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m00min

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 17, 2012
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Hi, I'm hoping someone can point me in a direction for a product that I can use on my work-provided iMac.

I have a sight problem and the reflective screen gives me awful headaches, currently I'm using an anti glare filter with a privacy feature built in but the screen is so big that the viewing angle through the filter means I can't see the whole screen without moving my head from one side of the desk to the other.

Everything I've found so far has the privacy stuff built in. There's no upper limit on cost, my employer will be paying but they're unlikely to spring for a new computer with separate screens so please don't suggest a Mac Pro. :) Also, I'd rather avoid the thin adhesive film, I have enough difficulty applying those to a phone, let alone a 27 inch screen. Something that is removable would be better.
 
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Thanks for your suggestion, sadly that won't fit. Also it's a film, I don't want air bubbles and the associated nightmare to fit.
 
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Thanks for your suggestion, sadly that won't fit. Also it's a film, I don't want air bubbles and the associated nightmare to fit.
Searched 27" imac anti-glare and found one by the same manufacturer as above that fits your iMac.

https://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Screen-Protector-FORITO-Display/dp/B01MRT7HXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1489422849&sr=1-1&keywords=27"+imac+anti-glare

I believe this will give you the best experience. I would find someone you trust in their screen protector applying skills and let them put it on. A troublesome but one-time thing that will give you the best results.

It sounds like you're looking for one of those sheets that you can put over your screen, like how doctor's offices have the privacy sheets that they just tape onto their monitors. There's some of those on Amazon, but none that fit your iMac.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...nti-glare+filter&rh=i:aps,k:anti-glare+filter
 
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What model is that iMac?

It's a iMac (27-inch, Late 2013).


I assume that you have already tried moving your iMac to other positions or locations to minimize glare, as well as adjusting your local room lighting...

Found this
https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Diagonal-Blocking-Hazardous-screens/dp/B00TFWZMXY
Not sold as an anti-glare device, but a blue light blocker. Easy to use (no film install!), and may help you by using a different strategy.

I've tried moving the iMac around and I'm sitting in the darkest part of the office but to be honest, there's no position this thing isn't an utter pain in the arse. The comments on that filter possibly suggest is has a glossy finish. :(


Searched 27" imac anti-glare and found one by the same manufacturer as above that fits your iMac.

https://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Screen-Protector-FORITO-Display/dp/B01MRT7HXQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1489422849&sr=1-1&keywords=27"+imac+anti-glare

I believe this will give you the best experience. I would find someone you trust in their screen protector applying skills and let them put it on. A troublesome but one-time thing that will give you the best results.

It sounds like you're looking for one of those sheets that you can put over your screen, like how doctor's offices have the privacy sheets that they just tape onto their monitors. There's some of those on Amazon, but none that fit your iMac.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=anti-glare+filter&rh=i:aps,k:anti-glare+filter

Yeah, this is looking like my best bet, my film application skills are sorely lacking though so it's gonna be a bit of a trial. I wish Apple sold decent screens and not this reflective rubbish, wouldn't be a problem then.
 
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I've tried moving the iMac around and I'm sitting in the darkest part of the office but to be honest, there's no position this thing isn't an utter pain in the arse. The comments on that filter possibly suggest is has a glossy finish. :(
....
The reason I suggested that blue-blocker as a possible solution, is that you may find that your issue may not be glare, per se, but some component of the display visual output. Blue light is a known irritant, at least for some folks.
But, then if your job depends on viewing accurate color (graphic arts, photo/video editing, etc), then my idea would be useless. Maybe it is anyway... But, there's this article (some reads a little like "snake oil", but most can be something that might make you think.)
Just my 2¢ :D
Just a thought - you don't want the darkest part of the office. You want to mitigate light reflecting from other directions. "darkest part of the office" likely makes any light reflecting off the screen worse. More light may have a better affect, properly positioned.

(all that being said, I also have a friend who is quite sensitive to glare (suffers from glaucoma). HE finally resorted to a full hood, the type that are sometimes used with high-end graphics monitors. Even anti-glare coatings were not enough. So, I do recognize that some cannot work with a glossy display.
 
The option not mentioned is a new, matte external monitor.

Fortunately I do have an external matte monitor but I need the screen space of both so at some point I have to look at the iMac screen.


The reason I suggested that blue-blocker as a possible solution, is that you may find that your issue may not be glare, per se, but some component of the display visual output. Blue light is a known irritant, at least for some folks.
But, then if your job depends on viewing accurate color (graphic arts, photo/video editing, etc), then my idea would be useless. Maybe it is anyway... But, there's this article (some reads a little like "snake oil", but most can be something that might make you think.)
Just my 2¢ :D
Just a thought - you don't want the darkest part of the office. You want to mitigate light reflecting from other directions. "darkest part of the office" likely makes any light reflecting off the screen worse. More light may have a better affect, properly positioned.

(all that being said, I also have a friend who is quite sensitive to glare (suffers from glaucoma). HE finally resorted to a full hood, the type that are sometimes used with high-end graphics monitors. Even anti-glare coatings were not enough. So, I do recognize that some cannot work with a glossy display.

I do actually have an issue with certain colour/amount of light and visual stress so I'm already wearing specially tinted glasses. The glare/reflections coming off the iMac monitor do aggravate the problem. Interestingly my personal 11 inch MBA has a shiny screen but doesn't cause me issues, although when I need to do serious work I plug it into my own Dell matte monitor.
 
This thread came up in a search and wanted to comment on it since I think I found a great solution!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=1220983&is=REG

I tried mimicing what this does with a blanket at home and saw a huge difference on glare reduction. I think it solves your issues too in terms of not wanting to apply a film or what not. It's not the most beautiful solution for an imac but at this point I'll take it over glares!
 
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