at hand.

I may be dating myself, but I remember back in the days of "picture tube" CRT monitors for TV and computer use (way, way back before Marketing Gurus came up with the concept of "Glossy" = "Good"), in which the Marketing Gurus of yore were (rightly so) marketing "anti-glare" coatings for the shiny, glare-prone, eye-strain-inducing glass CRT monitors as �much better for your viewing pleasure� and as the �Wave of the Future". Please, let�s go back to the Future! Why is it that (before Glossy screens came about) no one was advocating to bring about Glossy screens (other than Marketing Gurus); but many people have since advocated strongly for Matte screens?

Get rid of Glossy Screens Everywhere! The ignorant consumers really won�t miss them.

The folks whom have posted here in favor of �glossy� screens are most likely viewing content on their computers which primarily has a high "average picture level" (APL). Think about it: most web pages, e-mail programs, word processing programs, etc. have WHITE backgrounds. Images on the screen which have a higher APL tend to minimize the appearance of reflected glare (although in reality, the glare is still actually there; it's just not as noticeable as compared to when viewing lower-APL content).

But not ALL content viewed on computer screens has white backgrounds with a high APL. Most content may be, but for some people, the APL tends to be darker, and thus shows the (annoying and eye-straining) reflected glare much more obviously.

So the argument here is not only about Glossy vs. Matte; one must also consider the APL for the majority of content typically viewed on their computer screen. This is why elsewhere you find surveys saying that 40% of users HATE �Glossy� screens: and this is probably because most of those 40% are viewing lower APL content than the average person. I�m willing to bet that if all the web pages, e-mail programs, word processing programs, etc. were to use dark gray or even black as a background instead of WHITE, then this Glossy vs. Matte issue would be a cause for all-out war.

Another big factor in the objection to �glossy� screens is the environment: more ambient point-light sources from above and in front of the screen surface will be reflected. So the jokers here advocating glossy screens most likely are working in environments with few or no external point-light sources. Couple this with viewing mostly high APL content�and viola; the glossy glare issue isn�t too much of a problem (for them).

Let's face it: the only reason glossy displays are even considered as a surface option for computer screens is due to the fact that today's Marketing Gurus believe "gloss" makes consumer objects "look prettier" as compared to "dull, matte" objects. Thus, "Glossy" equates to "more attractive" to the casual, ignorant consumer. There is no technical reason for glossy screens: they do NOT make the images sharper than matte screens, nor do they make the colors more accurate. People who believe as such are either: (a) marketing gurus making excuses for their choice; or (b) ignorant consumers who are simply reacting to the "pretty glossy consumer object" � and not to the actual issue at hand.

I may be dating myself, but I remember back in the days of "picture tube" CRT monitors for TV and computer use (way, way back before Marketing Gurus came up with the concept of "Glossy" = "Good"), in which the Marketing Gurus of yore were (rightly so) marketing "anti-glare" coatings for the shiny, glare-prone, eye-strain-inducing glass CRT monitors as �much better for your viewing pleasure� and as the �Wave of the Future". Please, let�s go back to the Future! Why is it that (before Glossy screens came about) no one was advocating to bring about Glossy screens (other than Marketing Gurus); but many people have since advocated strongly for Matte screens?

Get rid of Glossy Screens Everywhere! The ignorant consumers really won�t miss them.

The folks whom have posted here in favor of �glossy� screens are most likely viewing content on their computers which primarily has a high "average picture level" (APL). Think about it: most web pages, e-mail programs, word processing programs, etc. have WHITE backgrounds. Images on the screen which have a higher APL tend to minimize the appearance of reflected glare (although in reality, the glare is still actually there; it's just not as noticeable as compared to when viewing lower-APL content).

But not ALL content viewed on computer screens has white backgrounds with a high APL. Most content may be, but for some people, the APL tends to be darker, and thus shows the (annoying and eye-straining) reflected glare much more obviously.

So the argument here is not only about Glossy vs. Matte; one must also consider the APL for the majority of content typically viewed on their computer screen. This is why elsewhere you find surveys saying that 40% of users HATE �Glossy� screens: and this is probably because most of those 40% are viewing lower APL content than the average person. I�m willing to bet that if all the web pages, e-mail programs, word processing programs, etc. were to use dark gray or even black as a background instead of WHITE, then this Glossy vs. Matte issue would be a cause for all-out war.

Another big factor in the objection to �glossy� screens is the environment: more ambient point-light sources from above and in front of the screen surface will be reflected. So the jokers here advocating glossy screens most likely are working in environments with few or no external point-light sources. Couple this with viewing mostly high APL content�and viola; the glossy glare issue isn�t too much of a problem (for them).

Let's face it: the only reason glossy displays are even considered as a surface option for computer screens is due to the fact that today's Marketing Gurus believe "gloss" makes consumer objects "look prettier" as compared to "dull, matte" objects. Thus, "Glossy" equates to "more attractive" to the casual, ignorant consumer. There is no technical reason for glossy screens: they do NOT make the images sharper than matte screens, nor do they make the colors more accurate. People who believe as such are either: (a) marketing gurus making excuses for their choice; or (b) ignorant consumers who are simply reacting to the "pretty glossy consumer object" � and not to the actual issue at hand.

I may be dating myself, but I remember back in the days of "picture tube" CRT monitors for TV and computer use (way, way back before Marketing Gurus came up with the concept of "Glossy" = "Good"), in which the Marketing Gurus of yore were (rightly so) marketing "anti-glare" coatings for the shiny, glare-prone, eye-strain-inducing glass CRT monitors as �much better for your viewing pleasure� and as the �Wave of the Future". Please, let�s go back to the Future! Why is it that (before Glossy screens came about) no one was advocating to bring about Glossy screens (other than Marketing Gurus); but many people have since advocated strongly for Matte screens?

Get rid of Glossy Screens Everywhere! The ignorant consumers really won�t miss them.

sorry for the triple post: got an error message each time saying no post was made.

I recently upgraded to a new MacBook Pro with the glossy screen from a PowerBook with a matte screen. I also have a Samsung matte external monitor. I have been giving it good chance. I really want to like the glossy screen. It looks prettier, it is easier to clean, and it has a hard glass surface which is more protective. And I don't want to think that my nice new computer has some problem with it. But unfortunately no matter how much I try, it isn't cutting it for me, for the following reasons:

1) You have to constantly adjust the position to avoid reflections. Not just reflections of light sources, but any bright object shows up in the background of the display. It is true that when your eyes are focused on the displayed image, the reflected objects are slightly out of focus because they are at a different depth of field, and you can mostly ignore them. But I find that they still occasionally pop into my consciousness and cause distraction.

2) But it is more than that, and this point is very subtle. Something about the glossy glass makes it feel like you are peering through a window at the images slightly behind it. With the matte display it feels like the images are actually on the surface of the screen with nothing in your way. This has an interesting effect: with the glossy screen the images and icons actually seem a bit more three-dimensional! They seem brighter and have more depth, and they really pop. With the matte display, the images and icons look very slightly flatter, like they are painted on the screen. You might think that this 3D-ish feeling of the glossy screen is better. But I am constantly finding that the matte screen is more comfortable to look at for long periods of time. My eyes water less and feel less strain with the matte screen.

The matte screen is more like seeing images on a page of paper; the glossy screen is more like looking through a plate glass window at a painting in a store front. No matter how much you try, you are always subtly shifting and straining to avoid seeing the glare of the window.

I work in front of the computer all day as part of my job, and I am consistently finding that I am more comfortable when I switch over from the glossy screen to the matte external display.

There is no question that the glossy is a more sturdy and more cleanable surface. But in terms of eye strain, the matte is much better over time.

Oh, and for those that care, the matte screens and the glossy screens are not built the same way. The matte screens have an LCD panel that is matte, without any protective glass over it. The glossy screens have a glossy LCD panel, with an extra layer of glossy glass over it. You can feel the difference with your finger. The glossy is very hard to the touch. The matte is slightly soft to the touch, and you can press in and bend it. So adding a matte anti-glare sheet over the glass doesn't give the same result as having a matte lcd panel to begin with; it creates yet another layer, with more distance between the surface and the image panel.

When it comes to being engaged with a movie, nothing beats glossy screens. Imagine you're watching a horror movie, you can thank the technology for letting you blend [in the movie] as your reflection appears with the movie on the screen.

Also, if you're an eye doctor, you must be grateful for this new trend of making 'glossy only' displays.

However, if you spend time reading some text on the screen, you'll realise that you've been given a bad deal. A bad screen. Sore eyes [and maybe more than sore eyes]. Bad time. Bad technology.

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