Glossy or Anti-glare Screen?

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I'm getting a MBP soon and I've been hearing a lot of debate over the glossy screen compared to the anti-glare screen. My iMac has the anti-glare, but peple say the colours are better and the images are sharper on the glossy. However, i will be using it mainly in my dorm room and school classes and lounges, all with windows and overhead florescent lighting. Will these conditions be better suited for the anti-glare or will the glossy screen hold up ok?

P.S. I do a lot of picture editing, so I would like to have colours and sharpness at their best but I also don't want to have reflections and glares when I'm trying to edit.

Thanks in advance!
 
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If you search you will find this discussed a million times.

I would go with the anti-glare or matte screen, I do not like the glossy.
 
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The anti glare would be best when used in light conditions but the glossy better when used in darker conditions. By your description, you should get the anti glare (There is nothing wrong with the colours on anti glare, the glossy is just slightly better.)
 
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I have the glossy and love it. The colors are sharp, vibrant, and lively, and everything just looks stunning. Im very happy with it.

As for glare, Ive used it in a few different places, and have not found it to be a problem. Keep in mind, that even with a matte screen, direct lighting, especially sunlight, will make the screen hard to see.

If you do get the glossy, and find glare to be a problem, there are products available to deal with that.

http://www.powersupportusa.com/products/ef.php?category=mb
 
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to my eyes, the advantage of having "brighter colors" is not really worth it considering the glare...
 
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y'all misusing the word 'glare'.

matte screens have glare when light is directed at them.
glossy screen have reflections, all the time.

go with matte!
 
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y'all misusing the word 'glare'.

matte screens have glare when light is directed at them.
glossy screen have reflections, all the time.

go with matte!


Well, misuse of the word "glare" aside, Ive used my glossy MBP in all kinds of lighting situations, and I really think the glare/reflection issue is overstated, and yes, the colors that the glossy screen produce are worth it.

In any case, the OP should check out both at an Apple Store and see which he prefers.
 
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My notebook isn't an Apple (it's an HP running Vista), but my experience there is that I did get the glossy screen and I regret it quite a bit. While it's certainly not unusable, it does reflect a little more light and that's a big pet peeve of mine.
 
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If you do photo editing, you do NOT want the glossy screen. My iMac came with the glossy screen, and I hooked up a separate Eizo monitor to it just so I can enjoy post-processing images.
 
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Thanks for all the responses guys, all were helpful! I'm going to go to my local apple store and check them both out so I can see the difference in person.
 
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Keep in mind that when your in the store, the glossy screen will show alot more reflections than you will probably see in the real world.

As for photoediting, many people say, and feel that the matte screen gives a "truer" representation of colors, but for what its worth, I have edited photos (both RAW and JPEG), on both my glossy MBP, and my matte screen dell inspirion 8600, (which has a higher resolution than the MBP does), and I could not tell any difference between the two machines.

Anywa, have fun....either matte or glossy, the MBP is a great computer.
 
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The matte screen looks amazing and it doesn't have any glare issues.
Thus, get the matte.
 
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Go with the matte option. The reflection off the glossy will drive you to distraction...and soon after, insanity. LOL.

I've gone matte from my first Powerbook and current Macbook Pro...
 
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i use a macbook with the glossy screen and no problems a all. usually i am working in the pitch black of my basement or wherever. Even then i just make sure to keep a light colored background to minimize glare contrast. never had any problems. i like the colour better of the gloss anyways. it just seems sharper and more vivid.
 
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I prefer matte as well, it matches my monitor. I think most vista laptops are coming with gloss screens these days.
 
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i find that a glossy screen gives a better picture quality, but it depends if you use it in a lighted area or not because if you do than your probably better off to get a matte screen
 
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Keep in mind that when your in the store, the glossy screen will show alot more reflections than you will probably see in the real world.

Maybe. My office has windows. My apple store does not. Even with shutters closed... the glare is painful on my eyes.
 
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I got glossy. I am a recent PC to mac converter, and I am used to a glossy screen. Matte wouldn't make a difference for me, but glossy looks nice and crisp.
 
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I so wanna buy new iMac 24" and the only thing that keeps me not to do that is **** glossy screen, reflection of myself is really annoying.

Is there some solution...some matte film that i could stick to the screen? have anyone seen something like this?
 
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Especially if you're doing photo editing, I'd go matte.
There's a firm rule in any graphics work that you should get a matte screen. It's easier on the eyes!
My school always keeps up with the newest iMacs, but they won't do the latest upgrade because they only come with the glass screens = BAD for graphics.
I very highly suggest you go with matte.
 

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