Glare on new iMacs

[Sean Dempsey]

Why are the Macrumors forums so humorless at times?

It was a joke. A needless thread about iMac glare among countless other threads and posts. So I thought some of you would get a lulz out of me reposting exactly what he posted in the first place, as sort of an ironic tribute to the reptition of the glare complaint.

I had assumed someone would go "haha, he's highlighting the redundancy of an anti-glare thread by reiterating what has already been reiterated dozens of times in the last week!" Followed by repeated my own post within my own post, I thought it would be obvious I was trying to demonstrate the absurdity of another imac glare thread.

But I guess not.

 

[mpw]

headhammer, calm down dear!

In this thread you've made three post about another poster's (probably accidently I'd assumed) nonsense post, and then made an on-topic post where you took a holier than thou attitude referencing your previous post as to why you thought you had a more worthy opinion than another poster.

Referencing a post is fine if it existed, but it didn't, and that's why I was some confused, and some amused by how your attitude came across to me.

And getting angry because:

...i also like the way that you've conveniently left the link out of one of my posts which shows why it's relevant

is pretty silly when you know you went back and edited your post, after I'd hit the quote button, because you'd ballsed up your own reference.

Now let's not take this thread any further off-topic going back and forth and so on, just add in an quick apology next time you've something to add and we'll call it quits

Why are the Macrumors forums so humorless at times?....

I blame the religious right, and the prudish Americans in the most part, but we're all probably guilty at times.

I honestly thought you'd screwed up an edit/quote rather than made an intentional joke, either way I have no real problem and anybody who tries humour is okay in my book.
*high-fives Sean*

 

[slffl]

OMG. Do you work standing up, at a counter, with hundred of fluorescent lights and a huge open store front window?

And what was your reason to come here and post how much you hate the glare? Other than to waste your time?

 

[Boulderer2001]

The glare is a problem when you are using it.

 

[sinser]

That is because you are at the Apple store. The amount of lighting in that place is horrific.

Yeah, that's a true work of art. They gave us Apple Stores, the ultimate consumer experience and produced a computer (sorry, a mirror) that can't be appreciated in such environment. That's funny.

 

[NewtypeCJ]

The glare is a problem when you are using it.

Perhaps for you, not for me. I've got a new iMac on my desk at home. Screen looks beautiful, I don't notice the glare at all when the screen is on -- much like I don't see my reflection in a TV screen when it's in use but can in a well-lit room when it's off. Or like the iPhone, which you'd think would be hindered by the glass screen and fingerprints, but those things aren't that noticeable to me when it's on.

There will always be two camps, those that like it and those that don't. Apple's betting people will based on whatever market research they have, the glossy fans are the larger group.

 

[LouTreize]

...ladies and gentlemen...

...when grown men cry...

 

[whooleytoo]

Yeah, that's a true work of art. They gave us Apple Stores, the ultimate consumer experience and produced a computer (sorry, a mirror) that can't be appreciated in such environment. That's funny.

Heh, touche (with the accent on the end).

I'm not sure which is more ridiculous: a computer store ill-suited to showcasing the computers it sells; or having to modify the store lighting & display just to avoid showing one computer model in a poor light (pun intended).

 

[mac-since-birth]

Think "TV screen" - thus the glass

The latest iMac is another step in the evolution of the desktop computer into something else: A combination device for work and play. If you remove the keyboard and mouse from the latest IMac, it is a 24" DVD/digital content player with remote control. Screen is like any other LCD TV screen. Even nicer - because of the glass. It looks better. Colors are crisper. The remote control...why have it when you're at a keyboard? It's all about moving toward the entertainment end of the spectrum. Buy the 24" iMac, work on it by day, then put a sofa 10 feet away and eat popcorn and watch movies at night. That's the idea. This is, for it's time, the best computer-based entertainment center going -- in a small footprint, elegantly executed.

 

[mpw]

...<media centre stuff>...

Then why don't they put a TV tuner or two in the damn thing?

 

[CBAviator]

To those critical of my post:

1. To dismiss my comments by suggesting that the Apple store is an inappropriate environment in which to make observations about glare, I would note that none of the other Apple screens in the store were showing similar glare other than the new iMacs. Second, many users do work in environments with overhead florescent lights or windows that are sunny.

You have to realize that Apple is a showroom. The lights are often times more intense and of different spectrums, etc. The lights are made to make things sparkle, including the iMacs.

Do you own one of these new iMacs? I only ask because a majority of people really enjoy the screens and seem to have no problems. I understand that a lot of people may work on an iMac in environments with lots of lights and windows, but most people don't work in the center of a showroom right in the spotlight. I'm sure if you went home and tried to mimic the Apple showroom by placing the computer in the sunniest window in the house you'd get the same effect. Heck, I get reflections from the sun on my television screen all the time.

Lastly, I'd say a majority of Apple's products in their showrooms are not glossy. I was in my Apple store the other day and the smaller glossy screen computers they had DID have some reflection on them. However, I was not studying every spec of those laptops like I was the iMac so I didn't notice it as much. In addition, I wasn't looking at a giant 24" screen that potentially has twice as much reflection in it either.

Each person is entitled to their own opinion about this "glossy debate," however, I also believe that it is getting blown a little out of proportion---mainly by those that don't even own the iMac.

 

[LoganT]

I really wish some of you guys would stop spreading FUD because you were too impatient to wait for the new iMacs so you got them before the new ones were released. When I first got my iMac I was expecting it to be "glare central". I did a test, I opened all my blinds (two Windows) and turned on both my lights (one ceiling, one lamp), I normally don't use my computer like this. I honestly had to look for glare and couldn't find it. The only reflection I could really notice was in the black border, you know the part that's not a screen. You have to realize that the Apple stores have a bunch of little fluorescent lights, most homes don't use those.

 

[mongoos150]

That is because you are at the Apple store. The amount of lighting in that place is horrific. seriously I had my new iMac now for almost a week and I have had no problems with the glare unless the sun is beating down on my screen which is maybe 2 minutes out of the hole day.

Precisely. Glare in store is horrid. Glare at home is near nonexistant.

 

[German]

Haha i would also try to convince myself that the new imac sucks if i had bought an older version just month's before a newly released mac. People just work that way it's rather funny though as the new screen really is better to the normal consumer and normal viewing condition "Says owner of both old and new gen".

The new iMac is not much faster. The only real advantage ist, that the new one can use 4GiB of Ram.

Disadavantage: The new Glossy-iMac has a 6bit TN-Panel + Glossy -> The TFT is worse.

 

[CBAviator]

Disadavantage: The new Glossy-iMac has a 6bit TN-Panel + Glossy -> The TFT is worse.

Only true for the 20" iMac.

 

[docprego]

Precisely. Glare in store is horrid. Glare at home is near nonexistant.

I only found it noticeable when the screen was off and the entire display area was totally black (actually looked nice when off-something I would not say for matte LCDs). Once that bright beautiful image is on I did not even think about glare. I used the 24 inch in the store on 3 occasions for about an hour each time, and always left the store thinking I had not even seen any glare.

This issue is so over hyped it is bordering on ludicrous. Haven't we all used CRT monitors with "glossy" surfaces for years? IMO this is a NON issue.

 

[johnee]

I don't like glossy screens simply because they sort of dictate where/how I place them to avoid glare (which I hate).

I can easily see a third party selling thin antiglare film. Non adhesive would be best.

Interesting debate though...

 

[law guy]

...This supposed 'glare' business is all very funny!

Glass has been used in photo frames and for displaying fine art for years! What's the difference, seriously?

But it's why you can get several types of non-glare glass at framing shops - standard glass being the cheapest option. All of the items on my office walls are framed in anti-reflective glass.

PC magazine's review notes the glare, CNET regularly dings HDTVs that get too glossy in their pursuit of deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. I too do not like reflective screens and I view them as a draw back to the new iMac iteration. It's not simply the glare of bright lights - it's the vary reflection itself. I suppose one can tune out their own reflection - and soft office lighting - but I think there's certainly something to be said for not having to ignore the reflections (soft or bright) to begin with.

 

[overcast]

Do you base your HDTV purchases in stores like Best Buy? Bad Lighting, Factory Presets or even worst Best Buy turning up the Settings.

pcorajr and like many have said, you can't base it on their set up.

This Glossy complaints/ranting is getting out of hand. LOL

This comparison is absolutely silly. First of all, the Apple store is meant to showcase Apple products, so generally one would basing their purchasing decision on what they saw. What else are consumers supposed to base it on? Someones post on a forum saying how great it is, so they feel better about their purchase? Secondly, comparing Vivid mode on HDTV's in consumer electronics stores is totally different then a physical attribute of the the iMac. You can't change the glossy finish, you can change the color temperature, contrast, brightness etc. of an HDTV.

 

[tivoboy]

amazon got my money

So, I was in the market, and was waiting. But, in the end, I couldn't do the new one. I WANTED it, but couldn't get used to the screen, and know that the glossy is just going to be a problem for me. In the store and at a friends house who bought one.

So, I went the 1525$ route with amazon, no tax and shipped already, got the ilife 08 update for free too. Help apple clear out the channel

 

[stockcerts]

Describing the glare on these computers as horrific seems to be a dramatic representation. I am so glad I didn't buy the previous generation of IMac. I love the way the colors appear on the screen. They are vibrant and beautiful. I don't have commercial lighting in my bedroom where my Mac is, nor do I have the sun shining on my computer. I really don't believe that the glossy screen inside of a normal home office will be an issue.

 

[brian0526]

Got mine yesterday. Yes, there is glare (if you look for it). But, it makes my iMac G4 look positively dull and fuzzy.

I love the glossy look of my MacBook and my new iMac.

Peace,
Brian

 

[NewtypeCJ]

This comparison is absolutely silly. First of all, the Apple store is meant to showcase Apple products, so generally one would basing their purchasing decision on what they saw. What else are consumers supposed to base it on?

It's not that silly a comparison. But it goes both ways, sometimes the ideal store setting does not mimic that of your personal setup. My brother bought a large TV and it's in a living room with big windows and it picks up glare like mad. Didn't in the store under those conditions.

 

[Toddgabweg]

what glare?... it is really not a big deal... I have my new 24"imac in my family room... I also have a 55" Mitsubishi HD projection TV (3 yrs old) in the same room that has a major glare issue during the day... the imac is so much better with regards to glare... I am looking to sell my TV and replace it with a 1080P LCD TV.

 

[overcast]

It's not that silly a comparison. But it goes both ways, sometimes the ideal store setting does not mimic that of your personal setup. My brother bought a large TV and it's in a living room with big windows and it picks up glare like mad. Didn't in the store under those conditions.

That's called poor planning. Having a reflective surface on a monitor produces glare, end of story.