glossy vs matte
i also returned my 17" mbp due to some problems, and had been wondering about the glossy screens. i was like everybody else and very skeptical, so i dropped by the new 5th ave apple store to check them out (awesome glass cube and glass elevator, but humdrum interior).
i basically spent about 20 min with my brother going back and forth between a 13" macbook with a glossy screen and the 17" mbp with the matte screen (they didn't have any mbp's with glossy screens). we both concluded that the pictures, text, etc on the glossy screens were so much more vivid that it's worth the glare. obviously it will be a subjective decision for everybody, but i have to concur that before discounting the glossy screens, go check them out.
a good way to compare is to open up iphoto because they have some photos in there already. the 1st or 2nd picture is of an alligator with his head half out of the water. the picture looks so much better on the glossy screen, it really sells it. i also watched a couple movie trailers from the QT website and i checked out some websites -- all cooler on the glossy.
after i get my 17" with the glossy i'll try to post a review after a week's use so i can comment on eye strain, glare in different settings, etc.