There seem to be arguments either way regarding this topic, with Apple having chosen the glossy finish for their new MacBooks. I work for a large stationery chain, and we sell laptops with glossy screens. I had a close look at them today and I really hate them. They just reflect absolutely everything! I would be interested in a MacBook further down the track, but not if they still only come with the glossy screens.

What are your thughts?

The early reports I've seen suggest the MacBook screens aren't that bad. Apple was reluctant to add them, but I guess people doing comparison shopping were being seduced by the glossiness of the PC laptop screens. (I must admit I was impressed by a Sony Vaio screen I saw once, but I didn't really look for glare)

I havent seen one yet but i think i would prefer matt

Comparing my matte PBG4 screen and my wife's glossy Toshiba Dynabook, my screen comes out ahead for most light conditions and definitely when watching video.

My prediction is that Apple will probably offer a matte alternative eventually, as it's probably losing quite a few sales for them.

Between 2002-2004 I think we saw the 'Glossy' screen fad arise, I never remembered seeing a Glossy screen on a laptop until one day I walked into DSE And bam, all the screens were shiny. Initially I just thought w-t-f :huh:? Maybe some kind of protective coating, But it doesn't look like that.

I absolutely hate the reflections so I'd definately go Matte, I did see a noticible colour difference between the two.

That being said I don't think a Matte/Glossy screen is going to affect decisions on buying a MacBook in the future, I guess I can live with it.

Got a glossy mac book in black , its great, reflections not really an issue wherever weve taken it.
very seriously considering BTO ordering my Macbook pro in glossy too. NO WAY I WOULD HAVE SAID THAT BEFORE PLAYING WITH THIS MACHINE. Its a non issue, take a look around all the pc laptops if it was that big an issue (even for pc people) they wouldnt be 95% glossy on the shelves. Anyway for my vote, glossy......i think :-)

Seen the MacBooks. Don't like it at all (even though it was a little bit better than I expected).

Down with gloss!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wingrove @ Jun 7 2006, 08:35 PM) [snapback]180995[/snapback]</div>Why do you think people still use Windows. They learn to endure it. Thats all they know.

true jaffa, its like driving a hyundai all your life, its gets you from A to B, till someone gives you a lift in their BMW and you see the light.

Mark, im interested as to why you 'didnt like it at all' which bit the extra contrast? the brightness or the occasional reflections?

I liken it to a plasma tv, my 50" plasma is glossy, but its still fantastic to watch anything on.
j

I prefer a matte finish but I have to say that the MacBook screen is really quite lovely (and I don't mean that as a Princess Bride reference).

saw this a while back on a friends LG laptop. LG/Samsung(correct if wrong) make displays for the world, and i was impressed with the contast, somehow more realistic colour. also the gloss coating is more durable, ... how many times have u had someone finger your lcd??? really annoying!
anyway, lets move on to real issues. these new displays are great. can't wait to see first cimema displays like this.
ok, similar to the way photos have gone. gloss was nice but not good for handling. matt better but seemed to obscure detail in pics. bingo! semi-gloss(silk matt as some manufacturers call it),

You can't compare the Macbook's glossy screen with PC-Manufacturers glossy screens. Wait until you actually see one in-person before casting your vote because they are NOT the same.

Ok ive had the last week using my wifes macbook and had plenty of time to side by side it with my 20" cinema display (which should in theory be the same brightness / contrast as the new MacBook Pro's.

Looked at pictures, videos etc in various lighting and whilst the cinema display is no doubt great, the difference in brightness and overall 'vividness' is worth the occasional reflection. The average Applestore is loaded with downlights and sunlight from every direction, when they heard about glossy screens my local appleshop freaked out worrying how they would be able to show off the new glossy screens in store, they are very happy now with how they look wherever they place them in the shop.

in my opinion its not an issue, the amount of reflected light is very minimal as any reflections are actually quite dark an not at all 'mirror like'. I do a lot of presentation of photos and reference material to clients in all lighting conditions so ive definately given it some thought.

Obviously its a very subjective thing and everyone has to make up their own mind but after much umming and ahhing ill be ordering my 17" MacBook Pro in glossy.

I guess the reason im bothering to write this down at all is that I was so convinced before seeing a glossy screen that there was no way id be getting one of those, but since ive had the opportunity to spend some time outside of an apple shop doing some comparisons over time that i felt it was worth posting my thoughts.

I saw last weekend, for the first time, one of the new glossy screens on a friends MacBook. I was hugely impressed. I only realised it was glossy, after a couple of hours, due to the lack of reflection except at odd or extreme angles (artificial light). At first I just thought it was a superior Apple display (I have a Phillips 170B which has a staggeringly poor viewing angle range but a brilliant warranty).